Like a piece of furniture, fabric can sit quietly in a room, barely noticed. Or it can light up the space, pulling the eye like a magnet to a vibrant color or distinctive pattern.

It's the softer side of interiors -- literally one that takes the edge off strong architecture or furniture. Fabric panels frame windows in a flowing or tailored way that quietly complements. For many designers, the colors in a pattern can launch a room's palette, even a particular paint color to match. Textiles, by their hand or shimmer, can totally dictate mood. A cashmere, silk or velvet suggests lushness and elegance. Chenille and linen present a more casual, sporty vibe, even though these, too, can also be considered dress-up. In combination, they can be most dynamic, as foils to one another: supple to textural, shiny to matte.

We sort of take textiles for granted. We sit on them, sleep on them, dry ourselves off with them, and, of course, wear them.

And it's that intersection of fashion and furnishings that we're seeing more and more. From runways to living rooms, the influences of graphics, patterns and even styles are translated. A bold geometric suggests sassy, assertive and sometimes retro design. A painterly floral gives a romantic note. A photo realistic graphic provides an urban vibe.

While color often gets top play in the news (Pantone's color of the year, in case you haven't heard, is radiant orchid), what's happening in textile design usually is celebrated as part of the story of a room's interior, sometimes the footnote to a fashion collection. But it can easily be the star.

What's trending globally actually starts to unfold at two major international shows in January in Europe: Frankfurt, Germany is host to Heimtextil, a trade show hosted by Messe Frankfurt, where you'll see thousands of fabrics, wallcoverings, bedding and home textiles -- and even the artwork that inspires them. At Paris Deco Off, just a week later this past January, high-end showrooms on both the Left Bank and Right Bank of the Seine host retailers and designers to show off their newest lines, concurrent with Maison & Objet, a major home-design exposition.

If one chord was struck repeatedly at both events, it was the influence of technology, particularly digital, on design. Imagine the photorealism possible with even smartphone shots today -- and the possibility of faithfully translating crisp, realistic images to fabric and wallcovering. Or intentionally out-of-focus images that have a painterly look. In fact, scanning original paintings or artwork adds still another dimension, as does the layering of images, like montages in scrapbooks. Add to that a range of colors and blends not even possible before and the capability of not repeating a pattern.

A stunning new collection from Romo's Black Edition features the work of British artist Jessica Zoob digitally reproduced. Emily Mould, Romo's design director, says, "Zoob's imaginative use of texture and color in her emotionally charged, contemporary impressionist paintings translates effortlessly onto fabrics."

In addition to graphics, texture also was an important element. This was expressed in a variety of ways: embroidery and beading, embellishments such as tufts, and even dimensional materials, where pleats or weaves amplified a flat surface to 3-D. An appreciation of handcrafted looks or the perception of handmade is ramping up. So the chunky knits and crochets we've been seeing hints of the last couple of years in home design are making an even bigger showing -- and sometimes in surprising materials, including synthetics with the hand of rubber.

At Christian Fischbacher, exploration of texture was showcased in a new fabric (and pillow design). The interlocking pattern appeared in relief, the result of adding a foam to the silk surface, then a layer of foil set with a heat adhesive, which lends an almost iridescent effect. It won an award for innovation.

Unusual weaves also extend to linens and wools, some of which show striking layerings. And sheers are adding a new wrinkle -- "netted tulles," for example, which offer a great option for window treatments that screen without blocking light -- in an extensive palette, as well as wider grid fisherman's netting, in a kind of macrame revival. In addition, metallic threads are lending a bit of glam to some fabrics.

What's intriguing about the luxe looks this time is that they often were shown in combination with more casual, rustic fabrics -- a trend that is recurring in home design. A room with wide-plank, weathered floors and linen upholstery, for example, might sport lacquered cabinetry and a crystal chandelier.

If you're shopping for spring and summer textiles, here are a few things you might see:

-- Larger scale. Itsy-bitsy patterns seem so passe. Some motifs, such as tropical birds and palms, now are larger than life, especially on bedding and towels. Look for really fun beach towels with artlike photography and drawings.

