High Point Market is the place to view the latest trends in home furnishings and fabrics.  New colors are introduced, influenced by trends in fashion, film and pop culture.  Twice a year we march the halls and visit hundreds of showrooms to see what’s happening in the industry.  It’s not just the latest designs and colors we’re after; new manufacturing techniques and materials constantly change, and we are constantly learning and seeking improved products for our clients.

This spring it’s all about nature; reclaimed woods and unusual materials dominate the showroom displays.  With the emphasis on sustainable and responsible use of materials, we see many new, creative ways to use natural materials for furniture finishes, such as bamboo, cork, woven grasses, shell, glass, and leather.  Wood furnishings such as tables are making decorative features out of marks and uneven edges that in the past would have been considered flaws.  “Natural edge” tables are a creative way to use all of a slab of wood, instead of cutting and planing the best parts from the center and leaving a lot of waste.  Marks, holes and stains in boards recycled from old buildings provide evidence of their eco-friendly reclamation.  In fact, hand craftsmanship is a big direction seen at Market, with embroidery and beading everywhere, from fabrics to pillows, furniture, lighting, mirror frames and wall art.  It seems the more technology rules our lives, the more we appreciate the handmade. We love this global-chic table of recycled woods from Made Goods:

The serenity found in nature seems to be a common thread in collections.  Stone, a color that incorporates gray and brown, is the new neutral.  From a gray-brown driftwood-like finish for furniture to oatmeal-toned natural linen, it’s a warm tone that is easy to live with and is a fresh change from the espresso browns of the recent past.

Ikat prints appeared in many showrooms on chairs and pillows, adding globe-trotting flair as well as a graphic punch that blends traditional and modern. Even though it was popular, there are so many interesting patterns and ways to use them I think we’ll be loving our Ikats for a long time to come.

Nature also appears in printed fabrics, with birds, branches and leaves used in a modern, fresh way.  We really like the new prints by Duralee designer Thomas Paul, whose modern prints have a real accessibility – you don’t need a modern-style home to use these stylish designs.

Clean, crisp color is also big in the news.  Orange has been softened to a more coral-orange color that’s a great accent with either neutrals or brights.  Blue and white has also come back in a big way.  We really loved this blue and white room by Joe Ruggiero and the Miles Talbott showroom, featuring his Chevron fabric for Sunbrella as snappy curtains on a four-poster bed.

Graphic punch was also seen in many showrooms, as interior design finds the simplicity of one or two colors an appealing change.  White painted furniture frames set off bright fabrics, such as in this sharp ensemble by Joe Ruggiero, done in his signature Sunbrella fabrics:

We were happy to see that traditional looks are still going strong, as consumers appreciate its timeless style – Ralph Lauren is now part of the Kravet family, and is showing blue and white fabrics with pine and wicker.

Shabby Chic, the classic cottage look by Rachel Ashwell, is being relaunched at Miles Talbott showroom. While traditional may make a comeback, it has undergone a makeover to become clean and modern – less floral, more textures, and no more puddling skirts.  Clutter is banished to hide in interesting storage pieces incorporating reclaimed woods or edgy metals. These eclectic collections must be carefully edited, as consumers move past shopping as entertainment, into a less-complicated look that has personal meaning.  Once again, interiors have a story to tell. It is unapologetically individualistic, with just a touch of the collector – a direct backlash against the packaged, over-merchandised lines of recent years.  To be honest, it’s a relief to see quality and uniqueness triumph over price alone.

Copyright 2010 by Kerry Ann Dame.  All rights reserved.

WE LADIES have all had that dreaded conversation at one time or another. You know what we’re talking about. We try to avoid it, but it keeps rearing its ugly, overstuffed head. The Recliner. The Man Chair. Nearly every home has one, and nearly every couple has had the same argument: It’s ugly! It’s comfortable! But I hate looking at it! But everything else in the house looks nice, can’t we have just one comfortable chair?

The debate rages on, and it’s something we at Posh Living face in nearly every home we design. Some of the newer solutions save space, but we all know that Queen Anne wing chair isn’t fooling anyone, and those modern Swedish recliners are just so, well, modern and Swedish. Unless you’re living the eclectic loft lifestyle, they stick out like a sore thumb.

What to do? As designers, we specialize in problem-solving and finding just the right furnishings for each client. Recliners are appealing because they are so comfortable. The same level of comfort can often be achieved by choosing upholstered seating that fits the client’s needs. When we sell a sofa, we always ask if the client prefers to sit or lie down, if they need support for a bad back,and if they’ll be using the piece themselves or if it’s primarily for guests. If a man likes to lay flat, the right sofa can work instead of a recliner. There is a big difference in the type of seating you need for an hour’s visit versus an all-day football marathon. Often, we’ll choose a medium size sofa that is comfortable for most people, and focus on his-and-hers seating for every day use.

First, let’s talk about the Man-Chair. Comfort is key. Most men look to the recliner for its comfort and flexibility. They want head support for that post-yardwork nap, and lots of cushioning for watching games or reading. However, when offered other options sometimes a guy will choose a chair and ottoman. Our most popular recliner substitute is our overscaled Brighton wing chair. Its wide seat, fat arms and big wings are perfect for settling in for the afternoon. Add an ottoman and you can relax in a reclined position with your head on the wing and chill out. Because it doesn’t recline, it saves space in the room, so it is perfect to tuck into a corner. It can be upholstered or slipcovered, and the slipcover is washable, so if you are not a fan of the typical recliner fabrics, like leather or chenille, it provides a wide variety of choices. If the cover becomes worn or stained, it is easy to repair or replace. For a casual home, both men and women love its distinctive, relaxed English cottage style.

