Some main considerations I have come to realize is, when one is on the hunt for a great fabric are.
1st. "Wow, I like that fabric!"
2nd. That the piece of furniture that you have that fabric planned for, accepts the fabric well. Meaning that it doesn't conflict with the character or age of the piece.
If a fabric that was designed in the 1970's and is placed on a style of old, it will put that piece off center. Folks won't really know what's wrong with it, but it is sending out mixed signals and will make that piece seem chaotic.
3rd. And then where it's going to spend time. Is the fabric to dressy or formal for that room?
And shades or tones of shades: if you take a rich or deep color or tone and set that in with other shades it can make the lighter shade look worn out or sun faded, even though its not.
If a formal fabric chair is placed in a room with casual fabric. Folks will always tend to sit in the casual seating. That's why all formals are put in one room.
4th. Wear ability. An upholstery grade fabric should be the first. Slipcover fabric or printed fabric tends to have a much shorter life span.
Then comes how formal the fabric is. A dressy or formal fabric does not accept general ware and tare as well as a casual fabric.
The play or dance to the fabric has so much to do with the wear ability. A simple one colored velvet as oppose to a multi colored casual tapestry makes all the difference.
5th. About transitionals.
A transitional fabric is categorized as a newly designed fabric. On first glance you see the fabric you know it has been designed recently. But the same fabric will go so well on furniture that is anywhere from 50 to 300 years old. Drawing out and flattering all it's age and character.
6th. Ornate carved furniture really is beautiful and rare to be produced now a days. Old ornate furniture really can be over powered with a busy fabric and will dominate the chairs beautiful carvings done by craftsmen in times past. And cannot be appreciated.
7th. Fabrics enrich our lives. Don't try living in a world without fabrics. It would be noisy, hard and cold.
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