Five Fabrics of a Different Stripe

Since the 1930s, stripes have been synonymous with summer; evoking images of regattas, picnic lunches on the riverbank, luxurious garden houses filled with exotic plants and the gentle hum of bees.

The boat show's nautical pattern has been re-interpreted in this season's colours – ivory, gold, aubergine - by our fabric designers, meaning you can achieve a beautiful, contemporary look with roots in traditional motifs.

Curtains

Preparing for summer means putting your home in order and clearing out the clutter; making your home fresh, airy and inviting. Start by cleaning those windows and replacing winter curtains with a lighter coloured pair. Summer curtains should be crisp, subtle and elegant - stripes of duck egg blue and taupe work well to evoke a seaside atmosphere.

Restrain them with matching curtain ties, or else a piece of matching velvet ribbon can be a charming alternative.

Bright Sofa

For this summer, if you want to freshen up your furniture's upholstery, focus on a muted, yet luxurious neutral palette of gold, ivory and linen, accented with pops of rich, jewel colours, in warm hues like aubergine or burgundy. These softer, more neutral tints give playful stripes a sophisticated makeover, especially when the stripe is executed in a soft textured velvet, or has a luxurious sheen, as in this MayFair Gold Stripe fabric.

Statement Armchair

If you are looking to make a statement, why not try a bright, colourful, yet luxurious armchair cover, incorporating both ombre stripes and classic damask patterning. A traditionally shaped chair will balance the contemporary, vibrant upholstery, such as the ever-popular wing back. Pair with muted accessories, such as this dove grey cushion, and think about texture rather than colour when ornamenting such a bold piece.

Home Accessories

Don't be afraid to accessorise your sofa or occasional chair with contrasting accessories. You can choose contrasting colours, or different patterns – for example plush floral cushions in the same hues as your furniture, or plain cushions in a directly contrasting colour. Deeper jewel tone colours co-ordinate surprisingly well, as do neutral, velvety damask cushions, and sumptuously textured throws. Look for comfortable, cosy fabrics that are also hard wearing and easy to maintain; machine washable is also a good plus.

Ottoman

Candy pink stripes are a particular favourite in upholstery, perfect as part of a romantic, floral design, or a beautiful accent to a conservatory. They are playful, and cheerful, the perfect balance to the sturdy, practical ottoman, designed to store items and receive weary feet at the end of the day. If you prefer a more cohesive look, why not match curtains, ottoman and three piece suite with the same upholstery? Paired with neutral walls it can be a really effective look.

Remember, Plumbs offer free, no obligation advice in your own home, and a chance to browse fabric samples at your leisure. If your furniture needs a new look, and you want a bespoke, high quality solution, contact us today!