Wide Fabric Trim

What is ottoman or faille fabrics?

A fabric term I was unfamiliar with popped up this week on some new fabrics I was adding - so I took a little time to learn what the term meant. Technically, ottoman and faille refers to a cross grain weave.  First, let's clarify that the weave is different than the fiber content.  In other words, you can purchase a silk ottoman fabric or a wool faille fabric.  The new fabrics I added were polyester faux silk fabrics.  Ottoman fabrics are usually silky with a horizontal ribbing that is a little larger and rounder than a faille fabric.

Faille - silky, ribbed fabric - smaller ribs
Ottoman - silky, ribbed fabric - larger ribs

Curved Curtain Rods

One of our very popular products is flexible curtain track.  It is perfect for shower enclosures, rotundas, bay and bow windows, and room dividers.  This track is flexible enough to make a circle or s-shape.  Track can be installed on the ceiling or the wall with double track and valance options available.  Affordable and easy to customize for the do-it-yourself 'er or design professional.  We now have pre-packaged kits available with everything you need or order by the foot and customize your options just the way you need it.

2018 Color of the Year

Pantone announced the 2018 Color of the Year this week. Last's years Greenery has been replaced with Ultra Violet - a very lovely purple. Purple evokes feelings of wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity and mystery.  We usually associate purple with royalty and luxury. Since purple combines both the energy of red and the calmness of blue, it provides balance to your space.

Here are some fabrics from www.InteriorDecorating.com that feature beautiful purples.

Casablanca Velvet 62

St Tropez 34

Zazzle Berries Drew

Savoy Stripe Lavender

Trellis vs Ogee Fabric

Adding thousands of new fabrics to www.InteriorDecorating.com in the last month, fabric trends become apparent to me.  A trellis or lattice work pattern features a supporting structure of interwoven pieces of wood or metal.  A similar type of pattern is called ogee fabrics for its onion like style.

Ogee Fabric Pattern

Fretwork/Lattice Fabric Pattern

Recycle a Sweater

Are you looking for an easy and inexpensive decorating project? We took an old sweater that wasn't even good enough to donate and covered an outdated vase.  This DIY was quick and used things we already had.  If you want to see the whole video, click here.

Sweater Vase
Things you need: vase, old sweater, glue (spray, hot glue gun, tape) and scissors

First determine which part of the sweater you want to make the focal point of your vase.  We chose the pocket and seam.  We also cut off some of the buttons and glued them closer together.  Once you figure out which parts to use, cut and glue.  It's that simple.  The sleeves make good vase covers too, just cut them off and slip over a slender vase.

Fun Friday: Houzz Quiz

Today I thought it would be fun to check out another quiz on Houzz.  I chose the "What Style of Kitchen Should You Have?" quiz.  Do you ever feel like you wish you could have one style but you really like another style?  I love the Farmhouse look but it's really not me.  I think quizzes like this help us narrow down our choices.  One of the hardest things when picking fabrics is choosing which one since there are simply so many beautiful choices available.  I think we have over 500,000 current fabrics on www.InteriorDecorating.com right now.  My advice to you, learn your style and make your choices accordingly.

My Results - which I am not surprised by: Your style is … Modern!

Modern: You lean toward a minimalist vibe with sleek and simple hardware. You find beauty in the small things, like the veining of a marble countertop or the grain of walnut cabinets.  Take the quiz here>> https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/32108920/list/houzz-quiz-what-style-of-kitchen-should-you-have

Photo by Furman + Keil Architects - Look for kitchen design inspiration

Velvet VS Chenille

Don't you just love soft, velvety fabrics for upholstery? Not only does it look luxurious, but it feels amazing. Upholstery velvet is one of our most popular fabric choices in 2017. Every gorgeous color in the rainbow is available and these fabrics are made to last. Shop Velvet
Now to our question:

What is the difference between velvet and chenille?

"To put it simply, Chenille is a type of yarn, and Velvet is a type of construction."

Velvet is made from weaving two pieces of fabric together and then cutting it down the middle while chenille fabric is made from chenille yarn producing a fuzzy, soft pile. Although the fabrics are very different, the look and feel can be very similar.

