Part V - Continued...Choosing the Right Fabric for Your Sofas and Chairs



Photo courtesy of F. Schumacher

Imagine the chairs above, upholstered in a tiny floral print. Instead of noticing the graceful lines of the chairs, your eyes would stop at the pattern of the fabric. The lines of the chairs would be lost, because chairs like the ones shown above require fabric that enhances not detracts from their form.

An easy way to decide on which fabric to use are the following suggestions:

• Use traditional fabric on traditional pieces (unless you are a skilled designer with loads of experience)
• Large rooms can handle large repeating patterns, smaller rooms can get a great look using fabrics with a great texture
• Solid fabrics will maintain a 'timeless' look
• Use the color on the upholstery to enhance the mood of the room. Warm up the room or cool it down with color (reds, orange, yellows are warm/blues, greens are cool, for instance)
• Tight woven fabrics often last longer and keep their shape better than loose weaves
• Decide if the sofa or chair needs sun resistant fabric
• Will the sofa be used daily or just for company? Durability is key for daily use when selecting fabrics for sofas and chairs
• Use pillows to update or refresh with the change of seasons
• When in doubt go neutral with the sofa fabric - add color and pattern with throws

It's not so hard to choose the right fabric, if you take the time to cover the points above.
After all, decorating is supposed to be fun - right?

Stay 'tuned' for the next BestDesignCoach blog post to find out about my Website's list of the most important items to consider when decorating a Home.

M. A. Smith, Ltd.
Interior Design
732 690-2030
Allied Member ASID
Serving New Jersey and metropolitan New York

Part I: How An Interior Designer Helps You

What are some of the ways interior designers help Clients?

So often I'm asked how I work with clients or, what specifically do I do to help them. Even with all the TV shows on home design, people are not sure how we actually do our job.

My first response of course is to make sure they understand that many of those TV shows are far from reality! Besides the general answer that 'we solve problems' or 're-invent the look of a home', there are a number of ways I work with clients as it appears on my website:

Accessorizing, tablescapes, bookcase arrangement

Budget or space planning

Conceptual and design development

Drapery and blinds/shades - planning and design

Fabric selection and design for windows and upholstery

Flooring Selection - tile, rugs, carpet and wood flooring

Floorplans - including furniture placement and lighting schematics

Furniture floorplan, selection and design

Fixture selection - for kitchen and baths

Hardware selection - for cabinetry, doors, including kitchens and baths 

Kitchen and Bath plans - floorplans, vanities, fixtures, flooring and tile 

Lighting design - including plans, fixture shopping and selection

Paint selection - walls,ceiling, trim (including faux finishing);interior/exterior

Project management - pre-construction through post-construction

Shopping assistance - visits to local retailers for furniture, flooring and tile selection

Upholstery - new or re-upholstery and trim selection

Virtual design - designs for clients at remote locations

Window treatment selection - including drapery, valances, cornices, shutters,and trim selections

Great - so stay 'tuned' for my next BestDesignCoach blog post to find out about the first item on the above list - Accessorizing.

Most important... if you or someone you know is renovating, redecorating or involved with a new construction project - send them to this page to see how we can help them, or you!

Then call me, Mary Alice at 732 690-2030 to get the project off to a great start.

M. A. Smith, Ltd.
Interior Design
Allied Member ASID
Serving New Jersey and metropolitan New York with exceptional interior design