If a recliner is truly what is needed, take heart; they are getting better looking all the time! At Posh Living, we like McNeilly-Champion leather recliners. They come in a wide variety of frame styles, and most of them resemble classic club chairs so they really don’t look like a recliner at all. Imagine an English style club chair with mahogany feet and casters, or an Art Deco recliner in bomber-brown leather – in other words, a recliner that will be a decorative feature in the room, instead of an eyesore. The other advantage of a “hidden” recliner is the fact that they take up so much less room; the same level of comfort can be achieved using far less floor space. Without the typical wide, flat arms, a club chair recliner is much smaller. With a wide selection of leather choices, six leg colors, and a large selection of frame styles, we’ve been able to solve almost any seating problem without a design dilemma. Of course, it has to be seen to be believed, so we are very excited to have one in our showroom. The frame construction is unsurpassed in the industry; the reclining mechanism is smooth and uses no levers – just lean back and the chair goes with you. Needless to say, we are very proud to be a McNeilly-Champion dealer.

Last but not least, we like to address the comfort of the lady of the house as well. Many women are uncomfortable with the overscaled upholstery of today. They want to sit with their feet on the floor and their back against the back cushions, but most sofas are just too deep. It is really important when furniture-shopping to sit on several chairs and sofas to see what best fits you. We are usually concerned with the height of the seat off the floor, and the depth of the seat from front to back. Seat cushions of sofas vary from 18″ high up to 23″, and need to be the right height for those using them. A short person may need an 18″ seat, unless they have long legs. A tall person may not need a high seat cushion, if the sofa is deep enough to sink back into. We ask our clients to sit on several pieces and see what feels right. A higher sofa can be fine for a shorter person if it has soft cushions, but may be too high if it has the firmest spring cushions. Once our client has made her choice, we measure the dimensions of that chair or sofa to choose her custom chair. Many women like to read, knit or scrapbook, so reclining is not as important as sitting comfortably, and we take all of that into account.

As designers, we often become deeply involved in people’s lives. It’s so rewarding when we receive compliments from clients who ordered custom furnishings. Quality furniture can be hard on your initial budget, but we feel strongly that buying pieces that will last makes sense. Years later, we’ll bump into a client and hear how much they still love their chair, room, or house – and we love knowing that we made a difference! Often, a husband and wife will have two entirely different chairs in the same room – leather for him, and something pretty but very comfortable for her. Sometimes, they order his-and-hers matching chairs. As people today are looking to age in place, it is so helpful to have quality furnishings that won’t sag, spring cushions that are firm to ease getting up, or even a motorized recliner. It gives us great satisfaction to know that we have designed rooms our client may have for a lifetime, and that we may have ended an ongoing argument once and for all!

Copyright 2009 Kerry Ann Dame. May not be reproduced without permission.

HOLIDAY GIFT-GIVING doesn’t have to be ho-hum. Break out of your mall malaise – think beyond sweaters and cologne, and consider your loved one’s lifestyle.

A is for Art – A great gift for couples to give each other.

B is for Botanicals – Shells and Flowers on fabric, or scents for the home.

C is for Candles – So many chic designs, and such pretty packaging, a quick and easy gift.

D is for Damask – Pillows, pajamas, stationery; dresses up your life.

E is for Eclectic – Give a gift that adds to a collection.

F is for Frou Frou – A tassel trimmed purse or lampshade is girly fun.

G is for Gourmet – Food gifts are always welcome, especially if you make them yourself.

H is for Home – Welcoming someone who’d otherwise be alone is a special gift.

I is for Ikat – The hot new fabric adds global chic on a pillow or chair.

J is for Jewelry – Who can say no to something pretty?

K is for Kite – Family fun, unplugged!

L is for Lamp – A lamp makes a unique and much appreciated gift.

M is for Massage – Give the gift of relaxation.

N is for Nostalgia – Visit the antique mall for something from the Good Old Days.

O is for Orchestra – Tickets to a concert you can share together.

P is for Pets – Pamper your loved one’s pet with a pretty dog bed!

Q is for Quality – Buy one nice, well-made item instead of lots of cheap ones.

R is for Rug – Give the gift of warmth and a quick room makeover at the same time!

S is for Silk – Pajamas, curtains, a fabulous pillow, silk is a luxury treat.

T is for Travel – Make memories together.

U is for Umbrella – In the wildest print you can find.

V is for Vintage – Find an old mirror or table and refinish, paint or decorate it for a very personal gift.

W is for wellness – how about some exercise gear?

X is for Hugs and Kisses – in a beautifully handwritten card or poem.

Y is for yellow – a sunny color, anything yellow will brighten your home.

Z is for zebra – on a rug, a pillow, it’s like an instant room makeover.

INTERIOR DESIGNERS are fond of antiques; we often collect them ourselves, and are quick to recommend them to clients. Some of our clients love the idea. Mention antiques to some, however, and they cringe, recalling dusty, depressing, cluttered houses of days gone by. What is the reason for a designer’s obsession with incorporating antiques into a home? The answer has to do not only with style, but with substance, history and roots.

