8 Wonderful Ways to Splurge With Silk
Treasured for its luster and elegance, this fabric far outshines its imitators in all kinds of uses around the home
I'm a Houzz Contributor and Atlanta designer (http://culpeppercarpets.com) who's designed residential and commercial projects for 30 years. I also host a design radio show in Atlanta, instruct design classes at Emory University and teach kitchen design classes for the Greater Atlanta Home Building Association.
I'm a Houzz Contributor and Atlanta designer (http://culpeppercarpets.com)... More »
| Share: |
|
Silk's origins make for an enchanting history. As the story goes, a Chinese empress was sipping tea under a mulberry tree when a silkworm's cocoon fell into her cup and began to unravel into a beautiful shimmering thread. Since then the Chinese have used silk fabric for clothing, arts and decor.
The fabric has become a staple in the home for lampshades, rugs, draperies, upholstery, wallpaper, art, pillows and much more. The intensive production process makes this a treasured and expensive textile, although it has come down in price over the years. Today most silk averages $25 to $45 per yard.
See if any of these wonderful examples of silk in today's homes would work for you.
The fabric has become a staple in the home for lampshades, rugs, draperies, upholstery, wallpaper, art, pillows and much more. The intensive production process makes this a treasured and expensive textile, although it has come down in price over the years. Today most silk averages $25 to $45 per yard.
See if any of these wonderful examples of silk in today's homes would work for you.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Wall coverings. Silk wall coverings add elegance to any room — and often fall into the ecofriendly category as well. Wolf Gordon's silk is antimicrobial, antibacterial and rapidly renewable, plus it has a low carbon footprint and contains recycled content.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Window treatments. The look of silk window treatments cannot be duplicated by imitation silks. To achieve the luxurious effect shown here, the draperies need to be lined with flannel. There are several reasons for lining: The draperies look better and hang fuller, with a magnificent, rich and abundant look; the lining protects the silk from the sun, making it last longer; and lining also provides a good insulation layer.
See more about drapery linings
See more about drapery linings
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Lighting. A silk shade gives this ceiling light a lovely glow. Pure silk shades are obviously much more expensive than synthetic ones, but they add a layer of richness. |
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Rugs. When silk is woven into a wool rug, its unique sheen contrasts beautifully with the wool and gives the rug a soft hand. Silk's prism-like fibers reflect light at multiple angles.
Upholstery. Historically, French bergére chairs were upholstered in silk. Silk can be delicate, so you may want to have a backing applied when using it for upholstery. Silk also stains easily, so don't use it in eating spaces or heavily used areas.
by Tara Seawright
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Silk velvet. Silk thread woven into velvet was once so expensive, only royalty could afford it. It is still expensive today, averaging $200 per yard. Silk velvet has a lovely soft drape and a shimmering surface. The fabric is so soft that the nap crushes easily, leaving a mark or impression — a feature that identifies the velvet as being made of silk. For this reason, never iron silk velvet, as it will crush the fibers and leave an imprint that often cannot be removed.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Art. Silk's jewel-like appearance works well for art and tapestries. Avoid hanging silk art where the sun will hit it, because it will fade. For framing silk, use museum glass to preserve the silk best.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Pillows. Silk has a luxurious, sensual feel that makes it a great fabric for pillows in the living area or bedroom. It can be washed in cold water and air dried, but it will fade, so dry cleaning is recommended. Some fabric protectant sprays will prevent soil and stain penetration, but be sure to test the spray on an inconspicuous area first. Tell us: How do you use silk in your home decor? |
Comments
krissyb92603 Love silk wallpaper! The first photo in charcoal gray is beyond gorgeous! Also, love the Fortuny fixture in the third picture (now to find somewhere in my house to put a fabulous light fixture like that!).
7 months ago · Like
· 
1
1
Culpepper Carpets & Interiors, Inc. How about a bedroom, how romantic!
7 months ago · Like
franki7 For pops of color you can't go wrong with silk pillows!!! franki
7 months ago · Like
Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel I bought a sari, thinking I'd make a dress, but instead it's adorning my bed. Sun is the enemy of silk, leather, art, just about everything. I use shades during the hours the sun slants into my rooms, so it can't eat my stuff.
6 months ago · Like
Beth Surdut As a seasoned professional silk painter, textile and architectural glass designer, I think the lustrous colors of fiber reactive dyes on silk create uniquely beautiful focal points. 
6 months ago · Like
Stas Skripnikoff seems to me the third photo features a pendant light by Archeo Venice Design
6 months ago · Like
frenchdecor I love and use silk everywhere I can. The most amazing thing our puppy (now 2 y. old golden retriever) didn't mess up with paddled silk drapperies, unbelievable but true, we call him aristocrat for that. I have never did dry cleaning, I am environmentalist (domestic). My daughter brought from trip to India quilt and cushions, embroidered raw silk, so I asked around Indian women how to wash them (I was sure there is a way to wash it, as silk exists for centuries and dry cleaning relatively new invention) and got detaled instruction how to wash it with baby shampoo and table dry. I enjoy the most to make art with leftover pieces, simple and beautiful.
6 months ago · Like
· 2
2
Studio NOO Design Love, love silk, especially for curtains or pillows...embroidered silk is timeless !
by Studio NOO Design
by Studio NOO Design
Custom design cushions/silkby Studio NOO Design
by Studio NOO Design
Old house - 18856 months ago · Like
· 2
2
A. Peltier Interiors The silk wallpaper is amazing, I only need to wait another 20 years to get it. My kids will be gone by then!
6 months ago · Like
· 1
1
Culpepper Carpets & Interiors, Inc. Thank you all for commenting. It is a Fortuny/Venice lamp in the third photo. @ Laurel, the Sari idea is wonderful and creative. Franki & Noo the pillows are an elegant accent in any home.French Decor, thank you for the baby shampoo tip!
6 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Nov. 2, 2012.
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
View over a million photos:
Find Local Pros by Category:
Architects & Designers · Carpet and Flooring · Closet & Home Storage Designers · Design-build Firms · Fireplaces · General Contractors · Home Media Design & Installation · Interior Designers & Decorators · Kitchen & Bath Designers · Landscape Architects & Designers · Landscape Contractors · Specialty Contractors · Tile, Stone & Countertops
Find Local Pros by Metro Area:
Atlanta · Austin · Baltimore · Boston · Chicago · Dallas · Dc Metro · Denver · Detroit · Hawaii · Houston · Las Vegas · Los Angeles · Miami · Minneapolis · Nashville · New Orleans · New York · Philadelphia · Phoenix · Portland · Salt Lake City · San Diego · San Francisco · Seattle · St Louis
