apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

OK, so this isn't a decorating dilemma per se, but rather a business question related to opening an online shop catering to people looking for nice fabric FOR decorating. Similar to Repro Depot, Purl Soho etc. However I am based in Canada, where it seems that all the fabric sites are totally grandma (not that I don't love grandma, just not her fabric choices).

So I'd love to get some input from this saavy community, here are my questions, plus I would be ever grateful for any other advice/comments/ideas for this online store:

-Have you ever bought fabric from an online fabric store?
-What price (on average) would you like to pay for 100% cotton plain weave fabric? Cotton heavyweight upholstery fabric?
-Any pet peeves about current sites/things I should avoid?
-Do you care about designer names (ie. the wonderful Amy Butler, Marimekko, etc) or are you just looking for beautiful fabrics.
-How often do you expect to see new fabrics put up?
-Should I do overseas shipping, or just stick to Canada and the US?

OK I think that's enough questions, don't want to take over. Thanks in advance for any advice you guys come up with!

i only ordered fabric online from here

http://www.fashionfabricsclub.com

and its usually for dupioni fabric.

The rest i get from my job.

I don't really look at designer fabric per say , but i do find myself gravitating towards them.


im very pleased with with the link above. i have been ordering from them for 3 years and no complaints.

what is the project your working on?

Google Trends provides an interesting comparison of searches for discount fabric versus designer fabric. Apparently more people are looking for online bargains than for cool stuff, but the number of people looking for designer fabric is still pretty sizable and converging with the number of bargain-hunters. That'd be a reason to stock at least some designer names.

You can try searching for fabric with specific designers, but there may not be enough searches to give Trends results.

I'm short (5'1") and most furniture is horribly uncomfortable for me because the seat depth is longer than my upper leg (meaning I use a bunch of cushions between my back and the sofa back or spending most of my time sitting cross-legged)

I'm starting to look into an office chair, and, longer term, sofas.

Anyone have suggestions for companies to look into that cater to people on the short end of the bellcurve?

opal...i do..but then it will sound like im pimping out the company i work for.

But as i sit in my very comfy Life Chair ( and the occasional Chadwick) ...i have to say..its better than sitting in an office chair bought from office max or something like that.

Angie,

I think it would be a great idea if you could stock designer fabric that is only normally "to the trade". Like John Robshaws or Madeline Weinreb's stuff.

It really agrivates me that all the stuff you see in the mags and on blogs is to the trade and you have to do backflips just to buy it.

Wondering what everyones opinion is on this.....

I've just purchased a condo and am preparing to do an enitre kitchen remodel. The floor plan of the condo is really open; the living/dining room is on large L and the kitchen is a small U across from the dining area. I feel like when we redo the kitchen we should carry the same flooring that will be in the living/dining into the kitchen, which would be hardwood (or laminate, haven't decided yet). Several others, including my boyfriend, think the a kitchen should have tile (just because it's a kitchen). My felling about having a different flooring in the kitchen is that it will cut it off from the rest of the space and emphasize how small it is. What does everyone else think?

This is a good question for me right now. I made drapes for my apartment from fabric that I thought was going to look really great. It turns out it was not the best answer. What I need is a light weight woven fabric in a neutral solid color with some texture to it. All of this at an affordable price. To buy on line, it has to be priced competitively (shipping cost included) with what I can find here in the city. Thus far I have not found anything at any cost point similar to what I think I need.

Hi Opal -- I'm 5'1" too, and have the same problem. I did not know until I walked into a DWR a couple months ago, that Herman Miller Aeron chairs actually come in three sizes. I'd sat on the traditional "B" size before and didn't find it that great. But then when I spotted the "A" size and sat on it, it was soooo comfortable. I was really tempted to get one but still think they're too expensive. You might be able to find one on eBay though.

