Home Decor: Vintage Ticking Fabric

Ticking is an old-fashioned fabric that is becoming popular once again.  It is one of those fabrics that seem to conjure up visions of a simpler life.  Blue and white striped ticking fabric may remind you of your grandmother’s pillows and mattresses.  In fact, ticking was originally used as a cover for mattresses and pillows but this durable fabric can be used to decorate many other areas of your home.  While blue and white is probably the most common color combination, fabric manufacturers like Waveryly and Covington offer ticking in several other colors as well. 

  • Blue striped ticking edged with bright red trim make perfect curtains for a country kitchen.
  • This durable fabric can be used to make slipcovers for family room furniture.  Grey ticking will add a casual feel to a room with black leather furniture and can withstand anything your kids and pets can dish out.
  • Pastel colors like pink and yellow work well in a child’s room.  The small stripe coordinates with other prints and patterns.  Rocking chair cushions, window treatments, even a crib quilt can all be made from this child friendly fabric.
  • Trim plain white bath towels in red and white ticking to add a designer touch to your bathroom.
  • Add a border of ticking to off- the -rack drapery panels to create a custom window treatment.

You will be surprised at the many ways you can use this vintage fabric when decorating your home.

Rustic Luxe Design: The New Game In Town

rustic luxeRustic luxe, country luxe, rustic lodge–these terms are all meant to represent the “new” design style that combines the casual and welcoming feel of a country home with the luxury of the good life.  This style is not really “new”, though.  It is patterned after the luxurious Adirondack mountain lodges that were so popular in the 1930′s.

Today’s rustic luxe decorating is all about comfort and function.  An old iron bed (rustic) may be used in a bedroom with silk curtains (luxe).  A kitchen may feature worn brick walls and floors made from an old barn (rustic) but the appliances will be state of the art stainless steel. (luxe) Your living room may have a worn leather sofa (rustic) sitting atop a beautiful persian rug (luxe).  Shiny mercury glass lamps next to an old wooden bowl full of fruit add to the look.  If all of this is a bit too extreme, you can accomplish the same feel by combining several different types of fabric and trim to create throw pillows for your sofa and chairs.  Herringbone, satin, velvet and suede all combine nicely for an eclectic rustic luxe design.

However you put it together, this is a look that will easily wrap your family in comfort and elegance.