It’s Christmas morning, 1960-something.
I created this quilted piece from a sari scrap that reminded me of my childhood family’s christmas tree
I am 5 years old (my best guess – I can’t remember exactly). My slippered feet are all over the place with restless excitement as I wait with my two sisters by the big yellow brick chimney that serves as a wall between the landing and the living room. FINALLY. Our pajama-clad parents make their way (oh, so slowly!) down the hallway and give us the okay to fetch our bulging stockings from their hooks above the fire place.
Tradition.
Christmas morning tradition in our family began with stockings, then we were allowed to open one gift before a delicious breakfast of eggs Benedict. My early morning gift that year was neatly wrapped in jolly snowmen and fir trees, and it was HEAVY. As I stripped back the paper, I gasped with delight at the shiny new box of 64 Crayola crayons (with a built-in sharpener)! All new and perfectly pointy. After breakfast came the coloring book and the pad of creamy white paper, which I soon had scribbled all over in delight. The Sky Blue was first to be worn to a rounded nub – my favorite color.
A child’s dream-come-true – BIG box of crayons
Sky Blue to Chartreuse…
Now, hundreds of crayons later, I’m more of a Chartreuse girl, though I’m getting much more fluid about my color choices. I’ve noticed that many upholstery students and customers choose neutral or ‘safe’ colors for their furniture – a choice I totally respect. My own living room is pretty toned down, with sage green, burgundy and a touch of turquoise.
… and the Leap to Neon
But there’s a part of me that just wants to bust out and upholster something in neon green and hot pink! (Shawna Robinson Happy Chairs)
‘Make Mine a Manhattan’ chairs by Shawna Robinson in hot pink & neon green upholstery
Six Radiant Fabric Compositions
So in honor of the season and a tip o’ the hat to the wild side in all of us, I’ve gathered a few examples of what some of our more daring upholstery artists, designers and DIYers have accomplished with color. Some of these color combinations would make perfect gift wrap!
Like this Roche Bobois sectional sofa reminiscent of a collection of radiantly colored box cushions thrown together:
Bold, innovative design by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois – the Mah Jong modular sofa
Or a brightly cushioned back yard bench to curl up in the shade and just breathe in the scents of summer (Harold Leidner Landscape Architects):
Inviting garden retreat by Harold Leidner Landscape Architects: navy cushions with bright yellow piping
Enjoy a good read in a sunny window seat (image from Better Homes & Gardens):
A large scale botanic print cushion lends itself well to self-welting (same fabric used for cushion & piping)
Satisfy your quirky side with an odd mix of cushion sizes and colors (Sarah Phipps Design):
Multicolored buttons and an odd-sized patchwork cushion bestow an unconventional air to this orange couch
Go tribal with a turkish rug look on your upholstery (anthropologie):
Anthropologie’s Moresque Retro chairs – ottoman textile design
Get Arty with a mix of solids & prints, contrasting welt, and a unique botanical print (Wild Chairy – Andrea Mihalik):
Andrea Mihalik’s Grayson Chair – before & after reupholstery
Ready for more bold, sublime and daring ideas? Check out Upholstery Arts’ Patterns for Upholstery Design on Pinterest.
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