-- Explosive images. Uber-huge blooms, like poppies, are splashed on bed linens. Digital photos are being scanned and printed on everything from T-shirts and bags to pillows, bedding and fabric.

-- Incorporating art. Paintings and drawings are adding artistry to textile design. In addition to photography, original artwork is being sourced, lending a whole new dimension -- beauty as well as grit.

-- More open backgrounds. Less crowding really makes the designs pop, especially in pillows with single image objects.

-- Layering. For some companies, such as the Spanish company Desigual or the Netherlands' Melli Mello, exuberant pattern is the signature, and they don't stop at just one.

-- Embroidery and patchwork. In addition to the real thing, there's the trompe l'oeil variety, as in bedding from Esprit, which teams both in a convincing way.

Textile manufacturers are paying attention to those Pinterest boards and even Instagram. One of the keys to the spring line of Robert Allen is filtered color -- a kind of washed look. Christy Almond, the company's vice president, says that the more delicate iterations of colors reminded her of what people are doing on Instagram.

"This 'filtered' effect creates hues that are relevant in both fashions and interiors," says Almond.

Concurrent is a trend for the threadbare look so popular in rugs, especially effective in velvet because of its natural nap.

For the most part, there's a desire to tweak or modernize familiar, traditional patterns. Toile, for example, is captivating a new audience because of shifts in motifs from less 18th century, allover pale pastoral themes to more vibrant colors with unexpected combinations and bigger, looser scale.

And companies with archives are digging deep to reintroduce or draw inspiration. At Pierre Frey, fashion-turned-interior and furniture designer Vincent Darre, peeked into 1940s and 1950s archives. Three designs were reissued -- and they look every bit as current today. He reimagined three others in response.

Some motifs, in particular, seem to be resonating. Sea creatures will be huge. Coral designs on pillows or plates are almost perennial favorites, especially in coastal areas, but this year's crop follows the big trend as well as expanding under-the-sea life. Feathers and hints of southwest style also are starting to emerge. Eastern influences are making inroads, especially dragon motifs and pagodas.

At the Heimtextil show's Forum, a provocative space putting forth trends for 2014-2015, one look into the future offered this compelling concept: reprogramming bacteria and plants to manufacture materials -- a biologically enhanced alternative for future sustainable living.

One picture may be worth a thousand words, but many designers will agree that textiles can truly be transformative.

Sources

-- Alessandra Branca for F. Schumacher, 800-523-1200, www.fschumacher.com

-- Ankasa Legacy, Beacon Hill, 800-333-3777, www.beaconhilldesign.com

-- Black Edition, Romo, 800-338-2783, www.romousa.com

-- Christian Fischbacher, (Switzerland) +41 (0) 71 314 66 66, www.fischbacher.com

-- Manuel Canovas, through Cowtan & Tout, 212-647-6900, www.cowtan.com

-- Desigual USA, 855-374-5872, www.desigual.com/en

-- Esprit US, 212-401-1122, www.esprit.com

-- Essenza, www.essenza.com; some of the company's bedding is available through Kohl's, 855-564-5705, www.kohls.com

-- Pierre Frey, 212-421-0534, www.pierrefrey.com

-- Melli Mello, new company, website under development; check out its Facebook page

-- Move collection from Frottana, www.moeve.com for online shop

-- Sanderson, 212-319-7220, www.sanderson-uk.com

-- Studio Kelkka, info@studiokelkka.com, www.studiokelkka.com

-- Lorna Syson, hello@lornasyson.co.uk, www.lornasyson.co.uk

-- Zoffany, through Sanderson, 212-319-7220, www.sanderson-uk.com

SIDEBAR

'WORKING' FABRICS WELCOME WARMER DAYS WITH COLOR

Bedding patterns and kitchen textiles, such as towels and aprons, have been positively exuberant the last couple of years, especially come spring and summer. That's when the bright colors emerge -- just like inland landscapes dulled by winter.

