kotheastudio Bright and airy botanical living space, mixing velvets with a KOTHEA cashmere throw.
Bright and airy botanical living space, mixing velvets with a KOTHEA cashmere throw
Wilf curling up on our cashmere throws
KOTHEA samples of our handwoven vespa linen in ecru and meadow
KOTHEA samples of our handwoven vespa linen in ecru and meadow, wade linen in basil and this delicately drawn parakeet printed fabric from Tradescant. Fabric samples inspired by this yellow painted hut we came across on a walk in the French Alps. . . . . . . .
New colours of fine cotton velvets, suitable for contract and residential upholstery
kotheastudio New colours of our fine cotton velvets, suitable for contract and residential upholstery.
Headboard upholstered in KOTHEA fine cotton velvet
Headboard upholstered in KOTHEA fine cotton velvet, colour ‘Columbia Blue’
Usage of Linen Velvet
KOTHEA was asked what linen velvet fabric could be used for.
A: General uses. Upholstery, curtains, cushions. The 100% linen velvet we have has a Martindale / Rub Test of 20,000 so it is certainly suitbale for appropriate upholstery uses. A linen velvet offers a relatively unusual yet natural fibre for a velvet.
Maurizio Pellizzoni – Ascot Lodge
Source: Maurizio Pellizzoni | MPD London – Ascot Lodge
Nice geometric layout from Pellizzoni MPD, we particularly love the brown mohair velvet-esque fabric upholstered wide chairs (to the side) with contrasting and textured cushions.
KOTHEA have a wide range of contract and residential fabrics including many types of faux leather
Why Should You Hire Interior Designers?
Source: Why Should You Hire Interior Designers?
A fairly stark/clean interior can still give a high degree of comfort and live-ability as this spacious white faux leather-upholstered lounge shows.
KOTHEA have a wide range of contract and residential fabrics including many types of faux leather
Good and Bad upholstery faux leather-fabric – what’s the difference?
We are sometimes casually reminded that “you pay for what you get”. Buying cheaper goods obviously encounters a lower cost on day 1 but as time passes the costs of cheaper products can raise their ugly head. Surely fabric is fabric and immune from this?
Sorry, no. Fabrics vary tremendously in quality and Faux Leather is no exception. Faux leathers are synthetic and can be manufactured following several processes. Good faux leather will be influenced by:
- excellent quality raw materials,
- ensuring the precise drying time for the paste to bond together the ‘layers’
- Using the correct temperature.
Shoddily or speedily trying to manage these factors necessarily leads to a bad product. The product might look the same as another but the truth will out as the fabric starts to be used in earnest.
Differing kinds of upholstery Faux Leather will then be subject to treatments to make them suitable to the intended end use. So, for example, some have chemical stabilizers to reduce ‘fading’. If an insufficient concentration and purity of stabilizer is used then UV performance will degrade.
The quantity of material used in each layer too plays a very significant factor in cost and quality as the industry reference, Coated Textiles: Principles and Applications, notes;
Upholstery-grade cloth has a thick foam layer ranging from 360 to 480 grams per meter squared, a top layer of 180 to 360 grams per meter squared.
Cheaper faux leathers fail to meet these tolerances.
Faux leather needs the correct certification for the intended end-use. Otherwise the fabric can be flammable. A major UK retail furniture vendor was recently blasted for using cheaper, incorrectly treated faux leather upholstery fabric.
The cost of rectifying this poor quality is significant. Transport and re-upholstery costs are huge. Is it worth the risk to you as a designer or specifier?
With Faux Leather Upholstery Fabric, you really do pay for what you get.
Designer Profile: ZOË ETTER
Up-and-coming Fabric Designer, Zoë Etter, was recently commissioned by KOTHEA to update our linen ‘Alpha Boucle’ upholstery fabric for S/S 2017 to incorporate new elements for the luxury market. The muted fabric features the addition of embellished and tufted yarn in simple linear shapes which are designed for a smart, contemporary look for the home.
The refined designs are aimed at clients who want a simple, durable style that is visually effective. The soft colourways combined with the rich textures offers flexibility for a statement upholstery that is classic in style with a modern edge. Most suitable for chairs and soft furnishings, the fabrics’ 3D look is inviting, and remains comfortable whilst giving a luxurious feel.
Abstract shapes, bold lines and textures typify most of Zoë’s design work, whether it be for fashion or interiors. Photography strongly influences the start of a project and is always at the heart of her work. It is predominantly inspired by natural forms which are interpreted through mark making to create bold patterns and textures. Her most recent collection is based around neon florals for the festival-goer.
Another recent project focuses on strong monochromatic designs inspired by the Cornish coastline, which are ideal for creating a graphic look for warmth and interest in a room.
Zoë can be contacted for private commissions directly on zoe.etter@outlook.com or through zoeetter.tumblr.com
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