Ian Mankin Fabrics in our Showroom

At our West Sussex Furniture Showroom we try to display our white furniture in as realistic a setting as possible. In addition to the selection of New England Style Accessories and Coastal Style Accessories we have available, we also use various soft furnishings.

Our favourite supplier of stylish, high quality fabrics  is Ian Mankin. Amongst their wide selection of natural and organic fabrics, are their famous selection of tickings and stripes.

Pictured right is one such fabric. By simply edging a piece of fabric we have created a stylish throw which we use to dress our white armchairs and white sofas, along with matching cushions.

We really do feel that the selection of fabrics available to order from Ian Mankin are a great choice for creating a coastal style home. Their easy to use website showcases their products, and free swatches are easily requested. Browse through their range of readymade cushions and new products including aprons, bags and tea towels. You can even extend your interior style into the garden with the use of oilcloth on your outdoor table. and re-covering your deckchairs to match!

We do not sell and Ian Mankin products ourselves, but are always very happy to introduce our customers to such a passionate company.

White children’s furniture on flickr

Creating a coastal style interior involves incorporating natual colours to capture the beauty of the coast, and creating an inviting, comfortable space.

A popular choice is to use a blue and white colour scheme to resemble the summer sky, the sea and the breaking waves. As an alternative, you could also decorate the room so that it highlights rather than imitates the coastal scene by downplaying interior colours and using a predominantly white colour scheme so that the eye is drawn to the view outside the window; be it a coastal or coutryside scene.

Whitewash your room and add white painted floorboards. Keep the whole look fresh and clean by using only white furniture such as a coastal style wardrobe, chest of drawers and white painted bedframe.

Add accent colours of blue or coral via cushions, lamps and beddings. Choose fabrics with monochrome stripes to enhance the coastal feel – Ian Mankin offer a great selection of striped fabrics. Large overstuffed cushions and pilliows will add a feel of homely comfort.

Beach House Style Room

Use neutral wooden flooring to create a time worn feel, and use a piece such as our tongue and grooved white blanket box as a coffee table, but which can double up as living room storage.

Add a white painted bookcase to display books and beachcomber finds.

Use a white or linen covered sofa, and add in breezy stripes with a throw, cushions or window blind using any Ian Mankin fabrics.

Nautical accessories such as a carved wooden boat,  tall white lighthouse, or carved wooden fish complete the look. Who needs luxury cruises when you can bring the ocean into your home?!