Bottom line: pick the one you like the best - you can't go wrong with either one.

Check out this detailed article from Greenhouse Fabrics >>

Upholstery Ideas

We sell fabric.  Fabric for upholstery. Fabric for drapes. Fabric for curtains. Fabric for pillows. We sell fabric and lots of it.  One of our Pinterest boards focuses on upholstery ideas.  Today I am going to show you some of my favorite ideas and then list comparable fabrics to create the look on your furniture.

Bird Toile >

Bye Bye Birdie > (this one is exact and is available in other colors)

Twitter >

Soft floral fabric: Street Magic Lemon Chiffon >

Solid Velvet: Casablanca >

Chenille Leopard print fabric: Bray >

Stain and ink resistant faux leather: Visage Black >

5 Helpful Holiday Tips

5 Tips to Make Your Holiday Season Less Stressful

October is here and that means the start of my favorite things. I love to cook, craft, relax and spend time with family. When the leaves start falling on our 20 acre patch of woods, I know that fall is in the air and Christmas is just around the corner. It can be the best time of year or the most stressful time of year. It really is what you make it. I have compiled some of my favorite tips to help you make the most of this time of year.

1. Take a few minutes for you, every morning!

      If you are busy, taking time for yourself is easier said then done. Trust me, this tip is worth it. You don't have to do much to feel better. Getting up 5-10 minutes before everyone else can make a world of difference for your mental health. While making that nice cup of coffee or hot tea, stretch it out. Stretching can make you feel more energized in just a few seconds. If you have more time, I love to pop in a yoga DVD, stretch, and take the last few minutes of quite time to say my prayers before starting my day. Trust me, it makes a world of difference.

2. Start Holiday Meal Prep Early!

         I have the reputation for being the baker in both my families. I also cook and I love to do it. I figured out a long time ago that by cooking, I was showing love. I get most of my traits from my sweet mom and this is no exception. I love to make things from scratch and nothing tastes better. I have found a few short cuts by using some store bought items but I really try to stick to my family's good ole recipes. To get a jump on things I make pie crusts and cookie dough early. It is very easy to freeze and thaws quickly. I also know that if times are going to be crazy, I meal prep a few meals and toss them in the freezer. I make an effort to buy my staple items all during the year so it does not add to my already mounting grocery bill during the holiday season. Flour, sugar, and spices are on the top of my list. It takes a long time for them to go bad, if you stock up now, you could save big at the checkout later. 

3. Budget Early!

      Once again, easier said than done. With family meals, gift buying, company parties, and regular everyday life; this time of year can get expensive. Saving ten to twenty dollars a week out of your paycheck starting January first can really add up and keep you away from the stress train come Black Friday. Pinterest is full of ideas on how to get a jump on saving. It's never to late to start.

4. Take Family Time!

        I am a family girl, five minutes with me and I've already bragged about my kids and shown you their picture. Those two are so busy and we don't get to spend as much time with them as we would like, but we try and make the most of our time between their busy schedule by not planning a thing. My favorite memories are the four of us curled up under blankets on the sofa just talking about life or watching cheesy movies. When they were younger we would grab them between activities for a quick family dinner. It slowed the pace down for just a little bit and brought us back to reality. Try and take one day out of the week for a planned family dinner or just to sit down and check on how everyone is doing. It will help you slow down and remember why we celebrate during this time of year.

5. Be Thankful!

     This is the most important tip I can give for making this time of year less stressful. Our lives move at such a rapid pace that we sometimes forget to stop, enjoy it, and be thankful we have this life. 
If you are elbow deep in laundry, a baby crying, the phone ringing, and dishes over-flowing; be thankful. The laundry is there because your family has clothes, a crying baby and a phone ringing is because people love and need you, and the dishes because your family is well fed. Sometimes stopping in the midst of complete and total chaos to realize all of this is amazing and temporary is a beautiful thing.



Remember, this time of year is great. Allow yourself to slow down and relax. By taking the time now and putting into practice these tips, you will have a great holiday season.
     