Expect that trend to blossom, in part due to the advent of digital technology in fabrics. Images have never looked so real -- whether it's a flower, wide-plank wood flooring, shelves full of suitcases or postcards from Provence. The large, narrow format of beach towels -- kind of like a roll of wallpaper -- really lends itself well to imaginative printings.

Even monochromatic images look better because of the nuances of shading now possible. The sorbetlike pastels -- pinks, tangerines, apple, lime and yellow, as well as a range of blues seem particularly fresh at this time of year.

But overall, an explosion of color is welcome, and when we see them in tandem -- hot pink, magenta, orange or indigo, turquoise and lime -- it makes us practically giddy!

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com or the Universal Uclick Editorial Department at -uueditorial@amuniversal.com)

Fireplaces more often than not have bragging rights in home real estate listings. Who doesn't love the flicker of flames and the warmth that the hearth imparts?

Sometimes elegant, sometimes architectural, often romantic, a fireplace -- with a handsome mantel or as part of a whole wall -- is a focal point in interiors. It's a magnet for intimate seating, with sofa, chairs, ottomans and coffee tables likely to gather around.

These days, fireplaces can be installed in nearly every room of the house, as well as outdoors, largely thanks to direct-vent gas technology, which actually was introduced by manufacturer Heat & Glo in 1987. Where wood-burning fireplaces are tethered to chimneys, direct vent requires a double layer pipe (to bring direct air from the outside and expel combusted air) that can be run virtually anywhere. And today, the "log" choices are much more realistic than early models.

But another seismic shift has been the advent of what the hearth industry calls the linear fireplace.

By now you've probably seen it in magazines, and it's a popular style at designer showhouses all over the country. Like the move from a 4:3 to 16:9 format in TVs, this propane or natural gas-fired fireplace is long and lean. The rectangular insert is set into a wall, framed like a piece of art, or frameless. Often the flames themselves create a dancing, mesmerizing pattern. The bed sometimes is dressed with sparkling glass, pebbles or beachy stones, depending on the ambience you prefer.

As interiors have been trending to more modern, clean styles, it's no surprise that this look is attractive.

"Modern styling is becoming more mainstream," says Becky Scribner, marketing director for Heat & Glo. "We work with a lot of builders, and they're starting to put in linear gas fireplaces instead of wood-burning."

An easier installation than a full masonry wood-burning fireplace adds to the appeal.

Another category is the vent-free fireplace, which, is said to be nearly 100 percent energy-efficient. As it requires only a hole cut into a wall, with no vent kits, vent-free fireplaces are up to 75 percent less expensive to install (starting at around $2,500, depending on style, mantel choice, etc.)

However, since these rely on indoor air for combustion, there is some debate about indoor air quality. Vent-free fireplaces are not approved for installation in Canada and are restricted in some parts of the U.S., such as California, so be sure to check local codes. Needless to say, these do require installation by a gas or plumbing contractor, but most manufacturers will tell you that with proper installation, there shouldn't be any problems.

In addition to gas models, bioethanol technology also has been touted for its environmental friendliness because it burns clean with no smoke, sparks or fuss. From handcrafted freestanding pieces of "fire" furniture to grates for traditional fireplace conversion to firebox inserts for custom built-in designs, companies such as EcoSmart offer options fueled by bioethanol, a renewable liquid fuel whose combustion produces heat, steam and carbon dioxide. EcoSmart ethanol-burning models are priced from $500 to $10,000, depending on style.

Stunning installations include feature walls -- where the linear fireplace takes center stage -- asymmetrical placements or teamings with high-definition TVs. Their shapes can even be round and two-sided, just like some options with aquariums.

Many people with traditional wood-burning fireplaces are changing over to new technology for more efficiency and ease. Some, who don't want to sacrifice real wood logs, combine with gas, so there's an option of working both ways (gas-assisted wood burning).

While remote controls have been available, Heat & Glo is actually introducing a Wi-Fi enabled gas fireplace controlled app at the Building Show in Las Vegas in early February. Now you can warm spaces before coming home as well as check to make sure the fireplace was turned off before you left. In addition, there are some first-to-market safety features, including a child lock and hot glass indicators.

