SELECTING FABRICS

When looking for a specific fabric, type in the manufacturers name, pattern name or number in our “Search Box.” We carry thousands of fabrics, but if we don't have that particular one, please fill out our Quote Form . We will locate it and contact you with a price.

DECORATORSBEST categorizes fabrics by type. Animals & Birds, Stripes, Solids, and many other categories. This will help save you time during your selection process.

MAGAZINES

Look through many home decorating magazines and tear out anything that catches your eye. Keep a folder with these tear sheets. Refer to these pictures frequently to get ideas for your projects.

When you see a fabric or wallpaper that you like in a magazine, use “Select” on our website. Type in the manufacturer's name and pattern name or number. We have accounts with all of the main manufacturers and if your fabric or wallpaper is not on our site, we can place the order for you.

Some of my favorite magazines are “Architectural Digest,” “Elle Décor,” “House Beautiful,” “House & Garden,” “Metropolitan Home,” “Southern Accents,” “Traditional Home” and “Veranda.”

GETTING ORGANIZED

Your project will be much more efficient and successful when it is organized. You will be able to access the large amount of paperwork and details generated in the interior design world and you will be able to follow-up on your orders so that your project will be done in a timely manner.

Buy an accordion file; for a few small rooms or one large room, a twelve pocket folder works well; for a large project, I recommend the large alphabetical files. Label the folder by room and each pocket by fabrics, paint colors, upholstery, architectural plans, ideas, workrooms, etc.

BUDGET

This is very important, although it does deflate one's fantasies!! Once you've decided on your budget, decide on which rooms to decorate first. Many of my clients do their homes in a few phases, so make a decorating plan for each phase.

As a designer, I would rather do a few rooms completely accessorized than do an entire home with a few pieces in each room.

FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION

Designers listen carefully to a client's needs and create spaces that are based on the function that is required. Every client's needs are different and I would design the same space very differently for a couple or for a family.

Make a list of what you think your needs are for the room. Who uses the room on a daily basis, weekend, special entertaining? What type of storage is needed? Window treatments?

After compiling this list, approximate the cost of most of the items. This will help create an approximate budget.

Begin a furniture layout. Graph paper works very well. Use ½” scale or buy a software program.

CO-ORDINATING FABRICS & WALLPAPERS

Coordinating fabrics and wallpapers can be simplified so that you can do it easily. I recommend no more than three main fabrics in a room.

MULTICOLORED PRINTS: Select a background color or another main color from the print to combine a solid colored and textured fabric for upholstery; small two-toned prints such as a small floral or ivy can work as complimentary fabrics. The English Traditional look is known for this.

Use either stripes OR plaids with complimentary colors. Do not use both in the same room. Pick out an accent color, a color that is important but used sparsely, for occasional chairs.

MONOCHROMATIC ROOM: Use three different textured fabrics in the same color range to provide subtle variety. Perhaps the main furniture fabric is Chenille, use Silk or Linen drapery, and textured fabric such as an ottoman stripe or herringbone on a side chair.

ONE FABRIC IN THE ROOM: This technique works well in bedrooms, porches and small rooms. One of my favorite fabrics is a TOILE which can cover everything and give a very special look to a room. Small prints also work well.

DRAPERY

I recommend using INTERLINING on all drapery except for sheers. Interlining is a soft, heavy fabric that is inserted between the front fabric and the lining. This gives body to the drapery and helps it drape better.

UPHOLSTERY FABRICS

PROTECTION: It is extremely important to protect your upholstery fabrics from soiling. Some fabrics come with a Soil Repellant coating. For the ones that don't, I recommend Scotchguard Protector. Most hardware stores carry this product or something similar.

WORKROOMS

A workroom is a place that performs the labor to make drapery, upholstery, slipcovers, refinish furniture, etc.

Carefully select your resources. Speak with friends for recommendations. Interview a few workrooms and see which is the most responsive. Ask how long your order will take to complete. Make sure the COMPLETION DATES ARE ON YOUR PURCHASE ORDER.

FOLLOW-UP IS ESSENTIAL!!! This is the key to a successful and timely project. Most of my staff's time is utilized doing this. Make sure the workroom has received your correct fabric. Ask if you can see the work before it is sent to your home or office and inspect it in the workroom. If there are any changes, it's better to do it before the item arrives.

CALL TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE COMPLETION DATE TO ARRANGE A DELIVERY DATE. Often, a workroom will ask you to call back because the order is not quite ready. Ask when to call and mark that date in your calendar. If necessary, keep after them in a firm way so that your order arrives in a timely manner. Do not assume that your workroom is working on your project without your checking up on it. The people who are persistent get their work done first!!

Brocade:    A woven jacquard fabric with a raised surface. Brocade fabrics have an all-over interwoven design of raised figures or flowers. Brocades are generally made of silk, rayon and nylon yarns.

Chintz: Glazed cotton fabric often printed with figures or large floral designs.

Cutting:    A tiny piece of fabric that is cut directly from a specific bolt of fabric.

Cutting on Approval:    A cutting is sent to a customer to be approved before ordering a particular fabric.

Damask:    Firm, glossy jacquard-patterned fabric. Damask is similar to brocade, but flatter and reversible. The design is usually figures or flowers.     

Dye Lot :   Bolts of the same fabric pattern that were manufactured at the same time. Occasionally “dye lots” may vary slightly which is the reason for ordering a cutting from the specific bolt of fabric that you will receive.

Interlining: A soft, but thick fabric that is inserted between the main fabric and the back lining. Interlining helps fabric drape gracefully.

Jacquard:    Fabric with an all-over interwoven design.

Lining:   Fabric sewn on the back of drapery or slipcovers. It gives substance to the item. When used for drapery, it also protects the front fabric from the sun. Due to its delicate nature, silk drapery that is exposed to sunlight should always have a lining.

Memo:   A large fabric sample.

On Reserve:   Fabric that is reserved for a customer for a two week period. This ensures the customer of having a specific fabric available until the purchase is made.

Sample:   A small piece of fabric from a selected fabric pattern. This may or may not be from the bolt of fabric a customer will receive. Therefore, it is always best to also request a “cutting” in addition to the sample.

Toile:      A plain cloth, or, when described as Toile de Jouy , one that is printed with pastoral scenes printed on cotton.   

Workroom:     A place where upholstery and drapery are made.