As one of the world's most ancient man-made items, fabric has been with us for centuries. Yet today, when it comes to choosing fabrics for our interiors, most of us are anxious to avoid expensive mistakes, and need inspiration, help and practical advice to influence our choices. We want to know if green looks better than blue, whether plain is preferable to pattern but we also need to know the wear and usability of materials when chosen for a curtain, an armchair or a cushion. An understanding of fibres is therefore essential to understanding fabrics, and in this book Chris Halsey and Wilhelmine van Aerssen, both experts in their field, guide you through the world of soft furnishings. The book contains a layman's guide to wool, linen, cotton, silk and the more complex man-made fibres, with a second section explaining their production techniques. A third section shows the reader how to use fabric in the home to give the amateur interior decorator the confidence to start experimenting. Beautiful photographs from top brands such as Designers Guild, Osborne & Little, Nina Campbell, William Yeoward and Nobilis not only make this book a highly practical handbook but also a beautiful book to use and look at again and again.