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Posted on: October 12, 2011

Touch Tones

Rich, inviting textures make rooms feel organic and interactive

By Cheryl V. Jackson
CTW Features

Wall wear: Leather or carved wall tiles can define a space and soften hard lines in a room's architecture. Image courtesy Studio Art

Reach out and touch. Elements of design throughout homes are calling for it.

Experts say texture (actual and implied) is big, with pillows, throws and wall tiles ramping up the feel.

The trend has moved beyond living and sleeping spaces, where soft textures were once most prevalent.

It was among those that made an impression at National Kitchen & Bath Association's 2011 design contest. One bathroom entry highlighted by NKBA achieved a textured touch using an oversized glass mosaic tiled rug set into a limestone floor to give the effect of a patterned area rug.

In that case, the quilted effect of the shower wall mirrored the trend of quilted materials in fashion.

The popularity of environmentally conscious décor is helping drive the trend, says Victor Shafor of Aviva Stanoff Design Inc., a New York household décor shop.

"We're seeing an interest in things that are recycled or repurposed. It has a more organic look," Shafor says. "People are looking for those kinds of things that are high design and look good, but still friendly to the environment."

Customers have taken an interest in imprinted textures, Shafor adds. "There's a strong response to our signature collections, which imprints real objects into velvet," he says. "That provides an interesting texture, with each being unique."

Natural fibers are another way to create varied textures, says Patricia Meidi, owner of Pehuen Designs in New York, where handmade sheep's wool poufs, throws and pillows are hot sellers.

Go green: Natural fibers like wool, cow hide and grass cloth fit environmentally conscious lifestyles and add interest to furnishings. Image courtesy Pehuen Designs

"People are looking for natural fibers," Meidi says, and Merino wool fits in that trend. "In Argentina, we use a lot of wool. It's customary for us to have these poufs made out of wool. [In the U.S.], people are looking to go back to nature right now in everything."

Texture schemes can even go wall-to-wall, thanks to products like leather or carved wall tiles, says Christina Ranvik, territory manager for Studio Art, which produces leather tiles.

Designers use the tiles to soften hard lines or to define a transition or space, she says.

"We're seeing a lot of very shiny wall coverings and textiles for the wall," Ranvik says. "Especially shiny, sparkly leather walls. I'm seeing that in a lot of rec room and a lot of basement remodels."

Animal hairs, such as spotted cow, are increasingly popular in furniture, usually used as accent pieces in areas like hallways; green, environmentally friendly natural fibers, such as grass cloth, are lining more bathroom walls, Ranvik says. Walls also are being covered with aged leather and faux leather with oil-rubbed finishes, she adds.

These textures are more often used on small walls or small pieces of accent furniture, such as in an entryway, Ranvik says.

Still, folks are opting for leather runners and rugs made to match wall coverings and bring the room together.

"People seem to be getting more opulent," she says. "They're picking an accent wall or accent piece to do something really opulent in texture or color."