By Jennifer Rhode
When it comes to art, textiles are often overlooked. Traditionally, textiles have served utilitarian purposes as bedding, table linens, throws or rugs. But using them as art can add warmth, dimension and interest to a home.
Maybe you’ve inherited a grandmother’s quilt or your auntie’s embroideries. Perhaps you’ve collected interesting fabrics on your travels. Consider framing or mounting these to create affordable art and meaningful elements in your décor. Here are just a few ways to liven up living spaces with textiles.
Fiber Art
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Quilts can infuse a room with color and patterns. This quilt is based on a traditional quilt design that was altered to give it modernity. The double-wedding-ring template was changed so that the interlocking circles are of varying widths. The darker fabrics of the narrower rings emphasize these different widths. Photo by Heather Knierim, HBK Photography/ hbkphotography.com
This geometric cube quilt is a twist on a traditional baby-block pattern. Bay-area fabric artist Ann Rhode chose fabrics with contrasting values to create the illusion of steps in this vibrant wall art. Photo by Heather Knierim, HBK Photography/hbkphotography.com
A block-and-sashing pattern inspired this Valentine quilt in a girl’s bedroom. Fabric artist Ann Rhode added pieced hearts in the middle of the squares and used festive, feminine fabrics. Storage baskets and a bed quilt play off the Valentine quilt’s colors. Photo by Heather Knierim, HBK Photography/ hbkphotography.com
Framing compelling textiles is a way to bring fabric art to the walls. Here, a simple acrylic black frame protects and enhances the texture and design of this unique fiber art, obtained at St. Frank in San Francisco, a source for fabrics and textiles by artisans worldwide. The graphic Senegalese hexagon-motif in the textile includes positive and negative star patterns that enliven the neutral décor and flooring in this dining room. Photo by Heather Knierim, HBK Photography/ hbkphotography.com
Fiber art can add texture and layers to a space, without visually disrupting it. This neutral hanging macramé, by Aysun and Aysel Demir of WallKnot, adds subtle interest and a comforting handmade touch to this calm, monochromatic living room. Photo by Heather Knierim, HBK Photography/ hbkphotography.com
This affordable wall weaving from Cost Plus World Market echoes this room’s neutral tones, while the yarns add exciting texture to the white palette. Photo by Heather Knierim, HBK Photography/ hbkphotography.com
Mounting this large, crocheted tabletop doily on a canvas repurposed it into wall art that combines traditional handiwork with modern presentation. Photo by Heather Knierim, HBK Photography/hbkphotography.com
A wall hanging of dyed yarns animates this living room and lends it a cozier ambience. The dip-dyed yarn piece, from Designs by Filia, evokes the mountain range that borders this Colorado home. Photo by Heather Knierim, HBK Photography/hbkphotography.com
Boulder resident and quilt artist Lynne Troup displays her fabulous handmade textiles throughout her home: on beds, walls, racks and other areas. The result? Dramatic, immediate, colorful! Photo by Weinrauch Photography.com
Contemporary installation artist Melissa Carey crafted this dynamic flowing textile artwork, which she says represents the connection between people. “Sometimes we want to isolate ourselves and hide away, but what we really need is connection,” says the Sydney, Australia, artist and workshop instructor. Carey used recycled T-shirts to create this piece. photo courtesy Melissa Carey/melissacarey.com