The Fabrics of our Lives - Silk

There are so many fabrics out there today, hiring someone who knows the different types and their strengths and weaknesses can be beneficial for you.
Some people don't know and don't care about things such as wearability, itchiness, color fasting, stain resistance, pilling and finish performance. Now granted, some of these things can be much more obvious in certain situations. Choosing fabric for a widow treatment, for example, you probably don't need a designer to tell you that a very lightweight fabric, such as a sheer, won't do much to keep out the sunlight in the morning. Now, choosing fabric for a sofa or chair can be a bit more tricky. A while ago I was visiting a friend and they mentioned they had a chair they wanted to recover. I asked what he had in mind and he said silk. Immediately an alarm went off in my brain and I asked to see the chair. I don't have anything against silk, but the right application is important. This was a down filled bergere chair with beautiful wood carved arms and legs and of course he wanted a striped silk fabric.
Of course you are free to do whatever you want in your home, but it's nice to know what you're getting into.
I explained that silk was probably not the best choice and neither was a striped fabric.

Why?

Down is a high maintenance insert that needs to be fluffed regularly so it doesn't look droopy and sad. A striped fabric would look sloppy because the stripes wouldn't look straight and even. Stripes that look like they don't line up can be off-putting, like maybe the upholsterer didn't know what he was doing.

The other reason I recommended against silk was because of it's placement in the room and it's high use. Silk fades pretty quickly in sunlight and the fibers become weakened and can tear.
Also, it was a seat that was used frequently and silk does not typically have a high abrasion factor. Jeans and other rough fabrics plus bare skin are going to reduce the longevity of the silk. Some fabrics, like jeans, can transfer color to another fabric and bare legs can transfer sweat,oils, lotions and creams which can all stain the silk and are very difficult to remove.

Now, a chair that sits in indirect sunlight or a darker room, is not used frequently and never by someone wearing jeans or shorts, would do very well in your home.

You can add backing to some silks to give them a stiffer, stronger  life and some can be stain guarded, but remember, those are after market changes, so to speak, and you will still need to treat silk carefully and cautiously.

Southern California's Mediterranean Design

Mediterranean Design

Southern California is a great place for Mediterranean Design.
For those of you who aren't familiar with this style, let's highlight key elements;

Spanish influenced
Walls are traditionally made of concrete or stucco and very thick to keep out the heat
Balcony on the rear of the house on the 2nd story
Windows are frameless and set back into the stone
Roof made of clay tiles to reflect heat

Now, let's talk about the Mediterranean aesthetic. There are many books about Mediterranean style but the one that I recommend is by Mary Whitesides. There is a passage from the foreword of her book by architect Bob Easton I would like to share;

"The Mediterranean aesthetic is an eclectic mix of elements. It is about how sunlight plays across textured white or vividly colored walls, with rooms arranged around porch-lined courtyards. Terra-cotta tile roofs cover wood beam ceilings, rich wood doors, and windows protected by decorative iron grilles or shutters. The style includes arched passages and porticos, fireplaces and kitchens decorated with colorful tiles or cut stone; interiors vibrantly decorated with color, texture, and the clutter that reflects an expressive, exciting lifestyle. Gardens come alive with moving water, diverse colors, and lush planting with open beamed shade structures that create inviting outdoor rooms."

So beautifully said, what else could I add? Clearly this style will not appeal to everyone, but for those who understand and appreciate its beauty, it is a true visionary delight.