Home Decoration Tips No. 1: The Joys of Creative Fringing

Author’s Note: This is humor, OK? Give it a shot. But, if you have no pets, it won’t make any sense to you, so don’t bother.

No one who appreciates the decorative arts can ignore the contributions made by the addition of a fringed border to textiles. Fringe, coming originally as a means to expel water from rain-sodden garments, grew in popularity over the centuries, until it reached its current status as a recognized, value-adding decorative addition. In most cases, fringed trim is applied to garment borders and to floor covering and wall hangings, but why should it stop there? We’ve remarked upon its use in clever lampshade designs for the Holidays and for creative automotive interior windshield treatments, but we thought that there must be other areas of home décor where fringe would add a touch of sophisticated whimsy.

We were absolutely right. Adding a fringe element to each and every single item of upholstered furniture in your home makes a statement about you unlike any other. But it can’t be simply applied slap-dash, with little thought given to the methods used. No, fringing requires the skills of experts who understand how each type of upholstery fabric requires a distinctive approach to reach the most flattering, decorative results.

After searching for some time for the very best fringers, we can finally now share our findings with other home owners.

Ours work in a tightly integrated team of three skilled individuals, each producing one component of the complete job with unmistakable focus and  dedication. The full effect takes some time to build up, pass after pass, with just the right, carefully sharpened tools, weaving the loose fringed elements into a carefully considered mélange of design, color and texture.

It may look expensive, but, allowing the proper time for completion – in our case, just over a year – makes it much more affordable in easy installments. We found our three experts at a local shelter for kittens, but we’re sure that if you’re very careful and commit to doing the research, you can find equally qualified experts of your own that can add the wonderful touches of fringe to everything you own. They’ll make your home a joy to live in and especially a wonder for guests to marvel over.

Update: This morning, my wife found the following, jotted on a carefully shredded napkin in our kitchen. We had just completed clearing our livingroom for new upholstered furniture. We believe it was penned by Malachy, the most literary of our feline designers…

First my tree, and now this shit.
Some chuckleheads carried my couch away,
so now there is no place to play.
Or even sit.
The room is just an open pit.

Now they’re painting the walls.
Oh, this is fun!
The color of my stripes.
The darker ones.

Soon there will be a brand new couch
where we can play, and sleep, and crouch.
And join the decorating binge.
That sofa’s gonna need some FRINGE!

Updated Update!

More poetry has turned up, stuck between the cushions of the new furniture. We believe it is more of Malachy’s work…

They won’t admit it,
but it’s plain to see,
they chose the colors based on me.

Behr’s Copper Moon and Antique Lace
are the hues upon my luminous face.

And Cheeto’s stripes match this whole space.

Ramon brought the couch through snow and ice.
It doesn’t match anything,
but it’s still nice.

I started the fringe,
but Mom yelled, NO!
Tonight I’ll give it another go.

We ginger cats belong in here.
But we’re not alone, it’s pretty clear.
We don’t rule this cozy shack.
All the accessories are black.

Scroll down for the detail images…

This oblique angle shows how the delicate fringing technique enhances corduroy upholstery.

Closer in, the pleasing contrast of texture and individual strands becomes more apparent.

Here, the technique applied to a coarser, more nubby fabric is utilized for a whimsical touch.

In this pairing with cotton chintze, the variations express the nuance of the fringers approaches.

The lighter fabrics invite a more textural approach, leading to unexpected delights such as this corner treatment.

And of course, there are times when creative texturing can lead to unexpected additional storage areas such as this cannily worked storage pocket. Your imagination is the only limit to the variations that can be applied.

Next Time: Beach Side Living on a Budget… you don’t need waterfront property to enjoy the feeling of sand in your shoes.