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The Right Chord Corduroy takes a surprising, fashion-forward leap into home furnishings  Image courtesy of Designers Guild From runways to living rooms, there’s no denying it: Corduroy is in for 2010. Levi’s recently announced the launch of an all-corduroy line of clothing and Sure Fit, a provider of ready-made slipcovers, now uses the textured fabric for its Stretch Stripe designs. Styles from the ‘60s and ‘70s are reappearing in both clothing and home décor trends – and corduroy is no exception. “The emergence of corduroy as a popular fabric again is not surprising, since other mid-century design has made, and is making, such a strong comeback,” says Kelley Proxmire, owner of Kelley Interior Design, Bethesda, Md. “I still think of corduroy as a throwback to a retro style, but with anything that comes back in vogue again, it’s been tweaked and restyled with a modern update,” says Liz Levin, owner of Liz Levin Interiors and Liz Levin Nesting, Washington, D.C. “How you use it changes its effect dramatically. It can be dressed up and formal or relaxed and cozy.” To keep corduroy from appearing outdated, choose an unexpected shade. “The color of the corduroy will make it special in a room,” Proxmire says. “Autumnal-colored corduroy conjures up the old preppy look of tan pants and a tweed blazer in a dark green library. A hot pink, pure white or orange wide-wale corduroy could create the look of now!” Corduroy complements contemporary and rustic design schemes, Levin says. Its impact comes down to the color and the thickness of the wale, or the ribs, in the fabric. “When I think about corduroy, I first see it used in a more casual application, such as a family room or den. I also have seen corduroy in bright colors and used in ways that are quite elegant and formal,” she says. “You can have vastly different effects depending on the color of the corduroy and what kind of furniture frame you upholster with it.” To try out the look in your own home, Proxmire suggests treating the fabric much like a velvet. Use it for as upholstery, a pillow or drapery trim. Levin recommends starting out with a corduroy club chair. “A chair is a smaller dose of fabric, easy to move around and less of an investment than a sofa,” she says. If a bold color is outside of your comfort zone, opt for a neutral tone that will easily blend in with the surroundings. |
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