JOHN BIDDELL EXPLORING THE SOFT OPTION


This month, by way of something a little different, I thought we’d take a look at soft furnishings.


Soft Furnishings, or just “Softs” as it was affectionately referred to when as a mere slip of a lad I was managing the department in Barkers of Kensington in the late 70s, encompasses a cornucopia of interesting and useful articles to enhance the home. Whether you are putting the finishing touches to a newly decorated and re-styled room, or simply livening up an existing one, accessories can be the key factor. We all know the importance of getting the right artwork to set the mood and perhaps the drama of a room, but soft furnishings are so often forgotten, or relegated to the back burner.


Enter the humble – or indeed not so humble - cushion. As well as having the obvious function of adding comfort to an otherwise back breaking sofa or chair, cushions can subtly or dramatically change a room. Soft chenilles or velvets add texture and sensuality when in neutral colours such as stone and peat, and warmth when in earthy or heraldic colours like brick, emerald or jade. If your room has a contemporary feel, why not add a splash of strong colour such as cherry, hot ginger, or cobalt blue. You’ll need to balance the room by introducing it somewhere else too, for example in the shade of a table lamp, a glass vase, or a piece of art.


If you are on a budget try the high street (or what’s left of it – but don’t get me started on that one !!!) for off the shelf cushions. You may just be lucky and find exactly what you are looking for. However for ultimate co-ordination and luxury you can’t beat bespoke. Not only will the range of available fabrics be vastly wider and more exciting, but you can really go to town using a combination of fabrics, a gorgeous wide braid, or a contemporary fringe to trim the edges. I know bespoke cushions can be pricey, but believe me you won’t regret it.


You may think I’ve been banging on about cushions ad nausiam (and of course you may be right), but they really do add a certain something to a room. Most designers will incorporate them into initial schemes, to set the tone or balance of a room.


73


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HOME S & INTERIORS JOHN BIDDE L L - INT ERIORS EXPER T


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