More ultramodern styles are on the docket as well, including Heat & Glo's new model called REVO -- a slender, 7-inch-deep profile that comes in square, horizontal and vertical shapes that can be hung on the wall like art. It features the company's patented razor burner, which produces a particular pattern and a reflected glass interior. Multicolor LED accent lighting also is available.

Similarly, a stylish vent-free model from Napoleon features a torch flame design with porcelain reflective radiant panels. Shown on its website (www.napoleonfireplaces.com) in a contemporary bath, its burner comes with decorative glass embers. Some safety features include an energy-saving "no pilot" gas valve control system that automatically shuts off the supply. Accent lights to mount underneath and above are optional.

If an inherited traditional mantel seems old-fashioned -- say, a dark wood or turn-of-the-century oak that is just not your style -- you can change the finish or paint it, as well as visually lighten up the surround, with tile or stone. Where brick walls may date a fireplace, again, an update with paint or even a new stone or stone veneer face will do wonders.

Chicago designer John Wiltgen says he has enjoyed playing with fireplace design for more than 30 years, and has retrofitted many existing fireboxes, combining antiques with new technology.

"We consider fireplaces a pivotal element of design, says Wiltgen. "They can be stylish examples of one-of-a-kind functional art and architecture."

A few years back, Eldorado Stone, which manufacturers stone-lookalike materials for cladding, introduced a series of composite mantels that have the heft, scale and look of stone without the weight and cost (prices start at about $1,500). They come in a range of styles, including some beautifully classical profiles as well as more clean-lined designs with mitered corners. They'll stand out on a plain or textured stone wall.

One of Eldorado Stone's newest mantels is an elegant hand finished surround called the Dylan. It's composed of real limestone aggregates and hand-finished in a four-step process that makes each piece one-of-a-kind. It's a crisp design that easily transitions between traditional and modern decor.

"There's been a growing trend toward contemporary living spaces," says Brent Spann, vice president of marketing for Eldorado Stone. "With its modern lines and artfully beveled edges, (the Dylan) is ideal for the types of fireplaces that grace contemporary homes, high-rise apartments, condos, lofts and bungalows."

Tile offers still another option not only for surrounds, but also for dressing fireboxes. Motawi Tileworks, a boutique artisanal company based in Ann Arbor, Mich., shows a variety of examples for tile mantels as well as tall feature walls. All of their tiles are done by hand --trimming, sanding, dipping and glazing -- with each piece handled 28 times.

There's been a tremendous uptick in fire pits in outdoor rooms, but the flexibility of some of the new fireplace designs has ignited interest -- especially linear burners, which are being installed on tables.

"Outdoor fireplaces are growing like wildfire," says Scribner -- pun intended.

No matter which style you choose, you can create a welcoming gathering spot that offers visual warmth as well as real welcome heat when it's cold outside.

Sources

-- EcoSmart Fireplaces, 888-577-3925, www.ecosmartfire.com

-- Eldorado Stone, 800-925-1491, www.eldoradostone.com

-- Michael Fullen Design Group, 949-715-1633, www.michaelfullen.com

-- HearthCabinet, 212-242-1485, www.hearthcabinet.com

-- Heat & Glo, 888-427-3973, www.heatnglo.com

-- Lennox Hearth Products, 800-655-2008, www.lennoxhearthproducts.com

-- Motawi Tileworks, 734-213-0017, www.motawi.com

-- Napoleon Fireplaces, 705-721-1214, www.napoleonfireplaces.com

-- Spark Modern Fires, 866-938-3846, www.sparkfires.com

-- Regency Fireplace Products, 604-946-5155, www.regency-fire.com

-- John Robert Wiltgen Design, 312-744-1151, www.jrwdesign.com

-- Felicia Zwebner, 917-868-8994, www.feliciazwebner.com

-- Wittus Inc., 914-764-5679, www.wittus.com

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com or the Universal Uclick Editorial Department at -uueditorial@amuniversal.com)

Portability and connectivity -- with the explosion of iPads, notebooks, tablets and Wi-Fi -- have been real game changers in the way we think of home offices. They have expanded the options for working just about anywhere, including at 40,000 feet.