Interior designers and decorators have been seeking antique and vintage furnishings for clients since the beginning of the modern design profession about 100 years ago. Some of the early decorators were wealthy trendsetters, who went into business helping their friends. Not all of the clients, however, were blue-bloods; some were newly rich, and they sought the permanence and pedigree seen in the great homes of the day. These were homes filled with pieces handed down through families, showing a patina earned by years of service. The newly wealthy, seeking social acceptance, found that antiques were the perfect way to give their new homes the look and feel of a revered family seat. They were also the ultimate one-of-a-kind item, the perfect souvenir to show off exotic travel and demonstrate their education and sophistication.

Antique pieces are not only valued for the way they look, however. On a very old piece of wood furniture, for instance, we can run our fingers over the surface and feel low, smooth indentations where the boards were hewn by hand. We can see the different woods used for drawers, framing, and front panels. Studying the woods used on construction can tell us where the piece was likely made, and sometimes even by whom and when. Look underneath, and you can see that oxidation has turned the unfinished woods a warm brown color that is only achieved over time. All of these things give us a sense of the story of the piece. Instead of imagining a sad, dusty attic when we learn about antiques, we can begin to imagine our own history. For so many Americans, the details of our history were lost when our families emigrated from Europe or traveled West and left family behind. Through collecting, we reclaim a story our own family may have had; we imagine a settler cutting a huge old-growth tree, sawing and planing the wood by hand, and finishing a table in his own barn. Perhaps the table top is made from just one or two boards, a feat impossible today since such huge trees are long gone. On a finer piece, a beautiful mahogany wood may indicate without a doubt that a chest was made in England, from wood harvested in the Caribbean, then exported to the Colonies over two hundred years ago. It’s a great history lesson to think of the lively triangle of trade that existed at the time, and a thrill to think your chest may have been part of it. It’s truly a wonder that so many antiques have survived for so long with daily use.

Every time you pass that chest in the hall, or open a drawer, you feel connected to its former owners, whether they were your ancestors or not. If a piece has significant signs of wear (known as “patina”) it will have even more of a story to tell. In a farmhouse for example, cleaning required mopping with water which would eventually damage chair legs. Chairs kept for many years (when people couldn’t afford to replace them) often had the legs cut shorter to remove rotten wood or a broken rocker, so it is common to find antique country chairs that are very low to the ground. I like to think of them being passed down to the youngest, and eventually ending up on the porch when a new chair came along, where they developed that rich patina of time-worn paint.

Even if they weren’t passed down in the family, a collection of antiques and souvenirs becomes an archive of a family’s life together. In my own home I have a collection of 19th century plates with scenes in black and white. Lacking a dining cupboard for them, I ended up hanging them all over the walls in our front entry. Each one reminds me of something: a friend long ago, a trip to Paris, an antiquing weekend in Charlottesville, a gift from my husband. So while they have a history that began long before I had them, they are part of our history now too.

Antiques can of course be a good investment; however, not because they are expected to skyrocket in value. Unless you are looking at high-end, museum quality pieces, most antique furnishings are relatively affordable. Modern manufacturing was born over 150 years ago; that means there are literally thousands of cupboards, chests and tables that were mass-produced over 100 years ago and are antique today. They are a good investment because they are solid wood and built to last by skilled craftsmen. Take a walk through a modern-day furniture chain store and unless you are in the most exclusive department, you’ll see fiberboard construction with faux-painted wood grain, fake carvings made of resin, and plastic drawer glides. These features look “real” in the showroom, but won’t last under wear and tear. For prices not much more than a cheaply made piece of modern furniture, we can often find a vintage or antique piece in very good condition. A little finessing by a good carpenter can ensure that doors and drawers are working smoothly. And if, after several years of service to your family, you no longer need the piece, you can likely sell it for a good price. The same thing can’t be said of new furniture today.

An antique is perfect for an area where we want a statement piece of furniture, such as an entry hall. It can be the conversation piece that sets off a home. One couple we have been working with created an alcove in their new home especially for a beautiful antique sideboard. Since the piece is well over 200 years old, they found a spot to keep it out of harm’s way yet enjoy seeing it every day and sharing its history with visitors. One day, they can pass it on to their children confident that it will have increased in value because of its quality. On the affordable end, a table that already has a patina of scratches and dents can be perfect for a young family whose children will add their own wear and tear. Vintage dining room furniture is especially reasonable compared to a new purchase and can be easily refinished when the children are a bit older.

Some antiques are perfect candidates for a new paint job. Manufactured pieces were made in large quantities, so even though they may be antique, they are not particularly precious. Once a piece has been evaluated and you are sure it isn’t extremely old or hand-hewn, it could be painted. Some antique manufactured furnishings, like golden oak or maple, are unpopular today because of the color and can be bought reasonably and painted. We recommend a professional paint job for a good result. This can be a great solution to using a family antique that no one likes; given the choice between getting rid of a piece or painting it to keep it in the family, the paint starts to seem like a good idea. A dark oak dresser with a coat of fresh white paint can be perfect for a childs room, or extra storage in a bathroom or hall. For an artsy vintage look, go for a splash of color like aqua or apple green. Years from now, someone who inherits the chest may like oak, and they can have it stripped. If this is done professionally no harm is done, and the antique stays in the family for another generation.

