Finding 'fringe'

If you've been watching FashionTV or flipping through the latest copy of Vogue, then you've undoubtedly noticed that everything from Christian Louboutin boots and Kenneth Cole bags to Jil Sander dresses and jewelry has been 'fringed'. What you may not have seen are the equally chic designer lamps, drapery panels, sofa's and one of a kind chairs and pillows which are also swished with fringe a la roaring '20s flappers.

Personally, I love this look, but just a touch or two of fringe is all that it takes to bring a room into the swing of home fashion. As with life, moderation is key. For example, you may want to add a fringed lampshade to your living room floor lamp and then a few layers of fringe on your drapery panels - just the right amount of swish to 'sex up the room' (fringe does have a bit of a boudoir appeal to it).

While fringe does have a supper chic look to it, that doesn't mean it has to come with a big price tag attached. In fact, you can DIY fringe, which is readily available at your local sewing or fabric centres.

• Start by calculating how many yards you will require; fringed lampshades are usually single layers, but we often see multiple layers on drapery, pillows and even the edge of a sofa.
• Your best bet is always sticking to the classics colours: black, white or nude.
• You may also need ribbon or edging to glue over top of the fringe's banding for a finished, professional look.
• Now, heat up your glue gun and go ahead and make Martha proud. Glue on a layer of fringe to the bottom three inches of your floor lamp or even table lamp's shades. Then stitch a few layers of fringe to your drapery panels preferably at around 20 to 30 inches from the floor.
• Alternatively, sew fringe onto a couple of toss cushions.

Resist the urge to bring too much fringe into the room because you know I don't like everything to be matchy-matchy, as that is too predicable and will result in a decorated rather than designed look.