I was watching Sarah Richardson (Sarah 101) the other night (thanks DVR) and she mentioned that at the end of a makeover she has usually used around 10-14 fabric textiles in each room that she does.
And as the title of this post suggests, it totally surprised me. Doesn’t that sound like a lot? Of course she’s an expert when it comes to layering prints and patterns, but I couldn’t imagine a “regular Joe” going into a fabric store and walking out with 10-14 swatches that they were going to combine. But then I realized that she was counting the upholstery fabric on chairs and sofas and headboards along with curtains and a ton of accent pillows. So while vegging in the living room at 11pm while watching that very show, I looked around and counted all of the fabrics going on…
Karl The Sectional’s dark gray fabric (he’s from Ikea) = 1
The faux leather seat of our desk chair (from Target four years ago) = 2
The curtains (from Ikea in April) = 3
The linen-like fabric on the ottoman (from Marshall’s) = 4
The faux sheepskin draped over the ottoman (from Ikea last year) = 5
The green zebra pillows (from West Elm about a month ago) = 6
The printed pillows that I tea stained (from this etsy shop) = 7
The textured felt pillows (from Crate & Barrel last year) = 8
The branch pillow (from Ikea a while ago) = 9
The faux cow pillow (from Ikea a while ago) = 10
The shag mohair pillow (from Target a few months back) = 11
The soft champagne-y metallic pillows (from Bed Bath & Beyond years ago) = 12
Twelve! Who knew? Granted a lot of those fabrics are more tone on tone/textured than brightly patterned (thanks to the colorful rug and art going on). But it’s really interesting to think that we sort of subconsciously mixed all those materials together (although we didn’t exactly have things upholstered and tailored for us a la Sarah Richardson).
So it got me wondering how many fabrics you guys have going on in your living space. Is it in that 10-14 range? Way lower? Way higher? For some strange reason I’m dying to know how things stack up at everyone else’s house.
Tell me, tell me! Also, doesn’t Sarah have awesome blazers and what appears to be very glossy and perfect hair? The woman has style for days.
Yimaira says
I can’t get enough of Sarah Richardson. She’s my long lost best friend (lol). I saw the episode you referenced in your blog and I didn’t register the number of fabrics used. Thanks for always giving us a new perspective on things.
Amanda says
This is so weird: a big fat zero. Zero! Okay, you can bump it up to two if you count the blanket I usually I keep on the couch, and the carpet. But really, as elements of the room that we deliberately put there… nada.
The explanation: All the furniture in here is either leather, faux leather, or wood. It’s all from the thrift store and wipe-down-able surfaces always feel a little less sketchy, you know? And we don’t have a rug because there’s already carpet.
Then, we don’t have any pillows for the couch because my boyfriend and I just can’t agree on them. He fears patterns; I’m not going to spend my money on a snoozefest of single-colored pillows.
Finally, no curtains. We pretty much have two half-walls (at a corner) of windows, which I love, but hanging that many curtains seemed too difficult and expensive for a rental that we won’t live in for all that long. Plus, now that every single windowsill is covered in plants, the curtains wouldn’t really work anyway.
Kim says
Speaking of fabrics, how is your couch slipcover holding up? We have the Karlstad (though not the sectional) with a different slipcover but really prefer the look of the Sivik in the dark gray and are thinking of switching. Any pros/cons to mention? How does it hold up with Burger’s claws and standard cleaning? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
So far awesome. No complaints at all! Even with a messy baby and a pointy-clawed dog!
xo,
s
Lex says
I have always thought the same thing! When pulling swatches or making mood boards (for fam and friends), I have always wished I had an array like here. I never actually counted hers, so I love that you did. Counting the fabrics in my living room (in my head because I’m at work)I only have 9, and that’s even stretching it as I counted this shawl that I have on the sofa.
1. Curtains
2. Sofa
3. Sofa pillows
4. Chair pillows
5. Lamp shade (that I re-did with fabric)
6. Sheepskin
7. Throw blanket #1
8. Throw blanket #2
9. Sofa sash (it’s a Missoni shawl, oops)
I’m going to make a pit stop at the fabric store today…
Amanda says
Um, based on this post alone, I went out and bought 6 different pillows so I could “up” my texture count for the poll. Is that bad? :/
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- totally something I would do! I have a pillow problem for sure. Haha.
xo,
s
Cecelia says
Sarah Richardson can do no wrong in my book.
