Special Feature: The latest looks in furnishing fabrics.
Natural good looks and texture, and rich earthy colours join Oriental, graphic and retro designs
On the windows
Our love affair with linen and other natural fabrics continues apace when choosing fabrics for both our windows and furniture, according to those in the industry.
“Homeowners are still in love with the natural linen look for its relaxed appearance and the synergy when working together with other natural materials. The organic, or natural, palette works well with Kiwi lifestyles,” says Nicole McKenzie, director of Auckland-based Trinity Interior Design.
Interior designer Rachel Steinmetz of Kāpiti agrees, and both say that while the linen look is popular, many fabric houses produce linen-look fabrics in polyester which are more robust than 100 percent linen and withstand our harsh New Zealand sun.
That affinity with a relaxed style extends to another trend, for sheer drapes. Not your Nana’s net curtains but one of the huge array of plain, patterned and coloured sheers on the market. Some are quite delicate while others are textured in a look that's almost a hybrid of linen and voile.
Many are being paired with a solid fabric or linen that is hung on a separate track so that the two sets of drapes can be drawn
together or separately. Sheers are chosen for their light and lovely looks as much as for sun protection, and are not just applicable to summer. With winter’s low sun angles, UV protection of furnishings and flooring is a year-round concern.
When it comes to patterned fabrics for drapes, Rachel notes a trend for designs with an Asian aesthetic. Her favourite fabric house, Mokum, has a collection called Ikigai (see previous page), inspired by Japan’s long history of watercolour painting, particularly of landscapes and florals, and creating modern interpretations of this art form.
While many homeowners feel safer with plain fabrics, Rachel says if she could indulge in pattern, she would choose retro and printed velvets and lots of florals. She encourages clients to add a simple pattern to a scheme, like a stripe or geometric, even if that’s on a cushion. “I find a patterned fabric to inspire a client then build a scheme with a plain fabric, one with texture, a pattern and maybe a stripe.” Many fabric houses have collections that allow for easy mixing and matching of plains and patterns.
For styles of window dressings, Rachel’s clients like drapes for their ability to “dress” a room and for their acoustic value. She
prefers to use just two window treatments in a house, for example shutters and drapes, or roman blinds and drapes.
Says Nicole McKenzie: “Blinds are a very clean and uncluttered look, especially roller blinds recessed in the ceiling. Drapes create a cosy element helping to soften spaces and can offer more design possibilities. We prefer simple inverted or single header styles, but it’s very dependent on the window and room type.”
For the furniture
Linen is also popular for upholstery, along with loose covers for a relaxed casual feel. “For upholstery again we are drawn to the natural fibre look together with texture to add that extra layer into the interior scheme. Most upholstery fabrics have a percentage of polyester in them for durability and wearability which is important for practical family living,” says Nicole.
Practical considerations have led fabric houses to create alternatives to linens, velvets and suedes that are stain resistant,
easy to clean, durable, child and pet friendly, and environmentally safe. Examples are Mokum’s FibreGuard collections and Warwick’s Macrosuede fabrics.
Both Rachel and Nicole note the trend away from matching sofas and suites to using a mix of upholstery fabrics, including ottomans, armchairs and cushions in different fabrics. Many homeowners opt for plain neutral fabrics for large expensive items such as a sofa, then will be more playful with patterns for smaller items that can be more easily changed out.
Says Nicole: “Statement chairs and ornaments are an emerging furnishing trend. Natural and earthy tones are popular and we are seeing many autumnal colours coming through, especially in cushions and throws. Always let your practical needs lead you for larger items. Keep it simple. You can always add more elements.”
David Marks of Icon Radford points to a strong trend for the use of bold grand scale florals, with coordinating smaller scale geometrics within a space, so across upholstery, rugs, walls and window treatments.
Says Rachel: “I love boucle which has seen a big revival and is great for use on ottomans and feature chairs.”