Decorating Bay Windows In Family Room

multiple fabric swatches of different patterns

"Uncluttered and unpretentious" is how designer Madeline Stuart describes her style. Can we add warm, stylish, and timeless?

multiple fabric swatches of different patterns

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Madeline Stuart's Choice of Fabrics

Beautiful fabrics chosen by designer Madeline Stuart, perfect for creating an instant family room.

yellow beige and taupe fabric swatch

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Best for: Pair of Lounge Chairs

"The colors are a bit unusual — nothing particularly trendy, but still fresh. And I like how the print isn't overly active. I loathe fabrics that command too much attention — they're like undisciplined children that won't be quiet. Cover a pair of comfortable lounge chairs in Stellar — and don't forget the nailheads." Vanderhurd: Stellar in color 4; Linen; 212-213-6541.

yellow fabric swatch

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Best for Upholstery: Side Chair

"It may look plain, but it's not. There's texture and depth in the weave. And the color! You can see it from across a crowded room." Claremont: Serge Antique in Color 92; Rayon, Cotton; 212-486-1252.

chair

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Lounge Chairs

"I would put STELLAR on a pair of my O'Hara Lounge Chairs. The simple lines would show off the elegant geometry of the pattern." Chair from Madeline Stuart Collection.

fabric swatch

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Best for Upholstery: Sofa

"A favorite of mine for the beauty of the materials and artisanal quality. It's completely handwoven!" Chapas Textiles: Thebes in Cactus; Cotton; 718-522-7864.

fabric swatch

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Best for Upholstery: Sofa

"A foil for all those fabulous pillow fabrics because it acts as a neutral canvas without being dullsville." George Spencer Designs through Claremont: Uno in Natural; Linen; 212-486-1252.

sofa

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Sofa

"THEBES is terribly sturdy, and the texture will hide dirt that is inevitably found in a family room. It looks especially good on the Burlingame Sofa, finished with nailheads along the base." Sofa from Madeline Stuart Collection.

brown leather fabric swatch

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Best for Upholstery: Ottoman

"This is a gorgeous leather. The color reminds me of Georgia clay — not quite red, not quite brown." Jerry Pair Leather: Hoof It in Cognac; Leather; 678-538-4125.

ottoman

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Ottoman

"HOOF IT provides depth and richness to the color scheme, and it wears beautifully. I put it on my Greek Key Ottoman, as it's certain to see a lot of action as a stool, footrest, side table, whatever." Ottoman from Madeline Stuart Collection.

fabric swatch

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Best for Accents: Pillows

"This is such a lovely fabric. The delicacy of the pattern is exquisite. I have great respect for the traditional hand-blocked technique used to make it." John Robshaw: Cinde in Monsoon; Linen, Cotton; 212-594-6006.

beige and yellow printed fabric

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Best for Accents: Curtains or Pillows

"The taupey ground softens the acid yellow, so it's a surprisingly quiet yet forceful presence in the room." Vanderhurd: Flower Stencil in color 5; Linen; 212-213-6541.

white fabric with yellow dots

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Best for Accents: Sheers

"So charming. Sunlight filtered through will give the room a sense of tranquillity you can't get from lined curtains." Vanderhurd: Daisy Chain in Color 17; Cotton, Silk; 212-213-6541.

madeline stuart

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Madeline Stuart

"A family room should be filled with great spots for reading and conversation, comfortable upholstery and overflowing bookshelves," says the Los Angeles-based designer. She looks to fabrics by Vanderhurd for this imaginary family room.