More than a material:
how fabrics
make rooms come to life

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Reduction, design by textiles, quiet spaces: throughout the last articles, we have set out to shed light on all the aspects of this subject matter being a lifelong design principle for us. We use it in our own conceptual work for private residential projects. And increasingly also when we collaborate with our partners from diverse planning and architectural studios.

Today, we will take the time to bring together all these different threads. We will outline a framework and determine our perspective.

Building on our previous blog posts about the Soft Modern style and the rediscovery of curtains as a design element, today we will focus on texture as a narrative layer in a space. In other words, the feel of a fabric determines the ambience and communicates clearly and distinctly, yet subtly.

This is a subject that isn't influenced by trends, but goes deeper to express a fundamental mindset.

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Less shows more

Fewer design elements lead to more space for every single one. And to more room for unfolding its effects. Hence: Yes, please, fewer elements but more attention to selecting and placing them.

The search for tranquillity has long since arrived in design. Especially in the hotel sector, where many people are looking for a break from their stressful lives. At private homes too, of course, although “exciting” areas are always possible if the property features enough rooms.

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Reduced, not empty

silent, not mute

Projects such as Bergmähder, La Villetta or Goinghome, where colours step aside and materials with a character take over, show how these concepts work: The rooms feel reduced but not empty, they are quiet but not mute.

What we call Soft Modernism today is not a trend, but rather a designer's attitude: reduction does not involve self-denial, but instead a conscious choice. Instead of asking ‘What else would fit?’, the question is ‘What do I really need in this room?’

In that kind of setting, surfaces become more important. The material aspect becomes visible and tangible, like fabrics that absorb light or surfaces that everyone likes to touch. Often, these materials do not impose themselves and can be adapted to serve the interior designer's ideas.

Textile language

Fabrics must serve many purposes; rarely, they are neutral. They filter light, draw the eye around the room, divide spaces and alter the acoustics. In open-plan layouts with fluid transitions, they are not only beautiful, but also a key element in achieving the desired effects.

In our post on curtains, we focused on vertical textile surfaces of all types and styles as important design elements. However, textile interior design is not confined to the window.

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Furniture, walls, floors

Fabrics can showcase their impact wherever material can create a mood. We see this for ourselves in many of our ongoing projects:

  • Upholstered wall panels that remain beautifully in the background yet significantly support the atmosphere.
  • Textured upholstery fabrics on furniture, only unfolding their power at a second glance.
  • Carpets with structures that define zones and determine their use.

Project Spotlight

Art & Boutiquehotel Das Ludwig, Lindau

The new boutique hotel Das Ludwig in Lindau is one example of this creative approach.

Here, reduction does not equal restriction. The design of the rooms and suites is based on carefully selected colour tones. The rooms are named after these tones, which serves as an invitation to focus on the essentials.

The interior design at Das Ludwig focuses on clean lines and muted colour schemes. The hotel's individual style leaves room for its historical flair with a contemporary twist. The 'secret tool' is the consistent use of high-quality materials:

  • Upholstery fabrics in tone-on-tone shades
  • Large curtains with textile depth
  • Natural surfaces with a matt finish

The result is a sense of space defined by materials, restraint, and atmosphere rather than decoration. This concept was created with great skill and confidence in the effects of fabrics, light, and proportions.

Interior Insights: 
Learning to read textures

Textiles work on different levels.

They are essential for creating atmosphere. Next, you can learn about essential questions and information you should consider when choosing your fabrics.

Smooth or textured?

Smooth linen looks clear and airy and is ideally chosen for use in rooms with plenty of natural light.

Functional fabrics often have a smooth surface, at times with an additional coating. Structured bouclé fabrics, wool let alone quilted materials create rich texture and a sense of warmth, especially in toned-down colour spaces.

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Light and fabric

Velvet absorbs light, creating soft contours. Semi-transparent fabrics disperse light, making them perfect for transitional zones or quiet areas in a living space. Iridescent fabrics change depending on the angle of the light, and some actually sparkle and shine.

Consider how formal, cosy, inspiring or fun the atmosphere should be. These are questions to ask yourself before choosing the fabric.

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Colour shade ≠ Effect

A certain shade does not say a lot. It's the texture that determines how it is perceived: Matt or glossy? Calm or lively? Even or iridescent?

The same colour shade can vary greatly depending on the material. Fun fact: One of the colours most difficult to reproduce in different materials is black.

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Acoustic effects

Who hasn't visited the bar in the vaults, where it is almost impossible to hear anything? An example of planners neglecting the importance of textile design.

Curtains, carpets, and wall fabrics — in short, all textiles — influence a room's acoustics. This is particularly important in rooms with high ceilings, large windows or tiled floors where textiles can direct and absorb sound.

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Zoning by fabrics

Textiles can also subdivide rooms without putting up walls or room dividers.

A curtain, a fabric panel, a transitional area in the carpet can be enough to achieve this. Small interventions with an amazing effect.

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Clever combinations

Consciously choosing textures can create better results than randomly combining colours and relying on contrasts.

Our showroom is a prime example of coordinated fabrics, carpets and wall materials. Their textures and colour families complement each other, the result is a harmonious ambience, always avoiding monotony.

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Textures in private spaces

What works in hotels also works in private homes.

In living spaces, which should be both open and cosy, textiles can be used cleverly to achieve this effect. For example:

— A curtain can be used to define a work area without making it feel closed off.
— A carpet to frame the dining area
— A textured fabric cover to add character to a plain sofa.

Textiles don't just add depth to rooms. They inspire and stimulate the imagination, sending thoughts on a journey. In short: minimal effort, maximum effect!

At the home INTERIOR showroom, we demonstrate how materials can be used when experts get to work, and how they can be ideally harmonised.

Conclusion

Materials & their never ending potential

What started with the text on “The power of textiles” has been refined over the months. In the storys on the “Renaissance of tranquillity” and on “Staging silence”, we have translated the longing for places of retreat into design.

The article on the design principe called “Soft Modern” focussed on the concept of this very name. Our article on curtains took a fresh look at a familiar category.

The present article is not closing the topic ultimately. Rather, it is a further development. It shows how this works: understanding textures, consciously choosing materials and maximising the potential of spaces. The result is design that is clear rather than noisy.

 Specialising in staging rooms using textiles, we will be happy to show you how we can work with you to design your home and your project using beautiful materials: Visit our Design Centre in Mils and dive into our world of fabrics!

 
Images: Nussbaumer Photography, M. Kottersteger, Sonnen Resort, Naturns (I), Adobe Stock, home INTERIOR, home IMMOBILIEN

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