Q. I have a request for a fabric choice that I know I am not alone in wanting. I love this toile sectional that I’ve seen on a blogger’s website. She’s an interior designer that specializes in budget decorating. The company that made it for her is out of business and the closest I can find to it is thousands of dollars at Williams Sonoma home. Is there any way that you could add a toile to your fabric choices? Thanks for your consideration. I can’t wait to order from you!!

A. When Jen and I received Adrian’s request a few months ago, we were in agreement that a Toile pattern would be a great addition to the Home Reserve Fabric collection. “Toile” is a French word meaning canvas for painting on. Pronounced correctly, it rhymes with “All.” Toile fabrics are patterns with a solid colored background and a repeated scene that is sometimes a pastoral theme, and sometimes a floral arrangement. They are perfect for creating a chabby chic look, and for mixing with other patterns, especially plaids.

When Jen and I saw the Bellingrath patterns, we knew we had a winner. The floral pattern in Bellingrath has that recognizable look, while the colors and the addition of a soft gray outline, make it a unique choice. Toile fabrics help to create a sophisticated boutique look. You won’t find them for prices like this, on furniture that feels this good, anywhere else in America.

The beautiful Bellingrath pattern is available in Tuscan Red, Honey, and Onyx.

For a Chabby Chic look, accent with throw pillows in Marcie Chive, Harbor, and Spice.

Jen and I have been corresponding with Charley about adding more seating space to his living room.

Charley currently has a sage green couch and is interested in adding a Home Reserve loveseat and Chair, in the Laney style. He tells Jen and I he’s having trouble matching the dark sage tone of his particular couch. This inspired the recurring discussion between Jen, Charley, and I about “matching sets” of furniture. Jen says that 3 pieces of the same color and pattern can look unimaginative, and that the inability to match a color is an opportunity for something more fun. Her advice to Charley, “Your living room will look more sophisticated by using multiple shades of one color, complimentary colors, or coordinating solid colors and patterns.”

Charley likes browns and greens, so he was pleased with the combination of Dark nuetral, light neutral, green and accenting patterns that Jen and I put together.

Compare this predictable room of all green → to this interesting collection of lights, darks, and patterns.

The fabrics used in this example are Charley’s Sage, plus . . .

Q. I have my eye on a Chair and Ottoman in Fairview Buff, and a Sectional in Fairview Merlot. I really like thiese colors together, but I’m having trouble deciding on throw pillows. Right now, I’ve picked out Tribeca chocolate. Just wanted to check if you think this will be an okay combination?

Fairview Merlot, Fairview Buff, and Tribecca Chocolate

A. Thanks for visiting Home Reserve, Randi. Sounds like a beautiful selection! Jen and i like your decision to combine Fairview Buff with Fairview Merlot. These are soft textured fabrics and the tones blend nicelye. Tribeca Chocolate is a fun throw pillow fabric, but it is mostly “cool” toned (meaning the colors range from blues, to greens).  For your particular Fairview combination we think you may prefer a throw pillow that is “warm” in tone, one that is in the same family with Fairview Merlot, ranging from yellow to red.

Try one of the following: Pawleys Plum, Tremont Russt, Sachmo Amber, and/or Montague Burgundy

For weeks, Jen and I have been on the hunt for a beautiful houndstooth pattern. We thought it would be a great addition to the Home Reserve collection, so we were delighted when we came across the Sundance collection. Meet the colors:

Sundance Latte, Sundance Pear, and Sundance Saffron

These three subtle tones are newcomers to our fabric palette, and they look just beautiful on the furniture. The pattern is traditional, perhaps even a little old-fashioned, while the colors are clean and contemporary. It’s a great blend of old and new. As you know, we like to mix up textures to keep things looking original, so we thought we’d post a few throw pillow suggestions to compliment the Sundance crew.

Fairhaven Latte (on Sundance Latte), Rutland Brown (on Sundance Pear), and Baja Marina (on Sundance Saffron).

Q. I am “this close” to being able to order my couch. I have narrowed down the fabric choice, but now I’m trying to decide: arms or no arms? Can you show me a picture of an armless LB, in something other than a sectional? If I go with arms, it will be Tux or Bay, but I am doing a modern space and think I might really like the armless as well. Which do you suggest in a design that is a mix of modern and Scandinavian/Dansk?

A. Sounds like a fun decor scheme you’re creating in your home, Stephanie! We’re glad to hear you found a fabric that you like. Here is a picture of an Armless LB loveseat as well as an Armless TB couch.

Casey and I consider the armless styles to be our most modern. However, the Tux and Ali are among the most modern of our “armed” styles and fit beautifully into contemporary decor schemes with the right fabric choice and accessories.

