Welcome to an extremely fun design post! I don’t want to hype it up too much but it’s filled with inspiring photos and 3.5 trends that we think are mainstays since this isn’t their first time around the design block…they’ve just had a fresh makeover:) And actually, this might be our first fabric-specific trend post (it’s definitely the first one I’ve written). Now if you read Emiy’s kids’ bath reveal post (or watched the YouTube video) you know about her love of fabric. Oh and let’s not forgot the Japanese Boro fabric post too! Fabric adds so much texture, coziness, and uniqueness. So with that said let’s talk about our favorite trends AND give you some shoppable options too. The custom world can’t gatekeep these puppies…entirely:)
Contrast Piping
This trend is by far the biggest of the three. I feel like I’ve been seeing it everywhere and to my surprise, I LOVE IT. The team loves it too! We can’t get enough. So much so that both Em and I are considering designing beds with contrast piping and when Caitlin peeked at these photos (early access:)) her exact words were, “I NEED PIPING IN MY HOUSE.”
For me, I guess I’ve always thought of piping as a little too traditional for my taste but boy was I wrong. Sure, I’ll show you some examples that are more traditional but other versions that are modern in the best way. Let’s dissect.
Both of these stunning spaces were designed by Sophie Rowell. As you can see she used contrast piping in both spaces despite their inherent style difference. One is more traditional with the other is more contemporary yet this detail adds such a fun moment to both. Notice the choices in materials, colors, and functionality of the pieces. For the sofa on the left, the colors are dark and rich, with a playful skirt that leans traditional. But with that darker piping, it helps to make the piece look and feel a bit more visually exciting and structured. As for the ottoman on the right, I LOVE the happy pastel colors that were picked up from the sofa’s fabric pattern. It feels modern, playful, and in that beautiful velvet, luxe!
Keeping with the cool eclectic granny vibe, designer Shannon Eddings added contrast piping in a few spots in a recent project. I love mixing solid piping with fun patterns like she did on that cute window bench. Then for a more modern look, the gold piping on that club chair is so good. The colors feel unexpected but perfectly understated. The last little moment is on the pillows on the blue chairs. You don’t need to commit to a big piece of furniture to dabble in this trend! The brick-red piping adds a quiet visual punch that talks beautifully with the leather sofa, other pillows, and warm tones in the rug.
Now it’s time to head into the more modern takes like these adorable chairs designer Hayley Bridget used in a recent project. Don’t they look chic?! When piping is used like this it adds a special structure that I just love. This particular fabric combo is fun because there’s already a grid pattern that the piping gets to play off of.
Have you also seen this incredible Nickey Kehoe club chair? It has a vintage look yet feels so modern. It comes in a bunch of different fabrics but I have a soft spot for this one. My love for minty greens has only grown since I keep seeing them more and more in the most beautiful ways. Remember this home tour too?? But that dark piping really adds a sexiness, no? I can’t tell if I prefer darker contrast piping or light. I guess I don’t have to choose! But this photo is making lean towards team dark. You??
As I said above, I am heavily considering bringing some contrast piping into my apartment and the two photos above is the look I think I’m going for. Isn’t it so pretty?! It’s a little more casual with organic fabrics yet doesn’t feel too organic. Maybe it’s refined organic? I just love this modern take so much and desperately want to incorporate it. Stay tuned!
And as promised here are some shoppable options if you are in the market and love it as much as we do:)
1. Harrow Throw Pillow | 2. Outline Cushion | 3. Mae Indoor/Outdoor Pillow | 4. Stargazer Merrow Stitch Cotton Throw Pillow | 5. 100% French Flax Linen Scalloped European Pillowcases (Set of 2) | 6. Classic Cotton Velvet Pillow | 7. Adelina Velvet Pillow | 8. Chatou Organic Cotton Arctic Ivory Stripe Throw Pillow Cover | 9. Customized Pillow with Piping
I won’t pick favorites because my god I love them all! But if you only want to dip your toe then #4, #6, and #8 are perfect. If you want to go a little bolder with color then #2, #7, and #9 will satisfy that. And for those wanting something more “outside of the box” then look no further than #1, #3, and #5!
1. James 2-Seat Sofa with Contrast Piping | 2. Marnie Range | 3. Bench Gaspard | 4. Lynwood Square Upholstered Cube | 5. Mina Bench | 6. Harlow Contrast Piping Sectional
Now that Interior Define has a new owner things have been looking much better…including this incredible customizable sofa with contrast piping! Another retailer that makes customizable chairs and sofas is Maker & Sons. Their marketing is so good but not as good as that wildly sweet pink chair. What a dream! I know most of these are $$$ but Target to the rescue with that great little ottoman. See it’s a trend!!
Bullion Fringe
When I first pitched this post it was really just about the contrast piping and thin sofa cushions (coming up!) with the plan to do some more research. Caitlin immediately exclaimed, “bullion fringe!” Of course, I thought, “DUH! She’s right!” Much like contrast piping, it’s not like bullion fringe is new to the design world, quite the opposite actually. But it is currently having a big resurgence and we are not mad about it.
