New Fabrics, Designs Make White Magic for Home Decor

BOISE, Idaho - Nov. 3, 2014 - PRLog -- Boise, Idaho – White looks impeccably sophisticated when interior designers use it in a magazine spread, but for many homeowners, it doesn't seem practical. It may look gorgeous in a starlet's seaside villa, but can a family room sofa in candlelight white endure years of sleepovers and movie nights? The answer is yes, according to Ethan Allen-Boise interior designers who are turning crisp, clean white into a staple year-round neutral.

Modern fabrics and finishes in white hold up better than their predecessors even under heavy use. White carpets and upholstered furniture used to be unimaginable if you had pets or kids. You shouldn't fear serving red wine or punch at parties for the sake of your sofa, and with modern fabric treatments, you don't have to. Spills bead up instead of soaking into treated fabrics, making everything from window treatments to bedding surprisingly practical in white.

Unlike older anti-stain protectants that left fabrics stiff, manufacturer-applied treatments now leave upholstery feeling the way it does in the showroom. The only way to make white stain-resistant a few years ago was to seal it with a spray, and that left fabrics brittle or hard. Think of how uncomfortable a plastic slipcover is, and you have some idea of what old anti-stain treatments used to do to upholstery. Modern treatments work by making fibers more resistant to stains and soil rather than filling in the spaces between them with plastic. Easy-care wall coverings and paints also make lighter, brighter colors part of any contemporary design vocabulary.

The new technology has sparked creativity with white. White's something many designers used to avoid for family rooms, dining room furniture that saw daily use and bedroom furniture for kids. Decorators' clients loved the clean, bright look of it but thought they couldn't have it in the house except in small doses. They no longer have to choose between style and practicality and can have the cream-colored carpet they want.

Furniture can't just look pretty; it has to be comfortable and durable too. Don't be afraid to use white in your home and live your life. You don't have to chase the dog off the sofa or keep the kids out of the living room when you upgrade to the latest fabrics and finishes.

For more information, ask your Ethan Allen Boise Interior Design Consultant or visit www.eaboisedesign.com. Call: 208.377.1111.