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1 Chair + 2 Fabric Patterns = 1 Fabulous Look
Pair two contrasting fabrics on an upholstered chair to bring edge and an element of the unexpected to your interior decorating
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
What's better than a chair upholstered in a gorgeous fabric? A chair upholstered in two gorgeous fabrics. This tactic is a terrific way to add visual punch and a sly surprise to a living area, an office, a dining room or a bedroom. The secret: Vary the scale, pattern or color enough to create a high degree of contrast — otherwise the fabrics will blend into each other and look like a mishmash. And unless you're considering this an art project, limit yourself to two fabrics; three or (heaven forbid) four can create confusion.
One tip: Upholstered chairs are key investment pieces, and you want them to have staying power. If you go this route, either choose versatile patterns that will stay fresh and that you'll love for a long time, or commit to reupholstering every so often to maintain an up-to-date look.
Check out these eight ways to double up on fabrics to get ideas for your own chairs.
One tip: Upholstered chairs are key investment pieces, and you want them to have staying power. If you go this route, either choose versatile patterns that will stay fresh and that you'll love for a long time, or commit to reupholstering every so often to maintain an up-to-date look.
Check out these eight ways to double up on fabrics to get ideas for your own chairs.
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by Heydt Designs
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| 1. Add an element of surprise. At first glance, this living room minds its manners, from the classic palette to the blue and white china in the hutch. Then your eye zooms to the pair of chairs by the fireplace. Casual fabrics in indigo and olive cloak the seats and the backs, providing a wonderful contrast to the ladylike frames and turning the classic composition on its ear. If you looked at swatches of both patterns side by side, you'd never imagine them getting along, and that's precisely why they work so well in this space. Teamed up, they give off a level of energy that a single pattern never could. |
by Amoroso Design
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2. Tie in fabric elsewhere in the room. The blue denim on the fronts of these dining chairs would have looked just fine with the overscale floral print on the Roman shades.
But upholstering the backs of the chairs in that same print, edged with denim piping, puts a bow on the whole pretty package. Details always matter in design, and this space gets them right.
But upholstering the backs of the chairs in that same print, edged with denim piping, puts a bow on the whole pretty package. Details always matter in design, and this space gets them right.
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| 3. Lend drama to a neutral room. In plain black, these chairs might not have looked especially exciting against their beige backdrop. But with the backs covered in a sophisticated ikat print, the room takes on an exotic flair. See more of this house |
by MuseInteriors
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4. Add subtle spark. The pattern on the backs of these chairs is so quiet that it might not even register until you look closely. Yet it lends another layer of interest amid the pale colors and faint wallpaper motif, and prevents the room from feeling one-dimensional.
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5. Keep scale in check. This large-scale wing chair would have overpowered the space were it covered entirely in a bold print. Upholstering just the back and the seat helps it to feel more appropriate for the size of the room.
6. Pull together a palette. Without the suzani-print fabric on the backs of these office chairs, the pink-meets-yellow color scheme wouldn't harmonize. The print draws the disparate hues together, and limiting it to the chair backs keeps it from overwhelming the space.
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| 7. Highlight a sculptural shape. The svelte, beautifully curved backs of these upholstered dining chairs deserve to be set off by a contrasting fabric that reinforces the room's palette. |
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8. Elevate a simple piece. Without the floral panel on the back, this desk chair would be plain and unassuming. That small touch of pattern transforms it into a one-of-a-kind gem.
Ideabook published on Aug. 29, 2012.
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I like the one chair with the rect. of print of the back as well. I think I'm going to be doing both of these!
@astraea: I totally agree with you. Even as a hobby sewer/upholsterer who lives in Canada and one who is not 'in the trade'; it can even be a challenge to find designer selections not to mention any general fabric at a reasonable cost since we usually pay twice the amount for any given textile compared to what you pay in the U.S.
I also understand Astraea's concerns, but it doesn't have to be that way. I've attached a photo of a club chair that I purchased for $60 at a Salvation Army store over 15 years ago.
I had leftover fabric from a wonderful Bergamo linen velvet that I had bought at a warehouse sale and had used to cover a sofa. I didn't have quite enough, but I also wanted to distinguish the chair. So I decided to try covering the seat and back cushions in a different fabric. I'd seen it done and thought I could pull it off. I used an expensive fabric from Donghia, but since i needed just a few yards I really got the proverbial bang for my buck!
And 15 years and two residences later, it still looks great. I know, it's easier if you're in the trade. That's true, but it can still be done...and look beautiful.
I also agree with Astraea about the costs of some design decisions. Especially, if you're the type of person who tires of a fabric pattern or color. Better to invest in neutral fabrics and use pattern in throw pillows which can easily be recovered (more easily than a chair for sure).
And Marcie31...you are so right - what were they thinking??? Imagine a quiet dinner in that room. Not.
Web Search: Little Green Notebook Make Shades Out Of Mini Blinds OR 365 Days Of Simplicity No Sew Roman Shades.