Cavalli Scarves

No one designs silk print fabrics like Roberto Cavalli.

The detail, the colors, the patterns, the man knows sexy and he knows how to translate drama onto fabric. His love for the exotic, animal prints, florals, nautical themes and jewelry are just a few of his signature themes. Printed leather patterns got him noticed, but without a doubt the show-stoppers are his sheer, colorful, silk print dresses, tunics and shirts. Each collection usually carries a matching scarf or foulard. And they are amazing!   

Flamboyant, Italian-born Roberto Cavalli studied art and concentrated on textile print which is what got him attention as a young designer.  And today he is know for the over-the-top, luxurious, flowing fabrics.  "If there is one person I should thank for my career", said Cavalli, "it is God, the creator of the animal print. He really was the most fantastic designer because, wow, the women love it."

Move over Hermes ... there is competition on the block!

www.robertocavalli.com

Custom Painted Wallpapers

Custom hand painted wallpapers have always been a staple of elegant, traditional design.  

There is no better way to achieve the old Palm Beach or Manhattan 5th Ave. feel than by custom coloring a painted scenic mural on wall paper. It is both beautiful and sophisticated. Florals, birds, palm trees, Asian temples, Chinoiserie and beach scenes are all traditional themes used in the intricate traditional wall papers that create the exotic backdrop to fabulous dining rooms, master bedrooms and powder baths.

But creating these beautiful, bespoke works of art requires time and money. You can choose from a paper, silk or other fabric background. Metallic finishes  or lacquered finishes and antique techniques are all options to enhance your design.  Either way, you'll end up with an elegant, polished product.

http://graciestudio.com/pages/wallpaper/chinese-scenics.html

http://www.starkwallcovering.com/scenicMural/?wallcovering

IKAT Textiles

Ikat textiles are one of the most popular patterns in fabrics today.

Ikat is a dying technique used to pattern textiles.  Similar to tie dye, but with a different effect, ikats have become extremely detailed and colorful.   The result of this process is a motif which is “blurred”  in appearance. This ‘cloudy’ look comes from the slight bleeding of the dyes into the resist areas.

The work Ikat is an Indonesian word so it is believed that the technique started there. However ikats are traditional through out South East Asia, central Asia and parts of South America.

Me?  Love, love, love them!

 

Fabulous Fortuny!

Nothing screams fabulous more than Fortuny Fabrics.

Created in Venice, Italy in 1800's by Spaniard Mariano Fortuny, these fabrics are still created today in the same factory, with the same old world, hand-made techniques of printing and mixed dying.  The same color is almost impossible to guarantee from roll to roll, which makes each run a work of art and a one of a kind.

Fortuny fabrics  are the ultimate in textile achievement and are considered one of the finest crafted fabrics in the world.  Most designs have Byzantine, Celtic, Greek, Persian and Moroccan motifs. Depending on the design and complexity, they are priced between $250.00 to $650.00, which also makes them some of the most expensive fabrics too.  

I have used Fortuny on so many jobs-- I adore the colors and luminosity they bring to a room.  Just elegant.  Truely fabulous!

FLORAL PRINTS

It's summer and things are blooming. Bring your garden inside and plant a floral print in a room!

Many words can be used to describe floral fabrics and prints.  Feminine, sweet, boisterous, sexy, soft, fun, natural, fresh.  Some people love them, some people hate them.  But like most things in life, florals have a place and can be  amazing.  

One of my current favorite big scale floral fabric manufacturers is the English company Designers Guild.  They have update and modernized the traditional floral and mixed it with modern furniture in a very creative way. 

http://www.designersguild.com

 

French Toiles

Just got back home last night from an amazing trip to Paris. And I'm still in the mood for all things French.  And what could be more French than toile? 

 Toile originated in the 18^th century in central France and consist of a white or off white background  fabric printed with a one color, fairly complex outline design of a pastoral, hunting or floral scenes.  The most traditional colors are black, red, or blue.  Today’s fabric houses have printed toile in all colors and they can now be found on fabrics, wall papers, and dishes or teapots.

 On a previous trip to France several years ago, I stayed  at a cute hotel in  San Remy de Provance in which my room was completely covered in toile.  Walls, curtains, bedding and chamber maid aprons!

 Toile adds such a playful touch, doesn’t it?

Antique Japanese Obis

News of the earthquake and tsunami this morning has Japan on my mind. 

One of my favorite activities in Tokyo is shopping for antique obis which I use in many design applications. Depending on the width and quality they can be used as table runners, made into throw pillows or hung in acrylic frames as artwork.

Obi literally means sash in Japanese.  They are colorful belts used around the waist that tie in the back of robes.  The fanciest and most colorful obis are for young unmarried women and a  fine formal obi might cost more than the rest of the entire outfit.  They are usually constructed in fine brocades and often have silver and gold treads running through the design.  The patterns and colors are endless and they are a true art worthy of collecting. 

My thoughts go out the the fabulous island nation. 

Shopping in Cape Town

I was recently in South Africa and took some time to do one of my favorite travel activities: textile shopping.  

I have a nice collection of antique textiles from far away, exotic places I have traveled to and I store them until the perfect project comes along.   I set out to find unique handmade and antique pieces and in Africa, I was not disappointed.  Everything from geometric Congo Kuba cloths to hand dyed Gambian fabric. The assortment was mind blowing and the patterns were irresistible.

After this incredible trip, Im in love with all things Africa.  So in a few months - expect to see some of these outstanding textiles in my designs.  I se them as throws, pillows, and I also frame them as art.