Fabrics We Like AND Technical Tawk

Barrymore by Kravet - one of Linda's favorite, and yet never used, fabrics

This week we talked about fabrics we love, designers and fabric houses and a little bit about how we use them!

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And in our chat on blogging, we talked about technical issues like how we upload photos, what applications are available to help us write and format posts and pics and other little tidbits. There's always something to learn.

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As always, thanks for stopping by and for all your kind comments and emails!

Eye Candy of the Week – Calvin Klein Fabrics

Yesterday I received the new 4 fabric books from the Calvin Klein Home collection by Kravet – a must have in any interior designers library.

VANUATO – DRIZZLE

77% COTTON, 17% VISCOSE, 6% LINEN

The collection has been under development for the past 18 months and the results are quite astonishing. This week we will have more than one eye candy – it is really hard to choose only one fabric for this section.

The colours are the classic Calvin Klein – Sophisticated hues of Tusk, Bark, Pyrite and Arctic tones “all easy to live with colours”

FORUM – BISQUE

78% RAYON, 20% POLYESTER, 2% COTTON

DAPPER – PORCINI

65% VISCOSE,19% COTTON,16% POLYAMIDE

SENTO – POND

44% COTTON,39% VISCOSE,17% LINEN

SHIBORI – ANTIQUE

63% COTTON, 37% RAYON

DEBUT – PEARL

68% SILK, 32% ACRYLIC

PRODUCT
Calvin Klein Fabrics

DESIGNER
Calvin Klein

MANUFACTURE
Kravet

MATERIAL
The fabrics range from solids, luxurious textures, silks, waxed linens, embroidered linens, velvets, silk/mohair and luxurious cashmere.

YUMMY FACTOR
C’est exquis !

All the fabrics are available through Meade Design Group

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The Best Patterned Silks

Today I am excited to feature my favourite selections for one of the most luxurious textiles known to mankind - silk. One of my personal mantras is that natural materials will never go out of style and will always look elegant and lavish. Silk is no exception. God bless the little worms that work their little non-existent bums off to give us this beautiful, natural fabric!

All fabrics are available through Meade Design Group - Purchase during the month of March, 2009 and save 20% on your order.

Which one is your favourite?

SILK REFLECTIONS - PERSIMMON
Multi-Purpose
Kravet Couture
100% SILK FACE, 100% COTTON BACK
INDIA
Sold by the YARD

QUIET PLACE - AQUA
Multipurpose
Kravet Couture
100% SILK
INDIA
Sold by the YARD

SILK FOREST - MOSS/GARNET
Multipurpose
Kravet Couture
100% SILK
INDIA
Sold by the YARD

LEMON DROP- LEMON

Multipurpose
Kravet Couture
100% SILK *steamed*
INDIA
Sold by the YARD

KUTANI- JADE

Multipurpose
Kravet Couture
100% SILK
INDIA
Sold by the YARD

LIFE DEFINED - BLACKSAND
Multipurpose
Kravet Couture
52% SILK, 48% Cotton *softened, steamed*
INDIA
Sold by the YARD

PASSAGE - BLUESTONE
Multipurpose
Kravet Couture
73% SILK, 27% WOOL *softened, steamed*
INDIA
Sold by the YARD

CALM - GREYSTONE
Multipurpose
Kravet Couture
61% COTTON, 39% SILK
INDIA
Sold by the YARD

SILKEN LEAVES - TRUFFLE
Multipurpose
Kravet Couture
55% COTTON, 45% SILK *softened, steamed*
INDIA
Sold by the YARD

89052 - 30
Multipurpose
Duralee
100% SILK
Sold by the YARD

OLD WORLD - SCARLET
Multipurpose
Barbara Barry for Kravet Collections
100% SILK *steamed*
INDIA
Sold by the YARD

CRACKED ICE - MIST
Multipurpose
Barbara Barry for Kravet Collections
100% SILK
INDIA
Sold by the YARD


QUILTED - SHELL
Multipurpose
Barbara Barry for Kravet Collections
100% SILK *knit backed*
INDIA
Sold by the YARD


DESERT FLOWER - PARCHMENT
Multipurpose
Allegra Hicks for Groundworks
100% SILK
INDIA
Sold by the YARD


WAVES - DEEP PURPLE
Multipurpose
Allegra Hicks for Groundworks
100% SILK
INDIA
Sold by the YARD

MIMOSA - POPPY

Multipurpose
J. Ennis
100% SILK
Sold by the YARD

PONT MIRABEAU - TOFFEE

Multipurpose
Beacon Hill
100% SILK GROUND
INDIA
Sold by the YARD

The Best Geometric Fabrics

According to Wikipedia - Geometry (Greek γεωμετρία; geo = earth, metria = measure) is a part of mathematics concerned with questions of size, shape, and relative position of figures and with properties of space. The earliest recorded beginnings of geometry can be traced to ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley from around 3000 BCE.

Woman teaching geometry

The theme of symmetry in geometry is nearly as old as the science of geometry itself. But the question that arises here is why geometric patterns read as contemporary or modern patterns. This movement was, in a sense, an amalgam of many different styles and movements of the early 20th century, including Neoclassical, Constructivism, Cubism, Modernism, Bahaus, Art Nouveau, and Futurism.

The structure of Art Deco is based on mathematical geometric shapes. It was widely considered to be an eclectic form of elegant and stylish modernism, being influenced by a variety of sources. Among them were the so-called "primitive" arts of Africa, Ancient Egypt, and Aztec Mexico, as well as machine-age or streamline technology such as modern aviation, electric lighting, the radio, the ocean liner, and the skyscraper.

