ask a designer - bedding & upholstery for a family

Q. Can you help with planning new bedding and upholstery? I would like fine quality, but I have a big dog, son, and husband who live with me on a farm.

We can’t have delicate fabric, but I love fabric that feels luxurious. Also, the loose cushions on our chairs are breaking down. I spent a lot of money on them, but they didn’t last a year. How can we be sure of getting the new pieces right?—J.W.

A. First, we will choose fabrics of the utmost durability which means each selection needs to incorporate each of these characteristics:  
medium nap so that it will not show rub marks (as smooth fabrics) or crush (as velvet); consistent, tight weave so that the fibers don’t get picked, stretched, or ripped; medium color with some variation within the color to camouflage soiling and attempts at cleaning.

     Matelasse (especially washed) is great for bedding and some upholstery as long as there is a little shading. Chenille, the most durable of luxury textured yarns, is available in much more than solids now. Chenille is available in tapestry or damask weaves including other fibers. Both kinds of fabrics look and feel wonderful under heavy wear.

     For upholstered furniture, beyond choosing the best quality foam and structure, we should look at the design of the pieces and how they will be used. The most common problem is crushing of loose pillows which receive weight from a direction other than what was intended.
A book consistently placed on the narrow, top edge of a chair will warp the shape of the cushion. People can do much more damage.  
Cushions are usually meant to be leaned against from one direction.  

     For the family who wants to think of the furniture as an extension of themselves, the trick is to present furniture that can receive weight from any angle. This is not as difficult as you might think. This tufted chair will withstand diving attempts and leaning from all angles. For more moderate control, cushions can be fastened by hidden straps such as on this modern style. Again, if the cushion is crushed from the narrow side, it will lose its shape, but it would take more intentional effort than anyone (even the tea cup pooch) might have to offer.

floor plan for awkward space
Q. Can you help make a plan for my great room which has 4 doorways, a 12 ft. wall of windows and a fireplace breaking it up?  On one short end there are two archways. In the group of three windows, the right one is a door. We have no kids or pets or special requirements except my husband wants his recliner across from the 41 inch TV which I think has to go on the 7 ft wall. I am thinking of painting it a medium taupe and having red tones in the upholstery. I just don’t know how to pull it together!—J.M.

A.The best thing is that the room is large enough to float some furniture out from the walls. The next best thing is the two archways facing the fireplace balance the fireplace and give the room some symmetry. The recliner opposite the TV is a problem. Any time you  want to place a chair in front of a tv and console twice the size of the chair, your room will be out of balance unless you have a row of recliners as in a theater room. Compromise is easy with a recliner in the sofa (86-92 inches long) or a sofa with a cocktail ottoman (which is all the rage these days anyway). The ottoman will even give extra seating near the fireplace. To further work with the grand look the arch ways provide, I would place a beautiful wall console or table between them and then float two matching chairs.

     The chairs must be large and statuesque (rather than tub like), attractive from all sides. A shapely French chair is easy to imagine, but the goals I have given you can be achieved with a casual, transitional chair as shown.

     A medium taupe wall color is easy to work with, but in the case of a room pierced with this many openings, I prefer to wrap the room with a color. I suggest a tuscan clay color which compliments all reds.  

     Then you can bring red, other colors, and neutrals out in your fabrics. The rug and fabric shown contain soft, fleshy reds which are easy to layer. A truer red can be added in art and accents for punch.  

     For punch, try adding turquoise or peacock. For a quieter accent, use grey or sage. Whether the wall is neutral or not, the plan also benefits from an area rug that will work wonders for unifying the room. Avoid one with prominent borders which will visually shrink the space.

     One weakness is still the TV area. It is very alone. Make sure the console is large and nicely styled and constructed to hold its own in the room. Since there are no children or animals, you might place urns or storage trunks on either side of the tv. Also, be sure the decor above the fireplace has color and enough strength to read well from the arch openings. All of the furniture pieces I have drawn are easy to find sizes. Just pull together patterns in fabrics that harmonize with each other and you will be set!

Editor’s Note:
We welcome all questions related to home design—ask us about color,  room arrangement, planning for a new home, selecting furnishings, lighting, flooring, and more. Questions are answered by Tanna Miller, allied member ASID, a well respected designer who has operated her award winning interior design practice Trends & Traditions in Nashville for 18 years.Contact Tanna at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 615-399-0661. Send questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .