Paden and Witchboy, it would be just great if you would lend me some of your fabric textures. Thanks very much for your offers.
The main issue about the fabric texture is that it must be either fairly easily tilable or big enough to cover a whole 3-tile cushion. That's why I'm having problems finding something in my own texture library that isn't just solid or my usual colonial/exotic style. I'm thinking it might be nice with something patterned for the cushions, although probably not too floral or at least modern/retro floral. Stripes and prints could also be good. But I'm really not at all sure what kind of style I want to go for - modern, shabby chic, retro, whatever - so I'm definitely open to suggestions.
Sizewise I'm using a 512x512 map and the fabric texture takes up most of that in height and just over half of that in width.
HugeLunatic over at TSR let me have some really good Maxis match wood textures for the bases, so I think I've got that covered now.
Mustluvcatz, that's another fun idea. I like the star scupltures - particularly the two on the right in the bottom picture. The bench is good too, although I don't particularly like the 'stars and stripes' theme. I'm not sure I understand the table, though. Is that just one table or are there two on top of each other? How about trying to make a tabletop that is made up by three, four or more stars - kind of like the wall hanging, but without the hole. A single star tabletop would be almost impossible to eat at. And one last thought: Using slightly rounded shapes for bench frame and table legs could soften up the 'angularity' of the star shapes.