When you stand back and look at any room, the most cohesive elements are the soft furnishings made of different textiles.

A bed layered in wools, cashmeres, linens and cottons is warm and inviting through the winter; nothing is quite as nice as stepping out of bed onto a wool or natural fibre floor rug, rather than onto a cold floor. Upholstered sofas and armchairs, rugs, curtains, lampshades, throws and cushions all allow a mix of colour, pattern and texture, creating the perfect and unified pulled together look.

In addition to looking good, textiles also have physical benefit, enhancing whichever aesthetic you choose. They absorb noises and echoes as you walk across a hard floor, while heavy drapes and curtains insulate and control light filtering into your room. Fabric cost is a major consideration: you get what you pay for. A sofa upholstery fabric needs to be strong; you don’t want a fabric which pills from daily wear and tear. You also need a fabric which is low maintenance and easy to clean.

I encourage my clients to use blended fabrics. Quality wool is naturalyl fire retardant, strong and forgiving when being cleaned. When polyester yarns are added to wool, the combined fabric is stronger and retains its shape. The polyester component is resistant to stains and spills, and adapts well to synthetic dyes and weaving techniques. Similarly, linens and cottons can be quite durable, with a lovely slump, textured characteristic.

A small pattern or texture in the fabric weave is always better than a solid fabric. It helps hide small stains and will better contrast with cushions in differing colours, fabrics, textures and sizes. Here you can play around with latest trends and fashion, by adding binding, tassles and fringes. Like clothing fashions, décor schemes are influenced by trends, which come and go fairly quickly. Once you have decided on your general aesthetic, play around with what is trending within that style.

Over recent years, bouclé fabric has been featured as a trending material. Usually made of wool, it is a loopy knobbly fabric which complements softer, more curvaceous shapes; it was a popular furniture fabric choice in the 1940s and again in clothing in the winter ranges of the late 2000’s.

More recently, in soft tones of white and ivory, bouclé has appeared on sofas and mid-century influenced armchairs. If you are prepared to maintain it, bouclé looks great; consider having removable slip covers which can be easily soaked and laundered.

Alternatively, perhaps select a few scatter cushions with bouclé fabric covers. Play with a couple of shades of the same colour for interest. Bouclé as a trend is now developing and merging with winter longer-haired and denser shearlings, making a statement in deeper neutrals and pale silvery greys.

Periodically moving your textiles from room to room is a satisfying way of changing the appearance of your spaces. With some minor and new additions you can readily incorporate what’s trending into your home.

Published in the February 2024 Issue of The Trentham Trumpet