Headboard Fabric Samples — I Narrowed Them Down To Two Options
Last week, I ordered several fabric samples from Ballard Designs for our bedroom headboard. Since the next bedroom I design will be our final bedroom, I really want it to be nice (obviously), and I want to include my favorite things. One of my favorite things is an upholstered headboard. I’m still not settled on the design. I waffle between a simple curved design with nailhead trim and a diamond-tufted headboard. So I’m still weighing those options as well. But before I can settle on a design, I need to pick a fabric.
Most of the fabrics could be ruled out immediately because they didn’t play nicely with the drapery fabric. There were a couple of fabrics that I think will work for future projects, like draperies in our family room once we get the addition built. So I’m hanging onto them for those future projects, but for the headboard, two of them seemed like good options.
The first option is this Tully Pear fabric. I like the contrast that it gives with the teal grasscloth, and it seems to play very nicely with the drapery fabric. I also like that it’s a thicker upholstery fabric, so I think it’ll hold up very well. I do wish the pattern was bigger, though. From a distance, the pattern seems to get lost.
I love the fact that on the Ballard Design website, you can actually see the fabric on their headboards. Here’s what this Tully Pear fabric looks like on a simple upholstered headboard with nailhead trim. I don’t love how this nailhead trim is right on the edge. I’d make some design changes for mine, but at least we can get an idea of what the fabric would look like. This is the Camden Untufted Headboard with Brass Nailheads.
Here’s a closer view…
Here’s what that same fabric looks like on a tufted headboard. I love this look. If I had to make a decision right this moment, I’d probably choose the diamond tufted headboard. This is the Camden Tufted headboard.
Here’s what it looks like on a taller headboard with more shape to it, along with two rows of nailhead trim. This is the Katherine headboard.
And here it is on another interesting shape with both cording and nailhead trim. This is the Suzanne Kasler Sophie headboard.
Here’s a closeup of that one so you can see both the cording and the nailhead trim.
The second fabric is called Marjorie Pear. I actually like this fabric more than the first one, but I don’t think it plays quite as nicely with the drapery fabric. I can’t decide if I think that’s a big deal or not since they won’t be right up against each other.
But one reason I like it better is because the pattern is bigger and can actually be seen from a distance. Plus…leaves. Y’all know I’m a sucker for flowers, leaves, trees, and birds.
Here’s a closeup of the fabric. I just love the design, but this is more of a drapery fabric. It’s not a thick upholstery fabric. It would still work fine for a headboard, but I probably wouldn’t upholster a chair with it. I will say that the color of this one actually looks nicer with the drapery fabric. The other one is just a touch too much on the lime side, which isn’t a huge deal and wouldn’t keep me from choosing it if it’s the best options and the pattern works better with the drapery fabric.
Here’s what this larger print looks like on a tufted headboard. I love it. I don’t often love patterned fabric on a tufted headboard, but I think this particular pattern works well.
Here’s what it looks like on the taller headboard with the double row of nailheads.
And here’s a look at it on the headboard with the cording and the nailhead trim.
Since I showed a closeup of the first one, here’s a closeup of this one as well.
So let’s look at them side-by-side with the wallpaper and drapery fabric on the left and the headboard on the right. Since I’m really leaning towards the tufted headboard right now, that’s the one we’ll look at.
Here’s the first Tully Pear fabric…
And here’s the second Marjorie Pear fabric.
Ugh! This is hard. I like the second fabric (Marjorie Pear) so much more, and I love how it looks on the headboard. I just don’t think it looks as good with the drapery fabric. I want it to work so badly!!! But I’m really thinking the first fabric (Tully Pear) is the better choice, right?
I don’t know if this makes any difference, but I’ve decided to make two of these bedside tables.
I think I’ll probably go a little darker on the color since they’ll be in front of white wainscoting. But I’m going with this style, and I’m going to make them look as close as possible to this since this was my favorite from the ones I had bookmarked.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
I love the second fabric choice and think it looks great with the drape material. How are you doing with the other room?
I vote Marjorie Pear. I think it works just fine with the drapery, but if you’re worried about it, keep in mind that there will likely be more distance between the two in the room.
Of the two, I definitely prefer the leaf fabric, but both seem like they may be difficult to coordinate with bedding.
I would choose 2nd one, personally.
You indicated the two fabrics won’t be close to each other. Is there a way to do a mock-up of the headboard fabrics as you envison the room? That is, so each can be viewed in proximity to the other? Not sure it’s possible but you do stuff on computer all the time I can’t, so just wondering.
