Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Fabric decision - designers help!

At this past weekend's estate sale HERE I purchased a Biedermeier stool for use with my comfy reading chair, another estate sale find which I recently had reupholstered (see that transformation HERE). You can see the upholstery that came on the stool is in good shape, a synthetic material from the 1960s, but doesn't quite go with my apartment.
Of course the easy answer is to use the remaining fabric I have on the chair, a linen printed with a white paisley. Is this too boring? I also worry the light colored fabric will soil easily.
I have some lovely black mohair I purchased for another project and never used. I worry this is the opposite - too dark.
Some striped velvet left from a chair I recently had reupholstered in my bedroom would work but I'm not sure it works here.
The last choice I already own is an embroidered paisley silk in blues and french grays. I think the colors seem to go with the room, the darker colors may mask any dirt, and the paisley patterned fabric relates to the chair.  I'm obviously leaning in this direction but what do you think, will any of these work?
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22 comments:

  1. UnknownMarch 10, 2015 at 4:30 PM

    What a lovely find Stefan! I favor the black mohair which looks so stylish, simple and balanced with the black lamp shade and dark elements around the room. This way you have more versitility with your pillow choices in the future. Your black door looks awesome, too. xo Nancy

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  2. ArchitectDesign™March 10, 2015 at 4:49 PM

    Thanks Nancy! I had thought it was too dark but you're right that it pulls in the other black elements. I also have a black coffee table, other black lampshades, and my window sashes are painted black in the same room (for a full picture). Great idea!

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  3. Dean FarrisMarch 10, 2015 at 5:17 PM

    Stefan,
    You need the tiger velvet for that little stool...
    Dean

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  4. ArchitectDesign™March 10, 2015 at 5:22 PM

    Dean, the tiger velvet is great but not my style.... I've had animal print REMOVED from other furniture!

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  5. UnknownMarch 10, 2015 at 5:36 PM

    As I was scrolling I was thinking it should be crewel or embroidery that echoed but didn't match the rug. When I got to the last picture it was perfect! Definitely the way to go in my humble opinion.

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  6. ArchitectDesign™March 10, 2015 at 5:39 PM

    Stancarm - PERFECT -I didn't even think of it but I have some crewel fabric I could use!!! I'll have to get it out of storage. Thanks!

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  7. Jeannine520March 10, 2015 at 7:17 PM

    I'd go with the black mohair. With the throw, the color of the chair and the colorful pillow, you really shouldn't throw another element in there. The black will look elegant, sophisticated, won't show dirt, tie the other colors together AND you already have it. If you end up going with something else you would really need to replace the throw pillow in order to tie things together.

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  8. Coulda shoulda wouldaMarch 10, 2015 at 9:59 PM

    I am in the minority and say no to the black mohair bc with your lampshade and throw that are your black elements then the footstool is IMHO too much black. The stripe or the Paisley out of the options I think give much more visual interest without overpowering. Having said that a footstool is always a vehicle for adding the extra touch or punctuating a room with a different element.

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  9. debra @ 5th and stateMarch 10, 2015 at 10:08 PM

    that's three for the black but the crewel sounds very interesting too
    debra

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  10. columnistMarch 11, 2015 at 2:13 AM

    Is the footstool going to be in situ in front of the armchair, or will it be moved unless wanted? If in situ I would definitely go for the same fabric as the chair. When you put your delicate footsies on the stool you are presumably not going to be wearing shoes, so it wouldn't get soiled from the obvious - polish. But answering the first question is important; if it's used elsewhere then use the black. My two satangs worth!

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  11. Kerry Steele- Design du MondeMarch 11, 2015 at 9:38 AM

    I think they all work except the stripe. Pick your favorite and scotchguard the bejeezus out of it. Then just relax. It's your house and you have to like it, not us. ;)

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  12. Mark D. RuffnerMarch 11, 2015 at 10:29 AM

    Stefan, I like the black mohair, but my choice would be to find a solid fabric that is the predominant rug color. Between the carpet, the cushion and your last choice, I think there's too much pattern going on.

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  13. home before darkMarch 11, 2015 at 11:11 AM

    The black mohair will be a hair magnate. I say go wilder, go leopard velvet.

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  14. Dean FarrisMarch 11, 2015 at 11:44 AM

    Stefan,

    Okay then !
    Perhaps a nice leather or suede?
    In a neutral medium taupe
    Dean

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  15. Row homes and CobblestonesMarch 11, 2015 at 12:00 PM

    Stefan,
    Black Mohair - Yum. Very high contrast but would anchor to the black lampshade and would work. Striped velvet adds a fun graphic punch and the paisley is stunning, Looking forward to see what you choose to cover your cool new stool.
    xo,
    Vera

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  16. littleauguryMarch 11, 2015 at 12:45 PM

    I favor the black mohair.

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  17. KarenaMarch 11, 2015 at 12:59 PM

    Stefan I am with Gaye and love the black mohair, so striking!
    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

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  18. The SwanMarch 11, 2015 at 1:44 PM

    What about using a Velvet in the Raspberry Reddish color found in the design of the carpet border - it's very dark, yet bright enough for contrast and ties in with your Pillow pattern. In my opinion, black shows a multitude of sins such as dust, animal hair etc. Shoes are a no no upon any furniture in my home...let alone the germs...just ask my little nieces and nephews!

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  19. FoodieMarch 11, 2015 at 2:58 PM

    I am in favor of the paisley for some soft contrast, although I love that the blue stripe is very Michael Smith...softly eclectic. I feel you already have enough black accents, and the stool should relate somewhat to the chair, not alienate is entirely.
    I vote for the blue stripe.

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  20. home before darkMarch 11, 2015 at 5:28 PM

    Obviously I meant to type magnet instead of magnate...but the idea of a mohair magnate is growing on me!

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  21. lynnMarch 11, 2015 at 6:58 PM

    I use a footstool in front of "my" spot on the sofa and it gets a LOT of use. Use something durable. I have a faux leather on mine.

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  22. WindlostMarch 12, 2015 at 7:52 PM

    I'd go for the paisley because I'm in a pattern fixation period and loving that eclectic Bloomsbury look. My first choice was the black mohair but I'm afraid it would show too much lint!! Xo Terri

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