A Koi Story

I am obsessed with Million Dollar Decorator.  I love the drama, the tears, the chocolate, and the divas!  When they showed Jeffery Alan Marks home and I saw the koi wallpaper in his kitchen,  I was once again smitten!

Jeffery said the panel looks as if the fish are swimming back towards the ocean.

I first saw it when I was doing a story on the West Elm parson's desk.  Sara Story used the paper in a small office, and I was taken with not only the beauty of the paper given the shimmer and sheen, but the movement the design of the fish created on the wall.

It is made by De Gournay, a fairly young English company, establishing itself in 1986.  De Gournay specializes in hand painted wallpaper, often on silk and depicting 18th century Chinoiserie and 19th century French motifs reinterpreted for a modern age. This paper is from their Japanese and Korean collection. 

Another koi paper makes for an unexpected surprise in this powder room.

I love those little fish.

photos: 1. via Peak of Chic, 7. Marili Forastieri for David Scott

Kravet/Lee Jofa Studio Tour

 I think my favorite part of Blogfest 2011, beside the wonderful people I met or reconnected with, was the studio tour.  I am always fascinated by what's going on behind the scene.  What are we not seeing?

Everything starts with an idea or a look back.  You need to understand the past in order to look forward.

Archival fabrics are reimagined and often times recolored to update them for a more modern consumer, but the beauty remains.  Hand painting is rare but sometimes necessary; many fabrics are screen printed or hand blocked.

The designers that have collections with Kravet are very hands-on.  Kelly Wearstler found an archival fabric that she reworked, changed the color, and made it much more textural ~ the results speak for themselves.

original

New collection,
 the wave pattern was recreated in different colorways.

This is an example of how the bays will be merchandised and hung.  Everything is carefully coordinated for each showroom across the country.

Wish lists from each showroom target that specific part of the country.  You can see the 2 different selections to appeal to 2 different states.  Kravet re-merchandises their showrooms often, and that's why they always looks fresh.  Furniture as well as fabric is switched out, and nothing is left to chance

Kravet also manufactures carpet.  They have a custom and made to order program; you can choose from 500 colors and different textures.

There are 60 to 70 designs to choose from, including antique reproductions.  Only about 3" a day is woven.

The contract department no only remakes popular residential fabrics, but also reweaves them for commercial applications.  These fabrics have a higher rub, are teflon coated, and fire retardant to comply with industry standards.

Disney is one of Kravet's commercial clients.  A really cute thing they do is hide Mickey's ears or  Disney characters in the fabric.  It is incorporated into the design so well, if they didn't point it out I would not have seen it.  They make digitally themed fabrics for each hotel.

Do you see the character in this traditional, almost formal fabric?

Kravet recently bought the venerable Brunschwig & Fils.  They are known for their strong French influence and clear color.  Kravet wants to maintain the distinguised line that was traditionally thought of as just for a mature audience, and also introduce it to younger, affluent clientel.  B & F will keep the French influence and marry it with American flair.  It is being studied behind closed doors and will roll into showrooms next fall.

Shhh... here's a sneak peek of what the Philadelphia Lee Jofa showroom will be wearing come fall ~

photos:CLI

Barbara Barry's Indochine

  

Barbara Barry gave a beautiful presentation during Blogfest.  Her passion is infectious!   In her video, she is describing her inspiration for her new fabric collection for Kravet.   Her voice almost lulled me to sleep, it was so soothing, and her images, captivating.

    


Having spent a month in Asia and 2 1/2 years thinking about balance and composition; how to take complex patterns and simplify them, Barbara not only came up with a fabric collection that is harmonious, but incorporates her 1940's feminine sensibility as well.  Oh, and while she was at it, she created a tea too!   Citrine is a calming peppermint, lemongrass, verveine blend.

Decorating is about a mood.  Barbara is not concerned where things come from.  Design is in the connection.  Simplicity and beauty is all around, and ideas are sparked by anything.  Envision your dreams and make them happen.  AMEN

Here's to living the dream ~  What's beautiful to you?

photos: CLI, video: Kravet