Fabrics allow your rooms to change ‘ outfit’ with season
Just like in fashion, you can change the look of your home by changing the fabrics that surround you. Your upholstery and drapery are what typically give your room that comfort factor that is sometimes hard to achieve. Fabrics are versatile and allowfor quick and inexpensive reinventions.
Although it requires an investment, having an extra set of drapery, slipcovers and pillowcovers allows you to adapt your interior design to the changing seasons. As fall and winter arrive, it is inviting to be surrounded by the warmth of velvet and chenille in deep and sober colors. Then, as spring and summer bloom, linen and cotton in Fabric facts 101
Natural fabrics are cotton, linen and silk. Cotton is a fiber that grows out of a plant and is woven inmany forms. It is the most- used fabric in theworld. It can breathe. It can bewashed. It is best ironedwhen the fabric is damp. Linen is a very strong and sturdy fabric, more so than cotton. Its downfall is it wrinkles a lot, but some consider that its allure. It is best towash it in coldwater to avoid shrinkage. Silks are manufactured byworms. Silk has a very soft hand and can be woven into nubby, informal textures and shimmering paper- thin sheets. It is so delicate that, although it can be hand- washed, it is best sent to the dry cleaners. Of course, there are other natural fabrics such as mohair, wool and cashmere, which are made from sheered and woven animal fur.
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of synthetic fabrics in the marketplace. The technology has advanced somuch there are synthetic versions of natural fabrics that are convincing. Read or ask your vendor for fabric contents and specifications. as an upholstery fabric for sofas and chairs. It is also used for bedspreads and garments.
Damask: It is characterized by elaborate floral motifs that usually are monochromatic or a maximumof two colors in matte and polished weave combinations. It can be made of cotton, silk or synthetic fabrics and is commonly used for drapery and upholstery.
Jacquard: Its name comes from the type ofweave used to produce the fabric. The Jacquard loom is capable of weaving intricate patterns with many layers and many threads simultaneously. Jacquard is a heavier fabric that tends to bemulticolored and used for upholstery, aswell as drapery.
Sailcloth or canvas: These rigid fabrics— available in solids, stripes and prints— normally are made of cotton and used for upholstery and slipcovers. Similar to velvet, velveteen is made from thick, woven cotton; is available with ridges knownas corduroy; and is widely used for upholstery, drapery and garments.
Velvet: Originallymade from silk for royalty, velvet is available in both silk and cotton. It has one plush side and one plain woven side. It is used in everything from garments and upholstery to bedspreads and drapery.
Sheer: This fabric is commonly knownas mesh or tulle. It is available in silk, cotton and synthetic materials, and it’s a great fabric for transparent or semi- transparent drapery.
Tweed andwool: Direct from theworld of men’s fashion, theweight of these fabrics makes them perfect for upholstery and drapery. They offer awarm feel.
Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award- winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Fla. practical and simple payment procedures designed to keep the project moving forward.
Third, a written contract can better address liability issues. When work is being performed on your property, it is important to understand and come to an agreement about which party is responsible for the risks that may be involved, and what types and levels of insurance coverage will be provided. The best way to protect your investment in your home is to address these issues through a written contract.
Fourth, and finally, all these issues boil down to one thing: A written contract can help you achieve clarity and avoid misunderstandings and disputes. With a verbal contract, it is more likely each party will have their own interpretation of the agreement, leading to a problem during or after the project. Remodeling your home is a very personal undertaking, and a misunderstanding about what exactly it means to “remodel the kitchen in two weeks” can cause emotions to run high. A detailed contract will help by documenting the parties’ understandings and agreements and providing a set of rules to live by during and after construction.
These questions— and others— should not be left to chance; instead, a written contract can and should address these things for you.
The Remodelors Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association is an organization of remodelers and industry associates who are dedicated to the promotion of excellence and professionalism within, and public awareness of, the Remodelors Council. The Council achieves its mission through education, certification, and service to the membership, industry and the community. To find a professional remodeler in your area, visit www. ghba. org/ consumers.