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Inspired: Tufted Velvet at the International Rome Film Festival
When I spotted this picture of director Laurent Tirard at the International Rome Film Festival, my eyes immediately wandered to the gorgeous tufted velvet cubes to the director's right. They look so luxe that I immediately wanted to add one to my own home.
Tufted velvet combines two sumptuous decorating ideas: that of tufting, which is achieved when upholsterers thread through layers of fabric and secure the ends of the thread with a knot or button, and velvet, which is one of the richest fabrics used throughout history.
Get the Look: Red Gossip Girl Room
In last night's episode of Gossip Girl, Blake Lively and Tyra Banks got cozy in their silk robes on a red velvet settee. The showstopping piece certainly makes the room, but the matching red damask wallpaper and blue velvet curtains continue the baroque theme throughout the room. Then, accents like the black and white embroidered pillows, brass bird wall sculpture, and rope tassels add another element of luxurious detailing.
Found It! My Feather Pillow
Over a year ago, I picked up a pink velvet throw pillow screen-printed in gold with a feather (at right) on sale at a San Francisco boutique for $14. Since then, I've always wondered who made it, and I haven't seen it anywhere else. As it turns out, the pillow sells for over 10 times more than I bought it — score!
Do You Own a Velvet Sofa?
Velvet sofas can look Victorian, like this one, found at the Mill Rose Inn in Half Moon Bay, CA, or they can look decidedly modern, such as the West Elm Blake sofa ($1,199). Either way, they add a touch of luxury to your living space.
Source: Flickr User Wonderlane
Do You Own a Velvet Sofa?
Nice and New: Urban Outfitters Tufted Velvet Throwbacks
Urban Outfitters is reclining retro-style with its latest tufted velvet furniture. In addition to the Lana Tufted Velvet Pouf, the Antoinette Fainting Sofa ($575), now in more colors, nods to the old-time look with its name.
If you've been coveting that Mad Men headboard, there are plenty to choose from, including the Dauphine Velvet Headboard ($325) and the lush brown Velvet Tufted Headboard ($300).
Guess What This Upholstery Technique Is Called?
The Margot Loveseat ($2,950) has gorgeous velvet upholstery, whose back is decorated with a popular upholstery technique.
Upholsterers achieve this technique by threading through layers of fabric or leather, often in a pattern, and securing the ends of the thread with a knot or button. What is this technique called?
Crave Worthy: Adam and Viktoria Andromeda Chair
Be still my beating heart: This chair has sent me into a pre-Valentine's Day love swoon. With a curvaceous, modern shape that contrasts beautifully with its luxe velvet upholstery, the Adam and Viktoria Andromeda Chair (inquire for price) has pierced me like Cupid's arrow.
This chair, as well as other textiles, furniture, screens, and pillows, are the work of Swedes Viktoria Nygren, a fashion and textile designer, and Adam Gistedt, an industrial, interior, and furniture designer, who've worked together for the past nine years.
Nice and New: Urban Outfitters Lana Velvet Pouf
I wish the Urban Outfitters Lana Velvet Pouf ($89) had been on my radar when a TeamSugar member asked me to find an ottoman featured in Teen Vogue. This cushy, tufted velvet number is a close second to the one she had her eye on, but its spring green, chocolate, and royal purple fabrics are more versatile colors. The pouf itself is also quite the Renaissance piece; you can use it as seating, a foot rest, a table, or simply a decorative place to stack pillows or throws.
Steal of the Day: Pottery Barn Velvet Linen Quilt and Sham
I’m not even in the market for new bedding, but there’s something about an exceptional piece of velvet that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside (i.e. want to shop). Pottery Barn knows what I’m talking about: the retailer’s new Velvet Linen Quilts and Shams (originally $39-$299, on sale for $24-$179) have that soft, weighty, and wintry texture and elegant diamond hand-quilting that instantly win my attention.
Love It or Hate It? The Drapers' Headboard
Whenever there's a scene in Mad Men involving the Drapers' bedroom, my eyes are always drawn to their tufted velvet headboard. Its color, texture, and tufting are over-the-top feminine, and reflect nothing of Don's removed masculinity. But maybe that's the point of this headboard — to reflect how removed Don Draper is from his home and its contents and inhabitants.
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