TEXTILES.ORG
By Janet Preus
In the final stages of planning a house, I have novel ideas about how to have a cool, unique and economical interior.
Printed fabric figures prominently in these drifty musings. Fabric provides compelling solutions for me—and for print shops to offer their customers. Here are some ideas to consider:
Sandwich printed fabric or film between layers of glass. It’s less work—and less expensive—than tile, far less of an investment than exotic granite or other stone, and it creates a completely personalized look.
All-wood interiors look great, but finding just the right window coverings can be tricky. Use an image of the wood and digitally print fabric for draperies that sustain the visual flow and match perfectly. Changing the color tone slightly to complement the other colors in the room provides contrast, but still preserves the effect.
Curtains or roman shades over closets in private areas soften the look of hard-surfaced floors and walls, and could save money on doors. They’re easily changeable with the seasons or the occupant’s mood, or as children grow out of their room’s décor.
Instead of an area rug in the entrance, print a logo or the company name on fabric and cover it with a sheet of Plexiglass. Saves on “travel path” wear, looks great and it’s easily updated.
There’s nothing wrong with fabric wall coverings ordered through a decorator, but with a much smaller financial commitment, your customers can try a large piece of printed fabric, framed like a theater flat, in any size. Fabrics can be stretched and tacked in place to “wallpaper” a single wall or an entire room. Individualize the decorating by covering the office with a map of the area, and upholster the furniture in individual locations. It’s sure to generate some friendly conversations in the customer waiting area.
Fabric covered cabinet doors, room dividers and light shades can help to soften an office’s institutional look and dampen sound.
Tensioned fabric structures dramatically fill space in a high ceiling or cavernous hallway without having to alter the space structurally. This is especially useful in a warehouse conversion or similar environment. If the space doesn’t warrant anything large (but it still feels and sounds like an airplane hangar), colorful, custom-printed umbrellas, canopies or an interior awning can quickly bring the room down to scale.
Be ready to run with a project, in any case, because once you float the concept, your customers are sure to come up with a few of their own ideas.