Accent chairs are a great way to create a colour scheme or decorating aesthetic in your room. Should accent chairs match? Don’t make this common mistake when choosing an accent chair.
This post is written by my Senior Colour Designer, Tricia Firmaniuk while I sit by the pool in Positano!
Cobalt blue accent chairs bring this room by Miles Redd to life
My pet peeve about accent chairs is always the fabric they are covered in when you buy a set in a big box store. Always some weird swirly, modern fabric that cannot be coordinated with ANYTHING.
Left a bossy generic pattern, Right a timeless, versatile print from Ballard Designs
My advice is DON’T DO IT.
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Read on to find out what Tricia has to say:
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The word “Accent” according to Oxforddictionaires.com, is “A feature which gives a distinctive visual emphasis to something”.
And in my mind, an “accent chair” is a piece that draws attention in a room, an emphatic expression of the colour scheme or aesthetic of the space. Makes sense right?
Pink accent chair in Natane Boudreau’s NYC Apartment
Was I ever shocked and dismayed when I had to go to a half dozen home decorating stores recently in search of a fun, colourful accent chair for a vignette I wanted to create.
Let me just tell you that I was met with a bland wash of shades of taupe, gray and linen chairs on offer everywhere.
Now of course, if I was shopping online, and I had some time to order something custom, I would have had options, but I wanted to buy it, toss it in my truck and create my vignette. I was on a mission. I know there is much to be said for patience and planning, but you know, sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way 😉
The image I held in my mind was of a pretty print of some kind, maybe in blue or green, pink or coral, something with some colour and interest that I could base my image on like this fun chair below.
Ok, this is probably too fabulous to find off the shelf but one can dream. Giant Peony by GP & J Baker
But by the third or fourth store I was becoming despondent. The best I could find was a grayed teal.
Here’s the vignette I came up with which was much more demure in colour than I had hoped (below).
My favorite sculpture by artist Susan Owen Kagan, modern brass pharmacy lamp here. Chair from Homesense
It took my mind reluctantly back to Economics 101, you know, basic supply and demand? And I got all contemplative and thought, people must just not be buying colour and prints, otherwise, surely, the stores would be offering them?
Just a theory guys, tell me it’s not true?
Yalani Stripe Angelina Chair Anthropologie
So here’s the thing, let’s say you decided to go with a safe, neutral sofa, (I admit I have a big space in my heart for a classic light canvas colour sofa, and warm cognac leather ones too), and now you need a pair of chairs to go with it (because we all know better than buying the matching loveseat right?)
What do you do? It looks like a good lot of people (according to my hackneyed interpretation of a highly oversimplified theory of economics) must be deciding, “I know, I’ll get pair of gray/linen/taupe accent chairs”, and I assume it’s because committing to blue/green/pink ones seems terrifying right? But this is false logic (according to my patchy recollection of Logic 101), because gray/linen/taupe is a colour too!
And you’ve just committed to it. And what’s worse, you now have diminished opportunities to introduce a more interesting and happy colour into your room! Ack, that wasn’t the idea!
If you’re still with me, here’s the thing my colour designer heart wants to share to save us all from too much gray and taupe: before you buy your main pieces for your room, it’s a good idea to dream up some idea of the colours you would like to use, not after you buy the bulkiest pieces that will take up the most visual space.
And this is because when I see a gray “accent” chair, I see a missed opportunity for delicious colour or pattern.
These blue chairs make this room by Jeffery Bilhuber
Can a neutral sofa and neutral chairs work? Of course they can, but it’s harder to pull off and it’s much more fun to make a statement, ahem, create an accent with some colour or pattern I think 🙂
If your heart is sinking reading this, because you’ve just bought all neutral furniture, don’t despair! You can still get some large scale colourful art or a nice area rug in colour, all is not lost. However, it’s not likely that you will get enough colour to make your room feel pulled together out of a few pillows and vases.
Source
Maria has said this many times on the blog, and that is to introduce an accent colour successfully, you will need to add it in large, medium and small gradations.
