Across the centuries velvet has retained its allure as a rich and opulent fabric available only to the privileged. In earlier times only royalty and nobility could afford to garment themselves in the pristigeous material. An expensive process requiring more yarns and more steps to create, velvet is a type of woven tufted fabric in which the cut threads are very easily distributed with a short dense pile giving it a distinctive look and feel.
Elegant, with a supple hand and soft pile characteristic of the finest velvet, the fabric has always brought an air of sophistication and style to any garment or interior decor since the Elizabethian error when priveledged women wore tight waisted gowns with status defining ruffles, Dukes and Earls wore velvet breeches, and the nobel garnished their dining hall chairs, sitting room lounges, library windows and sleeping quarters in decadent crushed velvet dyed with burgundy, onyx and evergreen.
It has only been in this century that velvet has become affordable to the masses. The industrial revolution brought with it the chance for the common person to experience luxury that was for centuries reserved for royalty and the rich. From custom upholstered crushed velvet car interiors and velvet pimp suits, to sexy love seats and posh office interiors, the artistic weave of crushed velvet has found its way into our homes and onto our bodies for another spin on the fashionable fabric wheel once again.
Labels: crushed-velvet-fabric, elizabethian-fashion, upholstery-fabric, velvet-fabric
Last we met regarding Extreme Home Makeover’s: Marrero Family Highlights, we took a visual and sensual tour through what you & the
J&O Family considered to be one of the more stylish and appealing rooms. In this article we will revisit their formal sitting room and delve into some of the fabrics used to fashion the space reserved for guests and modest entertaining.
When we first saw the cream and wine themed room, we instantly felt welcomed and warm. As the Extreme Home Makeover camera roamed the interior of the space, we saw how the recess lighting, low lit table lamps, strategically placed candles and see through fire place all complimented the look and feel.
The dark harvest palette of burgundy, winter grey and chestnut added richness to the vanilla cream walls and textured sofa. A deep carmine tapestry dressed the far wall, creating the visual effect of a more enclosed space, while also providing the viewer with a more intimate feel.
The highlight of the room was the use of J&O’s rich wine colored velvet suede fabric. The supple hand of this designer fabric as well as its rich color, make it a fashionable material for window dressing. In the winter months it will provide layers of protection against Mother Nature’s fury, and create a coziness in the home at the end of the day. In the warmer months, the soft and decadent fabric can be pulled to the sides to offer in plenty of light and fresh air.
Fabrics truly have the ability to inspire and create. They add texture and character to a room or piece of furniture, and can enhance or subdue the energy of a space through color alone. If nothing else, the design ideas from Extreme Makeover Home Edition, will put a spark in you to bring your creative vision to life through fabric. Until next time, make your house into a home with fabric from J&O.
Labels: donation, Extreme Makeover Home addition, extreme-makeover, good-cause, ultra-suede, ultra-suede-fabric, velvet, velvet-fabric