FABRIC STORIES




I sat down to write this post 30 minutes ago but before I could type one letter I heard that dreaded sound.....you know the retching sound that dogs make before they throw up?  Sometimes they do it for a few minutes before the "lava starts flowing" and I am scrambling to move her away from the rug onto the hardwoods.

Lord knows that trying to get already digested dog food out of seagrass is no fun [throw in a little chewed up grass to get the process going for them].

Fact:  you can take seagrass outside and hose it off....let it dry and bam....like new.

Now I am back....3000 pieces of paper towels later.

I mentioned that I spoke at Haven last week.  Thinking about what my subject would be it crossed my mind [and that was a short trip] "when I am listening to someone at a conference....what do I like to hear?"

It became clear to me that I am a visual person and I want to see "pretty things" mixed in with tips and ideas. Plus the other 2 bitches [Erika and Darlene] took all the good stuff....bitter...party for one.

It then hit me...well hit might be a little strong...more like a little bubble with words in it, "what do I love?" .....FABRICS.

That is when I came up with doing a few "fabric stories" and how I came to put them together.

So....here are a few I used in my presentation.

I started with the floral.  Next I chose a deep velvet for the sofa.  I like to use a darker or lighter color for the upholstery.  In my opinion [there is no specific rule here] the pattern will show up better.  From here it could be a toss up.  The chairs could be the large Ikat OR the black and white geometric.  I would probably paint the walls white and maybe the ceilings that minty green [a very pale version of it] in the floral.



OK...on to another one.....
This one was a fav.  The large floral was my "lead fabric".  I usually like to use it at least 2 times in the room, maybe 3.  To make it a little more modern I added the large chevron.  The tufted blue diamond fabric [which looks a little muddy in this picture] would be the sofa.  I brought in another pink in the toile and the smaller geometric in yellow.  Once again...I would add the color to the ceiling in the palest blue.



I have time for one more....


OK.....funny enough I started this one with the very bottom fabric. It is a new one from Robert Allen.  So I kind of went backwards.....funny how your brain works sometimes huh?
I am liking the green velvet again for the sofa [although in the next picture I used a brown velvet!]  I love throwing in a strong geometric patterns such as  La Fiorentina by Lee Jofa.  It keeps it from looking like Traditional Home circa early 90"s.  Everything matched then :)



Some people asked me if I would use all of the fabrics  in one room.  Of course that stumped me a little...deer in the headlights kind of way.....uh...uh....well.....thoughts and words spinning around in my brain like a blender.  Yes and No.  Maybe you guys don't think design is a process...here is a little tip for you.  

YES IT IS.

Here is how I do it....
Fabric Story
Paint
Rug
Upholstery
Then I decide on pillows and accessories etc.  Some might get eliminated, new ones might get added [because of cost].  If there is a bath or kitchen attached to the plan.....then I have the opportunity to use some in there.

I have a few more....so we will continue this next week.

Gonna be a hot weekend here in the A.T.L.
I don't want to appear to be a whiner.....but whaaaaaaa.
106...AYKM?

Sha hot at hell and not leaving the house.



40 comments

Simply LKJ said...

Thanks for the chuckle Sherry! And, with 3 dogs I can so relate!!! Loving all the fabric combinations. And, I will be whining about the heat right along with ya!!

Carla Aston said...

Love your selections there. Some lovely combinations. Have a great weekend!

A Perfect Gray said...

babe, love your take on how to begin room design. since you mention sea grass, I am in the market for a rug (maybe custom sized). where would you recommend I check, sherry? I like the pattern on your rug shown in this post...

thanks a million, sherry! donna

Lisa @ Shine Your Light said...

Thank you for the tip on hosing down the seagrass. Our pup likes a little corner of our 9x12 for showing his displeasure at being left along for too long….naughty.

Love reading about this fabric process - I need all the help I can get mixing and matching (or not matching…right? We are NOT trying to match anymore??) As soon as I figure out how to mix fabrics up matchy matchy will be back in again! Love the combinations you put together….I would never have imagined that they would work and they do!

Raina Cox said...

I love seeing other people's process and each of those permutations is pure magic.

Denver is nearly going to match ATL in heat this weekend, but we've traded your humidity for Calcutta's air quality.

An Urban Cottage said...

You're the fabric story angel!

Mary said...

Hi Sherry,
So you pick out your fabrics before the rug? I always thought it was done the other way around.
Of course, if you are using sea-grass, it wouldn't matter.
Wish I could have gone to Haven to meet you.

The Pink Pagoda said...

My dog never throws up, it's the cat who makes the awful noise and I'm off and running. Yuck. LOVE your fabric stories! And Dallas is just as hellish as Atlanta. I'll be inside all weekend, too!

Katie said...

This is really helpful. Cause it never fails that I get all the basics put together and then my brain just stops. I've tried a million times to do the fabric story thing with my living room... on a budget and working with what I have of course... but it just never works.

So I have a question... when you're picking out the fabric, do you choose it all with a specific application or piece of furniture in mind or do you just put it all together and then figure out where to use it afterward?

Unknown said...

Love all your fabric choices - they are all great examples and I can't agree more that it is all a process. One must be flexible when designing AND being designed for!
Have a great weekend ... hope you can stay cool!

Holly Gruszka said...

Oooh fabric stories is my new favorite feature by you. My favorite is that last one. The one living room project that I'm working on is evolving very similar to how you described your process - except they already had the rug and the paint. I chose the fabrics and we've already done some editing and I'm sure there will be more editing to come. Stay cool!!

Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door said...

Oh Sherry, I could stare at fabrics all day!! Thanks for the Friday eye candy. And thanks for the tip on the sea grass rug. I have one and it is my dog's favorite place to throw up for some damn reason. You are right, not an easy place to clean up.

