Hands Off? No way!

If you’re looking to read a serious Interior Design blog filled with practical information for your home, then you better keep looking!  Today has been one of those days where I just want a little fun with Design and to not take things too seriously.  So, welcome to “fun, fluff, and fur”…or…”design right down to the last touch”… or… “feel it before you buy it”!!!!

Okay, so do you see where I’m going with this?  Interior Designers must use all of their senses.  We SEE so many possibilities, we must HEAR what our clients wants, and SMELL conjures up so many memories, but no sense is as important to an Interior Designer than the sense of TOUCH!  We are a tactile group, walking through showrooms running our hands across the arm of a chair, or feeling the softness of a fabric.  Texture is critical to good design.  Let’s face it, a room filled with flat, one-dimensional items is boring.

I just finished reading the book, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker, a beautiful story set in Burma about a young boy that went blind and learned to rely on his other senses in order to live.  It really made me think about how much we rely on our eyes and that we really should be relying just as much on our sense of TOUCH. When I finished the book, I actually tried walking around my house with my eyes closed, feeling everything as I walked along.  You would be amazed at how much you will learn about the items in your home that you never noticed purely by sight!

So, I wanted to try to find a collection of items that were almost more beautiful to the touch than they were to the sight.  Yes, I got a little out of control with this as you’ll see below, and no, I do not expect anyone to use ALL of these things in one room.  But think about using something, anything, with a little more texture and dimension!  Instead of a basic upholstered stool – throw a hide or fur on it (faux, please!) or instead of a plain wooden console table, maybe try one with metal legs and a leather top?

 

This room by Jonathan Adler (yes, my love affair continues!) is screaming “texture”!  From the sparkly teardrops of the mirror to the velvet upholstered chair to the sleek metal of the table, this is a feast for the senses!

 

 

And you can see the softness in the upholstered velvet Raconteur Sofa by Amy Somerville.  Isn’t that so much more inviting than a basic flat fabric?

 

 

Remember, texture comes in many forms.  The detail of a piece of raw wood or the craftsmanship of a carved wooden table gives the item so much more depth and dimension.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not all rugs are alike!  There are so many alternatives to a traditional carpet.  Wouldn’t you just love to put your bare feet on this rug??

 

 

This table by Bunny Williams Home is so dramatic.  You really just want to touch it, don’t you?  And I want to see this Ponytail Light illuminated-  I bet it has an entirely different look!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And how can we talk about texture without some furry, cozy, decadent seating!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I started with Jonathan Adler and I’ll end with Jonathan Adler.  This may not be your style, I don’t even think it’s mine.  But can you appreciate all of the beautiful textures??  The chairs, the mirrors, the table base, the marble (?) horse!  Let’s not be so afraid to go out on a limb a little and try something different.  It will bring a whole new dimension to your design!