In the spirit of “Back to School,” we’re offering some sage advice from two of Members on fabric, enhancing a previous blog from Contract Magazine. IIDA enjoyed their insights so much we asked for more! Check back next week for 5 Things You Need to Know to learn about the hottest topics in the industry.
IIDA caught up with Steven McCollom, IIDA, AIA, and Workplace Offerings Manager at Intuit, to elaborate on his thought process behind choosing the right fabrics and where he finds inspiration. Karen Ostromecki, IIDA, Principal at KO Design, joins the conversation by discussing the critical elements in selecting fabrics and the best approach to pairing them. They’ve both been kind enough to share their insights with us.
How do you choose the right fabrics?
It’s a combination of factors. From a purely pragmatic perspective, it has to work – the yarn type and construction need to meet or exceed the wearability requirements for the use profile – and it has to be beautiful – pattern, texture, hand and color.
What colors/fabrics/patterns/textures inspire you?
I love vintage Girard, Knoll and Eames – bold color, texture or pattern. And I’m a sucker for stripes so I love anything Paul Smith, but Laura Guido-Clark and Anna Hernandez design such amazing textiles I want to upholster everything!
Why is selecting a good fabric important?
Because it adds so much to the user experience – it’s where the rubber meets the road in terms of physical contact with your design.
What’s important to remember when selecting fabrics?
Patterns, colors and textures can add finishing touches and add to the cohesive feeling of a well-designed space. When selecting fabrics the most important factors are who, how and where.
Style: The fabric should also be appropriate to the style and character of the piece it is covering.
Durability: Pieces subject to daily heavy wear need to be covered in tough, durable, tightly woven fabrics. Fabrics that have their pattern “woven in” will wear better than printed fabrics.
Color: Color is probably the number one reason people select certain fabrics. But certain color fabrics may not be the best choice for durability and stain resistance. If it’s a place that gets a lot of sunlight, to reduce the chance of fading, look for fabrics that are sunlight resistant.
Trends: While you shouldn’t buy a fabric just because it’s in Vogue, the latest trend can be an inspiration for pumping new life into your décor. Eco-friendly decor with organic and natural fabrics is the current major trend.
How do you pair fabrics?
1. Color: The colors of the fabrics must present a cohesive package that compliment each other – not compete.
2. Pattern: Fabrics fall under one of two patterns – curvy or straight. In a curvy pattern there is no set pattern, but more of a “wave” of color and design. In a straight pattern there is a definite pattern that is easily recognizable throughout the fabric.
3. Size: When speaking of size, I am referring to the size of the overall pattern, and not the actual width. Sizes of fabric patterns fall under small, medium or large categories. The size and scale of the fabric is determined by the other fabrics.
Fabrics are diverse in their colors, patterns, and textures, so you may find you already have a coordinated palette in which to choose. With the ability of color to create atmosphere, you can set the tone of style you would like to have in a business or home.
What inspires you?
Landscapes are always full of color and pattern that fuel my creativity! Kvadrat’s textiles and Chuhuly glass use color as a central element and create landscapes of texture. Prada’s signature style and the crisp colors of Thai silk are favorites.
KO Design 