Creating a distinctive textile collection has been a lifelong dream for Vern Yip, interior designer and the star of popular home-decorating series like Trading Spaces and HGTV Design Star. “While most little boys played with cars and trucks, I wanted my own fabric line,” he quips.
When Yip visited Fabricland in June to make his first and only appearance in the Garden State, customers at the North Plainfield location gave the collection a big thumbs-up—and New Jersey Monthly snagged an exclusive sit-down interview.
The blue ocean colorway is one of four classic palettes in the Vern Yip Designs collection of fabrics and trimmings.
“Your space should reflect your personality and allow you to be in touch with what makes you happy,” Yip said. “I love layering neutral foundations with bright splashes of color.”
Vern Yip fabrics feature bold graphics in four colorways. “Blue ocean, orange poppy, gray charcoal and natural sesame are the hottest color trends, and I included diverse hues and tones that work especially well together,” he said. Those same palettes grace the interiors of Yip’s three homes: an urban apartment (gray, gold and brown), a historic manor home (gray, blue and orange) and a vacation retreat (bright orange and white).
“I’ve done the thinking ahead of time, so it’s easy to get a curated, elegant look,” Yip said.
“This collection appeals to real people who have kids and pets and mortgages–busy people like you and me who have other interests besides decorating their homes.”
“We like to add color to the store with fresh designs that are well priced,” added Bruce Heyman, owner of Fabricland, a third-generation family business. “Vern’s line really pops, and our customers are responding. We put the good stuff up front, so that’s where you’ll find his new collection.” The exuberant line is offered by Trend Fabrics, a division of Fabricut, Fabricland’s top-selling vendor.
Learn from Vern
- Step back and look at the scale of the fabric to understand how it will appear in its intended space. Will you use a little on a throw pillow or a lot for draperies?
- Layer complementary patterns. Mix bold prints as an expression of your personality.
- Play with color for a more sophisticated look. Don’t use just one hue or your space will appear too flat.
- Add textures to make your room welcoming. That’s the difference between a stark house and a pulled-together home.
- Understand fabric weight and durability. Some textiles can withstand heavy use on a sofa or chair. Other lighter-weight fabrics work better as window treatments.
Yip just signed a book deal for 2016. More of his tips are available at vernyip.com.