Ever have a compelling urge to touch an item or run your hand across it? 

If you’re like most women, you absolutely love the feel of a beautiful fabric, also known as the hand, and sometimes may feel an overwhelming desire to touch the fabric to ensure it feels as great as it looks.

Design by Christopher Lowell

When designing an empty living space, I love to begin with a beautiful inspiration piece such as a fabulous fabric in a primary (complex) pattern perhaps for a pillow along with a coordinating solid (or almost solid) patterned fabric for the sofa.  Then its time for the real fun to begin, the exhilarating hunt for the perfect fabrics to compliment and complete the look of the interior in solid, secondary and/or primary patterns that will create a perfect harmony and balance.   But remember, when selecting fabrics and patterns, that pillows are more affordable to replace than a sofa or chair, so consider keeping your more complex patterns on areas that you can  easily switch out without too much expense.

Some of my favorite fabrics right now include patterns that are layered with stitched designs or other embellishments in rich textures and beautiful colors in patterns with a nod to nature including leaves, flower parts or other organic elements like insects or animals. 

And speaking of organic elements, wouldn’t these dried plants below preserved as art by local artist Brigid Greene be the perfect inspiration for a new line of fabrics? 

Preserved plant forms by artist Brigid Greene

Preserved plant form by artist Brigid Greene

If you want a look into what the future holds for residential interiors, I still believe that beautiful hotels or restaurants  that have been recently designed are a wonderful place of inspiration for homeowners looking for new ideas.

For more great information on what’s hot in fabrics and furnishings, don’t miss Living Large this coming Sunday at 10am Central on News Radio 980 KMBZ as I interview celebrity designer, author and host of Fine Living Network’s Work That Room show, Christopher Lowell, along with HGTV host Karen McAloon and other local experts from Innerworks.

And for the latest in bedrooms and bedding trends, make sure you tune into Living Large this coming Saturday at 1o:30am on Classical 1660 KXTR as I talk with local experts on what’s hot.