These are just a few of the numerous reasons designers are often passionate about antiques. There can be something a bit sterile about bringing a truck full of brand-new furniture to a house and just filling it up. Antiques bring spirit to a home that is much needed in today’s fast-changing world. It’s been said that we must first give our children roots, then wings. Creating a home that has its own story is part of that process. Antiques give us a sense of permanence not found in the latest room-to-go ensemble. Like a hard-sought prize, they are often the result of a long and memory-filled hunt. And like a beloved family member, once they move in we are loathe to let them go. Every new piece acquired this way contributes to that sense of permanence. It is my great pleasure to imagine a family living in a home I helped create. It’s a blessing to be invited briefly into their lives, and in a small way become part of their history and memories by finding unique and quality furnishings, or helping them incorporate inherited pieces in ways they had not imagined. As writer Dominique Browning once said, “it isn’t the things that make a home; what makes a home is the loving spirit in which those things are gathered.”

Copyright 2009 Kerry Ann Dame. May not be reproduced without permission.

I HAD A CUSTOMER call me the other day wanting to thank me for a very small thing. It’s something I do almost every day as an interior designer. I helped her select a few paint colors for her home. She brought in her fabrics and described to me the style of her house. I had never been to her house, but after speaking with her for several minutes I began to imagine what it was like and how her family lived. We were able to narrow down the paint selections pretty quickly. A soft fern green color for her guest bedroom. A warm fall golden color for her hallway and foyer. She went home and I ordered the paints from our favorite paint source, Devine Paints, and they were shipped directly to her front door.

I got a call from her about a week later. She was elated! The paint colors gave her so much joy.  Joy she needed because it had been a day filled with a lot of disappointment and frustration. Her husband had been having health problems. They had been back and forth to the hospital trying to resolve his situation. That day they ran into a brick wall yet again. Upon returning home from the hospital, the painters had just finished the last coat of paint. She was happily surprised how great her new colors made her house feel. Her attitude about the temporary problems they were having, now felt temporary. They would find a solution; things would work out. That moment of joy in a simple change that she had made to her home, had turned her attitude around. She wanted me to know that I had helped her to make this change in her life. Wow!

Looking at Before and After pictures of another project, we get a sense of how dramatic a change color can provide:

Despite its large skylights, this great room’s dining area was dreary and dated, with disparate wood tones and a lack of color.

After our color consultation, the plank paneling was painted Devine Paints’ Butter color. For the wood beams and trim we chose two shades of blue-green reminiscent of the French countryside.  The owners’ existing chairs were  sprayed with Chinese red enamel and treated to new cushions.  The patterned curtains we added brought life to the oversized room and provided the color palette to work from. Notice even the lanterns on the wall were given a new patina with paint. Floors were replaced with handscraped wood planks to bring a warmer wood back in. As a final touch, we selected an iron and gilt chandelier for a more formal note.

The most rewarding aspect of being an interior designer is to have a positive impact on the way someone lives. In a way, we are home therapists. We help you to reinvent your space so that you can function better, feel better and ultimately live a better quality life.

It may seem trivial. Really, can a paint color change the way I feel at home, in a room? The answer is yes. In fact there is quite a bit of research regarding how we react to our surroundings and color. You may already know that the colors Red and Yellow are aggressive and active colors. Greens and Blues are relaxing and soothing colors. The color Orange can stimulate appetite and encourage socialization. Our reaction to color is almost instantaneous and has a profound impact on the choices we make every day.
Color Psychology as Therapy
According to Kendra Van Wagner, color expert, there were several ancient cultures, including the Egyptians and Chinese, which practiced chromotherapy, or using colors to heal. Chromotherapy is sometimes referred to as light therapy or colourology. It is still used today as a holistic or alternative medicine method. Chromotherapists claim that colors bring about emotional reactions in people.
· Red was used to stimulate the body and mind and to increase circulation.
· Yellow was thought to stimulate the nerves and purify the body.
· Orange was used to heal the lungs and to increase energy levels.
· Blue was believed to soothe illnesses and treat pain.
· Indigo shades were thought to alleviate skin problems.
I firmly believe as a designer, from my education and experience, that a harmoniously balanced room can have a positive impact on an individual’s emotional and physical well-being. We may not realize it, but we unconsciously perceive our surroundings. If your room colors are mostly dark and muddy, then you may feel a little more depressed. If your colors are light and airy, you may feel more relaxed and positive. If your colors are bright and aggressive, you may feel motivated or possibly agitated and not know why. How do you want to feel in your home? Take a look at the colors that surround you and imagine how you would feel if they were different. It just could be the change you are looking for!
Layla S. Altman, ASID can be reached at 843-238-0078 or by email: layla@poshsurfside.com Copyright 2009 by Layla S. Altman. May not be reproduced without permission.

IKAT FABRICS (pronounced ee-kat) are the oldest known patterned textiles in the world.  They appear in cultures as diverse as Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Guatemala, Turkey, and India.  Because textiles rarely survive more than a few thousand years, it is unknown how far back Ikat patterns date.  Those most familiar to Westerners are the elaborate textile designs of Japan, the handicrafts of South America and the beautiful Ikat robes and hangings of Central Asia.    Click here to see Ikat Blankets in Indonesia.

