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Layer 4: Accent Fabrics

Layer 4: Accent Fabrics

Since our choices have been confined to solid color and textural fabrics, adding the accent fabrics in Layer 4 can be an enjoyable experience. We can be frivolous, cavalier and even giddy with pattern possibilities. This is where you can have fun with accent fabrics for pillows, curtains, draperies, runners and yes, area rugs. These are the easier pieces to change from season to season or when updating is needed.

When scouting fabric stores, take a close look at how they've grouped fabrics into collections. Manufacturers create collections that coordinate large prints with petite patterns and match geometrics with solids. This can make mixing and matching easier. Bring your swatches home and spend time with them. To provide balance, accents should draw the eye around the room at a glance, since the eye goes to color and detail.

Layer 5: Non-upholstered Furnishings

Layer 5: Non-Upholstered Furnishings

The shell of the room is finished and we're almost ready to display our wonderful decorative items. But where? Layer 5 is devoted to the non-upholstered furniture, or the side pieces that will add surfaces and storage areas to a room. These are the workhorses of the room. Without these workhorses of the room, like coffee, end and side tables, a room simply doesn't work.

When choosing workhorses, keep the focus as much on storage as on design. Select a coffee table with a drawer and shelf to accommodate the junk that usually gets piled on the table. Your seating should never be more than an arm's length away from a reliable surface. If you have to get up from a sofa or chair to reach a lamp or beverage, that surface is too far away. Layer 5 is designed for functionality. It assures that the workhorses of the room look fabulous while serving the space effectively.

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