Like every season, the arrival of winter brings its own unique beauty. The jewel-like sparkle of freshly fallen snow. Cozy neighborhoods at night, warm light spilling out of windows and glowing over porches. Best of all, winter lets us hug our families extra close as we gather around the fireplace drinking cocoa, tea, or for the adults, something a little stronger… 😉
For us, winter is about being cozy, especially in our homes. Though there are several great ways to usher in the coziness (like switching out some of your cooler bulbs for warm ones), today I want to focus on the single, most effective approach: embracing luxurious textiles.
Together, we’ll journey through 4 of Blakely’s favorite luxurious textiles for the home. For each, I’ll share:
- Some quick facts and backstory on the textile
- How we use the textile in our own homes and design projects
- The variety of options we have in our design library (we LOVE to customize pieces)
- Vibrant finds you can scoop up yourself in the Blakely Shop
I hope you’ll find this post as warm and cozy as your home will be when you’re done reading it! Come walk with me…
Textile 1: Velvet
Fun Facts
The true origins of velvet aren’t exactly known, but most historians believe it came from China, where silk production originated. Along with several other luxurious textiles, velvet made its way to Europe on the Silk Road roughly around the 13th century. (Brought by Marco Polo, perhaps!)
By the 14th century, velvet had exploded in popularity. It was well-loved during heart of the Italian Renaissance and has maintained a steady role in homes and fashion to this day. (Source) Velvet can be made from pure silk, an artificial silk fabric called viscose, linen, or cotton.
Like the color purple, the cost to produce velvet before the Industrial Revolution rendered it a luxury only nobility or royalty could afford. After centuries of velvet being limited to the upper classes, we still associate velvet with luxury, wealth, and sophistication.
How We Use It
We love to use velvet in our design projects. In addition to the elegant look it adds to a room, the delightfully touchable texture immediately softens a space, making it feel more welcoming, warm, and yes, cozy!
We’ve been known to use velvet in accessories (such as decorative pillows), custom furniture (chairs, ottomans, sofas, etc.), and even in small details like trims and welts (piping). In fact, we can customize sofas and other pieces of furniture at our clients’ request — even in performance velvet that stays totally Pinot-proof. Yes, please!
Blush colored performance velvet by Pollack upholds its quality over the years. The blue welt is also velvet – a small detail that makes a big impact on this show-stopping swivel chair.
In Our Design Library
More luxury velvet samples in a perfect holiday palette!
In the Blakely Shop
A velvet pillow in vibrant fuchsia will brighten any living space, bedroom or banquette! Get yours here…
Textile 2: Alpaca
Fun Facts
Alpaca wool, harvested from — you guessed it — alpacas, is one of the softest natural fibers on the planet. The alpacas themselves are rare, with only about 3 million currently in the world. 90% of them can be found in southern Peru’s Andean plains, where the tradition of harvesting and working with alpaca wool dates back to ancient Incan tradition. Unlike cashmere, Alpaca wool is softer, more luxurious textile, sustainably sourced, and is hypoallergenic (Source)
How We Use It
We love alpaca wool for its softness and durability, along with its ability to keep us all warm during our cold Rhode Island winters. In fact, alpaca throws have made it into the Blakely Gift Guide for two years running! (2020 and 2019)
In our projects (or in our own homes), we can drape an alpaca throw over a sofa or chair or add an alpaca pillow for instant coziness. Alpaca is also wearable as scarves, shirts, ponchos, etc. — the perfect loungewear for cuddling by the fire or braving the outdoors.
Cozying up by the fire with a vibrant pink baby alpaca throw.
In Our Design Library
These alpaca wool samples are easily our favorites luxurious textiles to touch! Bliss.
In the Blakely Shop
Our alpaca throws and pillows come in a variety of colors and are irresistibly soft!
Textile 3: Leather
Fun Facts
Though we commonly hear the term “genuine” when referring to leather, there are actually two grades of authentic leather worth considering for your home: full grain leather and top grain leather.
“Full grain leather” is the highest quality of leather available. It includes the top layer of the hide, which results in unique and natural imperfections, a patina over time, and greater durability and breathability. However, it is more difficult for manufacturers to work with, which is reflected in the cost.
By contrast, “top grain leather” is the second highest grade. It involves sanding off the top layer of the hide, making it thinner and more workable. Because of this, it is slightly less durable (though still well up to long-term use), has an imitation grain imprinted on it (for a more uniform look), and requires a protective finish coat that looks great but doesn’t patina over time. (Source)
How We Use It
Unlike velvet or alpaca wool, leather doesn’t really add a soft texture to a room… but it does create instant warmth and depth to the space, whether it’s a shade of tawny brown (like the living room pictured above) or a deep shade of navy blue (below).
In our projects, we love inviting leather onto the scene as comfy chairs or as accent furniture pieces, like chaises and ottomans. It’s also so exquisite as a smaller detail on a larger piece, such as a welt, arm or back of an upholstered chair (customizing furniture like that is a great perk of working with a designer!) Leather adds a weight and visual presence, one that’s perfect for cozy winter evenings yet effortlessly classic every other season, too.
Bonus: Leather furniture is also a great material for families with kids, because leather wipes down easily and tends to age beautifully. (But cat owners, beware!)
In Our Design Library
Leather comes in all sorts of hues!
In the Blakely Shop
Black Leather Boxes (Large & Small)
Textile 4: Animal Hides & Sheepskins
Fun Facts
It’s safe to say that the use of animal hides and sheepskins have been a part of life for most of human history. These materials provided warmth and protection, thanks to insulation, durability, breathability, and even bacterial resistance… though I’m not sure our hunting-gathering forefathers knew about that last part!
These days, we still use these materials for several of these same reasons and more. We’ve also seen a rise in more synthetic options. For example, faux sheepskin, called sherpa, is aesthetically similar to natural sheepskin (though lacking many of its functional advantages) and is easily accessible at a lower price point. (Source)
Though we find that natural options are superior in quality and longevity, new and improved options continue to hit the market every year. It’s part of our job as designers to stay updated on what’s available to you and make the best suggestions for your home.
How We Use It
Animal hides and sheepskins are a great way to add touches of coziness, comfort, and texture to your home. We love to use them as a layering rug for under chairs (like in the reading nook pictured above). These materials also add an extra layer of interest and quality, as they are beautiful and quite durable.
We are able to use these hides as furniture upholstery, too — many swatches in our design library (shown below) would be fabulous as an ottoman or accent piece!
When it comes to sheepskins, we usually drape them over chairs or sofas for an added layer of luxury. Other times, like in this room, we will use a sheepskin as a small rug in a low traffic area. It creates a more comfortable atmosphere and practically invites your toes to sink into the softness.
In Our Design Library
Touchable, cozy, and timeless materials for any living space.
In the Blakely Shop
Hair on Hide Trays (Large & Small)
Final Thoughts on Adding Luxurious Textiles to Your Home
If you look at each of the spaces I’ve shared with you, you’ll see that they all have multiple luxurious textiles working together to create the overall feeling in the space. When we play up the elements that evoke warmth and luxury, however, that’s when the space becomes extra cozy… just in time for the winter season!
If you’re looking for some simple touches to “cozify” your home, the Blakely shop recommendations above are easy additions you can make on your own. If you’re looking to redesign your entire space for more cozy, comfortable living in 2021… well, that’s a bigger project and we’d love to help. Feel free to grab a spot on our calendar, and let’s get to know each other!
Until next time, I wish you and your family a happy, cozy winter in the place you call home.
Xoxo,
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