Tag Archives: cashmere

Snow, snow, snow…add warmth to your home with cozy fabrics

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You don’t have to live in the northeast to know about the blizzard of 2010.  All mode of transportation have been cancelled and all people want to do is get home before the holidays are over.  There truly is no place like home especially when it is full of cozy and comfortable fabrics.  While we have talked about these fabrics before, now is the time to revisit them.

Snow day in NY City photo courtesy of Timothy Clary/AFP/Getty Images
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  • Flannel is a soft brushed cotton that comes in many different colors and patterns.  Is there anything cozier than donning a pair of flannel pajamas and curling up under a nice warm blanket?  Only climbing into a bed made with flannel sheets can compare.
  • A fleece blanket will warm you up pretty quickly and the soft hand feels so inviting.  Kids will love a special blanket or quilt made from fun fleece patterns.
  • Wool is the king of all warm fabrics and cashmere is the queen.  These luxurious fabrics can be used to sew clothing and blankets for warmth and style.
  • Thermal linings added to your draperies will help you maintain a warm and cozy home.  While this lining should have been added at the time the drapes were sewn you might want to consider hanging panels behind your current drapes for added warmth and energy savings.

All that is needed now is a roaring fire in the fireplace and a hot beverage in your hand and you are ready to welcome in the new year all warm and toasty.

Luxury Fabrics: Cashmere, Velvet and Silk

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There are times when you just want to enjoy a little bit of luxury.  That may mean drinking an expensive wine, eating imported chocolates, or using a luxurious fabric in your home.  There are several types of fabrics that fall into the luxury category.

Cashmere

Cashmere comes from the wool of Kashmir goats found in the mountains of Tibet and Mongolia.  The soft touch makes it a popular choice for sweaters and scarves but can also be used to make throws and blankets or to upholster furniture.  It is not particularly durable so should be used in areas that are not subjected to a lot of use; but nothing says luxury like cuddling under a cashmere blanket on a cold evening. 

Velvet

Velvet has long been considered one of the most luxurious fabrics available.   It can be made from cotton or silk thread, which gives it a slight sheen.  Velvet provides a soft and thick look and feel to draperies, upholstery and accent pillows.   Velour and velveteen give a similar look and feel for less money but are not as thick and rich in appearance as the real thing.

Silk

Contrary to popular belief, the silk used in textiles does not come from the silk worm, it comes from moth caterpillars.  The production process is what makes silk so expensive.  Silk draperies add a look of luxury to your windows, as do silk throw pillows or an occasional chair with a silk cushion. 

Hand crafted

Hand embroidered, crewel work or painted fabrics all fall under the luxury fabric category due to the handcrafting necessary to produce these exquisite textiles.  Beautiful window coverings, accent pillows, quilts and light upholstery can all be created from these handcrafted works of art.

Using one of these fabrics to decorate your home will make you feel special and, after all, we all deserve a little bit of luxury in our lives.