From Le Corbusier Five Points of Architecture to the innovative use of colorful geometric and classic patterns by David Hicks. Today we can appreciate the use of geometric fabrics to add a splash of modern sense to any space. Here is a recollection of some of my favorite geometric patterns in fabrics. I have to say that the pictures don't do justice to the quality of the textiles.

All fabrics available through Meade Design Group.

Clerestory

Kravet Coture - Michael Berman
100% Viscose - 100% Linen - France

Agean
Kravet - Michael Weiss
41% Polyester, 36% Rayon, 23% Cotton - U.S.A.

Dragon Fly - Cut Velvet
Groundworks - Allegra Hicks

Infinity - Cut Velvet
Groundworks - Allegra Hicks

Domino Prints - 20797-504
Duralee Fabrics
100% Cotton

Morgan Wovens - 14867-8
Duralee Fabrics
64% Rayon 36% Polyester

Inlay
Kravet - Barbara Barry
36% Linen, 35% Cotton, 29% Silk - India



29191
Kravet - Kravet Green
100% Recycled Polyester - U.S.A.

Ropework
Kravet - Echo Home
36% Polyester ,27% Cotton ,17% Viscose, 13% Acrilic ,7% Linen
Italy

Archipelago
Kravet - Windsor Smith
100% Linen - U.S.A.

Katana
Groundworks - Kelly Wearstler
100% Linen -U.S.A.

Hexagon House Chenille - Stone
Groundworks - David Hicks
68% Rayon, 32% Cotton - U.S.A.



Mirella
Kravet - Echo Home
82% Viscose , 18% Cotton - Belgium

La Florentina
Groundworks - David Hicks
100% Linen - U.S.A.

Contemporary Geometric

G. P. & J. Baker

100% Viscose - Belgium

The 10 commandments of fabric

This morning I was thinking what I am going to write for my next entry. Minutes later I received an e-mail from one of my best friends. She has a great zest for life and is always looking for ways to improve her life and to live it to the fullest. She is currently in Milan, Italy and her new goal is to meet with the Dalai Lama in the search for her spirituality.

She sent me a list of her 10 new commandments. As I was reading her email I saw a pile of memo samples in front of me and I thought to myself that these commandments could each represent a style of fabric.

Here is the result of this exercise:

1.- Seek lessons of life hidden in every moment.

The Toile de Jouy motifs are a great example of this commandment. They depict scenes of everyday life and the characters always have great expressions on their faces.

The Seasons - Mustard on Ivory
G. P. & J. Baker
100% COTTON
ENGLAND

http://www.gpjbaker.com/

Available @ http://www.themeadegroup.com

2.- Believe that you are always more.

I feel that stripes could represent this mantra because of their repetitive nature that you can imagine going on forever, vertically or horizontally.

Canoga - Caviar

Robert Allen

91% Viscose 9% Cotton

PERU

http://robertallendesign.com

Available @ www.themeadegroup.com

3.- View confusion as a prelude to clarity

Over scaled Florals appear a little busy from afar but their individual forms are very beautiful. I particularly like this example because it displays the tulips during many stages of blossoming or opening which could be taken in several ways: opening up to someone emotionally-giving them clarity as to your true character, or opening your eyes to see a new solution to a problem.

Lieff - Quince

Andrew Martin

100% Linen
ENGLAND

http://www.andrewmartin.co.uk/

Available @ http://www.themeadegroup.com

4.- Pursue the dream in your heart

Damasks are an example of this commandment because of the fairytale feeling they create, a form that is still as popular today as it was long ago.

Modern Barroque - Cafe
Kravet Couture

84% Viscose, 16% Polyester
ITALY

http://www.kravet.com/

Available @ http://www.themeadegroup.com

5.- Know what you believe in & why

For me, this fabric is a great example of what I believe in. I feel it exhibits the principles I find most beautiful in design. The subtle changes in colour and texture mix beautifully with the balanced geometric shapes.

Inlay - Sienna
Barbara Barry - Kravet Couture
36% Linen ,35% Cotton, 29% Silk

INDIA

http://www.kravet.com

http://www.barbarabarry.com

Available @ http://www.themeadegroup.com

6.- Cherish the Earth, thankful for each breath you take.

Botanicals are a great example of this commandment. Portraying nature in all its beauty.

Fans - Botanical/Foliage
Allegra Hicks - Groundworks
Groundworks
60% Linen, 30% Cotton, 10% Nylon
ENGLAND

http://www.leejofa.com
http://www.allegrahicks.com

Available @ http://www.themeadegroup.com

7.- Nurture yourself as a friend in need

You can find interlocking and harmonizing geometrics in many patterns. They look beautiful because of the relationship they create by fitting together perfectly, never breaking the chain.

La Fiorentina – Ivory/Bark
Groundworks – David Hicks
100% Linen
U.S.A

http://www.leejofa.com
http://www.dh1970.com/

Available @ http://www.themeadegroup.com/

8.- Create new ways to generate positive energy

Metalics are here to give us their energy - Gold, Silver, Platinum, Coin ...

Key Maze – Coin
Beacon Hill
100% Silk
INDIA

http://www.beaconhilldesign.com/

Available @ http://www.themeadegroup.com

9.- Find your place through choices you make

I feel this can be represented by black and white fabrics. Most choices we make in life are very black and white, each choice will have a consequence. What makes life interesting is finding the balance of these choices-the yin and the yang.

Angelica Trellis - Domino
Groundworks -David Hicks
100% Silk
ITALY

http://www.leejofa.com
http://www.dh1970.com/

Available @ http://www.themeadegroup.com/

10.- Know that your mind is the lifeblood of your future

Blood Orange is going to be a huge trend in the near “future” but it also represents a hunger for life and excitement.

Arboretum - Clay
Groundworks
100% Cotton
ITALY

http://www.leejofa.com

Available @ http://www.themeadegroup.com/