1.

Live, Love and Decorateby Martyn Lawrence Bullard

With the release timed with the launch of Bullard’s fabric collection for Schumacher and his design center speaking tour, get a copy and have it signed as a gift for a fellow design pro. The book  shows off the author’s mastery of the dramatic and balance between contemporary and traditional.

2.

Celia Birtwell

Considered one of the most influential textile designer of  this generation, muse to David Hicks and friend of the Beatles, Jagger and Picasso this book , British print designer, Celia Birtwell, is celebrated in this new publication. Her beautiful hand painted prints have appeared on apparel for former husband, Ossie Clark, as well as on new collections for Topshop and John Lewis. This book is a wonderful addition to any surface designer’s bookshelf.

3.

The Impossible Collection of Fashion by Valerie Steele. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!

From Poiret to Pucci, Doucet to Dior, Vionnet to Valentino, Valerie Steele,  chief curator of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (MFIT), selects the one hundred most iconic dresses of the twentieth century. This magnificent collection, while certainly subjective, is sure to receive gasps of pleasure as well as of surprise. Steele’s selection, hand-picked for this luxury volume presented in a linen clamshell case with a cutout metal plate, astounds in every regard. 
 

4.

Diana Vreeland: The Eye has to Travel

Having always  admired the legendary “High Priestess of Fashion,” Diana Vreeland’s impact on fashion and style was legendary. I am looking forward to getting a peek inside her rich life. With more than 350 illustrations, including original magazine spreads and many famous photographs, this intensely visual book shows fashion as it was being invented, and how Vreeland shaped American taste through her superb vision.

5.

For my Francophile fix- In The New French Interior by Penny Drue Baird, authority on all things French, moves beyond the traditional historic styles to explore the design elements that make up the fresh, clean look. To illustrate the style, Baird draws on ten of her own recent projects, apartment and house installations, and presents French precedents and influences through specially commissioned photography of Parisian interiors.

6.

My Midwestern roots draw me to Chicago Spaces published by Chicago Home and Garden and hopes to vanquish the notion that we only design conservatively. The book showcases spaces that the editors loved or spoke to them representing a broad range of styles.

7.

Sister Parish, American Style  by Martin Wood revisits her sumptuous and quirky interiors. Her trompe l’oeil sawgs and cascades come to mind.

8.

Katie Ridder: Rooms by Heather MacIssac is the designer’s first book showcasing her  eclectic cool  interiors.

9.

The New Bespokeby Frank Roop lets the reader into his head as he works through the entire creative process- from inspiration to installation.

10.

Influential design blogger Grace Bonney penned  Design*Sponge at Home,the ultimate design manual for her fans. This says it best- “ Thank you,” wrote a reader to Design*Sponge creator Grace Bonney, “for teaching me that houses don’t have to be frumpy and formal. They don’t have to be matchy-matchy or rigidly modern.”

OK… 2 more I can’t seem to do without…

11.

Patina Styleby the Giannettis

12.

The Way Homeby Jeffery Bihuber

Drawn to poster art by their vibrant dramatic scale and colors, I  also love them for the peek inside the world of Paris at the turn of the century. I own several  Cappiellos and have introduced art posters  to clients, used them as inspiration and decorated around them, but I hadn’t thought about them on a window until now. ( Don’t ask me why! )  Creatively Different Blinds suggests just that – why NOT chose vintage poster art imagery and print them on blinds, shades or fabric to give your clients an authentic edge using the bold designs of these famous prints. BTW, Texton and is another company working in the digital printing arena; working with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation . Adaptive Textiles and Spoonflower will print fabrics for you.

In the 1890s the buildings of every big city were covered by large colorful advertising posters. The poster movement played a major part in codifying, glorifying and perpetuating the ebullient period of La Belle Epoque.  Jules Cheret, the father of poster art, whose unique combination of artistic, technical and entrepreneurial talents paved the way for a true industry. The poster had not only caught the fancy of the public, but its best examples were already being regarded as works of art to be exhibited, reviewed in journals, collected and reprinted in a manageable form. During the poster heyday, Cheret also published “Les Maitres de l’Affiche” (Masters of the Poster) reduced lithographic versions, in authentic colors, of the best posters of Europe and America. There were 256 color lithographs in the collection, reproduced from the original works of ninety-seven artists in a smaller 11 x 15 inch format. The varied selection of prints were sold in a package of four and delivered monthly to subscribers. The collection was issued as separate numbered sheets and in the margin at the right was a blind embossed stamp of authenticity. Working in a dressing room or bedroom? Look at some of the great fashion illustrations and magazine covers for roller shades.

