It’s not a secret that here at Linwood, we love printed velvet fabric. The extraordinary ability of velvet fabrics to show off colours and patterns, teamed with its soft, sensuous feel and its inherent warmth, makes it a game changer in an interior, bringing a touch of magic to any scheme. Here, we look at two of our most loved ranges of printed velvets, Omega Prints and Omega Prints II, and explore the versatility of the designs, from punchy geometrics to deeply romantic florals.
Omega Prints: a fusion of style and functionality
Velvet fabrics have come a long way since the days when they could only be used in formal spaces where children and pets were banned from entering. Our Omega Prints collection is a contract grade velvet that is both inherently fire retardant and stain resistant, and it can even be machine washed at 30 degrees. All this without compromising on the luxurious feel of the velvet, which will befit the most glamorous of homes. The collection spans 16 different designs and 50 colourways, and includes everything from On The River in Aqua (pictured on the sofa above), a classic English floral reinvented in a punchy contemporary palette featuring flashes of emerald green, teal and coral pink, to Heat of the Night in Indigo, an inky toile that will be as happy in a contemporary snug as it will be in a classic dining room scheme. Not forgetting snappy geometrics such as Neo, a playful print that is brilliant for bringing a pop of colour to an array of interior schemes.
Arboreal: subtle elegance in soft velvet
Ideas for our designs come from all manner of textiles and it was a 1940s fabric that inspired Arboreal, a gloriously ethereal botanical print. The design comes in three colourways that are all subtly contemporary yet muted enough to suit more traditional tastes. We love this Cloud colourway teamed with dark paintwork, but it would be equally happy with soft, calming hues such as the duck egg blue and sand tones that feature in the background of the print. And don’t forget to introduce different textures: a boucle fabric, perhaps, or a textural linen to add an air of informality.
Butterfly Palm: luxurious, exotic foliage on velvet
Lush foliage and luxe velvet are a beguiling pairing, as seen with our exotic Butterfly Palm fabric, a stunning velvet that comes in three rich colourways. We love the way this print adds depth to upholstery or curtains – imagine it covering a sofa in a snug or lending warmth to curtains in a north-facing room. It is also fabulous for smaller pieces such as cushions, so much so that we offer ready-made cushions in all three colourways. Featuring contrasting linen piping to add an extra pop of colour, they are a brilliant solution for anyone dipping their toe into velvet fabrics for the first time. Try piling all three colours together on a dark linen sofa…
Casper: playful jazziness on indulgent velvet
Soft, tactile velvet is brilliant for showcasing a bold-hued retro print as the lustrous pile helps the colours pop. Our Casper velvet is a wonderfully joyous design that will bring any piece to life. It comes in nine colourways including this vivid blue and green version that makes the large-scale pattern sing. We love it used as upholstery for a fifties-style sofa or a simple lounge chair: see how it makes a statement on this streamlined piece in an otherwise neutral space. Also a zingy choice for an indulgent blind or curtains.
Omega ll: the alluring addition to our Omega range
And if one collection of glorious Omega prints wasn’t enough, we introduced a second one, Omega Prints II, to add to our portfolio of beautiful designs printed on our best-selling Omega velvet. The range includes 15 stunning prints, including versatile geometrics, painterly styles and bold large-scale designs such as the arresting Bukhara in Emerald pictured on this sofa, which takes its inspiration from a Russian Ikat design. The palettes span subtle pastels to vibrant jewel-like tones, and as ever, Omega is a remarkably soft velvet that is also incredibly robust, making it suitable for all manner of projects, from upholstery to curtains.
Ziggy: a modern twist on a classic kilim design
The timeless beauty of a Moroccan kilim is captured in Ziggy, a richly patterned print in a warming Tobacco colourway. We love using this print for upholstery: it looks fabulous on this 1950s style sofa, and it is also wonderful for reupholstering a treasured armchair such as an inviting club-style piece. We also imagine it used for curtains in a comfortable snug or library – when drawn, the stunning velvet print will lend a cocooning feel to the space. Pick out the rich tones with complementary fabrics in earthy hues, including dark, moody shades such as charcoal or bitter chocolate.
Magic Carpet: captivating Persian inspiration on luxurious velvet
Our Omega II Prints collection includes several patterns that take their inspiration from the Middle East, one of the most vibrant examples being Magic Carpet in Magenta. Inspired by a Persian rug, the intricate print lends itself to all manner of soft furnishings – think a glamorous banquette seat, a luxurious headboard or simply a few cushions (it is available as a beautiful scatter cushion, backed and piped in stunning Sky Omega velvet). The print’s vivid hues provide a ready-made palette for a scheme: pick out the shades of pink, turquoise, yellow and orange with fabrics in different textures – a chenille or a linen, perhaps, as well as some vibrant plain velvets. The deep charcoal within the print provides the perfect grounding hue, as demonstrated in this cosy study.
Istanbul: Turkish kilim elegance in contemporary upholstery
We love a neat geometric for its endless versatility and this stunning velvet, Istanbul, has lots of depth, making it particularly suitable for breaking up an expanse of upholstery such as a large sofa or an oversized headboard. The design nods to classic Turkish kilims, as do the colours, which include deep ruby reds as well as touches of warm orange, forest green and ever-versatile sand. Just like kilims themselves, this is a design that will dovetail into all manner of schemes, from classic country homes to contemporary townhouses. Imagine it made into a sumptuous, interlined curtain across the front door – a visual treat for guests as well as a wonderful way to keep out the draughts.
A few more styling tips...
The mixture of beauty and practicality means that our printed velvets can be used in all manner of applications. Upholstery and curtains might seem obvious choices, but never underestimate the feeling of sinking into a velvet sofa or armchair, or the sense of cosiness created when opulent printed velvet curtains are drawn to shut out a dark, rainy night. We also love seeing our printed velvets used in more unexpected areas of the home: upholstering a fender to provide a pop of pattern and a luxurious perch by the fireplace; or made into a bedspread or drapes to bring a cossetting feel to a four-poster bed. And don’t overlook more utilitarian spaces such as the kitchen: a stunning printed velvet on a kitchen chair will instantly elevate the space, bringing a touch of luxury to everyday mealtimes.
We hope you get a chance to explore all of our printed velvet collections, and we urge you to call in free samples to see just how luxurious and luminous these fabrics look in the home. Remember that we have a vast array of beautiful plain velvet fabrics to complement our prints, as well as an array of different textures – from bouclés to linens to chenille fabrics – that can dress printed velvets up or down according to your tastes. Bringing a touch of opulence to your interiors has never been more exciting...