Even the peripherals have downsized, such as supersmall printers and compact projectors for those PowerPoint presentations or family slide shows.

So a trend to more minimal desks started taking root two or three years ago, as the need for mega-footprint towers, printers and monitors lessened. Just as bulky TVs have given way to uber-slim models, hulking furniture is not necessary for your personal workstation, unless it's your style to rock a honking executive desk.

Still, in spite of the fact that you might even set up shop in bed (say it isn't so!), it is nice to have a clean surface for at-home work.

"We see work styles and work places all over the country really evolving these days," says Kim Shaver, a spokeswoman for Hooker Furniture. In the past few years, the country has aggressively researched sites like Houszz, Pinterest and design blogs to get a pulse on how people are solving their work-at-home issues, and they have been impressed with a range of creative ideas.

"When you bring work home from the office or check email or pay bills online, you want to stay connected to the people and activities around you," says Shaver. "You're looking for an unconventional office -- one without walls. Because of portable electronics, we want to seamlessly integrate them in the home with multifunctional, high fashion, high style pieces that can go into any room. That allows you to blend work and family life."

Some recent furniture introductions nod to beautiful classic pieces that are as decorative as they are functional -- 18th century, 1930s Art Deco or mid-century modern styles, for example, made from exquisite woods and veneers, allowing their craftsmanship, form and style to speak volumes. Other desks are more generic, with simple lines, pleasantly traditional with familiar details such as cabriole legs or reeded aprons, transitional, like campaign styles with crossed legs, or ultra modern.

Even the sleek offer surprises. One simple design (the Torino) by Manuel Saez at CB2 has a matte lacquer white top that sits on a white oak stretcher base with U-shaped legs that are braced with intentionally exposed hardware. According to the description, "the immaculately clean" desktop may be "the sign of a highly organized, compulsive neatnik." Peek inside: With an integrated pull, the top opens to reveal 9 square feet of stash space for laptop, iPhone, iPad, projects, books, planners, folders, smalls and supplies -- even hidden cord cutouts to charge electronics.

There especially as been an uptick in the industrial look with metal or raw, grained, often reclaimed woods sometimes combined with steel and iron. These materials lend themselves well to clean-line designs. There's also the allure of the backstory, such as the use of reclaimed telephone poles that celebrate distressing, knobs, drill holes and splits, at Crate & Barrel.

A desk with rounded corners anchored by cast arched trestle legs at Restoration Hardware is a faithful reproduction of a 1950s English garment factory table. Also at RH is another 74-inch metal desk with an ample-sized surface, complemented by a symmetrical pair of curving, open compartments for storage, a slatted shelf stretcher and a hidden slide out panel beneath for a keyboard. It's truly an elegant form.

Most retailers now feature home-office categories, as well as those dedicated to storage.

With so many options, some are looking to stand out from the pack. A new desk from the Keno Brothers, the popular antiques experts from the PBS "Antiques Roadshow" series, for example, has a hidden WOW factor. The petitely proportioned, mahogany burled veneer make it a little jewel, but open the top and the big reveal is a brilliant blue lacquer.

Not that this device hasn't been employed before, but it's always a fabulous furniture tour de force. One recent bold example is a glamorous secretary designed by Marjorie Skouras for Currey & Co. It's finished in faux malachite and dazzling with a drop-down desk in poppy red.

Manufacturers also seem to be promoting the idea of double duty. And why not?

"First of all," says New York-based designer Jena Hall, "when people are not furnishing a home office, they don't think about desks. Often (existing) furniture is used impromptu -- like sitting at a dining or breakfast room table."

Tables that morph into desks or desks that convert to dressing tables are so practical, especially when space is limited. A nearly 8-foot cherry veneer topped table with a zigzag stainless base, from the Italian company Selva, takes on a dramatically different look when teamed with tall-backed bergere chairs rather than a desk chair.

Similarly, the Strut table, with angled wood legs, a floating glass top and X-bar support that is integral to the design, is shown at Crate and Barrel in several settings -- including dining.

