I’m sharing the highlights from IDS12 in a series of four posts. If you missed the first post in this series, rounding up some fantastic woodwork, you can check it out right here.
For today, let’s talk textiles!
1. Vorwerk
Finally! Carpet tiles in fun shapes! These carpet tiles from the FreeSCALE collection by Vorwerk, available through Relative Space, are too cool! Mix bright, punchy colours for a playful kids space or combine subtle neutrals for a more refined look.
Last night assistant editor Amanda Etty and I were treated to a presentation in the history of textiles – some of the finest in the world – by Patrick Frey, chairman of luxury design house Pierre Frey.
Visiting from Paris, Patrick brought with him beautiful fabrics (I’m talking the luxe of the luxe of-the-luxe), a fascinating knowledge (Marie Antoinette loved wildlife and strands of pearls in her fabrics) and undeniable French charm (I once read that if Patrick is ever away from his wife for more than two days, he sends her flowers).
He brought textiles – originals! (and replicas) – that once hung in Versailles, were owned by Marie Antoinette, or now hang in the home of Givenchy. He showed us original Toile and Chinoiserie fabrics; funky prints by fashion designer JC de Castelbeck and a statement print by philosopher and peace activists, Marek and Carla Halter. And he brought along his New York-based son Pierre, named of course, after his grandfather and company namesake.
Quintessentially French, eclectic, and high quality, Pierre Frey the company (family-owned for 75 years!) boasts four haute brands (Pierre Frey, Braquenie, Fadini Borghi and Boussac) over 30,000 archives (dating back to the 15th century!) and a catalogue of over 7,500 gorgeous fabrics with interesting and playful prints.
Needless to say, je suis enchantée.
For more on Patrick Frey, pick up December’s issue of Style at Home
To me, summer means Galbraith & Paul fabric. The Philadelphia-based design duo of Liz Galbraith and Ephraim Paul specialize in the art of hand-block printing — pressing carved wooden (or foam rubber) blocks coated with coloured vegetable dyes onto fabric to make patterns. It’s a thousand-year-old process that’s Galbraith & Paul have brought into the 21st century with their penchant for stunning patterns and pretty palette of over 80 colours.
Fern (above) is a new hand-block printed pattern for Spring 2009, and Birds Silhouette (below) is a new variation of my all-time favourite Galbraith & Paul fabric, Birds (a citrusy, multicoloured version of the same pattern — on linen it’s positively dreamy). Wouldn’t these make the prettiest throw pillows for the cottage?
Love the Birds Silhouette in black, too… So striking!
For more information, visit www.galbraithandpaul.com or call 215-508-0800.
Médias Transcontinental
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