I was watching Sarah Richardson (Sarah 101) the other night (thanks DVR) and she mentioned that at the end of a makeover she has usually used around 10-14 fabric textiles in each room that she does.
And as the title of this post suggests, it totally surprised me. Doesn’t that sound like a lot? Of course she’s an expert when it comes to layering prints and patterns, but I couldn’t imagine a “regular Joe” going into a fabric store and walking out with 10-14 swatches that they were going to combine. But then I realized that she was counting the upholstery fabric on chairs and sofas and headboards along with curtains and a ton of accent pillows. So while vegging in the living room at 11pm while watching that very show, I looked around and counted all of the fabrics going on…
Karl The Sectional’s dark gray fabric (he’s from Ikea) = 1
The faux leather seat of our desk chair (from Target four years ago) = 2
The curtains (from Ikea in April) = 3
The linen-like fabric on the ottoman (from Marshall’s) = 4
The faux sheepskin draped over the ottoman (from Ikea last year) = 5
The green zebra pillows (from West Elm about a month ago) = 6
The printed pillows that I tea stained (from this etsy shop) = 7
The textured felt pillows (from Crate & Barrel last year) = 8
The branch pillow (from Ikea a while ago) = 9
The faux cow pillow (from Ikea a while ago) = 10
The shag mohair pillow (from Target a few months back) = 11
The soft champagne-y metallic pillows (from Bed Bath & Beyond years ago) = 12
Twelve! Who knew? Granted a lot of those fabrics are more tone on tone/textured than brightly patterned (thanks to the colorful rug and art going on). But it’s really interesting to think that we sort of subconsciously mixed all those materials together (although we didn’t exactly have things upholstered and tailored for us a la Sarah Richardson).
So it got me wondering how many fabrics you guys have going on in your living space. Is it in that 10-14 range? Way lower? Way higher? For some strange reason I’m dying to know how things stack up at everyone else’s house.
Tell me, tell me! Also, doesn’t Sarah have awesome blazers and what appears to be very glossy and perfect hair? The woman has style for days.
Natalie Justice says
I also saw this episode (I believe it was the episode where she did a nursery) and I was baffled at how she uses so many patterns and textures. I need Sara to come to my house and help me pick out patterns and textures since I am a little nervous to do it myself.
barb says
Do I get to count each dog bed, blanket in dog bed, multitude of soft (half-chewed) toys in dog bed…..
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- if they’re fabric I think they count!
xo,
s
Melissa says
I love the way she mixes fabrics. I only have 6 right now, but I love texture, so I plan to add more. I have a faux fur pillow that’s my fave and want to add some more textured pillows and throws. I love the ones you have, I’m going for a similar look.
Molly says
Of anything Sarah, I want her hair. It’s always perfect and turned in and cute and I hate her but secretly want to be her.
My living room has 6 including the fabric school map, but I just realized I only chose 3 of them. (The throw pillows, quilt, and top curtains were all gifts from my mother and mother in law that I feel compelled to display at all times in case they come over… the couch, map, and white breezy under-curtains are mine). I need more!!
On a totally different topic, is there a way to be email notified (sp?) if someone comments on a comment? I feel so silly scrolling through pages and pages of comments to see if you guys said something or someone else said something…
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry! We tried to add that capability and our site crashed. Just can’t figure out how to do it yet, but it’s on the list! It does help to see what page your comment is on and then you only have to click back to that page (it won’t move pages, more pages will just be added on behind it if that makes sense). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jen_nifer says
I just want to second Molly. If you can ever figure out a way to let us be notified of a follow-up comment without crashing the site it would be super-duper!
YoungHouseLove says
We’ll definitely keep trying for ya!
xo,
s
Jen F says
I love the little stars and want to have the energy to put that much detail into one sweet closet…but for now, it will have to wait!
Karen says
My total is 8 and I’m not happy with it. I’ve been mentioning (read whining) that I need to switch up my pillows and introduce a fabulous throw. I LOVE the mix of textural and printed pillows that you have!
Taylor @ TheProposalEnthusiast says
Sarah is my design crush. I wish I could have her do my whole house!