Game rooms, library, home theater, sophisticated man cave? Imagine liquor or wine ads, auto racing or sports and entertainment  themes as motorized window coverings on those windows.

 Focused on beautiful imagery and delicious typography, it’s a genre that works in so many different interior settings to inspire fabrics, textiles and accessories and mood through color and form. Plus, digitally printed on blinds or shades is a inexpensive way to start collecting.

If  you’re looking for patterns rather than figures, ads or depictions of events, introduce some art deco influences based around dress fabric prints from  F. Ducharne  or Arthur Sanderson and Sons.

So now I am thinking about where I can use the poster that has been haunting me lately…..

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.   

Pillow: Bluebellgray Fashion: Christopher Kane

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

Collier Campbell for Fabricut VPR 36"

Catalina for Duralee

Wall panels from Jakob Schlaepfer

Best Innovation
Hyosung (South Korea)

The jury was unanimous about this particularly innovative achievement. This window covering is woven as a single piece on the loom, meaning that the system is ready to be hung immediately. It can be used in two positions: in the open position and in the closed position, which lets in more light. Ingenious and never seen before, in the jury’s opinion.  Window covering innovation coming from other places as the  U.S. window covering industry  cord issues and commodity challenges. We still can’t seem to get it together.

Best Window Covering
Deltracon (BE)

This window covering in 100% linen was selected by the jury for its subtleombre  print in indigo, which is produced so elegantly that it looks as though it is done by hand. The repetition of the pattern is barely noticeable. The quality is both superior and luxurious. Deltracron is one of my favorite mills.

Best Upholstery
De Poortere Frères (BE)

This fabric was chosen on account of its ingenious weaving technique that produces a very special visual effect. In particular, a slub yarn is woven into the pile and there is also a slub in the weft. This combination creates a relief that visually looks even deeper because the slub in the weft is black. The fabric is not merely a technical stand-out, but is also rich and of great quality.

Best Wall Covering
Konrad Hornschuch AG (DE)

When it is used as a wall covering, this bio-synthetic leather creates a very special effect. It looks just like real animal hide, but in actual fact is an imaginative imitation that makes high demands on the printing technique used. But for all that, there is no denying that Konrad Hornschuch is particularly good when it comes to manufacturing sustainably. The product is also well suited both to the residential and contract markets. The combination of these elements has resulted in a well-deserved Blue Drop Award.

Best Contract product
De Kabels (NL)

It calls itself one of the last companies that does silkscreen printing entirely by hand – which is pretty remarkable for a product suited to the contract market. De Kabels opted for linen on account of this material’s natural qualities. The natural colour of the linen has been retained and black was chosen for the overprint. An unusual and daring choice

Best Première
Hulshof Royal Dutch Tanneries (NL)

The first genuinely organic leather in the world. This Dutch tannery examined all of the harmful substances used during the tanning process and replaced them with organic products. The result is the first ecologically manufactured leather that is totally biodegradable.
Which is your favorite?

Carniege Textiles

Swiss textile manufacturer Création Baumann recently presented its new Halina and Halina Stripe curtain fabric – an airy textile with an African touch from the new Living Line collection ‘Inspired’- at imm Cologne. Carneige Textile was showing the fabric at Neocon and it won gold award in textile category.

 Halina is a finely striped weave with the color woven in a heavier yarn.  In order to achieve a 3D effect, the finely striped weave is vertically pleated and horizontally embossed. Halina Stripe is a broad stripe of contrasting colors reminiscent of woven raffia. The design picks up on current fashion trends and adds an up-to-the-minute touch to any interior.

Celebrating it’s 30th  anniversary, Carnegie added two new patterns to the Xorel brand of multitasking textiles.  Xorel Pixie & Cascade Appliqué explore the blending of a modern innovative material (Xorel) with traditional textile craft process. Xorel, a high performance solution textile is embellished by appliquéing decorative design motifs in secondary layer of Xorel.

DesignTex

Through a licensing program, the Museum of New Mexico Foundation invites manufacturers to reap decorative harvests from its four museums, six monuments, and single archaeological-studies office. The roster of partners hits 18 with the debut of the Shelter collection from Designtex. After vice president of design Kimberle Frost connected with the foundation’s director of licensing, Pamela Kelly, a yearlong series of product-development trips to Santa Fe commenced. Frost huddled with two curators—the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture’s Valerie Verzuh and the Museum of International Folk Art’s Bobbie Sumberg—and mined their vast collections as sources for 11 upholstery patterns.