Cindy said...

Yummy fabrics... that was fun! I see what you mean about the geometric fabric in the mix... they totally add fabulousness to it all... That was a cool lesson, i totally learned something from seeing your combos. And... thanks for telling me the seagrass could be sprayed down outside. Why do dogs always throw up on the only rug in a sea of hardwood floors, and isn't the pre throwup sound the worst awful sound ever!!! It's 106 degrees here in NC today, it's awful!

Cindy

Lauren@BaylorSays... said...

So now I've been making that "gagunk, gagunk, gagunk...gaaaahhhhh" noise whilst catching up on your comings and goings for the last 20 minutes. Good times!! XOXO

Andrea said...

I loved your presentation and it was awesome getting to meet you. You were my favorite "celebrity blogger"! Not only are you a design genius, but you're funny as hell. Wow, I'm kind of sounding like a stalker. What did you say your address was again?

My Interior Life said...

Seriously - it got to 109 in Nashville. Hottest day here EVER! Ridiculous. Love your fabric stories, of course! I have a question for you though - do clients ever balk at the prices on the designer fabrics?

pam {simple details} said...

Why, oh why do they prefer the rug???
Pretty fabrics combinations, thanks for sharing how your brain works with us! :)

NanaDiana said...

Love your combos- what fun. You have a good eye for pulling a group of patterns and colors together. I am on the lookout for a seagrass rug for summer use, too. Any sources you can share?

I can't believe you were funny! hahahaha Would love to meet you in person. I think we would wet-our-pants laugh together- xo Diana

michele said...

i am checking to see how you tagged this post. "dog barf" "haven" and "fabric 101"???

i loved this lesson. i have so much to learn. and i love your style teaching it!

smiles, hot mama.

michele

Linda {Calling it Home} said...

Is the dog OK? My dog threw up last week...I can still hear it. Love all the fabrics. I have an addiction, so this was dangerous.

Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies said...

You are a genius. I love all of the combinations. Very interesting how you progress through a project. Yes, it's hot!

Junell said...

106.... seriously that would be AYFKM..... "Gawjus" fabrics!

Victoria said...

I have a dog like that! Your approach to this talk using color stories must have made for a lively discussion. ..a great idea, Sherry. I love all the color combinations, but my favorite is the one in the middle. It is very instructive to see how adding a bold geometric makes the overall look current and fresh.
Best...Victoria

Interior Design Musings said...

Love the last option! That schumacher fabric makes me swoon every time I see it. Also love it in the light blue - but you combinations with it are so different - quite divine! M.

{darlene} @ fieldstonehill said...

nany nany boo boo. we took all the good stuff!!
yeah, right!! Everyone LOVED your fabric stories. People were taking pictures like the paparazzi.
As well they should, they are GORG!!!!
- {darlene}
fieldstonehilldesign.com

Urban Orchard Interiors said...

Hi Sherry--So happy to have found your blog! I have had that image of your bishop's house in my pinterest account for ages--didn't realize this was you! Such a beautiful job.

I love fabrics too and could spend hours looking at them and thinking about using them. Love your emphasizing that design is a process! I need to make that my opening line for clients...

-Lane

Karen at Home Sweet Hollywood said...

Such pretty fabrics Sherry. Interesting to hear your thought process on choosing the combinations...fun post!

Lori @ Lori May Interiors said...

You know I loved your part so much I had to see it twice at Haven! Amanda and I were walking down the hall saying "I hope she shows different fabrics today". (and sure enough you did!)

So hot today, I can hardly stand it, but it's supposed to be better next week!!

Take care,

Lori

Woodside Park said...

Ha, Ha...With 2 dogs, I know exactly what you mean!!! With mine, it is always in the middle of the night. Love your selections and groupings!!

Taylor Greenwalt said...

I am the same way. I usually start with fabric and than the rest falls into place. Looks like your starting off great. Cant wait to see where you go with it.

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Well hot dayum...YOU are a fabric goddess! Yeppers.

Barbara Matson said...

I love those fabric combos, #2 and #3 my fav. And what is it with dogs who seem to go for the rugs and not easy to clean floors? Argh!

Just Spiff It said...

Our yellow lab has discovered that if she goes upstairs to do the "no-no", that we will not see it for days!! As far as punking they like to do it with us close!
I love the blue floral with the pink!
Love your posts and your humor!!

René said...

Better than House Beautiful in my opinion! Would love to hear you speak Sherry! "Bitter..party for one." Cracks me up!

The Vintique Object said...

I just eat this sh** up. Anytime someone can teach me something about interior design -- especially when it comes to pattern and fabric, I'm all over it. Thanks, Sherry. Will be referring back to this post. Stay cool.
Camille

Michelle @ Ten June said...

I loved loved loved your presentation. I thought it was so helpful to learn how your brain thinks through the process! Definitely one of my favorite Haven sessions : ) Plus now I'm in love with the Kravet Riad chocolate/gray fabric so THANKS! Ha ha.

Jacquelyn {The 20 Something Society} said...

Loving your selections!

Kasia said...

Love this!! You are so talented!!! I was reading your other posts and I'm obsessed with the road too...just had 5 roman shades put up with it in my kitchen.

Question, what is the name of the blue floral in the second one? Thanks!

Joshbvzp said...

Such pretty fabrics Sherry. Interesting to hear your thought process on choosing the combinations...fun post!

Unknown said...

I love the pale blue fabric with the pink floral. Do you know what this fabric is called? It would be perfect to match my bedroom bedding at curtains! Thanks for the help with mixing patterns!

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