TEXTURE EVERYWHERE

Given the choice between a meal of mushy soup and limp salad greens or a seared filet with crunchy broccolini and chunky garlic mashed potatoes, I would choose the latter. Spooning warm slop and slicing into a nice, rare piece of meat with crispy edges are not the same experiences. One is a means to an end; the other is a culinary experience. The same goes for your home.

I always try to encourage my clients to go for fabrics of varying interest: not just colors, but textures as well. If every piece of upholstery is linen, your senses are dulled and uninspired. If you love a linen sofa, try mixing in a cut velvet chair, a leather ottoman, some wool pillows, and maybe silk drapes. Some might call that unhinged; I call it varied.

Opportunities for varied texture don’t stop at upholstery. Instead of a plain white lampshade, mix it up by using one with pleats or maybe a patterned fabric. Instead of flat painted walls, find a nice natural grasscloth that will undoubtedly take your space from plain to cozy.

Bring in furniture pieces with details like fluting or reeding, inlaid veneers, turned legs, or coursed oak–something other than straight lines and solid finishes! Try a light fixture that is slightly over scaled, or even slightly under scaled! Don’t just stick to one thing and expect your room to excite you. That is why it is so important to hire a designer to help you navigate this world of endless choices, endless inspiration, and endless trends. We are here to help you!