Wolf Gordon

Wolf Gordonhas turned out innovative and amazing wall coverings for forty years. Not one to  rest on their laurels,  the natural progression is toward textiles Fabrics by Vescom, named for the mill that’s manufacturing the line, includes 19 polyester drapery fabrics. Burano is one of the bold solids. In pattern territory, recurring geometrics read organic in Minu. Beadlike lines embellish Zembra. And wide bands of color dominate Etolin. All meeting or exceeding Association for Contract Textiles guidelines for colorfastness, breaking strength, and flame resistance, the

Knoll Textiles

I am always excited to see what Knoll Textiles will introduce or revamp from their rich storied archives. I am never disappointed!

Designer Suzanne Tick introduces Fila, a 100% high performance polyester drapery fabric, is the little sister to Suzanne Tick’s Escala.  This smaller scale warp knit potentially allows for interesting scale pairings when used together with the original.  It comes in 6 colorways and is 118 in. wide. 

 With her latest collection for Knoll Luxe, Dorothy Cosonas draws inspiration from current fashion with three upholstery fabrics, Arabella, Gramercy, and Vermeer. The collection includes two large scale velvet upholstery fabrics, which offer a modern twist on a traditional concept, as well as a classic Knoll nubby texture.

Inspired by trends on the runway, Arabellais a modern take on a classic plaid. Digitally printed on 100% cotton velvet, it comes in six colorways, including Serenade, a fresh combination of gray and yellow. This fabric is Greenguard certified and is made from 100% cotton. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Gramercy is a large-scale geometric cut velvet that combines a modern pattern with old-world technology. Colors range from classics like gray and camel to fashion-forward green and purple. It is made from 100% cotton and comes in six color ways. This fabric is Greenguard certified.

Included Archival reintroductions  is the expansion of Cato, which is celebrating its 50^thanniversary. Since its introduction in 1961, Cato has never gone out of production.  It was originally hand-woven in Germany in 30 yard runs.  In the 70’s, it was turned into machine woven goods in Scotland, where it has been made ever since.  Cato has become an iconic design for KnollTextiles, often pictured on classic KnollStudio pieces such as Eero Saarinen’s Womb chair.  Over the years KnollTextiles has added and deleted colors; For Cato’s 50^thbirthday, Dorothy Cosonas has brought back three colors from the original 60’s archives: natural, yellow and hot pink.  This high performance fabric is made of 86% wool and 14% rayon. It exceeds 100,000 double rubs, is now available in 12 colorways. 

Digital Dawn is an interesting reactive window blind that is responsive to external stimuli. Designed by Rachel Wingfield. Rachel belongs to an emerging generation of designers redefining conventions of how, why and with what things are made.  Digital Dawn digitally emulates photosynthesis using printed electroluminescent technology; as seen in the image below, a light-based botanical environment seems to grow on the window lamp as a room gets darker.

Wingfield intended Digital Dawn to emulate the process of photosynthesis using electroluminescent printing technology. Light-dependent sensors monitor the changing light levels within a space, triggering the growth of the organic foliage on the blind. A natural environment will appear to grow on the window surface, exploring how changing light levels within a space can have profound and physiological impact on our sense of well-being. It’s essentially a solar powered textile storing sun’s energy during the day and using it at night to illuminate the blind.

Wonder if the energy could be used to operate the blind?

MechoSystems has launched a new series of fully recyclable shadecloths, created in collaboration with William McDonough, one of the world’s most well-known advocates for sustainable design.Based on MechoSystems’ EcoVeil® shadecloths, this collection has a unique and highly personal inspiration. The patterns in this series are inspired by McDonough’s own photographs, collected during his visits to Iceland. The collection includes 5 jacquard weave patterns , each in several colorways interpreting the stunning natural landscape of Iceland.

The shadecloth material is a technical nutrient—the Cradle to Cradle term for non-natural materials that are safe, highly stable, and used in closed-loop manufacturing cycles that take materials from producer to consumer and back again indefinitely. (Typically, shadecloths are woven with a PVC jacket and a core of fiberglass or polyester core, which cannot be separated for reuse.)  The Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO) yarn used in the shadecloth fabric is more than merely PVC-free; it can be reclaimed and recycled indefinitely.

UPDATE: Shadecloth Sample Box. 

The shadecloth package is MechoSystems’ completely redesigned collection of window-covering samples.The ensemble—including both the legacy and brand-new shadecloth groups—provides architects and designers with all the shadecloth information they require, assembled in a handsome eco-friendly polyethylene box.