"A desk is a multi-function value," says Hall. "It makes a room more interesting stylistically as well as functionally. I like a desk as an end table next to bed, instead of a matched nightstand. It's a more eclectic look."

So is floating a desk behind a sofa where it also serves handily as a table.

"With mobility and wireless (devices), you may think of eliminating desks," says Hall. "But you still need a surface to spread papers out." And besides the functionality, says Hall, the decorative aspect can't be overlooked, especially with more creative placement.

As an interior designer as well as someone who designs furniture, Hall does think about consumers' needs in concert with home layouts. "I like desks in bedrooms, for example, at right angles, perpendicular to a wall. It helps break up space. A desk can even make a wonderful dressing table in a bathroom."

As far as corralling potential clutter is concerned -- the rest is up to you. Right up there with losing weight, getting organized makes most everyone's top 10 resolutions list every year.

Sources

-- CB2, 800-606-6252, www.cb2.com

-- Crate and Barrel, 800-967-6696, www.crateandbarrel.com

-- Currey & Co., 877-617-1032, www.curreyco.com

-- Hooker Furniture, 276-656-3335, www.hookerfurniture.com

-- Restoration Hardware, 800-910-9836, www.restorationhardware.com

-- Selva, 336-885-2239, www.selva.com

-- Somerton Dwelling, 951-898-1616, www.somertondwelling.com

-- Universal Furniture, 336-822-8888, www.universalfurniture.com

-- West Elm, 888-922-4119, www.westelm.com

SIDEBAR

MINIMALISM TO THE MAX

Glass-topped work surfaces especially seem to beg for tidiness. What the more minimal desks demand is a clutter-free zone. Where to stash all that paperwork and tools?

File cabinets, of course, are an obvious go-to. At stores such as CB2, we've seen hip colors over the years, with a still popular powder-coated steel model that features a couple of drawer for pens, staplers, paper clips and smaller items on top and a file below, with the whole thing on casters for easy movability. We've seen them in orange, lime, lobster red -- they're currently offered in charcoal, white and a soft blue-green called Mint. Ganged in three, under a white parsons table on casters, and set in an eclectic, modern living room with an elegant traditional fireplace, the collection spells industrial chic.

While color lifts the spirits of such storage pieces, they still may be too office-y for some tastes. And there are some very cool new options -- furniture that easily transitions from room to room.

The wood Strut cabinet (actually a companion to the desk/table with the same name at Crate and Barrel) is a no-nonsense design, handsome veneer in an appealing chocolate hue. It stands on short splayed feet to match the angle of the table legs.

A lot more sassy is the Pilsen file cabinet from CB2 in a tangy shade of paprika. Its glass top rests on a frame that is boosted from the base, creating a ledge handy for stowing magazines or a Nook.

But what about charging all of your devices, you may ask. Hooker Furniture has a couple of answers for that.

And when the company previewed its e-charger station on Facebook before the October furniture market in High Point, N.C., it went viral. That's because the studly, nailhead-studded, turquoise-painted cabinet totally disguises any possible eyesores and is a pretty cool looking piece of furniture.

"We got more likes comments than with any single post we've ever had," says company spokeswoman Kim Shaver. "It elicited responses like, 'Where has this piece been all my life? Such a great idea.'"

There's a lot to love about it. Up to five devices may be charged at one time, with wire management and nice details.

"It's a station that can go anywhere -- hall, bedroom, living room, family room," says Shaver. "It gives you a place where you can organize and keep everything in one spot rather than all over the house. You can grab your cell phone or tablet, and you don't have to see those ugly cords. Plus the shallow drawers are lined with felt so you won't scratch (anything with a screen)."

"All households struggle with how to charge and organize multiple electronics and 'grab them and go,' when you're ready to leave for work or an appointment," says Cindy Hall, director of merchandising for Hooker Furniture. (These pieces) take it "to a whole new level of problem-solving, de-cluttering and de-stressing furniture."

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com or the Universal Uclick Editorial Department at -uueditorial@amuniversal.com)