Designer Tips with Kim
Shopping for fabrics? With thousands of resources and selections out there, we know it can be a bit overwhelming to start the process. But, stepping into our fabric store is the best first move so you can see and touch the latest designs and patterns available. We want to help you prepare for your fabric shopping experience, so Kimberly Tall, our lead designer, is here with some quick tips for finding and selecting the right fabric for your home. Whether you are in the market for drapery, pillow, bedding or upholstery fabrics, these tips will help you know exactly where to start.
Upholstery Fabrics
Set the foundation for any room with the largest pieces of furniture. Think bedroom headboards, kitchen banquettes and living room sofas. Upholstered furniture will likely remain longer in the home than accessories and decor, so Kim suggests selecting durable upholstery fabrics from brands like Crypton (seen below) and Revolution. Or, consider shopping the vast Outdoor Fabrics section as these options will stand the test of time (and wine/coffee spills!!)
Once your upholstery fabric is selected, our team can do in-house upholstery jobs as well. This eliminates the headache of trying to find another resource to help complete the job. Kim and our team of designers coordinate pick-up and drop-off of your upholstered furniture within two weeks or less.
Pillow Fabrics
Need to compliment that large foundation? Whether it’s the bed, sofa, sectional, chair or area rug, pillows are generally the last accessory to be finished as they are the easiest to change out over time at a lower price point. Kim helps many clients choose various styles that coordinate with upholstery fabrics and rugs. Our workroom fabricates pillows in-house, eliminating a second stop on the way home!
When choosing pillow fabrics, Kim recommends shopping for blends, embroideries, fun prints, and designer fabrics (you can spend a little more as it’s a small amount of yardage). Don’t forget to add tapes, trims or tassels for formality or personality.
Drapery Fabrics
If you’re looking for drapery or window treatments, most of the time light-weight linen/poly blends or cotton/poly blends will work best. Kim also suggests keeping embroidered fabrics and large repeat patterns in mind – whether it’s floral, animal or geometric – for a dramatic look. This works really well against a solid piece of furniture or neutral wall color. Another option is a simple linen blend with a tape on the leading edge! Don’t forget that you can add onto the fabric with these finishing touches!
Before shopping for drapery fabrics, Kim recommends gathering measuring the ceiling height and the window – both width and height. At Aiden Fabrics, we will take care of you with top designer fabric options and an available workroom to finish the job after fabric selection.
Finally, don’t forget the hardware! Selecting your drapery fabric in a showroom also means you have the chance to pair it with the perfect custom hardware. There are many wooden and metal options available to complete the look – both in-stock and special order.
Bedding Fabrics
Don’t be confined to store bought patterns and bedding sets. At Aiden, Kim and our team of designers help our customers create complimentary and unique fabric pairings. Custom bedding allows customers to select coordinating fabrics for duvet spreads, coverlets, bed scarfs and bed skirts. Decorative pillows from Euros to bolsters and lumbars add that extra pop of color or pattern. Kim reminds us that you can also select embroidered monograms and trims to make your pillows unique and customized.
Before shopping for bedding, simply take note of your bed size and the room’s color way (blues/greys/multi/etc). Kim recommends shopping linens and cotton chintz, or any light-weight unique fabric for your bedding.
Prep for Design Consultation
Want to work with Kim or any of our Interior Designers on staff? All of our team members are licensed and ready to help. We can assist small projects in-store or provide at-home consultations. Please inquire about our hourly consultation feeds.
Ready to stop in at Aiden? Feel free to bring in your inspiration piece for us to select the perfect coordinate for you or get you started on your interior design project. We’re here to help! Schedule a dedicated time now in advance if you’d like to work with a designer!
