Bohemian Textiles For A Global Boho Look

How To Get The Global Look: 4 weeks to a global style home

It's week 2 of the 4 weeks to a global boho home. And this week we want to share all of the textiles advice for you. Because in reality, a global boho look is less about the furniture and more about the textiles. Patterned, over saturated rugs, faux fur throws, and pillows from turkey, morocco and other areas of the world are the basis for a global space.

So... What is a textile?




textile


[teks-tahyl, -til]




noun

1. any cloth or goods produced by weaving, knitting, or felting.



2. a material, as a fiber or yarn, used in or suitable for weaving:

Glass can be used as a textile.









textile. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved July 18, 2016 from Dictionary.com website http://www.dictionary.com/browse/textile



Basically, the pillows, blankets, rugs, tapestries, curtains, upholstery, and any other fabric in a space.


If you're starting with scratch and are just starting to explore bringing in a global, well-traveled look, what do you want to look for?

Staples: A collection of pillows, rugs to layer, at least 1 tapestry and curtains/blankets to suite your space.

Authentic Made Goods: Look for descriptions like kilim, beni ourain, serape, shibori. While some particularly popular patterns are mass produced with print versus the original methods of creating the patterns, you'll get a better textured and longer lasting product if you go with the authentically made goods.

Fair Trade: It's important to remember that these textiles came about because of artisans and their incredible skill. I think it's part of a textile junkies responsibility to make sure the artisans making textiles are paid fair wages for what they do.

So, what kinds of textiles are there to choose from?


(get ready for a blast of wildly beautiful fabrics!)

African textiles











Bògòlanfini aka Mud Cloth


Ségou (8).JPG
By OBERSON - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44206106

Kente cloth


KenteCloth.jpg
CC BY-SA 3.0,

https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31093421

 Kitenge


Kitenge.jpg
By I, Inisheer, CC BY-SA 3.0,

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2330643

Moroccan Rugs









Vintage Moroccan Rug 45837 Nazmiyal.jpg
By Nazmiyal Collection - nazmiyalantiquerugs.com, CC BY-SA 3.0,https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28502961
 Vintage Moroccan Rug 45830 Nazmiyal.jpg
By Nazmiyal Collection - nazmiyalantiquerugs.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28502958









 Shibori


Indigo Dyed Shibori Quilt.JPG
By Saimon2000bd - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31187825

Ikat


Ikat 2006.10.jpg
By Artisans in Bukhara or Samarqand, - http://www.asia.si.edu/collections/singleObject.cfm?ObjectId=47076 Smithsonian, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5737144

 








Batik


Batik Lasem Tulis.jpg
By Gandrasta Bangko - Wikipedia Indonesia, CC BY-SA 3.0,

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12202694

 Suzani


19th century Suzani rug.jpg
By Source is from www.persiancarpetguide.com where it is the purpose to promote Asian textiles and rugs in the media., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20135735

Kilim


Turkish carpet.jpg
By Hans Bernhard (Schnobby) - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9459397

As you can see, there are a wide variety of textiles to choose from even in this small sampling of what's out there! If I had more hours in the day, I'd compile hundreds of them here for you to browse. Alas, I don't, so please do some internet browsing and take the time to appreciate these art forms.

Once you've collected some textiles, what do you do with them?

Layers.


You've already covered adding the well-traveled, gathered look by bringing in pillows, rugs, and other cloth accessories to your space from around the world. To take this in the global boho direction, you'll need to layer them.

As we extablished last week, your furniture is the foundation- but it's not the most important element of the space. Honestly, I'd say this week is going to be the most important of the 4 weeks to master but it can also be difficult.

With so many colors, patterns and textures to choose from, it's easy to get the wrong mix. And the wrong mix isn't the same for everyone, so I'm going to be speaking about my preferences, mkay?

Every room needs two rugs. Either one on top of the other or slightly overlapping. Easiest way to do this? Pick up an inexpensive, but big, jute-like material rug. Then put a smaller (and more affordable than than a larger size) rug atop it to fill out your space better.

Overlap Pillows. Bohemian interiors are comfortable. They're meant to be a place of relaxation. What better way than having a pile of pillows to sink into wherever you sit.

Drape Fabric over tables and chairs. Remember how I told you the furniture wasn't important? Well, that's because you can simply cover anything that doesn't fit your desired aesthetic with fabric. Because it's so boho to do it anyways.

Go Vertical. Tack a pretty piece of fabric to the wall, pick up a tapestry, use a kantha quilt as a curtain- the possibilities are limitless.

Some Visuals:


bohemian alternative nightstands bedding and art

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These images are all from my Instagram (@adesignerathome). Follow along for more inspiration.



This week's Challenge:


Did you complete your homework from last week? If you're getting caught up, check out the foundation for a global boho room here.

Explore & Play With Patterns. Hit up a flea market, thrift store or get online and look for a new print to play with. Choose one of the ones referenced above or find other ones. Whether you want to go as small as finding a pillow (or lots) to add to your sofa or you want to makeover your entire bedding- the scale of this challenge is up to you and your budget.

I hope you have fun with your homework! Textiles truly do make or break a global boho space so don't be afraid. Getting inspiration will be your best friend. In addition to my Instagram, Katie (@katiegavigan) and Stephanie (@casawatkinsblog) are also valuable bloggers and Instagrammers to follow. As well as Justina Blakeney's @TheJungalow, @FleaMarketFab, and @CarlayPage. Check 'em out and make sure you stay tuned for the nest week of Get The Global Look.

Check Out:


Casa Watkins Living

Katie Gavigan Interiors

6 comments

  1. Ooh, I love this look! When I think Boho, I absolutely think layers and textiles. I love how you describe exactly how to get the look! Pinning for inspiration...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love these ideas! All of the colors and patterns are gorgeous!

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  3. What an amazing collection of textures and patterns. I love the layering effect of a global style. I also applaud you for including Fair Trade practices as well. Pinning for inspiration.

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  4. I love morrocan rugs! So you've got me there ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love this post! I'm definitely going to take this to heart and do my homework! What house isn't better with a little boho and a little thrift?

    ReplyDelete

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