Showing posts with label Fabrics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fabrics. Show all posts

Wednesday, 1 May 2013

LIVING WITH FABRICS

As seen in SNAP – May 2013

 

Fabrics can give a room its character as well as reveal as much about your personality as the clothes you wear.  Fabrics can be used in interiors in so many different ways – They can be your drapes, the upholstery in your furniture, pillows, table linens, sheets, blankets and even the towels you use every day are a type of fabric (terrycloth).

 

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Iván Meade & Echo Eaton checking fabrics at Meade Design Group Studio

 

As you can see, we are surrounded by fabrics every day.  It seems that using fabrics in interiors should be a very important element in any home, but often this is underestimated.  Aesthetically, fabrics add texture, interest, and beauty; but they can also add functionality to your home.  For instance there are many reasons to dress up a window: Privacy is usually the first need, to keep out sunlight, to disguise the window’s unattractiveness or an unattractive view, and to add more colour and decorative interest to the room.

 

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Echo graciously carrying fabrics available at Meade Design Group

 

On the other hand; cushions, pillows and trims come in various styles and can be used to reinforce the lines and style of your upholstered piece.  It is also important to select the right fabric for your lifestyle.  Something that will be durable, yet comfortable to the touch.  People are generally spending more time on their sofas than before, they eat while watching TV, have naps or socialize with friends and pets.  For linens in the 90’s  a 300 thread count was the minimum requirement for a nice set of sheets, nowadays you can find higher thread counts, but take this with a grain of salt because fiber quality, yarn size, finishing and construction can also affect the quality of a pair of sheets regardless of the thread count. After all, we spend around a third of hour lives in our bed.

 

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Barbara Barry Fabrics at Meade Design Group

 

If you have kids or pets at home are you choosing the right fabric for your needs? If you have a window facing east or west where the sun hits the strongest – Have you selected the right fabric for your window treatments? – Do you have the softest sheets in your bed?  A fabric is defined by four qualities: its hand, which is the way it feels – rough, smooth, thick, or thin; its textural quality – tufts, nubs, bumps, and reliefs, it’s fibres – natural, synthetic, or blends;  and its pattering – interwoven or imprinted designs.  As a broad generalization, rough, nubby fibers and bold geometrical patterns tend to be more contemporary and masculine in style; smooth, glossy cottons, silks, and pictorial patterns tend to be more traditional and feminine in style.

 

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Window Treatments at Meade Design Group

 

Fabrics definitely make our life more comfortable and enjoyable.  We often forget we are surrounded by them so why not give them the attention they deserve and choose fabrics that are really going to improve our lifestyle?



MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Monday, 12 September 2011

Lilly Pulitzer Fabrics

Lee Jofa has recently launched a new fabric collection designed by New York socialite and prominent fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer. A licensed collection of home interior fabric and trimmings featuring the immediately recognizable prints and patterns that Lilly Lovers have adored for decades.

 

Lilly Pulitzer fabrics bring a new sense of fresh with her vibrant colours and elegant patterns. 

 

If you are not colour shy.  This is a collection for you to see.

 

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LILLY LACE – DANDELION

 

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TAIL LIGHTS - ISLAND CORAL

 

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SHELL WE - SHORELY BLUE

 

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IN A TWIST – LIFEGUARD

 

I invite you to visit Lee Jofa’s website for a complete look at the collection:

 

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MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Friday, 12 June 2009

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.


imageVANUATO – 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”


imageFORUM – BISQUE

78% RAYON, 20% POLYESTER, 2% COTTON


image DAPPER – PORCINI

65% VISCOSE,19% COTTON,16% POLYAMIDE


image SENTO – POND

44% COTTON,39% VISCOSE,17% LINEN


imageSHIBORI – ANTIQUE

63% COTTON, 37% RAYON


imageDEBUT – 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

.



MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Thursday, 19 March 2009

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


MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Friday, 3 October 2008

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




MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Saturday, 24 November 2007

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


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



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

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


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


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

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/


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/


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


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


MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011