Get creative with textiles

When it comes to residential and commercial design, window treatments, upholstered furniture and soft furnishings are key features which are rarely considered during the design process and sometimes only tackled during a renovation. Using fabric and textiles in interiors is a great way to inject an illustration of your own personal style and personality in a space, while adding textures that are both visual and sensory. Avril Heard- Woollcombe shares her advice on what to consider when choosing textiles.

​   Interior Advice with
   Avril Heard-Woollcombe
​    -----------------------
   Karibu Interior Design

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Design selection

The aesthetic appeal of a fabric is a crucial factor
in determining its suitability for drapery and furnishings. Consider the existing colour palette and style of your room. Are you aiming for a cozy, rustic vibe? Textures like tweed or wool can add warmth
and authenticity. For a more contemporary look,
sleek fabrics like linen or silk contribute to a clean
and sophisticated atmosphere. Prints and patterns are popular choices for textile fabrics and bring interest and character to a space.

Textiles play a crucial role in enhancing our homes. Various types of textile products are used in the composition of furniture, wall coverings, blinds, and window screens.
Alhambra-Malcolm Fabrics Ltd NZ

Window treatments

Available in a variety of fabrics, designs, and finishes, most upholstery fabrics have special characteristics making them suitable for specific areas such as outdoor, commercial, aged care, and light domestic.
It's essential to consider the functionality of the
space. Different areas of your home have distinct
requirements. Think about who will be using the
piece and where it will be positioned. High foot
traffic areas such as a family space will require a
durable material, while furniture that is not used
frequently, like a bedroom chair or cushion, needn’t
be as sturdy. A fabric’s durability is dependent
on a testing process to ascertain its durability
and resistance to abrasion and rubbing. Consider
discussing your furnishing requirements with an
experienced interior designer. They can help to
incorporate suitable furnishings into your overall
design concept, avoiding costly mistakes!

Window treatments play a significant role in the absorption of sound, heat retention, insulation
layer, UV protection, privacy and light filtration. Professionally fitted, lined drapery can reduce window heat loss by 40-60% when closed. Depending on
the orientation of your windows, the harsh sun can cause damage to curtain and interior furnishings. Choosing a material that has a good UV protection rating is highly recommended due to the extremely harsh environmental conditions we face here in New Zealand. Different curtain fabric types include natural fibres (linen, cotton, silk, flax, hemp, ramie, jute and wool), synthetics (polyester, viscose, rayon, acrylic)
and eco fabrics (recycled polyester, and cotton blends).
Assess the types of windows you have in your home,
noting their style and shape – do they suit curtains,
blinds, or a mix of the two? What privacy level is
required? Do you need to consider young children
and pets?
The curtain header refers to the way in which the
fabric is sewn or pleated at the top of the curtain.
This directly impacts the way the material drapes or
hangs. Examples include pencil pleat, single pleat,
French pleat, inverted pleat, and wave.