The world of interior design is filled with colors, textures, materials, patterns, shapes, lines, and countless other décor elements that one can play with in order to create unique and remarkable living spaces. There are so many interesting combinations one can make that the possibilities are virtually endless. While the sheer number of choices may leave a lot of room for creativity, it can also make the process of creating an aesthetically pleasing interior quite overwhelming.
When it comes to materials, you’ll notice that one recurring theme in interior design is the use of jacquard fabrics. Jacquard weaves have a long and rich history behind them, with origins going back to the 4th century. Once a textile that was accessible only to people with the highest levels of wealth and social status, jacquard is now used extensively in clothing, accessories, and home décor.
Jacquard fabrics are a great choice if you want to enhance the appearance and functionality of any room. But despite their wide popularity, integrating jacquard fabrics into your interior can be tricky if you’re not familiar with the textile and its uses.
So, if you want to make the most of this one-of-a-kind weave in your home and avoid common design faux pas, here’s a short guide that might come in handy.
What is jacquard?
We have to clarify from the get-go that although we commonly say jacquard fabric, the term doesn’t refer to a specific type of fabric but to a weaving technique that helps create different intricate patterns and textiles by using special machines called looms. This means that the patterns are woven into the material itself rather than being printed or dyed on top of it.
As such, jacquard can be made out of a wide variety of materials, from natural fibers like silk, flax, wool, linen, or cotton to synthetic yarns such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic. Jacquards can be woven using only one type of thread or by mixing them. Similarly, some jacquard fabrics come in one shade while others are created using a more diverse color palette.
The resulting fabrics include:
- Damask – taking its name from the city of Damascus, the fabric was initially woven with silk threads. However, nowadays, damask jacquard can be made of cotton, linen, or even synthetic fibers. Damask is reversible and usually monochrome, but the threads used to weave it are of different thicknesses, giving the patterns a unique and refined appearance.
- Brocade – originating from China, the fabric was popularized in the West during the Byzantine Empire. This type of jacquard is usually heavier than damask, featuring slightly raised patterns and designs, and is not reversible.
- Brocatelle – the fabric is very similar to brocade, but it’s thicker and heavier, with patterns and designs in high relief creating a very luxurious and dramatic look. Just like brocade, brocatelle is not reversible.
- Matelassé – this is a woven fabric with a quilted or padded appearance due to its raised patterns. It’s generally used in bedding and home décor.
Over the years, jacquards have become a very popular element in home design, given their durability, resistance to fading, longevity, timelessness, and luxurious appearance. Today, jacquard fabrics, regardless of their type, are no longer a symbol of status reserved for the rich and powerful, so anyone can use these materials to enhance the look and feel of their interiors.
How to use jacquard fabrics in interior design
It’s more than obvious that jacquard fabrics have many unique properties that make them stand out from other types of materials, which is why they can be a great feature in every setting. So, here are a few simple tips about incorporating jacquards in your home and creating a highly appealing aesthetic.
Dress up your windows
Windows play an important role in every space, from both a functional and an ornamental perspective: they ensure proper ventilation to the home, add light, offer scenic views, and contribute to the design ensemble. If you want your windows to stand out as a beautiful décor element, dressing them up with jacquard curtains is the way to go. This is a simple and effortless way to add character and charm to any room, while also keeping the sun out and cooling your space on scorching summer days.
Give your furniture a makeover
Tired of your old furniture pieces but still not willing to invest in new items? Then you might want to consider giving your furniture a makeover by using jacquard as an upholstery fabric. Jacquard weaves are highly resistant and long-lasting materials, which makes them ideal for upholstery. What’s more, you can also purchase fire-treated jacquards to create unique furniture pieces that enhance both the design and the safety of your home.
Give your walls the luxury treatment
Change the color of your walls and you can change the entire look and feel of your home with minimum effort. But why stop at that? If you really want to breathe new life into your home and put your own personal stamp on the space, you might want to include some patterns into the equation. That’s where jacquard wall treatments come into play, featuring unique patterns that can instantly spruce up your rooms. Unlike textile wallpapers, jacquard wall coverings are infinitely more luxurious, creating striking effects and adding depth to a space.
Accessorize your home
No home décor is complete until you bring in some accessories. And by that, we don’t just mean mirrors, shelf and table items, or art pieces, but also soft furnishings. Accessories made of jacquard fabrics such as cushions, chair coverings, napkins, throws, or wall hangings are easy to integrate into your interior, regardless of the look, you’re going for.
Jacquard is without a doubt a very appealing and versatile material, which is why you can’t go wrong by including it in your design scheme. There are plenty of ways to use jacquard to either enhance certain features in your home or fix specific flaws, so feel free to give it a try.