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R/£ Time to play with colour
March 29, 2007 Edition 1
FROM a modest family-owned fabric store established in Durban in the 1980s, U&G fabrics has grown into a national brand. OMESHNIE NAIDOO reports
INTERIOR designers will tell you there is a distinctive advantage in being able to offer the best of whatever is internationally trend - no small feat when you consider that globally a number of trends are running concurrently.
U&G weave designer, Nikki Burger, and colourist, Sharmani Naicker, filled us in on what the major trends in upholstery and curtaining are today.
Hot in upholstery at the moment is polythene, or PU as it is known in the industry. This synthetic fabric is predominant in décor upholstery and, the accessory industry at present.
One can easily recall the days when vinyl was "in", however PU has replaced the faux leather. But not for the same use or market, says Burger, PU is much more hi-tech and trendy - the restaurant look.
Bottle green, maroon and navy have been replaced by pillar box red, white, metallic, naturals and skins.
With regard to curtaining, Burger says that in terms of texture the market has focused on plains for years.
"The new dynamic is a play on heavy textures, even textured plains.
"The emphasis here is on natural fibres, heavier linens, silks, wool and chunky cottons."
Sheer fabrics are also very fashionable as window treatments these days and there is a beautiful selection to choose from.
However, it's best to opt for synthetic fabrics - they're made to look much better these days and they won't perish as easily as natural cloth would.
Prints are bigger than ever before. Buy them in bold colours, like red and black. That is the in-your-face statement.
While big scale florals sit on one end of the market, French-look toiles and damask prints as well as French colouring, such as duck-egg blue and soft pistachio green, also have their place.
Remember though, keep curtain treatments very simple.
Prefer the look that is natural and avoid structured or ornate drapes.
Curtains can sit on the floor a little and eye lit and pinch pleats are a way of creating subtle emphasis.
While most curtains generally have their lining attached, these days you can run them on two separate tracks.
For interest use a sheer top layer with an insulation block out as curtain backing.
Burger and Naicker say the opportunity to play with colour has arrived so don't be scared to combine textures and colours. Curtains are costly and dry-cleaning disasters are even more so take the professional route is their advice.
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