She doesn’t do gimmicks. No going for laminate floors while installing a 15K stainless fireplace or a water feature (like that other Canadian designer with a tv show…)
With Richardson, the fixed features are top-notch and timeless, and the rest is elegant and soulfully gracious, or casual warmth and whimsy.
Love my Sarah!
Amorie says
We currently only have 6, but I’m dying to pick up some more fabulous pillows. We are repainting, so I’m waiting until we get the new color up before I go crazy on the fabrics. Le sigh.
Jen says
Sarah is my favorite. And I didn’t even know she had a new show that started! So thanks for the post, cause now I can watch something new instead of all her re-runs. Though the re-runs are good too :) And I love her jackets too.
Hollie @ I'm Busy Procrastinating says
(1) WHY didn’t I know about Sarah 101? I’m always watching HGTV, but never saw one ad for that show. Thanks for the heads up … it’s now programmed on my DVR and hopefully I’ll be able to catch the 4 episodes I missed. (2) When watching her show Design Inc., you can tell it’s from several years ago because she and some of the other designers wear scarves as belts with their jeans. Brings back memories. But she IS always rocking a blazer.
Pam the Goatherd says
I said 4 in the survey, but then realized when someone mentioned blankets that we really have 7. Our living room is tiny – only 13’x14′ – and since we live out in the boonies surrounded by trees I don’t have curtains in the windows.
Liz says
We have six only, but it’s a combined living / dining / kitchen…Maybe I could count the towels and my apron a bring it up to 8! And some decorative fabric lining the bookshelf and bring it to 10. Either way, we need more pillows :)
Michelle says
I only have 2 fabrics in our living room right now since we just moved in and have yet to decide how that room is going to function.
Sarah Richardson is the bomb…love her, I’ve been DVRing Sarah 101 and Design, Inc. Loved Sarah’s Cottage as she and her husband redid their island cottage. And I love Tommy, one of her designers. They have great chemistry and I eagerly look forward to watching them interact and come up with amazing designs. Sometimes I wonder if I should have chosen the interior design path in college…
Karen says
Every room Sarah does is per.fec.tion. Although we live in the same provice, our worlds couldn’t be more different. I’m living in a log cabin in the wilderness. I often wonder what she would do with the place – you can’t paint it white ;)
But back to your question: We have 5 fabrics in our living room. I think part of Sarah’s magic is using more to make it look pulled together and like it has been lovingly collected over time.
Hilary @ My So-Called Home says
I too am a huge Sarah Richardson fan and her style matches her incredible design taste. Idk if this was mentioned or not but a lot of the blazers that Sarah wears on her shows are from her side kick Tommy’s sister’s clothing line. Christie Smythe co-owns Smythe les Vestes and even Kate Middleton herself wore won to kick off her American tour. You can read more about it here:
http://royalwedding.globalnews.ca/Visit_Details/Trip_Details/Kate_Middleton_wears_Canadian_label_Smythe_to_kick_off_nine-day_tour/
YoungHouseLove says
I love that!
xo,
s
Sarah says
This is the other Sarah Richardson. I always wonder if you think I might be the famous one commenting on your blog. Sorry to disappoint, I’m just a normal girl from Washington State, but I love Sarah and her great Canadian accent. I wish I still had cable so I could watch her show. It always cracked me up how she would say that she wasn’t spending much on a room, and the budget would be $10,000. She should check out your budget breakdown to see what a true low cost renovation is.
YoungHouseLove says
I love that you call yourself the other Sarah Richardson! You need a shirt that says that or something.
xo,
s
Sarah says
Oooh, I’m totally going to do that now!
Avone says
I’ve been on vacay, so I’m just now counting. Whoa. Fourteen. Who knew I was such an expert? :)
I love Sarah. If only I could convince my hubby we need to spend some serious dough on a glamorous laundry room. Doesn’t she do amazing mud rooms and laundry rooms?
Emily Anderson says
Ok, I love that you have my two all time favorite decorating books on your ottoman! I think we’re going to be friends. ;-)