Speaking of fabric ~ I'm in love with Schumacher

On Tuesday I went to the Washington Design Center as I usually do in search of stunning fabric. I found what I was looking for at two showrooms. One of them was Schumacher. Here was the difference between the two showrooms; the first one has lovely, well displayed fabrics. I asked for a bit of help and I was steered in a general direction but that's it. "If we had something it would be here." Then she walked away. "Thank you," I said. Then I went to Schumacher. A friendly young man asked me if I needed help. "Yes please." I showed him some fabric and leather. I asked him if he had something that could tie it all together. Off he went in search of the perfect fabric. He brought back a couple. I found a couple. He brought me some more. I found some more. The point is ~ we were a team. For the 15 minutes he helped me, it was sheer bliss. I left in record time with everything I needed in hand. He smiled and said a cheerful good-bye and off I went happy as a clam. Is this unusual for the folks as Schumacher? Noooooo sssssiiiirrrreeee! It's the norm. And that my friends is worth a million bucks.

Schumacher continues to impress me with their product and their service. I save emails I get from my vendors so this experience made me visit my Schumacher folder to take a look at their new fabric. I saw some in the showroom but didn't have time to fully explore. Now I'm sad I didn't. I'll need to spend more time in there the next visit to the WDC.

Let's look at some of their new Spring Classic 2012 prints. The ones at the top are called Chenonceau. I've shown it in Sky and Coral ~ two colorways I am loving these days. Isn't it stunning?


Here is Kiribati Ikat Print in Coral and Linen. Simply fantastic!

What about this little beauty ~ Malacca Ikat Vine in Linen and Willow? So sweet!

I love the fun sophistication of this print ~ Mataura Linen. It is shown here in Greige and Aegean.

Next we move on to their classic Palazzo Woven Collection. Of course I have to show the Bianca Matelasse (Bianca is my mother's name). I love it is the classic Ivory. The Montisi Linen Damask is beautiful. Perfect for casual elegance.

This floral is very similar to one of the fabrics he selected for me. I love this Berry colorway in the Lampasso Flori. The San Savino Embossed Linen is gorgeous. It is shown here is Aqua.

I love these two ~ the Tali Weave and the Toscana Linen Damask. I am so enjoying the damask they are doing. They are making them fresh and relevant.

Last but certainly not least, the Tokat Weave in Indigo and the Montalcino Applque Damask in Robin's Egg. Here is my favorite in their new damasks. The colorways are fantastic. I cannot wait to use this one. You can check out all of these fabrics at Schumacher. There are many more colorways and some I didn't post about but deserve notice. I can tell you I am certainly looking forward to my next visit. That showroom will be my first stop.

Completely in Love with Fabric

I recently showed you the progress on a project. I just love the fabrics I used. I brought them with me to High Point Market last October and worked to complete the rooms while there. The fabric at the top is a lush tone on tone velvet from Bergamo Fabrics ~ Vendramin. I just love it.

   
The ones above are gorgeous dupioni silks from Libas. I love silk and linen for drapes. I have used the off white silk ~ Bangalore ~ many times. I even have it in my master bedroom.


 How about this sweetheart of a fabric ~ Adelaide Embroidery from Schumacher. It looks wonderful on the dining chair backs. Since it is silk, I did not place it on the inside chair. There I placed a a Kravet contract velvet in the same background color as the Adelaide. The contract will clean up much better when messy eaters come to town.

 
 This fabric from Groundworks ~ Nolita ~ I have in both the living and dining rooms as an accent. The
 colors are simply magnificent.

 
Last but not least, another Schumacher beauty, the Usak Weave. The picture does not do it justice. The motif is large scale and fantastic.  Here's a couple of pictures from the rooms.

Looking forward to the rug I designed for the foyer making it's debut.  Then the professional pictures can be taken really showing what amazing fabrics can do.

Robert Allen and Dwell Studio

I received news from Robert Allen. Their partnering with Dwell Studio. The fabrics they created look wonderful. Take a look at this video. You really can see how fabulous they seem because they are shown on furniture versus a flat picture of a sample.



I really like what I'm seeing. I think I'll go to the Robert Allen Showroom in DC to see how they feel.

What do you think? Do you like them?

Just Itching to Use

Have you ever come across a product you're just itching to use? I came across this one by Whiting & Davis Metal Mesh Fabrics. and I would love to find a project it would have a home in. Here's how it is described...

"It is an intricate weave of interlocking metal links formed from rings of solid brass, aluminum or stainless steel, plated or enameled, and polished to a brilliant finish. This luxurious material ripples through the fingers like liquid gold.... Feel the difference."

I would love to feel the difference. I think I need to order some samples.
I can picture this is a fabulous contemporary home perhaps used as a divider or a textured, shimmery wall treatment. Maybe even a backdrop for a glorious headboard... hmmm... oh the possibilities. The gallery on their website doesn't seem to do it justice. Maybe I can do something about that...