As far as sofas go, I've given up. My boyfriend is 6'5" and I figured it's probably better to have something oversized that's comfortable for him, that I can just flop into and lie down on as opposed to actually sitting upright. Throw pillows, my friend, throw pillows. I did find a nice mid-century chair off someone on Craigslist that has a smaller seat pan and is closer to the floor. That works well for me. Maybe look for something vintage, when they made furniture for people who had a shorter average height than people do today?

vertigo,

i have hardwoods in my kitchen and i LOVE them. gorgeous cherry! (we used to have vinyl UGH and the transition from floor to floor felt kinda ugly)

i think a continuous floor would bring such a flow to any space... do it. enjoy it. it's awesome!

peripatetic19 - your story reminds me of Goldilocks and the 3 bears

thanks everyone else for the fabric tips, very helpful so far, keep 'em coming!

RE the drapes fabric: My site is probably going to focus more on printed fabric, since I find that solid fabrics are SO hard to get a good idea of from online pics. They just don't really scan all that well. I'm going to focus more on gorgeous retro-y prints in great colour combos. I work in the fashion industry and have wholesale access to a lot of great fabrics that are more fashion forward.

RE your drapes dilemma: I just made some drapes for a friend of mine last week of a solid natural coloured cotton with a nice texture (we call it the "gods eye" fabric, since the texture is like those gods eye things from camp, but mini) We got it at a fabric store here in Mtl for $3.99/yd, I think for this kind of thing online is not the answer, best to try to find some sort of discount fabric place where the owners think fabulous fabric MUST have metallic plasticy prints on it, they think that the beautiful subtle neutrals are boring and therefore should be cheap. This is my experience at least.

vertigo,
if it's an open floor plan, the same floor throughout would be nice. The less you break up the space the better. However, I would advise against using laminate flooring. You can get away with it in the living areas but you are taking a big chance in the kitchen. Laminate will absorb water, the finish will come off and the wood will be ruined. I wouldn't even recommend it if you have a dog that may have an accident once in a great while. I've seen a lot of this flooring in dumpsters because of mopping accidents, scratches, etc.

Go for real hard wood or bamboo with a proper finish if that's the look you are shooting for or a nice tile throughout. I think people are hesitant to use tile but it can be very elegant and it's durable and easy to clean. Some nice area rugs can really warm up a tile floor as well.

Vertigo--

A second vote for the same flooring throughout.

If you can't sway him, then at least make sure the color and value (how dark it is) of the tile is as similar to the rest of the flooring for the best visual flow.

P2:
I'm curious if you have additional advice on keeping the color and value of the floor the same? I also have an open plan kitchen, and right now it has hideous vinyl tile. The rest of my apartment had oak parquet flooring, and I have been thinking of replacing just the kitchen floor.

I worry that if I keep the same color and value that the kitchen flooring will just seem mis-matched with the rest of the apartment. I was thinking it would be safer to go with some purposeful contrast.

Is there any way to tag articles on AT so you can come back to them later? I mean a way other than putting on them as Favorite page in IE.

That should read " I mean a way other than putting them on as Favorite page in IE".

You can use free Primo PDF and save them that way. I used to save as html files but you lose photos that way.

Angie, Re: online fabric

I purchase MOST of my fabrics online and many of the notions I need as well. There is almost nothing I want at the local big chain stores. Over time I've developed the attitude that buying fabric is an adventure!! so I try to be flexible about what actually shows up. I've had terrific luck and especially recommend several sites: emmaonesock.com, gorgeousthings.com, offer beautiful designer fabrics and there are many, many more out there. I really suggest you thoroughly research shipping issues: what it will cost as well as time lines. Good luck on your future venture!

Anyone know where I can buy an old wooden card catalogue?

Alice -

Thanks for the tips, and I will definitely check out the sites you listed! I'm a big believer in doing LOTS of research before jumping into a new business venture, and shipping costs/details are at the top of my list. I think unclear shipping info is the biggest disuasion when people are purchasing items online.

Mason: Have you looked at muslin fabric? It seems to fit your description of what you're looking for plus it's quite affordable.

Thanks for the recommendations bellaknollie and peripatetic19 :)
I guess I'd better start haunting antique stores in the area until something decent-sized shows up for living room furniture!

Angie,

I think it's a great idea and I hope it works out. Funny thing is that I actually know you (I'm a friend of David's, of the Davids actually) and I've been to your shop a couple of times and I thought it was really funny that I recognized you on AT.

Good luck with your online venture.