Designing With Carol

Abby McIntyre

Happy April sweet friends! Up until now, we’ve been focused on the joyous holidays that rang in the new year and the colorful world around us. This month, we’re focusing on the many different materials you can use in your home to add that certain je ne sais quoi you’ve been searching for to liven things up! There are many creative ideas floating around the design world at the moment, so to help you navigate these tricky waters, we’ve chosen three unique ideas to help you make your house a reflection of your personality.

For starters, velvet is big right now in the upholstery world. Yes, I know what you’re thinking “velvet as a summer fabric? It’s so heavy!” but trust me on this one friend, you won’t regret it. A luxurious velvet in a bright, popping coral or blue can do wonders for a room. If you are wanting to soften a room, a plush velvet armchair or sofa can completely transform the space for you. The soft velvet makes the room cozy and inviting. A big comfy chair upholstered in velvet encourages friends and family to relax in your space and make themselves at home.

Another fun material in the spotlight this spring and summer is gingham. This print is perhaps one of the most universal patterns you can use in your home. As it can easily transition through the seasons, it makes for the perfect material to use anywhere in your space. Whether your home is traditional, modern, beachy, etc., gingham can be dressed up or down to match your style. Try a navy gingham paired with pops of yellow for a happy, trendy take on this classic pattern. For instance, think of upholstering your bay window seat in a large navy gingham and accenting with a few lemon-yellow pillows. Or perhaps you want to use the pattern in your kitchen. If this is the case, try gingham window coverings over your kitchen windows. Highlighting gingham as the only pattern in the room will transform your space into the charming kitchen of your dreams!

Another unique material making bold statements this spring is wallpaper. With seemingly endless prints and colors to choose from, wallpaper can jazz up any space. To have a truly unique look in your home, try wallpapering the ceiling of a room. If you have a wildly colorful wallpaper, using it on the ceiling can make a room appear larger and brighter. This creative alternative to using wallpaper on an accent wall is sure to add some spunk to your home.

If you are looking for creative ways to spruce up your space, we would love to help you! Here at Carol’s we can help you with any upholstery, window treatment or general design needs you may have. Come see us at our showroom at 535 S. Locust St., Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or call us at 940-565-8337 to set up your design appointment!

Happy designing friends!