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Importance of fabrics & materials

Fabric and materials are essential elements in any space, as it adds both colour and texture to a room. Even on furniture, the fabric provides the piece its colour and its character. Using the right fabrics and materials can create an atmosphere of elegance and completion in a room. Fabrics bring their own personality into a room, be it nostalgic, luxurious, homely, romantic, elegant, crisp and cool or warm and inviting.

Fabrics are now increasingly being used in unusual places to add to the feel and ambience of a room. A major trend is the covering of headboards and unexpected fabrics and materials achieve spectacular results. Contrasted to beaded and feathered lampshades and pillows, the result is delicious array of textures. Covering walls with fabric is another idea that seems to be gaining favour.

Fabrics can be used to change the entire look of a room, without much hassle. Examples include draping fabric over headboards or loosely hanging fabric over a canopy bed. Understated elegance and simplicity can be achieved by draping fabric over a window instead of, or even, in addition to, using a curtain or a blind. Over and above visual appeal rich, heavy materials will also absorb noise and insulated a room against the cold.

The generous use of fabrics creates a look of opulence, even if the material is not heavy or expensive. Heavier material with lining for curtains will fold richly around the window. A generous size tablecloth will also look more stylish than a small one barely reaching the floor.

Fabric Colours

Colour is personal, arousing and suggestive. A clever combination of texture and colour in the fabrics you choose is also the most inexpensive tool for transforming any room and creating the atmosphere you want.

Neutral colours, ranging from white to cream, pearl, ivory, pale greys and ice blues, contribute to an atmosphere of serenity and invoke a feeling of natural warmth. Another calming colour is deep green and as such the deep green and neutral colours create and exceptionally quiet and peaceful ambience.

Pure white always look bright and clean, unless of course, it isn’t clean. It is a good idea to consider using white fabrics where a feeling of cleanliness and hygiene is important, but equally, it will then be important to keep such fabrics spotless.

Red and yellow are warm and inviting colours, but can be overpowering when too bright or make a space look small if too dark. Blue can be cold on its own, but when combined with white or even yellow, the effect is cheerful and fresh.

To add height to a room, use fabric with vertical stripes. Horizontal stripes on the fabric will add width to a room. Bold patterns and solid lines tend to make a space look smaller while smaller designs and pin stripes create a more spacious look.

The popularity of colours is subject to trends. The colour trends for 2004 are forecasted by some to rest on one word: contrast. The Dutch Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (http://www.cbi.nl) is a source used by many professionals in keeping abreast with the colour trends. The International Colour Authority (https://www.internationalcolourauthority.com) is another source of this kind of information, albeit an expensive one.

Changes

Technology continues to improve our lives and innovation reaches even to the fabrics we use everyday. As an example, DuPont™ Lycra® have introduced new fabric for bedding. Adding Lycra® to cotton creates a new category of sheets that are even more luxurious to the touch, and also stretch and recover for a smooth, tailored appearance on the bed. Thus, attributes of easy fit, luxurious feel and stretch and recovery are combined in bedding that combines the luxurious feeling of 100 percent cotton with a smooth, tailored appearance.

Even if your décor is complete, keep an eye out for new innovations in fabrics and manufacturer’s improvements. Using fabrics created with new technology can create an entire transformation in a room and may even make your life a little easier.

Trends

Trends are the effects of both time and place. It would appear that for 2004, the trend remains simplicity, clean lines and an uncluttered appearance.

The Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (http://www.cbi.nl) predicts the following four international trends for the season spring/summer 2005:

1. Cornfields in Central America, dry environment, farms, country life, primitive,
   rough wooden interiors.
2. Rio de Janeiro, Spanish influenced, colourful street life, enjoy life, exuberant.
3. Rivers in the tropical jungle, crocodiles, the gloss of fish skin, water meets forest, the greens and yellows of banana and palm trees, paddy fields.
4. Cruise ships, yachts, show-off harbour life, nautical influences, sportive.

Other experts consider global and travel-inspired themes as the focus of fashionable décor. Still others put their faith in textures like woven raffia, linens, leather and sisal with warm, nature-inspired colours accented with pinks and reds.