While they have existed for thousands of years, Ikat fabrics garnered fame in the nineteenth century, when the finest examples of Ikats from Central Asia were used as a form of currency on the fabled Silk Road (a trade route across Asia that linked Europe to all of the peoples and cultures from Turkey to China.) Via the Silk Road, Ikats traveled by camel train in all directions and were traded for all manner of merchandise.  Woven of silk on narrow looms, strips of Ikat fabric were used to make magnificent robes coveted by tribal leaders; they adorned prized horses and were hung in palaces.  Records show that there was no greater gift; in fact, an Ikat robe was worth more than the life of the finest slave. Trade and European travelers brought them west, where they have had a unique influence on the design world ever since.

The word Ikat comes from a word in Malay that means  “to bind or wind around”.  Thousands of individual threads are tie-dyed in intricate patterns, then untied and woven into fabric; in 19th century Bukhara, there were hundreds of workshops dedicated solely to making Ikat threads.  The threads were wrapped, dyed, sorted, rewrapped and dyed again; the tie-dye technique produced slightly innacurate color distribution which resulted in the enchanting blurred edges of the finished designs.. The more elaborate the pattern, the longer the process before weaving could begin.  Ikat designers then hung the threads on simple looms, marking them with patterns passed down through generations of artisans. Weavers charged according to the intricacy of the design. Hundreds of thousands of Ikats were woven in central Asia in the nineteenth century, and exported to countries all along the Silk Road.
by Luciano Ghersi

Antique Ikat robes and Ikat fragments are coveted by textile collectors and designers, and add a touch of the exotic to interiors both traditional and modern.  The bright, vegetable-dyed colors and graphic patterns are bold and romantic.  An Ikat robe becomes a beautiful work of art when hung on a wall.  Adding an Ikat pattern to a room, even if it’s just a pillow, demonstrates one’s interest in far-flung travel and exotic cultures, as well as one’s appreciation for the difficult craft of weaving such a complicated piece.

Today’s designers are reinventing the Ikat, using the ancient techniques and creating fresh designs.  Reproduction Ikat designs allow us to use these exciting patterns in ways that we could never use antique fabrics - upholstery, drapery, area rugs and fashion.  Here’s a selection of our favorites that are readily available today,  to order through Posh Living:

Magnificat Ikat Nap Pillow

Magnificat Ikat Large Pillow, Red

Diamond Pattern Daphne Ikat by Madeleine Weinrib Atelier

Ikat-inspired Luce fabric by Madeleine Weinrib Atelier

Ikat patterned rug from Madeleine Weinrib Atelier;Photo by Annie Schlechter, Domino, Nov. 2008.

Ikat Fabric from China Seas jazzes up a bedroom by , Photo by Ngoc Minh Ngo, House Beautiful, March 2009.

Designer Hall Williamson uses an Ikat unexpectedly on a slipper chair in this romantic sitting room; photo from House Beautiful

A very modern print, Bali Isle from China Seas, based on ancient Ikat patterns; photo from Domino Magazine

SO MANY OF US pet owners consider our pets a family member. And they typically are treated as such. We give them treats and toys and so much love. They romp around the house and take naps on their favorite piece of furniture. They express how much they’ve missed us by the wagging their tails and sharing snuggly kisses when we walk in the door after a long day. Pets are great! If we could change just one small thing about our loving little furry children, wouldn’t it be the seemingly endless amounts of fur that end up everywhere?? Are your upholstered furniture pieces looking like furry creatures themselves? During this time of year it is especially difficult to maintain a fur free home. I’m going to help you to live in harmony with your furry friends and still be able to have a great looking home.
Does Spot live in his “favorite” chair or sofa when you’re not home? Does he like to snuggle up on the sofa when you watching the TV? Does he love your chair & sofa as much as you do? My guess would be “yes.” One of the easiest ways to help keep your sofa clean & fresh would be to slipcover it! I’m not talking about one of those saggy baggy slipcovers that look sloppy and never seem to stay in place. I’m talking about a tailored slipcover that stays in place. A tailored slipcover follows the contour of your sofa like a tailored suit or dress. The fabulous part about owning a slipcover for your sofa is that you can take it right off & wash it in your own home. So anytime our friend Spot is shedding extra fur, you can wash it and have a clean sofa in as less than 1 hour! Click here for more slipcover ideas and tips.
If a slipcover is not your cup of tea and you want a more modern look, then I would recommend leather upholstered furniture. Fur cannot stick to leather and it is easy to maintain. You can wipe off most dirt & food with a leather cleaning & conditioning product. That’s all you have to do to keep leather looking clean & conditioned. Not all people prefer leather because it can get cold during the winter months and when it’s hot in the summer your skin tends to stick to it. As a designer I believe the other downfall to leather is that you cannot keep decorative pillows on sofas. They tend to slide around and not stay put!
So if fabric is your choice of material, but you’re still not sold on the idea of a slipcover, then I recommend heavy cotton /polyester material or even an outdoor fabric. Yes, outdoor fabric for your indoor upholstery pieces. Manufacturers have found a way to make the outdoor acrylic & polyester spun fabrics remarkably soft. These fabrics are easiest to keep clean because you can use a diluted bleach solution on them. Since they are tightly woven, it is easy to remove pet fur from them as well. If you prefer to use a cotton or polyester, than choose a color that is similar to your dog’s fur color. This will hide the fur and keep a little more sanity around the house. Also choose a fabric that has a pattern. Patterns help to hide stains better than a solid will.

