Would You, Could You? Boldly Upholstered FurnitureIn my first Ideabook written for Houzz in 2011 I covered several trends I would like to see more of in the upcoming year, including bolder fabric choices for upholstered furniture. Yes, selecting a neutral fabric makes a lot of sense for many reasons, but come on...can we have some fun? (At least on a piece or two!)
Would you make such a choice?
Before you say no, visit Houzz to read this week's Ideabook featuring more examples of furniture covered in a wide range of fabrics. The collection includes bright solids and prints, as well as two more subdued options, all bringing great style to a room in a way few other decisions can.
Enjoy your Saturday...are you working on any projects or just taking time to relax?
image from Houzz
image from Houzz
50 comments:
I did pick out a print for the two chairs just like your example that flank the fireplace in my formal living room. (I also have a solid velvet sofa.) I love them!
I do have a bold print for a single chair in my living room. It was just what the room needed.
I just found two leather wingback chairs on craigslist, and plan on using a bold fabric pattern-but in a neutral color. Does that make since? (ps-love that picture, used it this week bc of the flowers)
The title of this post reminds me of Green Eggs and Ham! Very fitting in that most people would say no to a bold print at first but once they tried it they probably would like it!
I have frequently used a bold print on chairs - it's isn't necessarily always bold in color but I like to add a large pattern somewhere that can be coordinated with solids and smaller prints or stripes.
I vote yes. Every room could use a little something fun. I'm off to read your Houzz article.
Lots of projects going on this weekend and hopefully a bit of relaxation too. Happy weekend to you!
-Rene
I keep looking for the perfect piece to go all out with, but for now I seem to be have bit of a commitment phobia. I did however add some excitement to my office. Check it out!
http://threeboys-home.blogspot.com/2011/01/fabric-wall-paper-turns-ordinary-closet.html
Design Blooms, now that is a great approach, a little taken from both sides, bold with the pattern, neutral with the color.
Janell
I wouldn't invest a lot in a bold piece, thinking that I might get tired of it, but we bought two chairs from Urban Outfitters (of all places!) with a bold print for the living room. I think they look great next to our (nicer quality) more neutral gray couch. They are decent but probably won't last forever... and I probably won't want them to!
is there any other way?...my last 2 houses had very striking prints and wovens in vibrant colors...I love them...but I'm also not a shy person...colors don't scare me...
maureen
I could never do it. I know that I would tire of it. The only way I would do it would be if I could afford to replace the item later.
I can't commit to anything.
I'm surprised I'm even married.
I would, and I have! Not the couches, but a chair, and it ties the room together.
Yes, yes, yes...I love color and bold patterns anywhere - I agree - let's have some fun!! I am contemplating a painting project today...I have been putting it off but it might be a good day!
Thanks for the laugh this morning Mary! Janell
Yes, in the past I have had some very bold upholstery. Right now everything is neutral. However I go wild with pillows. Hugs, Marty
Janell -- you are so inspiring! No joke. I just saw your chair (is that Ballard's Arabesque? with David Hick pillows?) and that was SO so HOT. Your words really ring true - have some fun, wiht at least one peice. I am now dying to find a chair to recover with something really out there. I had always wished I had the gall to put Sferra's Mai Tai duvet on a guest bed, but that really scared me. Maybe just maybe I'll see if I can find a good deal on ebay….
I'd love just one piece to add some pizazz to the formal living room. An real attention getter so to speak. Janell I hope you and your family have a good weekend. We're hosting a dinner party so I'm not sure why I'm blogging and not 'doing'.
Cheers ~ Deb
Abso-Fricken-Lutely! My problem is narrowing down the choices! I went to Kravet "Build a Chair" last week and now I'm thinking I might even try to do the upholstery too. I've got a couple of trash chairs that I think I'm going to try it on. If you see an upcoming post I was successful...if not? well, nothing ventured nothing gained!
This is exactly what I would love to "infuse" my living room with this summer for my redo. Two wing chairs that pop...can't wait to get started. Thanks for the idea.
There's no way I could do it with a pattern -- I change my mind way too much. I have seen several solid colored pieces that I like...a tufted chair in velvet, maybe? I do love me some velvet.
There's still no way I could get it in an absolutely crazy color though. I'm a wuss. I prefer to be bold through pillows, that way I can still lock my boldness in a closet if I change my mind. :)
Janell, I have in pillows etc not on upholstery and I am ready!!
By the way I just subscribed to House of Fifty! Yay I am so excited for you!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Couldn't agree more if I tried- off to see more!
Yes! Out with the neutrals on everything -- something in the mix needs to make a statement! I'm agonizing over a couple of loud great prints right now for a chair for myself -- and I know I'll love it!
This fabric is lovely! I made a slipcover with the same for a client's wingchair. She loved it!
Peg Baker
Little Bug Studio
Janell,
I'm a fairly new follower! Love your blog! And yes, I say go for it!!
