When I was a young girl, I had an orange nubby blanket knitted from rough yarn by my grandmother.  It felt scratchy against my smooth skin but, somehow, it brought tremendous comfort on a stormy night.  Perhaps some of my grandmother’s own comforting warmth had seeped into it during its creation.  Whatever the reason, I sometimes still yearn for the comforting texture of that old blanket.

Texture is a visceral concept in the world of design and, in reality, in the world at large.  Think of how bland your life would be without cozy rugs at our feet, smooth pages under our fingers, and the scratchy stubble of beards.  All designers learn early the elemental importance of texture because it’s a way to create both a physical and a visual memory.

In home and furniture design, texture has gained even more popularity of late.  Using texture, especially in throw pillows, art, and even some furniture fabric, is a way to create an atmosphere of warmth, comfort and simplicity.

COLORS

Think warm.  Texture is such a source of comfort that you will often see it used in warm browns, reds, oranges and yellows. 

But don’t forget that colors can be powerful.  Don’t underestimate the statement that a textured weathered purple can make.  Using texture with bold colors to emphasize a line or a shape can be enticing to homeowners and a delight for their guests.

The texture trend is to create intentional imperfections and to bring us into this moment.  Texture draws us in and allows us to touch and see beauty in our everyday life.

INSPIRATION 

How does it make you feel?  Touch is one of our main senses.  Our fingers are alive with nerves that can give us pleasure and pain.  The need to just touch some things is inherent.  It’s why we fall in love with pottery, blankets, kittens and even sculpture.  Because we are pulled to touch things, we can also appreciate the visual appearance of things with textures. 

Texture makes our world cozy.  It marries two of the senses we use to understand the world around us:  vision and touch.  Using texture in design is one way we can create a real experience that allows homeowners to relax into their surroundings, enveloped by things that not only look good but feel good, too. 

Now, where did I put Grandma’s old nubby blanket?    

Learn the differences between an inherently stain resistant performance fabric vs. opting for an after market protective spray. Click the button below to learn more!