THE soft side
Velvet returns as one of the top textiles in home décor
Velvet has a long, rich history in home decor.
The plush textile, which is easily recognizable by its soft, almost silky feel and short, dense pile, has been utilized in lifestyle items such as garments, pillows and even wall coverings since approximately the 14th century.
But while velvet has enjoyed a long presence in home decor, it hasn’t been until recently that the tactile textile has experienced such a boisterous resurgence.
From fashion items (think: boots, tops, accessories and more) to virtually every furniture item one could imagine, velvet appears to officially be the “it” fabric of the moment.
“Velvet lends itself to a mid-century vibe, while feeling fresh and luxurious with today’s looks,” Maureen Welton, the vice-president of design and creative for the Vancouver-based furniture company Article, explains of the popularity. “It’s a fabric that makes a piece of furniture feel special, which is why we are seeing it used everywhere from sofas, to ottomans to accent furniture and pillows.
“Velvet adds a layer of luxury, softness and depth to a living space and accentuates the form of the piece it’s covering.”
When it comes to colour, the story for velvet is much the same as it has always been. Basically: the richer the tone, the better.
“We continue to see rich, saturated tones as part of the fashion decor palette,” Welton explains. “Luscious tones of blues, greens, dusty pink, plum, chocolate and burnt orange are our most popular colours.”
But Welton says there are a few surprise hues popping up this season, too.
“Bold earthy colours have been increasingly popular in 2017,” she says. Basically, we’ll be seeing slightly dustier greens such as balsam and olive, inky blue-blacks, deep aqua, rich mustard and even bright, berry shades.
“They provide a great way to introduce beautiful colour and luxury into neutral schemes,” Welton says.
Unlike some trends in home decor, which can prove too kitschy, dramatic or even too plain, velvet plays surprisingly well with most existing design esthetics.
“The beauty of velvet is that it’s an elegant material that can be used in a casual or formal space,” Welton says.
Plus, its plush feel makes it the perfect option for cuddling up during cooler winter days ahead.
“Fall is time for cocooning which makes it the perfect time to make small changes to refresh your space,” Welton says. “While a velvet sofa can make a real statement, opting for velvet accent pillows in bold, rich colours creates a soft layer of sophistication and instantly adds a touch of glamour to your decor.”
As for those who think velvet items are too finicky or high maintenance for real life in a lovingly lived-in home, Welton assures that’s not the case. Sure, velvet items undoubtedly require a bit more work than their more hardy counterparts such as polyester twill or leather, but it’s not altogether impossible to keep your velvet item looking like new for a long time.
“To remove wrinkles, use a steamer and gently brush in the opposite direction of the pile. And to keep those gorgeous colours intact avoid direct sunlight,” she says. “Pet fur is an issue with velvets, so if you have pets that sit on your furniture be prepared with a lint removal brush.”
Armed with these TLC tips, you’re ready to embrace this textile trend fully. Your home never looked (and felt) so good.