Having said that, if not, let it marinate just a bit and you’ll go right. You always do, 99.99% of the time!
MKH
And I only threw in that tiny percentage of error based on what you’ve said about yourself, not what I think/observed.
Hmmmm…I feel like neither pattern looks good with tufting….how about a bright chartreuse velvet tufted headboard?
Yes, a cat scratch resistant velvet. I seem to remember Kristy mentioning that her cats scratched her current headboard, just as they did her studio desk chair. It would be a shame to have the new headboard damaged after investing the effort and expense.
How about Marjorie Pear used for the coverlet?
I feel like the Tully goes and is a safe choice. But, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Marjorie!! I feel like it adds so much!! To me, from a distance, the Tully looks solid. It’s a pretty fabric, maybe you could use it as an accent pillow or a bench or chair cushion.
I love the second one! I think it’s beautiful with the draperies and I don’t think it has to be exactly matchy matchy since they won’t be directly together. I also have a tufted headboard! I love it so much it makes me feel royal and grand!
And I only threw in that tiny percentage of error based on what you’ve said about yourself, not what I think/observed.
Kristi, are you familiar with Designer fabrics for less https://www.designerfabricsforless.com/. They can get fabrics from all the major houses and charge you less than retail. More choices than you would ever need. You find a fabric at Schumacher for example and contact them for a quote. Just passing I. The info. I’d go with the leaf pattern
To me, the Tully Pear would be a beautiful backdrop for the rest of your bedding. Extra points for being a heavier fabric, since you will have this a long time. You wouldn’t want wear marks on the edge over time. Could you use the other one somewhere else in your room?
I think the tufting detail is really highlighted with the more subdued Tully pattern. I feel it gets a bit lost in the bolder Marjorie. Can’t wait to see what you create!
Personally, I think the Marjorie Pear in the tufted headboard looks the best and looks fine with the drapery fabric. You’ll probably have shams and pillows in front of it anyway and it will be more about the color. The dot is nice but it just looks like a mottle green headboard in the photos.
Ditto!
And ditto again!
I like both options but I worry about the bedding you would use with either of them. Are you thinking of using another color from the curtain fabric for your bedding? Unless you plan to make your bedding yourself it might be good to search for a bedding set before deciding on the headboard.
I vote Marjorie Pear. The other one looks dingy on the headboard.
Option #2, Marjorie Pear, is the clear WINNER. Leaves, Kristi, beautiful green LEAVES. Resistance is futile. It’ll be like sleeping under a forest canopy. Guaranteed sweet dreams.
I love the first one (the way it coordinates with the drapes), but it does blend into a single color when viewed farther away. Plus, in the picture of the tufted headboard, it shows the places it was “gathered” and looks a little baggy. On the Marjorie, the larger and busier pattern hides that.
I’m Team Marjorie Pear! The curtain fabric is the bold one and this complements it. The Tully Pear seems too small and reads as a solid. You could make some throw pillows from Tully and use the drapery fabric as an accent. Maybe a flange around the pillow. Probably would need to be fussy cut to get full motifs. And/or use a solid matching blue as piping.
I think both go equally well with the drapery material, however the smaller print just fades into a non-color/pattern from any distance.
Once you get the mattress on and pillows you won’t see too much of the headboard. I’d go with a small pattern (for variation since the drapes have a large pattern) on the headboard and then a larger coordinating pattern on the bed pillows.
Did you check out Loom Decor? They have some pretty green fabrics. I love the tufted look. Good luck on your choice.
I vote for Tully Pear. If you have a lot of pattern on both the headboard and the drapes they will fight for attention. Do you want the drapes or the headboard to be the focal point? I like a room best when it only has one ‘star’. Everything else should be supporting cast.
I do see what you mean about the colors, but the Tully Pear triggers my trypophobia.😀
Love the diamond tufted headboard. Don’t remember seeing your drapes, so can’t comment on fabrics. Could you post a photo of the drapes? Like all the fabrics you choose, maybe setting them out in the room would help you decide
I haven’t made the drapes yet, but that’s the fabric in the photos.
I vote the Marjorie Pear fabric, it goes good with the drapery fabric, and adds another print and texture.
I think the leaf element of Marjorie plays really nicely with the elements in the drapery that lean floral themselves. And I think the stronger pattern looks cleaner on the headboard than the tiny dots that just blur.
Both fabrics are great – but what are you planning on using for bed linens/coverlet? Maybe that will help you make a choice?
White (or probably cream in this case). I almost never stray beyond a white duvet over a down comforter. I add color with throw blankets and pillows, but I generally don’t like fussy bedspreads or comforters. I like white and fluffy.