First I HAVE to start with this sofa, designer Tamsin Johnson (a personal favorite of mine) put in a recent project. It’s a showstopper, to say the least, and not only has that incredible fringe detail but also a pretty spectacular contrast “piping”. Ok, it’s more of a trim but a “trend two-fer” nonetheless!
So Nickey Kehoe is also nailing the bullion fringe trend too! I love the super vintage fabrics paired with the ever-decedent bullion fringe. The drama it adds makes it look so cool and special. These chairs are also purchasable and come in a ton of different fabric options too (like solids and velvets if that’s what you’re after:))
For a little throwback moment, remember Em’s vintage chaise from the Los Feliz living room (round one:)) when she first got it? We all loved the fringe so much! It just wasn’t right for the space. But clearly when she saw it for the first time her heart was drawn to that special detail.
The market has some great options at a bunch of different price points. Take that ridiculously beautiful sofa on the left from Sunday Shop. If I had the money and space it would be mine! But luckily if you feel the same way but do have some extra space, Target has that wonderful chair on the right for $360 (and it also comes in cream which is on sale for $216).
Speaking of “if I had the money” I’m having a lot of emotions over the fact that this pillow will never be mine. I’m obsessed with how the colors both contrast and complement each other in the coolest way. There’s visible style friction between the modern stripes and very fancy fringe. It’s simple yet feels so exciting to me!
Here are some more shoppable options:
- Wright Sofa | 2. Fringe Velvet Pillow | 3. Pierre Fringe Titan Emerald Fabric Round Ottoman | 4. Vera Titan Pink Champagne Fabric Accent Chair | 5. Astrid Fringe Ottoman | 6. Chenille Tiger Handmade Pillow Cover | 7. Yolanda Upholstered Round Accent Ottoman | 8. Crapaud Chairs (Set of 2) | 9. Fenn Velvet Ottoman
Fabric Blocking
That’s right! Gone are the days of a single-color sofa! Ok, obviously I’m kidding but I’m not kidding that mixing fabrics on upholstered furniture is highly on trend and I love it A LOT. Come to think of it I literally just realized as I’m typing this that growing up we had a two-fabric sofa – chocolate velvet cushions with a rust and gold floral linen-y fabric to contrast. What a combo Mom and Dad! Maybe that’s why when I started seeing them gain popularity I couldn’t get enough.
Let’s look at the very talented Zoe Feldman team and the sofa they put in their Georgetown Project! I just love that it’s most definitely a statement sofa but since they used a solid color for the cushion, the bold pattern of the frame doesn’t take all the attention in the room. It’s also great to see a modern version of this since a lot of examples lean it a bit more traditional or “eclectic granny” which I love too!
Like this one! It’s soooooo great but I don’t think anyone is calling this sofa’s style modern. Now, if you count the pillows this sofa has SEVEN fabrics on it which gives it so much depth and soul. I would happily plop right down and cozy up with a cup of tea…basically just living out my British fantasy.
Judarn Sculptural Chair | Jordan Leather Swivel Chair | Delaney Chair
Usually, this is a custom job but more and more there are retailers that are offering pieces like this (at least in the US). Anthropologie is definitely one as proven by the photos above! I really love the chair on the fair left. The pattern and colors are so beautiful. If you like this idea but strictly stick to neutrals the middle chair is perfect for you. Then the chair on the right is a secret two-fabric chair because the arms are the second fabric! Very sweet for a traditional style home.
Incoming Trend…Thin or Stacked Sofa Cushions
Ok. So this is one I am keeping my eye on. It seems as though it is very popular in Europe but could be become more international veeery soon! When I was in Paris with my dad, the sofa I slept on in his apartment rental had a sofa with two different thin cushions stacked on top of each other like the ones I’m about to show you. It looked so beautiful and chic and was surprisingly comfortable. The owners chose two different fabrics for the two cushions – a golden velvet and an oatmeal linen (and are potentially my inspiration for my bedroom:))
Those think cushions are what I’m talking about! I love that there are a few ways to design them. You can choose to have both sides of the cushion contrast the frame fabric, use the same fabric as the frame, or just choose one side to be a different color.
Here you can see how they can be stacked. This example is A LOT of them but I think that’s because it’s a product shot for this brand and not the norm. I really wish I had snapped a picture of the ones I slept on because there were just two.
If you really love this idea I’m sure you could get one made or search for one on the Internet. Again, I feel this trend coming stateside. It’s just a feeling but keep your eye out:)
Thanks for reading and hope it was fun! Maybe even a little inspiring? Let me know if you feel the same about these trends and have a great rest of your day.
Love you, mean it.
Opening Image Credits: Design by Zoe Feldman Design | Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg
THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED HERE.