Features of the Shadecloth Solutions collection:
• More than 190 shadecloths
• Visually transparent blackout and acoustical materials
• Many GreenGuard® and Cradle to Cradle Certified^CM
  examples
• A handsome translucent container
• Graphically clear shadecloth selection guide
• Provision of all technical data
• Ease of use
• Ergonomic package design
• A range of color-coded booklets
• Recyclable PVC-free polyethylene box

Sebastopol Occasional Table for Coalesse

Speaking of Iceland…

The Sebastopol collection features two perfectly-matched shapes that are available in two heights enabling the creation of limitless table configurations. A uniquely flexible line, Sebastopol transforms to accommodate a variety of settings; from a lounge setting to an impromptu meeting space.

Wanting a large work surface, but not having the room for one in her small space, designer Emilia Borgthorsdottir  broke up the whole surface and started playing with  geometric shapes; refining them until the proportions felt right. “I am a problem solving person and bringing up new perspectives is one of my strengths,” said Borgthorsdottir.  “I like to create aesthetically pleasing products that ease the activities of daily living, focusing on the function and ergonomic value of the design.”

Originally from Iceland, but now working and living in the U.S., Emilie said that after seeing the finished product it reminds her of the glaciers in her native Iceland and how they can break away or butt together. She submitted the drawings to Coalesse 2 years ago at NeoCon, one week after graduating from design school. After hearing that Coalesse was not adding them to their collection she moved on in the design world until last summer when they contacted her telling her that they wanted to produce the tables. One year later she’s back in Chicago launching the collection.  Sebastopol is offered in an impressive mix of surface materials to match almost any décor.  It has glossy interiors that come in five different laminate colors balanced with wood exteriors in oak or walnut veneer with optional sheen finishes.

 Mannington Equinox Collection

Mannington’s new collection is a great example of the new work- where it’s all about collaboration. Reaching out to Korean design firm,Ryan Harc through the Behance  to create Equinox; it’s obvious that this was a winning move.   is inspired by the play of light and shadow.  Equinox offers visual fields of light & shadow rendered as pure texture. Further testament that collaboration leads to innovation, the collection Uses a proprietary ultra-large denier fiber with patented variable twist technology.

Mannington Commercial @ NeoCon 2011 (Natalie Jones) from neoconwtf on Vimeo.

Dream Home at the Merchandise Mart

A must-see for all attendees. I never miss to see what new inspiration I can gain.

Julia Edelman for Buckingham ID

Julia believes in mixing aged objects with modern elements and it shows through in this welcoming space.

Michael Abrams for Michael Abrams Limited

Wanting simplicity and elegance enveloped in  luxury was Michae’ls goal in this bedroom.

Wallcovering by LG

LG Hausys debuts its new line of vinyl wallcoverings designed by Anya Larkin. Seventy four new patterns from animal prints to damasks and crinkle looks will be shown. Booth 8- 4116.

NUB by Patricia Uriquola for Andreu World.

Love everything this prolific designer does. Love the fact that a childhood memory inspired the chair… ”I used to play with my grandmother’s bobbins for making lace,” she recalls. “These small wooden bars were playmates that I have now reimagined.” Traditional woodworking techniques, gently updated, produce the wing chair and side chair’s notable beech backrest: Its bars widen at the height of the lumbar region, alternating to add dimensionality. The frame comes in red, white, or black lacquer and 21 wood finishes. Multiple solids and patterns are available for the seat upholstery. Merchandise Mart 10-132

Hear Patricia Uriquola  Tuesday at MCA for a lecture sponsored by Luminaire and featuring her groundbreaking work for B&B Italia.  See you there.

Haworth Collection

Employers shrinking the size of their offices and staff have translated to tough times for office furniture manufacturers. One example of a company looking for revenue beyond cubicle and desk chair sales is Haworth. The Haworth Collection is the company’s foray into offering crossover products for the home based on their experience as a commercial furniture manufacturer. The aim is to offer high quality products which are designed to compliment a residential environment but contain functionality and durability derived from their commercial office furniture heritage. Merchandise Mart 312.

So after posting the preview of the Haworth Collection this bit of news came across my desk. =Looks like they are really serious about moving into new markets….

Retailer Crate & Barrel announced today that it will carry three products from contract furniture giant Haworth.

“With two great brands coming together, our customers can get beautiful, high quality products previously only available on the commercial market,” says Raymond Arenson, executive vice president for merchandising and design for Crate & Barrel. “Haworth’s products make a great addition to our portfolio of products.”

