Give Your Home a Country Feel with This Flowery Fabric

When you close your eyes and picture a Southern home, what do you see? Treasured family heirlooms? Elegant blue and white chinoiserie pieces? Comfy four-poster beds that beckon you to snuggle in? Though the exact vision may differ for each of us, the feeling is always the same – Southern homes feel cozy, timeless, meaningful, and inviting. And whether you live below the Mason-Dixon or not, you can bring this warm, welcoming vibe into your own space by adding some Southern touches. One quintessential addition? Crewel upholstery, which has a wonderful nostalgic charm.

As designer Colleen Bennett shares, crewel “adds detail and gives you that very Southern vibe.” This style of embroidery, which uses thick wool, has been a part of Southern decor since the colonial days after arriving from England. Traditionally, crewel features bright, vibrant florals, fauna, trees, and exotic imagery – inspired by beautiful Indian fabrics. If you grew up in the South, you’ve likely seen crewel on chairs, pillows, and throws. And now, you can use it to upholster pieces and create a cozy, homey feel.

Incorporating patterned upholstery furniture, like dining chairs or chaise lounges, can feel daunting – even with a cozy, timeless look like crewel. But by considering the colors and textures in both the crewel fabric and the rest of your space, you can curate a beautiful, relaxing room. A crewel upholstery piece can be a great way to tie the colors of the room together, allowing other hues to be inspired by the shades in the crewel. So if you have a crewel armchair in your living room with hints of purple, blue, and green, try to find accessories and decor that echo those tones.

You’ll also want to think about the other furniture in the space and how to create a cohesive theme. It’s often helpful to balance patterned pieces with solid color items, so the room doesn’t feel too busy. But if you love a more eclectic, maximalist look, feel free to experiment – incorporating other Southern patterns like gingham and paisley alongside the crewel. When pairing different upholstery prints, vary the scale, with larger prints alongside smaller ones.

No matter where you live, crewel is a wonderful way to bring that warm, welcoming Southern vibe into your home. Going for the full Southern charm? Consider layering in other cozy textures and vintage touches to really capture that inviting feeling.