How to choose upholstery - EMMA SIMS HILDITCH

WANT A SOFA FABRIC AND CURTAINS THAT LOOK GREAT AND CAN WITHSTAND FAMILY LIFE? THE INTERIOR DESIGNER SHARES HER EXPERT TIPS

- ANDRÉA CHILDS

The fabric you use for upholstery can often be seen as a ‘finishing touch’, something to be considered only once the rest of your design is in place. But at her eponymous interior design company, Emma Sims Hilditch says the opposite is true. ‘We consider fabric to be an integral factor in the initial design process,’ Emma says. ‘Look around a room – it is often the soft furnishings that will define the aesthetic.’ From window dressings to sofa covers, these are the key considerations to have in mind when choosing upholstery fabrics. Plus, Emma shares the secrets of her favourite suppliers, too…

COMBINE STYLE WITH PRACTICALITY ‘One of our most frequently asked questions is how to find balance between practicality and style. We understand that no home is a show home, so we must choose fabrics that will be able to withstand daily life,’ Emma says. ‘Many of our clients with children will opt for more durable upholstery fabrics in the family rooms, and choose more delicate fabrics for formal spaces, such as the dining room. Cushions can afford to be less hardwearing, but we always recommend sofa upholstery be more structured and robust.’