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?

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 By OBERSON – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44206106

Kente cloth CC BY-SA 3.0, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31093421

Kitenge By I, Inisheer, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2330643

Moroccan Rugs

By Nazmiyal Collection – nazmiyalantiquerugs.com, CC BY-SA 3.0,https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28502961

By Nazmiyal Collection – nazmiyalantiquerugs.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28502958

Shibori By Saimon2000bd – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31187825

Ikat 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 By Gandrasta Bangko – Wikipedia Indonesia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12202694

Suzani 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

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:

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