For me, there is no greater design element than a good fabric.  I could look at fabric swatches all day and still ask for more.  Some savvy interior designers even suggest decorating your room around a piece of your favorit fabric.  They say that it will help you choose the right style for you.  And I can totally see how.  It is hard to get inspired by paint chips after looking at 1oo different shades of blue, but fabrics are different.  They grab you.  They pull you in.  They make you want to live right there in between the threads.  If you love fabrics as much as I do, then you are going to love this.  Here is a rundown of my favorite creative cloth trends this year (with pictures, of course!)

Acidy and bold color combinations — teal, orange, brown, rust, mossy green  These color combos give off a sort of sophisticated retro vibe.  They really pop with a knotty, raised or 3D look.  Think appliques and yarns.

Botanical prints   These are at their best on a simple off-white background with a few large, ornate prints of nature such as a butterfly or a flower.

Letters and words  Think distressed and vintage.  The writing is not so much about getting amessage across as it is about the design that the color and font bring.  It is actually best to have an excerpt that doesn’t really makes sense, so that the meaning doesn’t distract from the art.

Ethnic Prints  Suzannis and ikats are at the forefront of this look.

Soft and shiny  This trend is flashy yet refined at the same time.  It centers around fabrics, like velvet, that will catch your eye, but don’t scream for your attention.