Couple A Saving says
I have a question. Out of all the pillows you have on your chouch. How many are decoration pillows and how many are usable pillows. When you lay down at night to watch tv how many are comfortable and dont flatten when you put your head on it. I spent a lot of money on Pottery Barn pillows and have come to find that they are really only for decoration. They are so flat and hard to fluff up now. Where do you find your durable usable pillows?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
At night once Clara is asleep, we sink into Karl, where we usually watch something weirdly morbid that we love (like Dexter, True Blood, or The Walking Dead – what’s wrong with us?) and all those pillows actually come in handy for things like: back support, reclining, keeping our laptops from burning our legs, tossing at each other when someone falls asleep, and squeezing during suspenseful/scary parts. Ah pillows, such useful items. I’d guess we use 80% of them every evening (sometimes we’ll lay in such a way that we actually wish we had more- we’re crazy though). Most of them are from places like Ikea, Bed Bath & Beyond, and places like West Elm or Crate & Barrel on clearance. Oh and Etsy!
xo,
s
Victoria Robinson says
One thing that I like to do with all my client’s (and my own)
pillows is to make a little dacron batting “jacket” for the feather
insert. Usually this means making the cover just a tad bigger so overall
the pillow doesn’t end up looking like a stuffed sausage. The
beauty of a dacron wrapped feather pillow is that you get the
firm/support of the poly, and the softness of the feather –
you’ll be in heaven!!
-Victoria
Katherine says
Sarah is our very own Canadian (Toronto) girl… and SO talented. She is notorious for layering fabrics and colours and textures, and it always looks incredible.
Sarah’s blazers are from Smythe (Canadian Designers)- These young designers are another great success story. I love there designs (and so does the Duchess of Cambridge).
Paige says
$herdog, what if Sarah reads all of these comments and decides she needs to collaborate with you guys?
YoungHouseLove says
I. Would. Die.
But I’m sure she’s far too busy making amazing rooms! Haha. I wonder when that lady sleeps!
xo,
s
Val says
I totally thought you were going to make Burger #13, hee. I was also surprised when she said that and set to counting. Sure enough, I got to 12, thanks to some pillow sewing. I counted my areas rug since it is a pattern. Sara’s pillows kill me–I really wish I could do piping!
LauraC says
What about your rug? I counted our rug (got 9). And I didn’t read the last 150+ comments to see if you already answered this (sorry).
YoungHouseLove says
I thought since she said “fabric textile” that a rug might be stretching (it’s definitely a textile, but I don’t know if it’s a fabric).
xo,
s
LauraC says
Yeah, now that I’m not in a hurry, I took the time to read the first page of comments and immediately saw my question and your earlier answer. Sorry. But you are sweet like that and answered anyway.
YoungHouseLove says
No worries! Glad you found it!
xo
s
Iomay says
I love old Sarah’s House episodes from when she was preggo! Girl can make anything look good! I had fun counting up different fabrics and a different reader made the comment that it made her want more, ditto! I’ll have the hubs thank you later! Ha :)
Rachel says
Wow, that is crazy. Sarah is the queen of layering fabrics.
I currently have 7 in my living room. But that is because the couch, chair, and ottoman are all the same leather and I haven’t added window treatments yet.
Erin says
I LOVE Sarah, and Tommy cracks me up on all her shows. If I could choose any designer to decorate my future home, it would hands-down be her! Then, I would take her shopping to help me with my wardrobe ;)
Anna says
Well that took a bit of counting! We have a navy couch, a mustard velvet sofa, some black and white Moroccan printed armchairs, four different cushion styles, two difference fabrics on the dining chairs, curtains, rugs…the list goes on. I’m obviously a bit of a fabric fiend! I think I could supply Sarah Richardson with fabric for a year out of my fabric cupboards (of which there are two filled to the brim). I can’t help myself!
Kristin says
Nine in my living room right now (couch, rug, bench, ottoman, curtains, fleece blanket, pillows), but I have 3 pieces of fabric in the queue at my sewing machine, waiting to become pillow covers for that room. So once I get my butt in gear, I’ll be right on target! (At least in that one room. No others come close.)
Maria Bluhm says
I’m so glad you posted something on Sarah! I love, love, love her! My sister and I always talk about her very cute blazers too. I have 8 different fabrics/textiles, I plan on adding some fun textured pillows to the mix though
I love your blog! You guys inspire me all the time!
Zoe says
I counted at least 15 (and that’s just that I can picture in my head as I sit here at work). Yep, those throw blankets and cushions add up! And it helps that I have a ladder leaning against the wall with a selection of blankets over the rungs for comfort in the colder months!
Kate says
Tough call in our house, since we have tons of fabric wall hangings. Do those count?
YoungHouseLove says
I definitely think those count!
xo,
s
Kristin Lea says
Sarah Richardson is my favorite designer, I have learned so much about design and mixing fabrics. I can’t get enough of her. It’s funny you posted this, b/c when she said that about the fabrics, I paused it and instantly started counting all the different types of fabric in every room. I average about 10-12per room.