Last but not least, if you really want to help shed all that fur from your furniture, have a custom bed made for your favorite pet. You can make it as small or large depending on the size of your pet. You can use medium or high density foam with either a polyfill or dacron stuffing material depending on the amount of firmness your pet may need. I would use thicker & firmer foam if your pet is older. They may need the extra support for their arthritic bones. And they’ll love you for it. Then select a durable fabric, again it could be cotton, polyester or an outdoor material. You will want something that will hold up under lots of washing. You will also want to make sure you have a zipper sewn into your cover so that it is easy to remove. Your pet then will spend a little less time on your favorite furniture piece and a little more time on his custom bed that is oh so comfortable!
Unfortunately I can’t help you to keep your pets off your favorite piece of furniture, but I hope I have given you solutions so that you can live in harmony with your furry creatures! My 13 ½ year old dog still loves naps on my sofa while I’m out of the house. Can you blame her?
Layla S. Altman, ASID is the co-owner of Posh Living in Surfside Beach.

Summer is here, and with it a whirlwind of fun outdoor activities, but that doesn’t mean your decor has to suffer. With guests arriving, you may feel your interior could use a little brightening up. Here are some budget-friendly tips to help: Paint an accent wall a bright color – current colors are deep turquoise, bright indigo, lavender, fuschia, orange or yellow-green. Just paint one wall behind a sofa, or in a small kitchen you can paint the areas between and around the cabinets.

Slipcovered, yet elegant.

Jazz up a breakfast area by bringing in a bench to replace some chairs — look for an old church pew, an odd vintage iron bench, or a wicker loveseat. You may have one outside you can drag indoors. Or, have a carpenter build in a simple banquette for more seating in a tight space. Pile it with colorful summery pillows – make sure they are washable and have a zipper.

Built-in Kitchen Bench

Buy just three yards of fabric and a staple gun, and recover your dining chairs yourself. Use an outdoor acrylic and you can wash it with soapy water and a sponge – perfect for dealing with suntan oil and wet bathing suits. Give your lamps a lift – change beige or tan shades to white, and trim plain paper shades with colorful ribbon glued around the top and bottom for a crisp fresh look. If you are stuck with pastel plaster lamps, spray the bases a crisp white to modernize them. Or, add a shade in an interesting fabric to the room for a splash of pattern.

Take down all of your art and start over. Take the ones with outdated mat colors (mauve, blue, brown) to the framer to have just the mats changed to a nice fresh ivory. Then rehang everything in a different room from where it was before. Consider repainting the frames white or black if that will help the art find a new home in a different room. Move your furniture around and create a new floor plan that makes your rooms match the way you really live. For example, moving an unused desk out of the bedroom and into the living area will provide space for a laptop. If your family room is piled with games and movies, look for an unused cabinet or dresser from the basement or guest room that can be brought in to hold clutter. Dresser drawers are great for hiding mail order catalogs, CDs, or hobby supplies. Use a short chest in place of an end table. Give it a colorful coat of paint if necessary. Slipcover one or two pieces of furniture. Look at the room first and decide what will make the biggest difference. If you want a lighter room and the sofa is the biggest dark piece, slipcover it and add some lighter colored pillows around the room. Made properly, custom slipcovers are great for living rooms, as they can be washed and make the home always feel freshly cleaned. Have an extra seat cushion cover made so one can be rotated into the wash if it gets stained. Wood dining chairs should have seat cushions too — if yours don’t, invest in having them made with removable, washable covers — the most elegant vacation homes have them. Plus, if your guests are comfortable while dining, you’ll have long dinners full of lively conversation. Add some new pieces to your bedding – throw pillows, colorful shams, or a duvet in a splashy pattern. We use mattelasse coverlets from Pine Cone Hill - they are easy to wash, light to sleep under for summer, and come in pretty colors. You can mix one into your existing bedding set and fold the old comforter at the foot of the bed for a layered look. This is also a more luxurious look for the bed, and makes the room feel like an upscale bed and breakfast.

Pine Cone Hill bedding.

Pillows, pillows, pillows! Don’t be shy about mixing patterns — as long as they have some common colors, they all go together. Pillows are probably the least expensive and most effortless way to give a room a quick makeover. Splurge a little on some up-to-date fabrics and the whole room will look new.

Pillows by Pine Cone Hill and Posh Living.

For outdoors, we really love the furnishings from a company called Fermob; they make the metal chairs used in the parks in Paris. They have a lot of styles, from traditional to modern. Best of all, they are lightweight and most pieces fold so they can be easily stored for winter. They even have bright colors. The cafe sets are great indoors as well. If you have old outdoor furniture, it is well worth it to have the cushions replaced and recovered with Outdura or Sunbrella fabric. A refurbished wicker sofa is far less expensive than a new one, (and so much nicer than those beige aluminum sets from big box stores that you might replace it with). Wicker will give a very upscale look to your porch.

Outdoors or in, don’t miss the rugs from Dash and Albert Rug Company. They have bright flat-weave rugs in acrylic that are super sturdy and washable. They are great for porches, but also come in large sizes so they are perfect for casual living and dining areas. They are colorful and reasonably priced.