I consider the Tux and Ali styles more comfortable for lounging and recommend this route if the couch will be the primary seating in your room. If it is not, and you are most concerned with design unity, go with the armelss.

A comforting note . . . the Tux or Bay arms can be added or removed easily. When arms are taken off, the style can be converted to armless with the addition of 2 end panels. (These are the half moon shapes you see on the ends of our armless styles.) You can move from one look to the other if you ever change your mind!

Jenny and I just finished putting together a little PDF guide on how to get started with a room design. Sometimes the hardest part is simply getting started! We’re also at work right now on more videos to show how Home Reserve can help with your project.

Here’s the link:  How to Design a Room

Enjoy your Decorating!  Till next time….Casey.

Q. Hi Designers, In my living room, I have a white chair from Crate and Barrel and white bookshelves from IKEA. I’m planning on buying the Laney sectional in the Group 8 layout in the Altima Sand Pet-Care Fabric. I have one toddler, but no pets, so you can tell me if this is overkill! Thanks for any advice.

A. Thanks for the detailed description, Jill. Altima Sand is a beautiful, easy to take care of fabric. We think you’ll be happy for it’s washability and stain-resistance, even with only one toddler. People with no pets or kids often choose this fabric for it’s durability and mess-friendly qualities.

However, Jen and I wonder if Altima sand may be too close in color, and/or not close enough, to the other whites in your room. We recommend Altima Latte as an alternative. Latte will provide a bit more contrast between your sectional and other pieces. It will add depth to your room and make all the shades look richer. We suggest you order a couple fabric sample and check it out. See the comparison below.

1) Laney Sectional, Shown in Group 8 in Altima Sand with Baja Marina Throw Pillows

2) Laney Sectional, Shown in Group 8 in Altima Latte with Baja Seaside Throw Pillows

Q. Hi, I have a sofa in pulse sapphire and I’d like to add a spunky ottoman. Any pattern suggestions?

A. The pulse sapphire is a beautiful, deep colored fabric with a rich textured surface. Good choice, Tony. Either of these modern fabrics would make a fun statement in combination with Pulse Sapphire. Add throw pillows to complete your look.

A Laney sofa is shown here with a modular ottoma in Ella Cafe.

Q. Hi Casey and Jen, I absolutely love all the design options available with Home Reserve. I am currently trying to decorate my living room and I’m a little stuck. I’d like to use throw pillows, wall art, and designer cubes to bring everything together, but I’m having trouble figuring out what fabrics, colors, and patterns might go with the focal point of the room, this rug. I’m thinking of going with a black couch, but what could I put with it to make sure that the other interesting colors in the rug are enhanced, and that the room is not too dark?

A. What a great rug, Ashlei. The colors in it provide a lot of opportunities for fun fabrics. We often suggest designing a room around a rug, especially when the design is particularly interesting, as with your rug. Kudos on that first step.

Casey and I suggest you go with Mission Black as your couch fabric. It is not as deep as some of our other blacks, and it reflects more light. It has a soft brushed, faux suede finish.

Add throw pillows in Grant Tan and Cricket Leaf to accentuate the warm tan and pale green tones in your rug. Adding this bright green will provide opportunity to add more color to an otherwise neutral room.

Use Delmar Ecru for your designer cubes to compliment the throw pillows and bring in rich texture.

Try wall art in Colony Russet to pick up the burgundy/brick tones in the rug.

Here is a sketch of what this collection of items might look like. Enjoy creating your beautiful new living space.

Q. Casey and Jenny, I want to get a Chair & 1/2 to go with my large deep purple couch . . . Can you give me some suggestions about what fabrics to use that won’t clash with the purple?

A. Thanks for visiting Home Reserve, Tammy. The Chair & 1/2 is a great comfy compliment alongside a couch. It opens up a room and makes it feel more furnished. Here are several options that will look beautiful with your deep purple couch.

Olive green tones are a great compliment to deep shades of purple. Try Liberty Olive, which contains a burgundy thread that looks great next to purple. Shown here with a Hondo grape throw pillow. (1)

A natural textured neutral will be visually peaceful alongside your deep purple couch. Try Delmar Ecru, shown here with a Hondo grape throw pillow. (2)

1)2)

A bold pattern containing purple will be a contemporary statement in your room. Try Tory Lilac, shown here with an Altima Lilac throw pillow. (3)

A black and white fabric will provide fun sophisticated pattern and a modern look. Try Joilet Ebony, shown here with an Altima Lilac throw pillow.(4)

3) 4)

Keep in mind that a modular ottoman is a perfect fit in front of the Chair & 1/2.