   

World Smile Day

World Smile Day is celebrated annually on the first Friday of October.  A day dedicated to "good cheer and good works". The national celebration was initiated by commercial artist Harvey Ball. The catch phrase for the day is "Do an act of kindness - help one person smile". He is recognized for creating our beloved smiley face icon.  Where would we be without our smileys? An authentic Harvey Ball smiley face can always be identified by three distinguishing features: Narrow oval eyes, with the right one larger than the left, bright sunny yellow, and a slightly off center mouth, which has been attributed to being similar to a "Mona Lisa Mouth".^[

We wish you a happy day and encourage you to pass the good cheer to your neighbor.

Photo By Garchy - Photograph, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50566003

The Legend of Kanati - TrueTimber Camo

From the TrueTimber website: 

Shop TrueTimber Camo

In Native American tradition, legend told of a great hunter.
The first hunter who taught all others.
He never missed, and so his people never went hungry.
The whole world was his hunting ground.
Seeing all. Seen by none.

THIS IS HIS STORY.
In ancient times, there was only one village and at the top
of their sacred mountain was a cave blocked by stone. Inside
the cave you could hear every type of growl, grunt and bark.
Every day the huntsman would hike to the mountain cave and pull the stone aside to release a lone creature from the den. Upon closing the cave mouth, he hunted the animal, and went home carrying it on his shoulders.
One day the hunters two sons quietly left to visit the cave. The boys struggled to push back the stone but to their surprise it tumbled away and animals of all types came thundering out. Their paws, hooves, and feet pounded the earth as the boys struggled to close off the cave. All the animals fled into the woods until the cave was vacant. Their father, keeper of the animals heard the sound of thunder and ran along the trail to the cave mouth. His two sons stood next to the empty cave with their heads hung anticipating their fathers rage.
The Huntsman said nothing at first but then spoke to his sons, “Never before has our life been harsh. Now the animals are free and we will have to hunt the rest of our lives. With our spears, tomahawks, and bows we will work to eat. We will wander the forest hunting. Some days we will come up empty handed and some nights we will go hungry all because you were careless and thoughtless. But we will endure.”
And so it is that hunting has been hard work
and a labor of great skill among all people ever since.
The Huntsman went on to teach his people
to hunt, to sustain, and to conserve.
He was a teacher, a warrior, and his story is legend.
His name...was KANATI.

Today's Traverse Rods

When I started working at www.InteriorDecorating.com, I did not know what a traverse rod was - well, what you called it anyway.  My Mamaw always had them in her living room so I knew there were drapes that could be opened and closed with a cord.  Now, after many years of selling all types of curtain rods, my knowledge has increased exponentially.  Just in case you don't know what to call those curtain rods that allow you to open and close them by pulling a string/cord or using a baton, they are traverse rods, traversing curtain rods, curtain rod track or ceiling track.  There are probably more names, but those are the main ones.

This week I just finished adding a new, budget friendly line of traverse rods by Aria.  These modern traversing rods are baton drawn - which just means you pull them open with a baton - think hotel curtains.  The Aria H-Rail traverse rods are sold in kits with everything you need to hang your drapes.  With six beautiful finishes like Brushed Nickel, Oil Rubbed Bronze, Matte Black, Brushed Bronze, Antique Brass and Satin Nickel, you are sure to be able to match your current decor.

The kits come with end caps for a modern and sleek look, however, there are several finials (decorative end pieces) that are available as well.

Please give us a call if you have questions, we can help.  1-800-590-5844
Aria Traverse Rods >

Fun Friday: Houzz Decorating Style Quiz

Check out this quiz on Houzz - What's Your Decorating Style Quiz

Just for the record - I got Transitional which is what I thought I was.

Your style is … Transitional!

Transitional: You’re not too modern but not too traditional, either. You’re a gracious host, and you love to break out the fine china even when you’re just eating pizza. You prefer a home full of beige and other neutrals. You like simply framed artwork that doesn’t cause too much of a fuss. Serenity is your goal at home. You are transitional.

