Scatterlings of Africa
20 Nov 2008
They are comfortable to use and beautiful to look at, functional and aesthetically pleasing – from über contemporary to traditionally rustic; scatter cushions are the staple of every well-dressed interior composition.
Carefully selected and correctly placed scatter cushions can truly make an entire setting and give it the necessary finishing touches it needs. They can be used throughout the home – from the bedroom, to the lounge and even the patio – lifting these areas and complementing the furniture to complete the picture.
Adding colour
Not many people are that adventurous when it comes to the inclusion of colour into their homes. Many people are fearful of not getting the colour mix right, and instead of creating the "arty" look they were going for, ending up with a garish nightmare of a colour palette that they have to live with. And it is true, getting the right mix of colours is a finely tuned art. For colour novices, scatter cushion act as the ideal means of introducing colour into a room – you can keep the walls and furniture in neutral shades and liven up the composition by the inclusion of brightly coloured scatter cushions that will complement and freshen up the decor scheme.
Adding texture
Scatter cushions are also the ideal means of adding texture to an interior design. They are exceptionally adaptable and can literally be made from almost anything – from recycled plastic packets, to cowhide, soft ostrich leather, faux fur or the plushest of fabrics or even vinyl. When it comes to these decor accents, the sky is literally the limit with regards to which materials you can use. Also apart from the material used to create them, they can be decorated with a plethora of interesting and appealing accents and jewellery – from hand-crafted ostrich shell beads, to ornate Swarovski crystals, plastic or wooden beads, sequins, felt cut-outs, hand-woven raffia inserts, to buttons, and the list goes on.
Easy to change
Apart from their functional uses and their attractive aesthetic contributions, probably the most sought after quality that scatter cushions offer, is the fact that they can be changed and replaced easily and relatively inexpensively. This makes them the perfect means of bringing in the hottest and latest trends and decor fads, which will most likely date rather quickly, but are never the less, fun and exciting additions to any interior.
Easy to make
Scatter cushions are very easy to make and an ideal DIY project for any interior design enthusiast with a bit of time on their hands. The first step to making your own scatter cushions is choosing the right fabric. Choosing your fabric will largely be dictated by whether the cushion is going to be for practical or purely decorative purposes. It is also important to consider the following:
• Is the colour, texture and pattern right for the style, size and shape of the cushion?
• Is the weight and texture of the material right for the job the cushion is intended for? For example, if it is going to be used as a floor cushion, 
the weight of the material should be a lot heavier than the scatter cushions for your bed. Heavier weighted materials are also a better option for outdoor applications.
• Be cautious when choosing heavily beaded materials for children's rooms and nurseries, as the beads or ornaments can come off, and possibly choke small children.
• Make sure the fabric is pre-washed and ask yourself if it will wear, wash and dry clean well.
• If you are sewing or quilting different fabrics together, be sure that they will wear and wash in the same way.
Another important consideration when making your own scatter cushions, is choosing the correct filling, which will ultimately ensure its longevity:
• For cushions that are going to be used as seating pads, use a sturdy foam, which is available in different weights and densities.
• For exterior applications, polyester and stockinet is the obvious choice.
• Feathers and fibre are superlative choices for any upholstery jobs. – Antonella Dési
Related articles
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- Sideattraction 3
- Weylandts
For more information contact
click here to visit the Sideattraction 3 website.
For more information contact
click here to visit the Weylandts website.
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