The trend in furnishings continues toward a more casual look, even in the use of old European styles, while the country-style and worn look will continue to be popular. Denim, paired with bright colours will bring a more modern look to country. Fabrics, too will be softer and more casual. Also predicted to be popular are silk fabrics with rich colour, iridescence, and embroidery and patterned sheer fabrics. In addition, stripes and florals are making a comeback. Natural fabrics in simpler styles remain popular and the trends emphasise weaves, texture and tonality instead of excessive styling.

However, the main trend remains natural, simple and more informal and this return to simplicity allows the details to shine, making an unusual touch, such as Asian, Turkish or Moroccan twist stand out in beautiful contrast. Contemporary is becoming warm and inviting. How to choose fabrics

When choosing fabrics, some points to consider include your needs and the comfort of guests, practicality, maintenance and cleaning. The location of the room and its purpose should also be taken into consideration.

Warm colours are welcoming and stylish and the use of different textures will create interest. Soft furnishings and upholstered furniture look inviting and a classic style will appeal to most people. Avoid frilly fabrics and too many patterns, which can be less than tasteful. Look for fabrics that are appealing to the eye, but are easy to clean and will wear well.

Looking for local fabrics and materials is both patriotic and good sense, as you may find it very difficult to replace a damaged cushion or chair cover if the fabric was imported.

The trend toward simplicity certainly helps to maintain a budget. Natural fabrics and materials are easier to maintain, and can wear better. Consider stain resistant fabrics or Scotch Guarding fabrics and materials, especially those in high-use areas. Sunlight fades all fabrics, so try to avoid placing delicate fabrics close to windows.

On a practical level, consider the safety of the fabrics in terms of its resistance to fire and how water damage will affect the material. Also consider how often an item must be washed and ensure you choose a fabric that can easily be washed. In other words, if choosing fabric for a curtain, dry-clean only fabrics can be used, but this is not practical for tablecloths or slipcovers.

In addition, pay attention to the durability of the fabric – light wear fabrics are suitable for curtains, cushions and tablecloths. Closely woven fabrics are tougher and should be used for quilts and comforters, while only heavy-duty fabrics are suitable for upholstery or slipcovers. As a rule of thumb, the more use and longer time of use between washes, the heavier the material.

If choosing a colour for fabrics and materials is a difficult exercise, try spending some time browsing through fabric stores or catalogues. You will naturally be drawn to some colours and not others. Be aware of how the colours make you feel: nurtured and safe, relaxed, restless or uneasy. Also notice how you feel when you combine the colours.

Find a primary colour and two complementary colours as a starting point, then you can work with the hues and get the right balance between the primary colour and the complementary colour. Most people find it easier to start with one colour. If you are more confident, you may consider starting with a multi-coloured, patterned fabric and using colours from the pattern to build on. These steps should make the process of choosing amongst thousands of shades and hues a little easier.

It is a good idea to take a small swath of the fabric to the room it is meant for. Check that the colour looks the same in the room as on the showroom floor, both during the day and at night.

Fabric tips

Natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, silk and wool are resistant to dust and dirt and clean well, although they may shrink when washed. Natural fibers "breathe" and feel good on the skin. Unfortunately linen, cotton and silk wrinkle easily.

On the other hand, man-made fibers such as polyester, nylon and acrylics are easy to wash, wrinkle- and shrink-resistant and durable. Unfortunately they attract dust and require regular cleaning.

In the middle is the mixture of the two, which then includes some of the benefits of both. Rayon for example "breathes" like a natural fiber, is easy to clean, and is wrinkle- and shrink-resistant. Unfortunately, rayon is not as durable as other man-made fibers.

Your own style

Each space is unique and factors such as concept, clients and location ultimately sets the most important framework. Combining this framework with different fabrics and materials will add creativity and interest to a space. The use of unusual - not necessarily expensive - fabrics and materials, could be unique and stylish. Imagine the possibilities of combining naturals fibers such as seagrass, sisal, jute with plush velvet, natural silks, cotton, wool and sheer fabrics.

Simplicity is still in and classic will always be a winner. It is not necessary to become a slave to trends and fashions. Choose the fabrics and materials that complement and enhance the atmosphere and the look you want to create in a room.

For a glossary and textile terms and terminology, visit http://apparel.indiamart.com/lib/textile/terminology09171998.html