A wish granted: a design makeover for a summer porch.
Custom cushions and pillows make it unique!
Nicole Regan’s Christmas wish was simple: to reupholster the faded cushions on her family’s screened-in porch. The cushions were all covered with the same dated fabric which gave the furniture a one-note look. Since Nicole has partnered with Calico before, she knew that our designer fabrics and custom workmanship could transform this space. “I wanted something softer and more inviting,” she recalled.
Nicole’s mother assisted with fabric selection, and they both collaborated with a designer at the Calico store in Oak Brook, Illinois. “My mom has exceptional taste,” said Nicole, “and she introduced me to Calico when I was a young girl.” Even when working with a designer, Nicole has found Calico’s expertise to be invaluable. Together, they changed up the décor by mixing fabrics on the cushions and adding finishing details like tapes and cording to make the porch a more visually interesting space. “They don’t even feel like the same chairs!” she noted.
Nicole chose a sturdy jacquard upholstery fabric, Moriarty in Palm, for the cushions, outlined with a ¼” decorative cord, Dolan in Indigo. The ottoman cushion has a decorative tape around the boxing; this tape repeats on the pillows made of an embroidered fabric, Pecos in Navy Palm.
The cushion fillings were in great shape, so the Calico workroom was able to use them and also to employ the original covers as templates. The cushions were restyled by nixing the mid-line welting in favor of a boxed band, outlined with welting top and bottom. “This made the cushions look fuller and more substantial,” added Nicole, “even though they were the same ones!”
“While many people turn to construction or new furniture for a refresh, I truly believe in the power of fabric to bring a space to life. And no one does it better than Calico!”
Nicole Regan
Nicole’s daughter clearly approves of the comfy new cushions! A wicker side chair is accented with a pillow in a block floral print, Atticus in Delphinium and Dolan ¼” cord in Indigo.
Wicker chairs at the table feature seat cushions of Gulfport in Navy, outlined with a ¼” decorative cord, Dolan in Emerald. The back cushions are made of the woven stripe Jarales in Blue, accented in the same green cord.
The Gulfport fabric on the seat cushions is also used on pillows in the adjacent family room. “It felt important for the two spaces to feel cohesive,” said Nicole. This fabric bridges the two rooms, incorporating the blues and greens used in both, “without everything feeling matchy-matchy. The new fabrics have transformed this porch—it now feels like an extension of our family room.”
Since the weather has warmed, and the porch has been redone, the Regan family is using it often. “Every single day!” said Nicole. “We also love entertaining in this space. It’s especially magical when it rains. We all pile onto the sofa and chairs with blankets, light plenty of candles, and listen to the pitter-patter of the rain.”
Nicole blogs as Cedar & Rush which she describes as “a Chicago Blog, the intersection where style meets entertaining”.
The inside story on custom cushions from Calico
Cushions made by Calico will fit your furniture perfectly, made in fabrics and trims that you choose. We go way beyond solids and stripes! Our mega selection of easy-care performance fabrics guarantees that you’ll find exactly the look you want—whether for indoor or outdoor use. We even make cushions for boats and yachts!
The outdoor foam option can extend the life of cushions used outside and on boat seating. For indoor furniture, we can craft chair cushions, bench cushions, window seat cushions and chair pads—all created to fit your furniture perfectly.