Katherine Rally

Katherine Rally is a company that seems to be at ease. They emailed me and said ~ Hey, check us out! So I did. Katherine is an interior designer. Rally is an architect. I read their story ~ they high tailed it out of here when the economy sank. They didn't just leave, they went on an adventure ~ to live in a magnificent world known at Bali. Dare to dream. They started their own company hand making lovely batiks. They turn these cotton/linens into pillows, table clothes, napkins, or beautiful wall art. Yes, you can just get the fabric too. The colors are vibrant; the patterns interesting with fabulous motifs. Take a look...








This wall art is stunning! Of course where the art is placed in the country that it is may be having an impact on my psyche. I just want to be there admiring it in person :-)

Still the motif's scale really speaks to me. I am loving the large scale right now. Its very powerful to me, very impactful. One other important piece of information ~ the fabric is machine washable in warm water and you can dry it in the dryer using low heat. That is a fabulous asset if you ask me!

So tell me ~ what do you think?

Thursday Room ~ Shall We Continue?

It was a pretty dreary day for this portion of the tweens installation... the rain was cold, sky dark. Yuk! Here is some the Byron Jorjorian's wonderful photography. The colors are so vibrant but it is not captured here ~ phooey! Remember I said once we have more items in the room, I'd decide on whether the fan blades would need to be painted or not? Well.....

As the lush leaf hued drapes went up, the yellow blades came down. I'll have them painted in the same white as the walls. That will make them pop off the purple ceiling. The wallpaper still has to go up. The fabrics on the bed are the ones you saw all wrapped up last week. The mirrors were installed in both rooms. In this festive room ~ the chaise arrived and guessed who tried it out...

Remember him loving the painters and all their tools....


Yeah, he loves the chaise too. I LOVE the fabric! The mirrors are floor to ceiling opposing the wallpaper and bed. Every female tween needs a full length mirror to see how they look in each and every outfit. I think mom is a bit jealous now ~ she doesn't have a full length mirror ~ yet!

The colors are vibrant but only three repeat in the space ~ purple, dark pink, and green. Each is in the bed fabrics and on the chaise. Others elements in the room that are not neutral are also in these hues ~ drapes, custom rug. The way to add interest is with pattern and texture. You see this grand damask on the chaise nicely complements the striped duvet and other textured solids. Yum!

What about the other room?...

That room also had the woven shades and stationary panels installed. This is Jeff ~ my installer. He was camera shy. Here's his assistant ~ Joe...

I was trying to get him to flash his cool tattoos but he was even more camera shy. Here's a true story... the first time I used these guys, who were highly recommended ~ this is years ago now, when I first saw them I thought, 'These big burly hoodlums are going install my delicate drapes and hang my precious art??!! YIKES!!' And they did ~ with precision and grace. Joe is the best dresser I have ever seen. He makes the drapes look perfect each time with his nimble hands. Jeff and I often go back and forth on how straight the art is. He knows exactly how I want my window treatments and art hung ~ fabulous!

This room got mirrors too...

And the bookcase was placed and art and candle sconces hung but I didn't snap a picture of that ~ sorry.

I don't think there will be much more my friends until June :(

Guess I'll have to look for more well designed rooms to show you and talk about the principles and elements. Maybe I'll show you one of my other projects... decisions, decisions....

Thursday's Room(s) ~ A Couple of My Own

For this Thursday's Room, I thought it would be fun to show you a project I am working on. The designs are done ~ they loved them. Furnishing and fabrics are either here or on their way. The work has begun! Remember the tweens rooms I wrote about? I wrote about it on Facebook and twitter for sure. I love doing kids' rooms (although, if I call a tween a kid, they may roll their eyes:) I'll show you a bit of each room's design. The reveal won't be for a bit as we are waiting on wallpaper and one piece of furniture (boo hoo). Both rooms will complete in June and I'll post before and after pictures.

The first room is for a chic young lady. She told me her color palette ~ turquoise and red ~ I added ivory and a pinch of chocolate. The Robert Allen fabric at the top is in her room. Here are a couple more also from Robert Allen...



Here is her furnishings plan...


And a couple pieces going in her elegant, sleek room...



Both from Worlds Away.

Right now ~ the room looks like this...

At least someone is enjoying the mess...


The color palette the other tween chose is vibrant ~ I love it too! The girls are very different, which their rooms will reflect. The ceiling will be purple. She also likes landscapes so naturally I turned to Byron Jorjorian for inspiration. Here is a piece of art from Byron that will be in the room (among others)...


Here is her furnishings plan...


She was very clear about wanting a comfortable seating area. Well my dear ~ you have one ~ a very comfortable chaise. Here are some of her fabrics...



The first two are from Robert Allen ~ the flower one is from Silk Loom.

Now for a couple of furnishings...



The lamp is from Arteriors; the etagere ~ Worlds Away.

And here is the room now ~ yikes...

You have a glimpse of the purple ceiling.

Truthfully, I had so much fun doing these rooms that I am as excited to see them done as the tweens are. I love that part of what I do! The anticipation of the full reveal ~ I get excited every time.