Balanced luxury

With the trend toward embellishment in interiors, balancing the look can be achieved by using a neutral colour palette with splashes of texture and colour.

This advice comes from interior designer Abie Petraska from Ambiance Interiors. She says many people now want more luxurious interiors, in contrast to the stark, grey-tinted neutral contemporary look that has been in fashion.

"There is a shift to using high-quality natural fabrics for large furniture pieces, and selecting luxurious patterned textiles such as silk, velvet, cashmere and leather for smaller items, such as cushions and trimmings. Current neutral colours have more of a yellow or green tint."

Petraska says European trends are showing a return to the floral motifs and patterned cotton popular in the 1990s.

She says the function of furniture often dictates the material used.

"Linen on a couch can withstand family wear and tear and is easily washable, whereas luxurious textiles such as silk can be used on smaller, less-handled objects like lampshades. Leaving worn fabrics on antiques adds character."

Petraska says for smaller rooms, using too many fabrics, or heavy textiles on curtains or larger pieces of furniture, can have an oppressive effect.

"Having feature curtains is popular again, but choose carefully. Light materials such as natural fibre for blinds and reflective Lurex metallic yarn in curtains will allow light into the room."

Repetition of similar textiles and colours balances the look, she says. For instance, in the living room featured on these pages, the Lurex in the curtains relates to the glass lampstands and table, while a large and colourfully patterned genuine Oriental carpet pulls together the eclectic mix.

"Like any trend, clients ultimately choose what they like. If it's luxury they want, textiles and fabrics will enrich an interior. It's finding the balance that makes it work," says Petraska.

Story by: Trendsideas