Whitecraft Sofa and Dash & Albert Rug in Pawleys Island.

Give your home a summer makeover by looking for little projects like the ones above that can be done in a day. Re-purposing furnishings you already own is budget friendly, and it is fun to use your creativity.

© 2009 Kerry Ann Dame. May not be reproduced without permission.

From construction materials to furniture and cleaning products, our homes contain many toxic substances that affect our health. You can improve the quality of your health by making informed decisions about how your home is designed, what products are used to build it, what products you put in it and how you maintain it. Here are several tips for making your home healthier and safer for you & your family.

10 Steps to Creating a Healthy Indoor Environment

Step 1: If you have allergies, then carpet is not what you want for flooring. Carpet captures dust, dust mites, food, and mildew and gives it a place to breed and grow. This is what will irritate your allergies and make you sick. Replace your carpet with hardwood flooring or tile to eliminate the breeding ground. Hardwood and tile flooring is much easier to clean and maintain. It also has a longer life span than carpet and won’t need replacing as soon.

Step 2: Cotton is the most pesticide intensive product grown today. 25% of all pesticides used globally last year were used to grow cotton. There are currently 83 active ingredients in pesticides known to cause cancer in animals and humans. The alternative is to choose products that are made from organic cotton or linen. These fabrics are not treated with pesticides and are safer not only for us humans, but for the planet as well. You can find organic fabrics that will look beautiful and be durable for upholstering or slipcovering furniture, bedding, throw pillows and curtains.

Step 3: Indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air, and according to the EPA, is considered one of the top 5 hazards to human health. Paints and finishes are among the leading causes. Before you start a painting project at home, research paint companies with Non or Low VOC paints like Devine Green or Sally Fretwell Paints. VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. These chemicals are dangerous to breathe and typically off-gas for many years after you have painted. Visit http://www.devinepaints.com or http://www.sallyfretwell.comfor more information on quality Non and Low VOC paints.

Step 4: Buy or finish wood furniture with natural finishes like beeswax, natural non-toxic Tung oil or linseed oil instead of polyurethane. Household varnishes such as polyurethane often contain benzene, toluene, xylene and ethylene glycol ethers among other things. The side effects and illnesses caused by these chemicals read like a barrage of horror stories: Nerve damage, respiratory problems, headaches, coma, vomiting, kidney failure, reproductive problems, memory loss and death. This isn’t even a complete list.

Step 5: When designing or remodeling your home, add as many windows as you can to provide as much natural light as you can. This will reduce your electric bill, provide adequate lighting for tasks and will help to create a healthier mental environment to live in. You need air exchange with the outside as well, so more windows will help to circulate fresh air through your home.

Step 6: Get rid of the clutter! This in not only visually disruptive and stressful, but it creates areas for dust to gather and encouraging dust mites. Removing the clutter will make it easier to keep the house clean too. And if the house is easier to clean, it won’t be such an ordeal.

Step 7: Use eco-friendly cleaning products. Conventional cleaning products contain some of the most toxic chemicals in your home. Your best option for green cleaners is to use some of the same ingredients your grandmother used to keep her home spic and span. Lemon juice can cut grease, remove stains and be used to clean windows. Dilute Castile soap with water and use it as an all-purpose cleaner. A little goes a long way! These Eco-friendly products are human-friendly as well. They will be less agitating to the skin and sinuses.

Step 8: Let your pets have their own beds instead of sharing yours. I know this may be a hard habit to break, but pets bring many germs & bacteria from outside into your home. If you give them their own “doggie bed” you can keep the dirt and germs contained. Make sure you get a washable pet cover for their bed. Wash it regularly to keep germs away.

Step 9: Avoiding products made of particle board. Particle board emits formaldehyde as it ages. The new cabinet smell is chemicals off-gassing; it continues to off- gas long after the new product smell is gone. Ready to assemble furniture such as laminated furniture found at Big Box and Office Supply stores is made from particle board. Try instead real wood products made here in the USA. There are several great manufacturers right here in the Southeast that still make affordable all wood products. Check out Southern Craftsmens Guild or Ron Fisher Furniture.

Step 10: Take steps to improve air quality and freshen the air in your home by introducing live plants such as ivy, spider plants and peace lily. All have the natural quality of absorbing formaldehyde and other unhealthy chemicals. They help to produce nice clean oxygen. Open your windows and doors every few weeks for a few hours (not on a bad pollen day) to completely exchange the air in your home with fresh air from outside. This eliminates toxins that are off-gassing from furniture, cabinetry, paint and carpet, which are building up in your home and recirculating in your HVAC system.

These are just a few steps to create healthy indoor living. Check online at
www.planetgreen.com or www.yahoogreen.com for more recommendations on safe & healthy products for your home & health. Now take a deep breath and enjoy your new healthy home!

© July 2008 by Layla S. Altman. May not be reproduced without permission

WHAT’S YOUR PILLOW STORY? Pillows are like jewelry for your sofa. They are to decorating what shoes are to fashion — it seems you can never have too many! They’re one of my favorite elements in a room, because I have such a passion for beautiful fabrics. The right collection of pillows is like the icing on the cake; it’s where the homeowner’s individuality really comes out. Beautiful pillows are a necessity for the fabric connoisseur. For a designer look, un-decorate your prepackaged room with throw pillows:

• Toss the pillows that match your sofa — they’re a real waste of pillow real-estate.
• Avoid chenille or heavy upholstery fabrics, they just don’t make nice pillows.
• Use down and feather pillow inserts. They last forever and flatten nicely when you lean against them, so you don’t have to move them aside like those stiff polyester ones. They also sit heavily on the furniture which keeps them from tumbling onto the floor.

