How To Choose The Right Fabric - January 2010

January 2010

In This Issue

Feature Article:
"How to Choose the Right Fabric"

Color of the Month -

"Turquoise"

About Premise Design

Happy New Year!

To get your year off to a good start, this monthís newsletter gives you some great tips for your home. If you are starting (or finishing) any design project, you will probably need to choose fabric and color. These can be difficult decisions ñ if you donít know the guidelines.

This monthís main article shows you which type of fabric works best for your specific function. And if you are looking for some color inspiration, check out the Color of the Month (hint ñ itís actually the Color of the Year!)

How to Choose the Right Fabric

With such an enormous selection of fabric available, how do you know which to choose? To make sure that your design project is successful, it is essential to know which type works best for your specific function.

Cotton
This natural fiber is a popular choice for home dÈcor projects. Cotton comes in many finishes to coordinate with most room styles. It works well for window treatments, as it hangs nicely and usually keeps its shape. Prolonged exposure to sun can cause yellowing, so use a lining for protection.

Cotton is also a good choice for slipcovers and smaller accessories because it launders well.

Silk
Silk has a beautiful, luxurious sheen, and is available in a wide variety of textures and rich colors. It is a fragile fabric, so it is usually avoided on upholstered furniture. It is very susceptible to staining from moisture because it absorbs all the impurities and causes spots.

Silk is best used on pillows and draperies. Sun and heat does cause silk to fade quickly, so use lining and interlining to protect window treatments.

Polyester
This manufactured fiber is a good choice for many home dÈcor projects. It is often woven to resemble natural fibers, like silk or leather. Polyester needs less ironing than natural fabrics, and it resists sun nicely, so it is a perfect choice for window treatments. Because it is resistant to wrinkles, it also works well for upholstery and cushions.

Many fabrics come as a blend of polyester and another fiber, which gives you the best of both materials.

Leather
Leather adds a rich touch to a room, but it does require work to keep it looking good. It is often used for upholstery. Leather fades quickly from the sun, so donít keep it close to big windows.

Nylon
This synthetic fabric is very strong. It is usually blended with other fibers, and adds a silky shine. Itís strength and resiliency makes nylon and nylon blends good choices for upholstery. But because it is very heat-sensitive, it is not recommended for draperies.

Choosing the right fabric and following the proper cleaning and care guidelines will enable you to enjoy your furnishings for years to come.

Pantone ñ the global authority on color ñ has announced Turquoise as the color of the year for 2010.

Turquoise combines the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, making it inviting and luminous. It evokes thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a clear, bright sky. Turquoise is relaxing and healing, restoring our sense of well being.

Because it is a very vibrant color, designers are using turquoise mostly as an accent, rather than as a main hue for the room. With both warm and cool undertones, turquoise pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum.

Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to warm neutrals, like browns, creams, and golds.

Create a classic maritime look by pairing turquoise with deep blues or white.

For an exciting and unexpected look, combine turquoise with tangerine, purple, or gray.

As the senior designers of Premise Design, Melinda Richardson and Heather Arthurs have 19 years of combined experience helping clients realize their homeís full potential. Their personable approach creates designs perfectly suited to each clientís specific challenges, needs and desires.

Let us show you how great your place can be.

A full list of our services and our portfolio can be found at www.premisedesign.ca. Or, contact us at 403-452-6200 for more information.