The three products sold will be the new Eddy table, available in July, followed by the Very Task and Very Conference chairs, available in August.

“With this Crate and Barrel relationship, Haworth can take another measured step into the retail world,” says Tom DeBoer, Haworth product manager. “We find ourselves pulled in the retail direction due to beauty and quality of our products and with the trend of office and residential coming together. We are excited to work with a great retail brand like Crate & Barrel.”

The products will be in Crate and Barrel catalogs, on crateandbarrel.com, and at more than 100 of Crate & Barrel’s retail stores across the country.

The Very chair to be carried by Crate and Barrel

Next up in our Preview:  Textiles.

NATURAL ELEMENTS

Design by: Lori W. Carroll
Lori Carroll & Associates
Tucson, AZ
Photo: Jon Mancuso

This refined rustic southwestern powder room is the perfect example of the use of natural elements in design. An agate slab became the foundation for this bathroom space that’s as unique and distinct as the elusively elegant stone itself. Translucent crystal formations within the rock are highlighted by backlighting that sets off the smoky grays, brown, and icy white. Polished stone combined with leather-wrapped cabinetry is at the core of this opulent space. When the beauty of nature can be brought inside a home, the impact is unmatched.

TACTILE APPEAL

Design by: Aimee Nemeckay
Susan Fredman Design Group
Chicago, IL
Photo: Nick Novelli, Novelli Photodesign

The use of actual and implied texture offers a tactile and visual feast. Lines, colors, and patterns can act as either a point of interest in a given space or a mellow background to a more prominent component. The textured touch is apparent through an oversized glass mosaic tiled rug inset into the limestone floor, creating the effect of an actual textured and patterned area rug. A quilted effect, also seen in fashion trends, was created using custom-made glass keystone tiles, adding a shimmering surface to the wall of the shower. 

COMMITING TO COLOR

Design by: Jennifer Gilmer, CKD
Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Ltd.
Chevy Chase, MD
Photo: Bob Narod Photographer, LLC

Clients and designers alike are making strong commitments to color. The relationship with vibrant color is introduced into the room through a backsplash of back-painted glass in a strong carrot orange, representing a color that’s smooth and fresh, and also refined enough to pair with the contemporary exotic wood cabinetry. This is a sleek kitchen deserving of a color that makes a statement. The tangerine, mango, and carrot family of colors is being incorporated into the palette of stylishly appropriated residential spaces across the country.

Spotted: The carrot color family popping up in glass tiles. Tapestry by Nathan Allan Glass Studios to be introduced at NeoCon.

Speaking of consumers and designers alike making a strong commitment to color:

Pantone's New Colors

For the first time in eight years, color specialist and source Pantone LLC has amped up its Pantone Fashion + Home color system by adding 175 new colors, bringing the total to 2,100 shades.

Not since 2003 has Pantone added new hues to its color system.
“People have been clamoring for new color,” says Laurie Pressman, Pantone’s vp of fashion, home and interiors.

Its latest additions “reflect today’s global color influences across fashion, home furnishings and interior design and enrich the current palette and focus on areas of significant market importance and color trend movement.

The 175 new colors are permanent additions to the Pantone Fashion + Home Color System, and all color families were expanded to include: a broader range of nuanced neutrals and mid-tones; an increased number of vibrant brights; many complex hues with greater depth and intensity; more subdued and smoky variations of popular colors.

So if you haven’t heard, Targethas announced, via Twitter, it’s next big design /fashion collaboration will be with Italian luxury brand  Missoni.The 400+ piece (supposedly the largest to date) collection, Missoni for Target, features apparel and accessories for women, men, girls and baby, as well as home goods including bedding, dinnerware, stationery and décor items. Ranging in price from $2.99 to $599.99, with most items less than $40.Missoni for Target will be available Sept. 13 through Oct. 22, 2011 at all Target stores and Target.com.

Angela Missoni working on Fall 2011 collection.

“Our collection for Target embodies Missoni’s values of family, color and quality,” said creative director Angela Missoni. “It has been a fantastic experience translating our aesthetic into an affordable line, one we are eager to share with families across the United States.”

Who knows if the colorful and pattern happy knits and fabrics that Missoni is known for will translate into lower quality materials, but this is no doubt this is another WIN  another  for Target and accessible design.

I see some fabulous Flamestitch in my future! ( I passed on this summer’s launch of Calypso Home.) Mark your calendars.