di2's Profile

I'm with the person who said "Picante? Who talks like that?" Since I've never ever heard that term used, at least in relation to a person-- I'm guessing I'm not.

Nevertheless, I'm also with the person above who said she wears lipstick, no matter what. In fact, lipstick would be the one item-- right up there with drinking water-- I'd have on a desert island. And a great haircut means that your hair, at least, always always looks good-- no work there-- so . . . lipstick, good hair, and you can get away with most anything. And, yes-- yoga pants are always a crowd pleaser.

Love the look and colors-- and am a huge fan of MCM-- but I would have (and going forward, for sure) mix in a few pieces here and there that are decidedly NOT MCM, simply because you're running the risk of beginning to look like a store for all things MCM. I do think MCM pieces tend to look warmer and stand out a little more when smartly mixed with other furniture styles. Use other types of lamps, for instance, or end tables-- and avoid what has now seemingly become the requisite starburst clock-- for anyone who loves MCM. I think it would be much more interesting and inviting if you mixed in other styles and would look less like a storefront for all things MCM.

I live in the South, where there are still a couple of working textile factories near me. I've been able to find some incredible deals on fabric remnants from these places-- beautiful mohair that cost me a fraction of what mohair costs in a fabric store. The remnants are usually no more than 10 yards, at most-- usually less-- but perfect for some chairs or small love seat. So even though I pay an upholsterer, I've saved significant money on the fabric.

I have very old furniture, some of which was my grandmother's, and because this furniture is so well made and has beautiful lines, I always go the re-upholstery route. I found an amazing upholsterer through a local fabric store. He's very good, and I wouldn't go to anyone else. A great upholsterer who is also knowledgable about older furniture and who knows his/her history, is invaluable.

I'm also surprised by some of Annie Elliott's fabric estimations mentioned above. I have a couple of very large couches, including one mid-century modern sofa that's well over 90 inches long, with covered buttons and welting-- and I have never bought more than 15 yards of fabric for that sofa, nor for any other, including an oversized camel-back sofa I own. I'm thinking her estimates are a bit over the top. I also believe (and in my experience), the better and more accomplished the upholsterer, the less fabric he/she will probably need to use.