Personally, I would choose the first fabric. I think the smaller pattern would be more versatile in choosing bedding fabrics.
I like both fabrics but think the Tully is too small in scale and the Marjorie looks busy, especially on the tufted headboard. I would love a lush velvet for the headboard and then use either the Tully or Marjorie for accent pillows or upholstery on a chair or bench. A Moroccan tile or trellis design would also work well with the drapery fabric. I would definitely look for bedding that will coordinate with the drapes before selecting the headboard fabric.
Oh my gosh, velvet. You just spoke my language. I’ll have a look and see what I can find.
Agree with all these thoughts.
I like the first, especially if you tuft it. while the pattern gets lost, it lets the other textures sing. I feel there’s a lot going on with all the textures already. Going simpler here will let you incorporate stronger details, in future decisions. The second one would be fighting with the curtains with the detail being the same scale. It turns into a stronger maximalist look, which can have some volatility with iterative decisions.
I like the first one better personally but they’re both really nice. Something about the leaf-on-leaf drape and headboard fabric combo of the second one doesn’t work for me, but most others prefer the second one LOL. You can always do an accent pillow in the one you don’t end up using.
Marjorie Pear gets my vote. The larger pattern and the color are so pretty. I like it with the drapery fabric too. Go with your gut!
I would choose the second fabric but I bet you like the first one better. They are both lovely.
I have the Tully Pear fabric and a custom pillow and 15 years later consider it timeless. It works well with any change in decorating I’ve done as well as seasonal variations. Get my vote. Also a word of caution on the tufted headboard. They are dust, collectors and fabric is very hard to dust.
I like the first one (smaller print ) better than the second one. But thats just me…😁😁. I dont have to live with it.
Marjorie Pear! More interesting and I think it looks great with the drapery fabric!
I love the way the Katherine and the Sophie designs pick up on the shape of the motif in your drapery fabric…
I like#1 Tully pear and whatever head board you decide
I love the leaves. Have you come across Sophie Robinson Interiors? She’s brilliant at mixing patterns. She’s definitely more maximalist than you, but with a look
The second one with leaves! I think it looks best with the other elements. I have no problem with the small leaf pattern and the large drapery pattern combining. In fact it looks quite a lot like the leafy bits surrounding the large paisley motif.
I love the Marjorie Pear. I agree that the other pattern would be lost. I think your room is large enough that the former will not be a problem with the draperies. Perhaps in a smaller bedroom it could be a problem. Both patterns are lovely. Scale is the issue. I can’t wait to see this done!
I really like the second leafy fabric for the headboard. I think the first one will read as more of a solid once it’s tufted. Perhaps the first one could be shams or an accent pillow?
I vote for you designing your own fabric and having it printed on Spoonflower, so it can be exactly what you want in every way: pattern, color way, fabric weight and composition, etc.
I love the Marjorie Pear, it gives a soft appearance where the other just looks solid from a distance. I have only commented 2 times in the eleven years I been keeping up with you, but I had to make this number 3. Either way it will be wonderful!
Love the second, [leaf] one. Your drapery fabric won’t be flat against the window. It will be hung into draping folds. The leaf is a stronger print that plays better with the strong drapery fabric instead of the wimpy dots. Hope that makes sense. Assume you’re using solid/simple bedding.
I love everything you do.
I think both look good with the drapery fabric.
I was shocked to see how much I loved the first one either plain or tufted,
and how much I disliked the second one tufted. 😯!😳. Plain was fine but the tufting did it no favors at all. Go figure. 🤔 The nightstands look wonderful.
I love the second leaves fabric so much more. I think it would be perfect with the drapes. I love a large, medium, and small print mix. It’s much more interesting. Maybe take a chance, step out of your comfort zone and play with patterns!
My vote is the 1st fabric, because it reads more solid. I’m not impressed with the 2nd one because as you said, it doesn’t play well with the drapery fabric at all! It’s more of a contemporary pattern and the drapery fabric is more traditional. I also like the first one because I would prefer a more solid look for the headboard, in case I would want a patterned bedding. Have you thought of the bed covering that will play with these fabrics? The small print could work with a patterned bed cover better than the leaf pattern.
Yes, Marjorie
I agree with your description of traditional vs contemporary.
I, too, vote for the first one of these two choices. The green is too green in the leaf pattern.
Hey, Kristie, remember me from Waco long ago?
Yes, Marjorie
I agree with your description of traditional vs contemporary.
I, too, vote for the first one of these two choices. The green is too green in the leaf pattern.
Hey, Kristie, remember me from Waco long ago?