The old adage is true…April showers do, indeed, bring May flowers. It’s warm and sunny in Washington, DC, today and glorious flowers are popping up everywhere. I love spring time — and spring-inspired decor. A floral fabric or wall covering, especially in happy hues, is a great way to liven up your indoor and outdoor spaces.
We recently installed this exuberant wallpaper in a client’s bedroom. Ulf Moritz Lavish Swag Wall Couture has a retro-mod feel and features a playful geometric design with floral accents. Real mica flecks add a little shimmer. Here’s a close-up of the pattern:
Now here it is installed in the bedroom space, which is still a work in progress:
There are so many beautiful varieties of flowers, but no flower speaks to my Southern-girl spirit more than the magnolia. And Designers Guild Magnolia Tree pattern perfectly captures the iconic blossom’s beauty.
I chose this linen, with its meandering branches and blossoms, as the backdrop for my wedding ceremony last July. The gorgeous grounds of the Clifton Inn in Charlottesville provided the perfect setting for a summer wedding. The Magnolia Tree pattern complemented the picturesque venue. An arbor and custom drapery panel accented in the floral pattern set a romantic stage for our ceremony. Notice the semi-circle bed of flower petals, sprinkled just before the ceremony.
Inside, the Magnolia Tree pattern reappeared in the table runners. The fabric’s soft colors dictated the centerpiece palette. Here’s a look at our pre-wedding staging area:
Such wonderful memories of a beautiful day! But you don’t have to have a wedding in your near future to incorporate a lovely floral fabric into your indoor or outdoor decor. Imagine this or a similar flower-patterned textile as a base for your Mother’s Day tablescape or as throw pillows on your screened porch.
We often use flowery fabrics and wall coverings in clients’ projects in a range of applications, from window panels to upholstery. And the mood varies from project to project. While some petal-inspired patterns lean to the sweet and romantic side, others are sophisticated and modern — especially when done in silk or velvet. There’s nothing too precious about Sanderson‘s Ceres design, a luxe cut velvet featuring oversize chrysanthemums and trailing leaves.
We used this statement-making floral velvet to cover the backs of our clients’ dining-room chairs. The fabric’s silvery ground, as well as the spaces’ s other rich neutrals, keep the overall feel sophisticated (the shimmering silk window panels and wool and silk rug don’t hurt either).
As this dining room proves, florals don’t have to be overly feminine. If you have shied away from flowered prints in the past, it might be time to give them another look. After all, what better time than spring to bring a little flower power into your interior and exterior living spaces?
The Makings of a Design House, Part 2
