The fabrics you use at home can add to your level of comfort

The fabrics you use at home can add to your level of comfort by Veenu Singh
GETTING THROUGH the many months of the year when it isn't winter can be tough. But there is a joy in these more uncomfortable times as well. For instance, a change in your personal wardrobe ­ that's always fun.
And there's bound to be a change in your home's wardrobe too ­ just as much fun.Out go heavy curtains, bedspreads, furnishings and what-nots.
In comes pretty frippery that is a joy to dress your home up with.
Soft, floral prints. Neutral and pastel shades. Whites, blinding whites.
Wild Indian colours ­ pinks, reds, oranges, yellows, greens. Soft cottons. Delicate chanderis and muls.
Glorious linen.
“Most of the year, people prefer colours and fabrics that are light and breezy and easy on the eye,“ says Prableen Sabhaney, spokesperson for textile specialist Fabindia.
“That's why our furnishings are made of fabrics like chanderi and mul that are colourful, soft, light and help to keep the glare of the sun out of the home.“
Linen is also a great fabric for this time of year, says Neha Jalan, designer at home décor brand Onset. “In fact, linen has a richer feel than cotton and it can be used all across your home, from curtains to furnishings,“ she explains. “Use sheer or lightweight linen for curtains and a thicker linen for sofas.
And colours like off-white, white, grey and taupe (silver grey) work well.“ If you must use polyester, she adds, restrict it to bedcovers and cushions, and keep the colours soft or neutral.
While fabrics like organic cotton and linen reflect heat and help keep your rooms cool, says Beenu Bawa, marketing director at the home décor store Good Earth, the use of colour is the most basic way to make your home feel airy and spacious, adds Simone Arora, creative head, D'Decor Home Fabrics.
The kinds of prints you use also help create a feeling of openness, she explains. “Soft floral prints on cotton or linen for curtains, balanced with plains and stripes on upholstery and cushions, would impart a lively yet cool `country' look for the warmer months,“ says Arora.
And texture, rather than overt ornamentation, is what keeps the atmosphere light, adds Jalan of Onset. Which is why Fabindia uses chikankari and appliqué work on its furnishing fabrics, says Sabhaney.
The big trend this year, however, is floral prints. Says Rajesh Mahajan, MD of the furnishing brand Maspar, “A blend of floral prints with textured weaves or bold stripes gives a fresher and cooler look to your home.“
veenus@hindustantimes.com 1 BRIGHTEN UP: Silk cotton chanderi curtains and cushion covers from Fabindia. R1,530 per curtain 2 SPRING GARDEN: Vanilla-fresh green and orange red cushions from Maspar, R395 each 3 PRETTY BASIC: Cuhions in organic cotton from Good Earth, R1,850 each 4 GO TRADITIONAL: Cushions in cotton with computerised ikat embroidery from She Home,R800-R2,500 each 5 KEEP COOL: Dulux Weathershield Sunreflect brings the temperature down by five degrees.
6 AIR DRY: LG's L-energia Plus air conditioner, R35.000 onwards