Check out two examples of my bravery at my blog!=)
http://kendra-knowles.blogspot.com/2010/08/big-undertaking-but-i-think-i-can_27.html
I have to have color in my life that is for sure, but I did a bold piece of upholstery and I got tired of it after about 18mo. I still have it 7 yrs later, but am going to change soon. I like bright and bold pictures and pillows though!! Does that count!! Take a look at my post today, because of the gloomy weather I needed a perk me up!!If you like bold you will see bold in the images I used. Happy Saturday, Janell!~! Kathysue
I had a sofa reupholstered in Wearstler's Fern Tree. It's really bold & I love it. It's charcoal gray so I don't think I'll ever tire of it.
I think I am ready to finally try some bold prints!
My Notting Hill...
Yes, I adore your sofa! It seemed like a bold choice, and wow, what a payoff!! Janell
Hmmm... it's quite a toss up. I have two wing chairs that need to be recovered or slipcovered. So I keep thinking if I attempt the recover I should pick a neutral color (white, tan, grey) tone on tone or something. That way I could do slipcovers later in a fun fabric and then I'd have both options!
I worked on caulking and prepping for painting the trim in our master bedroom and bath. No fun, but it will be so nice to cross off the to do list!
I bought a bargain chair at HomeGoods and then spent more than double getting it recovered in a bold print. Not a very cost-effective purchase, but I really love it. It's in our master bedroom.
In future, I think I'll keep the bolder choices to things like ottomans which I can tackle myself with a staple gun. :)
I love color! Sarah Richardson always amazes me with the bold color patterns she uses. I LOVE seeing color and bold patterns. So many of the blogs I follow use all neutrals and this is a breath of fresh air. Now, just to find a pattern and color that you can be happy with--that's the real challenge for me. By the way, loved the title to this post. Reminds me of a favorite children's book :)
I have a pretty wild chair print in my living room. I'm still getting used to it.
I'm on board with at least one bold upholstered piece in the room! There are just so many fabrics to choose from!
I love fabric and pattern, but I don't think I could do my sofa in one. Maybe an accent chair or a big ottoman in a fun fabric - my problem is that I always want to change things up so upholstering something in a pattern is a bit too much of a commitment to me - cushions are so much more flexible :)
In a skinny minute! I can't tell you what a joy it is to be welcomed by big butt (my try at a bold and beautiful big chair)...she makes me laugh. Doesn't hurt that she is comfortable too!
I would try bold fabrics on smaller pieces such as side chairs, ottomans. If I have a budget with NO limit I would upholster a large piece that I could change on a whim. But sadly, my budget is limited.
I am recovering my thrift store chair in a bold black and white stripe fabric!
yes! just saw that fabric this week, and thought it was wonderful! I want to do a bold fabric on an antique sofa I just scored! I wouldn't/couldn't use it in any other room of my home, but for this particular space bold is better!
joan
you betcha! it is on my never ending 'to do' list for a great chair i bought at a garage sale for $5! just waiting to find the perfect fabric...
I just reupholstered these two in this blue print fabric...I love the pop of color amidst the neutrals in my living room...check them out here ... http://23designcompany.blogspot.com/2011/01/home-is-where-my-heart-is.html
Now that you've seen my dining room it will probably come as no surprise to you that i have a pink tufted recliner and a black with colored polka dot sofa! Am in the process of covering a bergere chair (that i've painted teal and am antiquing/refinishing) with a really fun hand painted butterfly fabric...that i have had for MONTHS before Pottery barn put butterfly pillows on their cover!
I really want to do it for some side chairs in our living room - I am just 1. such a chicken and 2. so indecisive - it's oh so hard to pick just one pretty patterned fabric!
It is scary to upholster a major piece is a bold fabric, BUT the reward can be so great. I am a little scardy cat tho.
Mr. Goodwill Hunting
It is scary to upholster a major piece is a bold fabric, BUT the reward can be so great. I am a little scardy cat tho.
Mr. Goodwill Hunting
It is scary to upholster a major piece is a bold fabric, BUT the reward can be so great. I am a little scardy cat tho.
Mr. Goodwill Hunting
great question! I've always adored them in pictures but apparently I am not as adventurous as I thought I was, couches & chairs at the house are white & gray :( I would go for bold & colorful soon!
I am in the middle of this very question. I love monotones - my husband likes color. I have been trying decide how to reupholster a 1940s channel chair that I inherited from my grandfather for nearly 10 years. Well I finally bought the fabric for the back. The front will be a gorgeous taupe velvet. This is the back: http://www.housedecorexclusive.co.uk/sanderson----callisto-fabric---damaca204-coralgreen-9771-p.asp
and I am terrified . . . wish me luck. It is being shipped from the UK as we speak. There is now turning back now.
I just did a post on whether to use or not to use a bold fabric on my occasional chair. I think I am going to go out of my comfort zone and end up using the bold fabric instead of the subdued one. Thanks for the inspiration!
Have a great weekend!
Sherry
Hi! I am trying my hand at reupholstering for the first time and the fabric you used on your chairs is exactly what I'm looking for! Can you tell me what that is? Thanks!!
The post is asking if you could baldly upholster the furniture. Read to know more
Upholstery
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