I believe one of the most fun parts of a design project is making the upholstery take on a life of its own…the part when the products go from being just stuff to being functional works of art.  Our design consultants are so talented.  It is amazing to watch how they can take a client that they basically just met and create a room that reflects that person’s interests, moods and family life. 

In many instances the way they do this is with upholstery options.  The right welt, fringe, cord, flange, bullion, etc. can transform the piece from boring to beautiful.  Josh Piersall with Huntington House Furniture showed me just how this can be achieved in my latest video from the High Point Furniture Market.

Click here to see it: Keeping Our Options Open

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While flipping through the pages I found I was most attracted to interiors with boisterous chairs. The combination of a neutral or basic solid fabric for the sofa body with stylish prints, stripes, and silks for the pillows works beautifully. Add a pair of coordinating accent chairs and you have that “put-together” look. I may not be daring enough to upholster an entire sofa in a loud print (for fear I may hate it in a year or two), but I am all about upholstering accent chairs with something wild.

This grouping, by C.R. Laine, is based around a neutral gray sectional with punches of yellow (who knew yellow and gray look so fantastic together?)  The space is fairly basic until you throw an accent chair in the mix.

I love this chair, and I’m not going to lie, I’m not a big fan of yellow (most likely because I look awful in it).  The strong geometric pattern on the back paired with the natural print…wow.  See Jaime’s blog for more spring-time fabrics.

A solid fabric on this Huntingon House sofa teamed up with a colorful print to create a vibrant space.  Try to imagine the room without these dynamic chairs.  It’d lose some of its allure.

This C.R. Laine collection started with a chocolate base and added touches of honeysuckle and yellow.

While the fabric for this chair certainly adds color to the space, the height also creates a visual appeal.

Lucky for those of us on a limited budget you can get these designer looks at a fraction of the cost from some of our local vendors, like C.R. Laine and Huntington House.  Contact me for more information.  I’d love to help make your design dreams a reality.

Kate L. Zylstra
Design Consultant
katezylstra@furniturelandsouth.com

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But instead of focusing on my misery, I’ve taken today to dream of new possibilities. With the flowers blooming and trees budding, there are new colors all around. Wouldn’t it be great to see those new colors at home?

Many of us choose to stay on the safe side when selecting home furnishings.  If you pick something neutral, it will go with everything and you certainly won’t tire of it like you might a red sofa or purple chaise. I would venture to say that many of us have homes filled with brown furniture. Brown, while practical, is a little boring don’t you think? What if you chose, instead, to get a little crazy and add some color?

The appropriately named Ooh-La-La Sofa from Caracole Home is total Hollywood Glam. Purple velvet, gilded legs, and curves any girl would die for. Stepping into this living room would be like setting foot on an old movie set everyday.

{via Lexington Home Brands}

For the faint of heart, the soothing blues of the Twilight Bay Sectional from Lexington Home Brands add a pop of color, while still feeling neutral.

I love the nautical feel of navy and white rooms. They just seem so clean and fresh to me.

Or you can add a pop of color to your brown furniture with these chairs from C.R. Laine, accented with yellow and honeysuckle {pantone’s color of the year}.

So be a little adventurous this spring, and add a little color to your living space. You’ll be glad you did.

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The photo below demonstrates this concept with a skirted sofa (typically considered traditional) paired with more contemporary fabrics and clean lines on the chairs.

Image courtesy of Huntington House Furniture

I come from a household that has a strong influence of contemporary style. Although I still love clean and simple lines, I would have to say that my style has turned more transitional. I like the exposed wood look (tapping into the traditional), while still creating a nice and elegant space with low backs and clean lines. Don’t get me wrong; I do appreciate the traditional style.

Notice the traditional tapestry and striped patterns of the throw pillows in this living room, paired with smoother curves and a more casual block legs on the chairs.  We live in a very exciting time for interior design, where we can have fun with combining different styles to create unique, custom and eclectic rooms!

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Marge Carson is a California-based company that, in my opinion, has revolutionized the way we look at upholstery design.   Focused on large-scale, elegant curves and luxurious fabrics and finishes, Marge Carson is the perfect fit for the most beautiful homes around the world.

Angelique Sectional

The Angelique Sectional demonstrates some of the fundamentals that set Marge Carson apart from other upholstery manufacturers: tons of luxurious pillows to sink into, fabulous silks and trims galore!

Angelique Sectional Close-up

Many of Marge Carson’s fabrics have a metallic quality with a sheen that immediately catches the eye with its “bling factor”. The bullion trim in place of a skirt really makes this piece pop!

Lana Chair and a Half with Ottoman

Check out the next two photos.  I really love the attention to detail with the gold accents of the finish, accentuating the hand carvings on the frames.

So the next time someone asks you if you know Marge, don’t think of a blue beehive.  Instead, think of sophistication and the most elegant furniture in the world!

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When men and women shop for furniture together, it can sometimes appear to be an experience similar to Mars meeting Venus.   Most men don’t really care that much about what the wife selects for the room, unless it’s a room where a TV is involved…then it can get very interesting! 

If the husband ventures to make a comment like “Honey, I’d really like to have a recliner”,  once  she regains consciousness and is able to breathe on her own again, the response can be anywhere from “not in my room/lifetime” to “over my dead body”!  This is where I can help – whether it’s a MANCAVE setting, or a more SOPHISTICATED living environment, there are great recliners to fit all rooms and settings.

If it’s a MANCAVE room, there are plenty of the big, over-stuffed Bubba style chairs that do everything from rock and roll to drop and punt with the arm storage bins and lighted cup holders, and these are available in everything from tough, durable fabrics that are easy to clean, to leather/vinyl combinations, and all leather rich coverings.

If it’s a SOPHISTICATED living environment where a more traditional or sleek, modern look is needed, there are lots of those from which to select.  If the man needs a lumbar support style of chair with a tall back where he can rest his head, or a beautiful wing-back style, we have some great looks and feels in those with beautiful fabrics and leathers.   There are also models with power where the chair can be stopped at different intervals for TV watching, or snoozing.  I’ve successfully placed great looking recliners in some of the most beautiful rooms – the planets aligned and everyone is happy, both with the feel of the chair and the look in the room!

It’s a proven fact that if a man has a comfortable chair, the size TV he desires, and control of the remote, all is well.  Not all recliners look like something from the 1960’s …so ladies and gentlemen…sit down, push back and feel the ……ahhhhhh!

Contact Pat Moser- Thornton at patthornton@furniturelandsouth.com or (336) 822-3000 ext 2351

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Like myself, many people want their furniture to feel comfortable not only in how they relate it to their lifestyle, but also to their comfort levels. When it comes to designing a living room, most people want that aesthetic look of “comfy.” We have several lines that portray that everyday.

For example, Huntington House Furniture has this large sectional that is perfect for that family of 6 who enjoy long nights on the sofa with feather down cushions. This is just like falling into a cloud; trust me!

Working with a tighter space that won’t fit a sectional? They not only make the big pieces, but also small pieces that will work perfectly for a loft or condo. A smaller and tighter cushion gives you more of a fit and firm feel.

If a sectional isn’t for you, but you need something that will give you the look, you can always go with a small sofa and loveseat or chair arrangement.

When it comes to feeling “comfy,” we have the resources to show you whether its plush or firm. Either email or call me and I can get you into that perfect setting that you have always dreamed of!

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