Photo by Sheridan Interiors - Search living room pictures

Top 10 Interior Decorator Tips

#1 Know Your Value - your time and ideas are just as valuable as the tangible items you sell.
#2 Don't Skimp on the Sofa - choose well-made and comfortable so it will last a long time.
#3 Drapery Panels Must Go All the Way - if you are going to the floor, go all the way.
#4 Gold and Silver - they really can go together.
#5 Hang Artwork Correctly - 3 to 8 inches above the furniture.
#6 Practice Your People Skills - you have to be able to work well with people.
#7 It's Not About You - you may have a great sense of style but you have to follow your clients wishes.
#8 Know Your Local Laws - as a designer you must know the city and state building codes.
#9 Comfortable - remember that a space should be comfortable not just pretty.
#10 Be Prepared for Problems - items don't come in on time, your measurements were off, the client changes their mind, and so on...

If you need a good source for fabrics, window treatments, blinds, wall paper and all things home decor - check out www.InteriorDecorating.com

Let's Talk About Drapes

Window treatments can completely change the look and feel of any room. If you have gone from bare bones windows to adding at least a valance you know what window treatments can do. Just like a vehicle, there are so many "makes and models" it can be overwhelming figuring out what all the different types look like and what will ultimately suit your needs best. I have pulled together some of today's most popular drapery panel styles in the hopes that it will enlighten you and make your decision making easier.
First let's look at the most common types....

Tab Top drapes are stylish and clean. They remove the need for drapery rings thereby keeping the look simple, yet attractive. Tab tops are a very modern look.
Rod Pocket drapes are the most common drapery type. They are simple, traditional and for those sewers out there are relatively easy to make.
Grommet Top drapes like tab tops are stylish, modern, clean and minimalistic. Grommet tops are growing exponentially in popularity and many drapery hardware companies are beginning to manufacture designer grommets to add that special touch.
Pinch Pleat drapes give your window a luxurious, designer look and feel. These are typically used with drapery pins, curtain rings that use gator clips or traverse rods.
Inverted Pinch Pleat drapes works great if you are wanting your panels to stay stationary. Inverted pinch pleat drapes bring a fullness to your window and your room.
Goblet Pleat drapes are considered to be among the more luxurious designs for window treatments. They are better suited for curtains that are both long enough to graze the floor and are fully lined to maintain their unique shape.
Cartridge Pleat drapes  are tailored and sculptural with smooth unbroken folds, this treatment gives a sleek, streamlined look that works well in just about any setting.

No matter the style you choose you can't go wrong with drapery panels. You will absolutely love what they will do for your room.  www.InteriorDecorating.com

Trend Fabrics

Trend Fabrics are sophisticated yet affordable.  You will find designs by Vern Yip and Jaclyn Smith.  Decorators and designers know that you will find the look you want with coordinated fabrics, trim, wall coverings and window treatment hardware.

Shop Trend on www.InteriorDecorating.com

The Perfect Wedding Gift

Is there such a thing as the perfect wedding gift?  Probably not.  However, we carry a line of beautiful and exquisite jeweled picture frames and other gift items made by Olivia Riegel.  Each piece is crafted beautifully using Austrian crystals, sleek metals and enamels.  Give the glamorous life to someone you love with a beautiful bejeweled box, umbrella, vanity mirror or picture frame.  They also offer wedding accessories like ring bearer pillows, serving sets and flute sets for the wedding toasts.

Shop Olivia Riegel >

Jacobean Floral Fabrics

Old is new again. We see it all the time. As I regularly add new fabrics to our website, www.InteriorDecorating.com, I get a glimpse of what is popular in fabrics today. One of those fabric designs is Jacobean Florals. These fabrics have a distinct design pattern. You will probably recognize the design style, but don't know what to call it.

