Posts from — October 2011

I’m forecasting textiles with a bright & youthful styling and a new breed of intense, yet understated luxury that is meant to be admired rather than envied. Design studios at Surtex and Heimtextil said one of the strongest demands they have been receiving is for hand-painted designs, many noting that hard lines and computer-generated creations are less in demand. I concur that the free flow of the hand is growing in popularity and that artisan looks are key.

What better way to do that than with florals. These florals are not the viney, mid size motifs from past years. Those have given way to large sometimes ethnic influenced full blown blooming florals in size, scale and motif.

Big blooms are making an impact in both fashion+ home. One of our favorites is Bluebellgray.

We saw this new fabric collection at M&O introduced by two young gun Scottish designers influenced by a love of color and all things floral. The designs are something unique and special; each design is painted by hand in the Bluebellgray studio before being printing onto natural cottons and linens using state- of- the- art digital printing.

Digital printing enables every brushstroke and color to be captured, enhancing the feel of the hand painted design. The pieces above have a sense of provenance and the designer behind the product, adding to the feeling of exclusivity. (Hard to believe they are digitally printed!)

Shortlisted for an Elle Decoration Design award at TENT London last month for their collaboration with Roger Lewis, the design philosophy behind the brand adheres to the ‘eclectic mix’ school of thought. As Fiona says ‘it’s ok when things don’t match, if you love it- go with it!’ The designs are aimed at people looking for something unique and individual for their home, an antidote to mass production.

More Evidence:

Amrapali Fall/ Winter 2011 Designer’s Guild

Wall panels from Jakob Schlaepfer

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Elizabeth Hamilton Collection

Elizabeth’s lifelong love of textiles drew her into marriage and partnership with Peter Fasano. Now, Elizabeth is branching out with her own distinctive collection. The Elizabeth Hamilton Collection reflects Elizabeth’s particular point of view – stylish, fresh and with a bohemian-chic perspective, much like Elizabeth herself. She is drawn to traditional patterns using the tones of plant dyes; patterns found in nature; prints that are simple, yet lyrical. Fluid floral patterns – monochromatic with easy-on-the-eye color – are coordinated with smart stripes and modern geometrics and all are hand screened.

Linen, hemp, and cottons are the soft textiles of choice.

Charlotte Moss for Fabricut

At several design centers across the country, Charlotte unveiled her 100-sku collection with Fabricut. The collection is brimming with alluring wovens, divine prints and stunning trimmings in crisp, refreshing colorways. Charlotte’s inspirations came to life in the form of fabrics as she went through the collection and shared the names of her fabrics, all of which were named after women.

“My inspiration came from the beautiful women around me,” said Charlotte. “Not to mention, wicker baskets in my garage and everyday items, like Hamacas!” ( The result seen in the red/white print she wears in the ad and which I am coveting!)

“My first collection through Fabricut stresses the decadence of life and the intimacy of fabrics,” says Charlotte. “Decorating is about luxury and love for your home, your guests and the company you keep. Entertain brilliantly and love every minute of it!” Moss urges us to embrace her philosophy “to live passionately, decorate luxuriously and always, always entertain beautifully.”

de Le Couna

Bernie de Le Cuona founded what is now the world’s largest own brand linen collection in her kitchen in 1992. They have also recently expanded their range to include bespoke curtains, paints and a small furniture collection. Her fabric designs are most notably the extensive collection of linen textiles with a luxurious drape and handle, wide range of hand woven paisleys, and eclectic mix of rich textured materials that accomplish a look of soft glamour and understated elegance. By harnessing unique methods such as metal detailing and the use of materials like alpaca wool and eel skin, she has evolved the brand into a company with an urban edge to compliment their previously known subtlety.

“The Grace Collection” is a wide range of textured materials ranging from embossed Art Deco inspired velvets to plaids and herringbones akin to the suits of Saville Row.

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Join interior design bloggers, new media innovators, and interior design industry leaders for the second annual Design Bloggers Conference – the premier conference and experience for professionals actively using or interested in learning about new media and the interior design industry. This two-day conference builds on the exciting success of our inaugural conference in 2011, and brings you a unique opportunity to participate in the intersection of interior design with the world of new media including blogging, social media, and more. We invite all our fellow interior design bloggers to attend!

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Seven Days of Inspiration

Jaunary 17 - 25, 2012

Here’s your chance to experience the ultimate “city of dreams” with a group of like-minded designers, lead by experienced Paris habitués Deb Barrett and Susan Schultz. After 10+ years of visiting Paris regularly for the famed Maison&Objet show, they have compiled an impressive “little black book” of designer resources, information and contacts. Over the course of seven days, you’ll experience Paris like a design insider, with exclusive visits to artisan ateliers, VIP show access and more. Our last tour included visits to Creation Baumann, Pouenat, Anne Gelbard’s atelier and Pierre Frey’s archives besides Maison et Objet. Expect more of the same in January.

Here’s a (Partial) Peek at What You Get:

*Airfare to/from JFK

*Hotel d’ Aubusson, Four-star, double-occupancy in the heart of St. Germain

*Daily Breakfast at the hotel.

*Airport transfers.

*5 day all zone metro pass.

*Admission to Maison&Objet and Designers Lounge.

*Design destinations and insider access to showrooms and ateliers across Paris.

Questions? Email us.

Register now. Only a Few Seats Left!

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Plenty of Space for Trends and Business

imm cologne is the central meeting place for exhibitors and decision-makers from all the world’s important markets. The diverse mix of visitors makes the trade fair highly interesting for exhibitors.

All the target groups that are relevant to your business will be present at imm cologne: contacts from all areas of the trade and industry, contract business experts, professionals from the architecture scene and the sectors’s up-and-coming young professionals. The visitors come with the intention, and the means, to do business. Many are authorised decision-makers - and they are quick to make use of this authority.

Together with imm cologne, the new trade fair format LivingInteriors will be showing perfectly staged interior worlds consisting of furniture, bathrooms, floors, walls and lighting. It is aimed at trade visitors and consumers alike. Many potential consuming buyers will attend the fair on the public days on friday, saturday and sunday and will get an exciting overview over holistic living and interior design concepts and their products

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