Linsay says
LOVE Sarah! She’s a lovely person, I’ve had the fortune of meeting her (I live in Toronto, not too far from her awesome studio that she happens to share with her also very stylish hubby). you should connect with Sarah and do a Canadian themed something-or-other on your blog! :)
YoungHouseLove says
I think if we somehow “connected” my head would explode. Haha. I’m happy to admire her from afar so as not to scare her with my dorky obsession/admiration.
xo,
s
Victoria Robinson says
I LOVE textiles (I work part time in a fabulous interior fabric store)
and I actually forgot to count the fabrics in my throw quilt when I
counted, so instead of the 13-16 range that I clicked for your poll,
I am actually WAY into the 17+ range!
I reupholstered a crazy old $15 goodwill find in 3 different fabrics,
and am planning on doing its mate in a coordinating yet different 3-fabric scheme! (you can see the first chair here: http://mrsrobinsonpresents.blogspot.com/2011/03/before-and-after.html)
Love your blog! And thanks for all the DIY inspiration!
-Victoria
Mosie KP says
I love Sarah too and watch all her shows, but to tell the truth, when she does country or rustic, I think she goes a little overboard with color and pattern…..some of her rooms are kind of busy and if you throw in any of the normal clutter of everyday life, they might be a bit hard to live in….I like it best when she does traditional/contemporary and keeps her colors light. It doesn’t seem fair that she has all that talent and the fabulous hair too, but that’s how it goes.
Great website!!!!
Christine says
I agree that Burger is Textile #13! I just saw him in the new BHG special makeover issue. They used a photo of your den at your “former” home. I was paging through it in the grocery store and said, “hey, there’s Burger!” He gets around.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so crazy! Burger’s famous! Thanks for the heads up. Haha.
xo,
s
Rachel G. says
Hey there! Perhaps someone already mentioned this in a comment, but it is 11:00 p.m., the baby is finally sleeping, and I’m to lazy…errr…tired to check the other comments, anyways, doesn’t your awesome green rug count as a textile too?!?
YoungHouseLove says
I wasn’t sure if I should count it since she said “fabric textile” so I took that to mean upholstery and pillows and curtains and stuff only. Not 100% sure though!
xo,
s
Kylie says
I only count 7 in the living room, plus the area rug that’s on the way. Guess it’s time to make more pillows!
Erin says
Totally impressed with us having 8 (+ our carpet, which would make 9). Not bad for a tiny apartment living room with one couch!
Erin says
I’m saying we have 10 in our living room. But i’m counting two throw blankets, that are each permanent features that drape over the chair and couch, so I hope those count! I love having so many prints of throw pillows!
Carissa says
Definitely have WAY less than 12 different fabrics in my living area. Looks like I’ll have some catching up to do!
Also, not a big fan of Sarah’s hair. But I LOVE the blazers and style.
Penny says
I had the same reaction when she said how many textiles she used! What did you think of the loft she and Tommy did? I think my favorite so far on S101 was the blue and orange nursery & the pink living/dining room. She definitely inspires me to try to use more patterns!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah I think that quote was from the blue and orange nursery episode! I actually have a few episodes still sitting on my DVR to watch them (I’m terribly behind on TV, possibly from things like clothespin clipping and potato stamping, haha).
xo,
s
Nick Klaus says
In living room mode, I have:
Flor rug (1)
Leather chair (2)
Ikea sofa with matching pillows (3)
Accent pillows, also ikea (4)
In bedroom mode, 1 and 2 stay the same
sheets with matching pillows (3)
Duvet (4)
body pillow I sometimes use (5)
For the amount of space I have, I think that’s enough patterns.
Lynn van Slyke says
Did you count the green rug?
Right now with we have 6, throw blanket and pillows and the sofa. And I am always on the look out for more =)
YoungHouseLove says
I didn’t count the rug since she said “fabric textiles” (so I thought she just meant upholstery and curtains and accent fabric). Not 100% sure that’s what she meant though!
xo,
s
Kelly Queen says
Sherry, when I was at Ikea in their fabric/textiles department, I stumbled upon a darling hard cover book called “Love for Textiles.” It’s full of photo’s and DIY projects specific to textiles. It only cost $9.99, and it’s something that sits on my coffee table to be perused through for inspiration on a regular basis. You should check it out – it’s right up your alley! In case: the item # is 401.966.51. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip Kelly! It sounds fun!
xo,
s
Samantha says
We keep it simple. We have 3. I don’t like having a lot of pillows and we don’t have any space for extra chairs or ottomans. 3 it is!
