Sofas, armchairs, dining chairs, ottomans… everything seems to be getting the velvet treatment. And why not! The luxurious, tactile fabric is warm, inviting and oh-so suited to the cold Canberra climate.
For advice on how and where to add velvet in your home, we turned to the experts. Louise Kichenside, director at local interior design firm The Dept. of Design in Fyshwick, explains why being bold is best, the colours she can’t get enough of, and her top spots for shopping the trend.
Scroll for her amazing advice, plus some velvet pieces to shop.
Why bold is best
“Because it’s such a luxe material, you can either choose to be bold by using a statement colour, or take the neutral path by adding some extra texture to your interior,” says Louise. “Personally, I would say be bold with this one – colours look so much richer in velvet.”
A word of caution: “Don’t over do the use of velvet, this fabric is a real statement so pair it with more natural textures like soft linens or a chunky knit.”
Three ways to use velvet
A statement armchair: the Wilfred chair from Jardan is like a big hug!
Quilts or cushions: Kip & Co do incredibly rich, coloured velvet quilt covers that you can’t help but want to snuggle up into.
Curtains: So luxe when used commercially, for formal living areas, or a cosy master suite. If you’re feeling bold, head to Cloth & Paper Studio in Fyshwick – they have the best selection of velvets!
What colour to go for
“We are seeing a real trend in rich, warm colours for winter – you can’t go wrong with a mustard, rust or deep red,” says Louise. “If that’s too bold for you, millennial pink and nude tones don’t seem to be going anywhere, and provide a really soft tone of colour.”
Where to buy it
“We are so lucky in Canberra to have some amazing retailers who support smaller Australian designers – supporting our home-grown talent is so important!” says Louise. “We love to shop at Timber & Tailor in Braddon or Meet Gather Collect at Aranda shops – I never leave empty handed! If we’re sourcing furniture for clients, our first stop is always Jardan or Globewest.