The drapes give a large dose of green in this otherwise neutral room Source
What qualifies as large? Your sofa, drapes, an area rug, a piece of art that is almost as tall as you, or yes, a pair of fabulous accent chairs!
Medium? A piece of art the size of my dog Mabel, a decent sized collection of vases (like 5 or 7), an ottoman, an accent table, a set of toss pillows.
My sweet Mabel
And items you can call on to represent your accent colour in small doses are smaller artworks, single vases or vessels, a lamp etc.
But if you ask a bunch of small and even medium pieces to add colour to a room, you will end up with colour that looks bitty, and comes off tentative and uncommitted.
Colour is a commitment, once you walk through that door, there is no going back (at least for a few years), but it’s better to make a choice and open a door than to stand in the all gray lobby which really is nowhere yet.
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Thanks Tricia, I couldn’t have said it better myself!
There is much more of course to choosing an accent chair such as shape and scale, but first, it’s important to be thinking about colour.
If you would like help pulling together your room, check out our Get Me Started eDesign decorting package here.
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Choosing the right fabric for upholstery is a crucial aspect of any interior design project. The material you choose can significantly impact the aesthetics, comfort, and longevity of your furniture.
In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the five key factors you should consider when selecting upholstery fabric.
When it comes to furniture fabric, durability is a crucial consideration. After all, the most beautiful fabric for covering sofas or chair fabrics won't be of much use if they wear out within a few years! The durability of upholstery fabrics is determined by several factors, including:
High-quality upholstery textiles are designed to withstand the rigours of daily use without showing signs of wear and tear. They resist snagging, pilling, and fraying, ensuring that your furniture continues to look its best for years to come.
When selecting fabric for seat covers or sofa fabrics, consider the piece's intended use. For instance, a seldom-used accent chair can be upholstered with a less durable, more decorative fabric, whereas a frequently used sofa would benefit from a more robust and hard-wearing sofa upholstery material.
The furniture fabric you choose plays a significant role in defining the style of your room. Whether you're drawn to modern geometric patterns, classic florals, or solid colours, the fabric for upholstery can serve as a key element in your overall design scheme.
When choosing upholstery fabrics, consider the existing decor and colour scheme of your room. The fabric upholstery should complement other elements in the space, creating a cohesive and harmonious look.
Colour is a powerful design element that can set the mood and tone for the entire room. The upholstery fabrics' colour you choose can influence the space's perceived size, temperature, and mood. For instance, lighter colours can make a room feel larger and brighter, while darker furniture material can create a warm, cosy feel.
When selecting the colour of your fabric for upholstery, consider the room's lighting, the colour of your walls, and the other furniture pieces in the room. The colour should enhance the overall aesthetic of the space and align with your personal style and preferences.
Comfort is an essential factor when it comes to furniture fabric. The texture of the fabric for covering sofas or chair fabrics should feel good to the touch and invite you to sit, relax, and enjoy.
When choosing fabric for upholstery, consider the tactile experience it will provide. Some fabrics, like silk, are smooth and cool to the touch, while others, like velvet, are soft and warm.
Some upholstery textiles require more care and maintenance than others. If you have children or pets, you might want to opt for fabric upholstery that is stain-resistant and easy to clean.
The last thing you want is to be constantly worrying about spills and stains on your beautiful furniture fabric.
When selecting fabric for upholstery, consider your lifestyle and the amount of time you're willing to spend on maintenance. Some upholstery fabrics have protective finishes that resist stains and fading, making them a great choice for busy households. Additionally, it's essential to consider the ease of cleaning and washing when selecting your upholstery fabric to ensure that your furniture remains in top condition for years to come
Choosing the right fabric for upholstery is a complex process that involves considering various factors, including durability, style, colour, comfort, and care requirements.
Measuring the fabric needed for your upholstery project can be a crucial step. If you're looking for a detailed guide on how to measure the right amount of fabric for reupholstering a sofa, you can find valuable insights in this informative article on how to measure how much fabric is needed to reupholster a sofa.
Remember, the fabric upholstery you choose is a reflection of your personal style and lifestyle. So, take your time, consider these factors, and make a choice that you'll be happy with for years to come.
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