Sandy says
Was that pre baby or post baby pic? She had her house redone for the baby…a LOT of white! Beautifully done.
Btw, have you done a DIY duvet? I saw the ronan duvet on pinterest and thought about making one “myself.” (myself = my mom). Let me know if you see any navy and white fabric large enough!
YoungHouseLove says
I think it was post baby. As for making a duvet, you’re right about the challenge of finding fabric large enough. My only idea would be to make one with a king sized flat sheet (well, two of them, one in white for the back). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Victoria Robinson says
its not hard to make a duvet out of regular sized fabric – you’ll just have to add a few extra seams down the middle. Typically you will use a full width for the middle section, and half a width each for the side sections. The to cut down on sewing I will usually pair with a flat sheet for the back!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh that makes sense! Thanks for the tip.
xo,
s
sophie says
our living room is upside down right now because of renovations, so I chose our bedroom. and then promptly ended with over 100 because of our patchwork quilt. hah.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s one way to get up there.
xo,
s
Katied says
this is random, but…i had a dream that I hungout with John and Sherry and they gave me a tour of their house. I think I’ve been reading too much YHL??
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love it!
xo,
s
Maureen says
Hi! Just wanted to leave a few comments. :) First, I love your blog. I have just found it and I am already addicted. You have such great taste and great ideas! My husband and I are very eco-conscious and I re-purpose anything I can, so seeing how you do things is a HUGE inspiration to me. I told my husband to get ready for a whole house transformation because now with the help of your site, we don’t have to spend so much money. We have a 1956 Cape Cod home and while the previous owners did a lot of updating, we need to get the decor right.
Secondly, Sherry, you remind me of Rachel McAdams from the Notebook. LOVE that movie.
Third, I am team Eric also. So is my husband. LOL We love True Blood, and I have a bit of a crush on Mr. Skarsgard.
Ok, well just wanted to tell you how great your site is, how inspiring you both are. I may have to blog the progress we make on our own house!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw you’re sweet. Thanks for the love! Right back atcha.
xo,
s
Beth says
I like watching her show just for the entertainment, but it does nothing for me in terms of inspiration. Her designs are WAAAAAY too matchy for me, and most of the things she buys are insanely expensive.
Amy E. says
we only have 5, unless i count the 3 baby blankets laying on the couch right now. since they’ve been there for months, they’ve almost become part of the decor!
Ashley says
She’s one of my faves!!!!! Love to watch her and Tommy together. Best design banter on TV!
Richard says
TWENTY!!! Wow. I am a bit pillow crazy, I guess.
Courtnee says
How do you watch Sarah 101?? I live in Ohio and it’s not on our HGTV. Are you getting from the internet? I’ve heard about it and want to watch and I don’t know how :(
YoungHouseLove says
We get that on HGTV! It’s pretty new. Maybe do a search for it on your tv’s guide and see if it comes up? I think it’s on Saturday.
xo,
s
Eva says
I could only count 5, but we just moved and I am sure that within a couple of months the count will be up to 10 or more… but at the moment it is far from being complete and layered. Well, I have dishwasher and coffee maker in the living room at the moment, need I say more… I will focus on the textiles when those guys move to the kitchen.
Molly P-H says
LOVE Sarah!! Most of my home dec inspiration shots are from her website. I only have about 6-8 fabrics in LR (no curtains, no rug) but it doesn’t feel very pulled together yet so maybe fabric is a way to help me do that. Thanks for the tip!
Erin @ Out on A Limb... says
I know there’s t.v. editing and degrees and design credentials and everything, but Sarah really makes it looks so effortless when she pulls stacks of fabrics that all play so well in the sandbox. I pull a bunch and overthink my choices to death sometimes before actually making anything. Love her and her innate style. Great post!
Vicki K says
9 textures in my living room. Guess I’m about average.
Sarah Richardson is by far my all time favorite designer. The way she “sees” things is amazing. What I would do to have her design even one of my rooms!! No such luck being here in California. I have to live vicariously watching her shows.
and those pumps, jeans and blazers are fabulous. aaaaaaah!
diane says
11 in my living room and that is supposed to be a neutral room! Head to the family room and you have 11 again( that seems to be my number) but the breakfast room has 4 and the dining room only 1. I love how Sarah puts it all together..she is a master!
Jace says
As to Sarah’s style. love, Love, LOVE her. She constantly reminds me of the person I wish I was, rather than the person that I actually am. As to the fabric issue, I’m way below but then I have super “shedders” in the form of Shepard mixes and long haired dachshunds, so I think I really limit fabric in my house to preserve my sanity.