Jacobean florals are based on popular embroidery styles from the era of King James I of England in the first quarter of the 17th century. The florals have a distinct and exaggerated whimsical look. Characterized by a scrolling vine with stylized flowers, these beautiful fabrics provide a rich and sophisticated look.  Shop Jacobean Fabrics >>

       

Today's Wallpaper - What to Look For

Today's wall coverings can be easy to remove - just look for Non-Woven wallpapers.   These technically advanced wallpaper materials were introduced to the market several years ago. Made of a fibrous material, non-woven wallpapers are easier to install and even easier to remove! They will dry-strip from the wall, usually leaving the wall smooth and abrasion free. Many Non-Wovens are vinyl free making them an environmentally friendly wallpaper option. 

What is the difference bewteen prepasted and unpasted wallpaper?

Prepasted wallpapers have an adhesive applied to the backing which is activated with water.

Unpasted wallpapers do not have paste applied to the backing.  Most of these can be hung with standard wallpaper pastes available at your nearest paint and wallpaper store unless the instructions give more specific directions.

Some wallpapers are listed as strippable and some are peelable - what does that mean?

Strippable wallpapers can be dry stripped from the wall without leaving any backing behind. These are the most removable papers in the market and are usually printed on a Non-Woven substrate.

Peelable wallpapers will peel off the wall, leaving some of the backing behind. The backing can be often removed with soap and water, but sometimes a wallpaper removal solution may be necessary.

Information from Brewster Wallcoverings.  New Brewster Wallpaper Collections on www.InteriorDecorating.com

View Wallpaper

Cleaning Code S

Cleaning Code S

"S" what?  Upholstery fabrics use a standard set of cleaning codes.  Most of the fabrics we see have a cleaning code "S" or they may say Dry Clean Only.  So what in the world does that mean?  Use a solvent based cleaner - not water based.  Another option is to use a professional dry cleaning service.

This site has a nice review of several cleaning products available > 


For more information on cleaning codes, check out www.InteriorDecorating.com

Keep Cool in Style

Are you looking for a stylish way to keep cool?  These non-permanent, movable fans are available in many styles and colors for both indoor and outdoor use.  Some of the floor fans feature adjustable heights.  The outdoor fans can be fitted with a mister that really amps up the cool factor.  You can find traditional wood styles to ornate resin looks to sleek metals like copper and stainless steel.  If you don't want to install a ceiling fan and a box fan just isn't the look you want, these decorative floor and table fans are the perfect choice.
Shop DecoBreeze Fans >

Leather for Upholstery

Upholstery grade leather is normally sold by the square foot.  Some companies require you to purchase a half or whole hide and others do not have minimums.  Keep in mind there is a limit to how much you can get from one hide.  Some of the leather like Berkshire and Caressa are consistent in color and style from piece to piece so you would be able to cover a whole couch or large piece.

One 54" yard of fabric is equal to 18 square feet of leather.  Here is a link to Garrett Leather's estimates for upholstery.

Take a look at the average cutting area of a hide.

A common term for dyed leather is Aniline dyed - the process that results in true color permanence. Transparent dyes penetrate the cell layers throughout the thickness of the hide, producing deep, vibrant, and durable colors. It conceals none of the natural characteristics or markings. 

Beautiful leather can be found on www.InteriorDecorating.com

Love from Greece - An Upholstery Story

We absolutely love when our clients share their decorating projects with us.  Recently, we assisted a lovely lady from Greece with Magnolia Fabrics for updating two couches in her Bed and Breakfast located on the Island of Euboea in Greece.  Check out her website MadCatFarm.gr  

Here's what she had to say about the fabrics. "Here’s a picture of the big couch covered in Lourdes and with a cover over the ridge along the back, arm covers and alternate cushions in Farrell Misty." The covers are to protect the couches from the Cats - which is a signature part of their fun Bed and Breakfast.

Window Curtain Tricks

Found this on Pinterest.  

Outdoor Sling Fabric

New on the website this week are about 2,000 new Charlotte Fabrics.  One of the fabric books includes vinyl coated polyester fabrics for outdoor use.  These are the fabrics you find on chairs and swings that you can just hose off.  Personally, it is my favorite type of outdoor fabric - it seems to just last forever.  This is the first time to see them sold by the yard.  These vinyl fabrics are great for chairs and furniture, window screens, umbrellas and more.  From solid colors to tropical prints and stripes, you are sure to find something you will love. Shop Now >