You know, there are some things you think are pretty, and there are some things that just grab you. There are a few things I feel this way about. Tortoiseshell cats. Saturated blues and greens. And velvet. Something about the way it reflects light, the way it says 'TOUCH ME', just gets me every time.
Velvet was originally associated with royalty, since the process of making it was so time-intensive. The onset of the machine age has made these plush fabrics a lot more accessible, although silk velvets can still cost hundred of dollars a yard. Fortunately for us plebians, there are also cotton and synthetic versions that are a little more within reach.
Top Row:
1. This couch. This color. Spotted in Joa's Quirky Cool Maisonette (click for full tour).
2. Velvet is perfect and luxe in a modern space. Nate Berkus does it right.
3. Black velvet for maximum drama. From Elle Decor.
4. Because if you're going to go for velvet, why not go all out and go for hot pink velvet? T Magazine via SF Girl by Bay.
5. Look at how that velvet just glows. Swoon. Rue Magazine via Alison Milne.
Bottom Row:
6. If this couch were a word, that word would be FABULOUS. House Beautiful via The Peak of Chic.
7. Orange velvet on a modern couch reads 70s-chic to me. As seen in California Style.
8. I dream of lavender velvet, like in this living room from Lonny.
9. A vintage sofa in a russet velvet looks lovely against a brick wall in Lizzy's lovely Philadelphia loft (click for full tour).
10. Velvet in emerald green? Absolute perfection. (And there's one of those Lalanne sheep nosing about in the corner.) From Rue Magazine.
Can't get enough? Me neither. I love velvet so much I wrote a whole post just about blue velvet. Heather and Kristen felt the same.
(Images: as credited above)
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Love love love the Dinning room with the green velvet chairs!
Velvet is fantastic for cat owners. I reupholstered a camelback settee in apple-green velvet almost two years ago (gorgeous!!), and it has no claw marks. They can't grab hold.
I unconditionally love velvet.
Yes! I whole heartedly agree. Velvet is just so sumptuous.
My favorite piece of furniture in my house is a peacock blue velvet chair. I want one in ORANGE too!
A SUPER wide whale corduroy gets me equally worked up!
Really Molly? You're quite lucky then! I fell in love with and purchased two deep blue velvet side chairs and my kitty immediately made one of them hers. I swear I de-fur this chair so often that I worry the velvet will be threadbare within the year.
I unabashedly love velvet.
Reading this from a down filled, well-worn brown velvet chair. Best seat in the house. Nothing compares to cotton velvet. Mm.
I bought a Pottery Barn/Mitchell Gold sofa* in 1997, and THREE sets of slip covers! The Loden green velvet is divine. I change the slip covers every four months---I have butter yellow twill, and sage green twill. I love the yellow, but oh that green velvet. Yum.
*PB Basic
I just bought a sofa in teal velvet. Best decision EVER. I love curling up on it with a book.
I reviewed these comments specifically to find 'cat vs. velvet' info. Years ago I had a futon w/a velvet cover and found my cat was completely disinterested in scratching it (though he loved sleeping on it). I now have a sofa that I love, but the cats are obsessed with its nubby texture. Thanks Molly80 for confirming my suspicion- I may also borrow your apple-green idea!
Had a green velvet armchair in my room as a kid (leftover from our living room when my mother changed the furniture). Some nights I would curl up in that chair and sleep, that's how much I loved it. I'd like to have maroon or dark green velvet slipcover for my sofa. Some day when I find some spare money lying around.
SunnyBlue - I bought that same PB/MG sofa, at about the same time, in loden velvet. Along the way, mine suffered a do-or-die spill and I was forced to toss the entire slipcover in the washer. (Washing couldn't possibly have made it any worse!!) In spite of the dry clean only instructions, it washes beautifully and is even softer post-laundering.
My cats love the feeling of their claws in velvet. My lovely velvet armchair is now reupholstered in canvas after they laid open one arm and the back. They ignore low-pile fabrics as uninteresting, but anything with a bit of depth beware.
It's pretty but how long would it have taken to straighten that lampshade?
Love velvet with a passion!
I love velvet too but doesn't velvet show ware more then many other fabrics?
TXbelle---Oh crap. I've always laundered my velvet slipcovers! I miss the dry-clean instructions.
I have an emerald green velvet sofa, and it really does hold up well to cats, if you don't mind constantly removing fur. I still think microfiber is the best choice with cats (but, I know, yuck). Ours isn't a slipcover, but we have kids and cats, and it spot cleans well.