Abandon the idea that your room is finished when you have three or four fabrics in it. A quick look at any magazine or decorating book makes it apparent that the really fabulous rooms manage to bring five, eight, or even a dozen fabrics into one room. Designers make rooms really unique and interesting by varying the scale and pattern of a collection of fabrics and using them in different quantities. Once the basic selection of furniture and window treatment fabrics has been done, the accent fabrics become very important. Smaller furnishings such as occasional chairs and footstools, or cushions on a window seat, receive fabrics that are complementary to the main fabrics. These accent fabrics are great to use as throw pillows on the furnishings to pull the whole scheme together.

Now comes the fun part — deciding which fabrics are the best accent fabrics. This is where experience matters. Here are some tips for combining lots of fabric patterns into a coherent “pillow story”:

• Depending on whether you want a cozy or clean look, you’ll want 3-5 pillows on your sofa. One is permitted to match another piece of furniture, but that’s all!
• Start with the window treatments — are they a splashy print? If so, they’ll make great sofa pillows if your sofa is rather plain. Add some fluffy fringe for personality.
• Next, look to your chairs. If your club or wing chairs are a typical stripe or plaid, that fabric may be nice for a sofa pillow. Just do one, though – you want to “refer” to the chairs, but save some room for pillow creativity.
• Now it gets interesting. Take colors from your curtain fabric and use them in a sofa pillow that doesn’t match the chairs. For example, if your chairs are a plaid in navy and ivory, and your curtains have many shades of blue, you might try pillows of ivory fabric, with navy and blue mingled fringe, and a big navy button in the middle. You’re still color coordinated, but you’ve broken the mold of the furniture store display!
• Make sure that one of the fabrics is made into a pair of pillows — pairs create order, which is important when you are mixing lots of fabrics. But don’t have a pair on your sofa made from your club chair fabric, or you‘ll be back at the furniture showroom.
• Next, get creative — let’s say for our imaginary room we have curtains with a big abstract flower, in shades of blue, on an ivory ground. Instead of repeating that fabric yet again for chair pillows or ottoman, look for something similar with the colors reversed. How about an ivory vine print embroidered on a blue background? You’ve brought in a different scale of pattern by using a smaller vine instead of the big floral. And, you’ve further mixed it up by reversing the colors.
• Keep going with the patterns if you have occasional pieces to cover; try a tiny stripe or a tone-on-tone damask in your color scheme, and use that to frame a monogram on a sofa pillow. Use one of the minor colors from your largest print fabric; see if you can find a small-scale design (like a trellis or leaves) in that color alone.
• For a European look, add something with a scene on it. Add some floppy bullion fringe to a couple of pillows, and tassels on others. For a sophisticated room, look for luxe fabrics like linen, damask, and silk. Don’t be afraid to splurge on a high-end fabric for pillows – you don’t need much, so this is your chance to have something that would be out of reach for a larger project. Treat yourself!
• If you are going for something clean and modern, concentrate on different textures and have bursts of pattern on pillows against various textured upholstery. Use dressmaker details such as contrasting piping, handmade fabric flanges, center buttons, or blocks of solid colors to develop a “pillow story” that proves modern doesn’t have to mean boring!
• To keep it together, you’ll need something crisp and graphic to give your eye some rest as you look around. A clean wide stripe or silhouette print is ideal for small chair seats or a bench. Use the same fabric for a long pillow in the center of the sofa, and you’ll spread that graphic punch all around the room. Use your graphic fabric at least twice to keep up the “orderly” effect. You can use this trick in a traditional or modern room.

Finally, if you have an ottoman, you’ll want to keep it calm. We’d use a solid with contrast piping to quietly center the room. Ottomans do not need to match the chairs they came with, but you may wish to have them match if you are doing a more modern room. Modern rooms definitely have that orderly feeling, while traditional and cottage style rooms tend to have a more layered look.

Once you’re comfortable with mixing pillow fabrics, you’ll find it’s fun — a bit like conducting a symphony. Some of the fabrics have all of the colors, some of them have a few of the colors, and some only have one of the colors. When you get really good at it, you’ll find yourself adding a pillow that has none of the colors of the rest of the room but mysteriously looks just right! Perhaps our imaginary blue and ivory room wants a pillow with an acid green Chinese scene, trimmed with blue and green fringe (especially if an adjoining room happens to be green, but that’s another story). Our modern room might really be glamorous with just a pop of shiny coral silk. Look across the color wheel for contrasting colors to throw into the mix. And if you’re really stuck, that’s what designers are for. We can take your ho-hum room and really make it sing. At our shop, we have at least a hundred pillows on any given day, and we are always making new ones. In our mass-produced world, we appreciate handmade things more and more. A pillow collection gives us a chance to enjoy the fabrics, colors and patterns that we love. So, what’s your pillow story?

Copyright 2008 Kerry Ann Dame. May not be reproduced without permission.