Why Material Matters in Home Decor, Part 2: Wool
Photographer: Girls at Flourish, Designer: Paige Williams
The details are what give a home its depth and character, and fabric is one of those details that deserves thoughtful consideration. From linen and cotton to wool, silk, and velvet, the right material can influence how a room looks, feels, and functions.
As part of our ongoing fabric series, we’re taking a closer look at the materials we use throughout the home, why each one matters, and how to incorporate them into upholstery, custom drapery, and other textile details.
This time, we’re turning our attention to wool.
Wool is one of our favorite natural fabrics for its beautiful drape, soft texture, and versatility throughout the home. At Brave Maggie Designs, we work alongside interior designers and homeowners to select fabrics that make sense for both the design and the way a space will be used.
Today, we’re breaking down the different types of wool, what makes this natural fiber so special, and how to choose the right wool for window treatments and upholstery throughout your home.
What is Wool?
Wool is a natural material made from sheep’s coat, as well as other animals like goats, alpacas, and llamas. This is a denser fabric than velvet, silk, and cotton. It’s hardier and provides exceptional insulation, making it useful for both the hotter and colder months.
Wool can range from very fine and soft to thicker and coarser. A wool fiber’s diameter, typically measured in microns, is the primary indicator of its quality and price. The smaller the diameter, the higher the quality.
At Brave Maggie Designs, our favorite thing about wool is that it absorbs dye really well, which results in rich color. The rich color and texture of wool help create beautiful drapery and upholstery in the Nashville homes that we work on.
The Types of Wool
Merino Wool
Merino wool is a soft, fine wool made from Merino sheep. It is often used in throw blankets, drapery, and clothing. Merino wool is a versatile option for custom window treatments in the home. The ultrafine version of this wool is especially soft and considered a luxury wool similar to cashmere.
Alpaca Wool
Alpaca wool is a little softer than merino wool and significantly softer than tweed, making it perfect for custom throw pillows and bedding. Its hypoallergenic quality makes it ideal for people with sensitive skin.
Tweed
Tweed is coarser than merino and alpaca wool. It provides a classic wool look for an elegant, heirloom interior. This wool is best used in custom living room throw pillows and upholstery.
Cashmere
Cashmere wool comes from cashmere goats instead of the classic sheep coat. It is the fabric that comes to mind when we think of warmth and softness. Cashmere is usually blended with other wools to make it hardy enough for use in custom drapery and upholstery.
How to Pick the Best Wool for Your Home
Selecting a wool will depend on where the fabric will be used, how often it will be touched, and the role you want it to play within the room, all of which can help narrow the options.
For a living room sofa: A classic tweed
For bedroom throw pillows: Dyed Alpaca wool
For luxurious living room drapery: Merino wool
For semi-sheer sitting room drapery: A cashmere blend
For dining room decor: Embroidered Merino wool
A couple of things to keep in mind are: avoid using wool in high-humidity areas, like bathrooms, and always line your wool to help protect against sun damage. The right wool for your home depends on the individual fabric and the needs of the space. This is where working with a fabric specialist can be especially helpful.
In our Franklin showroom, we have a curated selection of high-quality wool options for interior design projects that want to integrate wool into the decor. Once the right wool is selected, how and where it’s used can bring an entirely new layer of depth, softness, and character to a room.
Photographer: Girls at Flourish, Designer: Paige Williams
Wool for Pillows, Bedding, and Accent Chairs
Wool is a great way to add texture to a room without distracting from the other elements in the interior design. The fabric makes for great pillows that subtly elevate a room’s design. Wool can be used to craft an entire pillow or as embroidery details on a base like cotton. As mentioned earlier, alpaca wool is best for custom throw pillows in a bedroom where there is more expected skin contact. However, cashmere is another great, gentle option for a luxurious custom pillow. Wool throw pillows can be paired with corresponding bedding for a cohesive design.
If you want refined charm in a living room, a rich tweed can take a simple accent chair and transform it into a statement piece. A herringbone tweed, with subtle specks of blue and red, is perfect for a classic living room design. A solid dyed wool works for a more modern but sophisticated interior. If you have heirloom furniture that you want to reupholster, wool is a fine choice for longevity. For furniture like sofas and sectionals that get a lot of wear, a wool blend is often a practical choice.
Custom Wool Window Treatments for Bedrooms and Living Rooms
In addition to texture, wool drapery adds both visual warmth and physical warmth to a space. The wool hangs well and keeps its shape, similar to cotton. When using wool for drapery, it is important to interline it for durability, especially in a south-facing bedroom. Wool’s sound absorption also makes it compatible with a relaxing environment such as a bedroom.
Wool drapery can be combined with motorization for a blend of classic beauty and modern technology. The motorization helps maintain a clean and elegant design while offering convenience and accessibility. Motorization is particularly helpful for drapery on floor-to-ceiling windows where manually pulling on cords can be a task.
Wool has many applications in home decor; from bedroom pillows to living room window treatments, luxurious wool can work in a multitude of ways.
Elevate Your Interiors with Custom Wool Drapery
Wool adds refined elegance to a home’s decor, particularly in window treatments and accent pieces. Our Brave Maggie Designs team makes using wool to add warmth and texture to your interior design an easier process.
At our showroom, we have a curated selection of high-quality fabrics to be used in home decor for homes in Nashville, Franklin, and Brentwood. We partner with designers and homeowners to create custom draperies, wallpaper, and soft furnishings suitable for luxury interiors. Our commitment to excellence ensures that each piece reflects your vision.
Ready to elevate your Nashville home with wool drapery? We'll help you understand which wool options work best for your room’s intended purpose. Schedule your visit to our showroom and let's bring your project’s vision to life.