These Fabrics Were Inspired by Baz Luhrmann’s New ‘Elvis’ Movie

Designer Catherine Martin introduces her latest textile and wallcovering collection for Mokum, named 'Royal Menagerie.' This collection draws inspiration from her work on the sets of the new movie “Elvis,” translating the film's aesthetic into interior design. The Royal Menagerie collection showcases a strong influence of 1970s maximalism, utilizing bold textures and patterns to reimagine elements from Elvis Presley's iconic residences and performance spaces. Key inspirations include Graceland and the suite Elvis occupied during his Las Vegas residency. The collection features a variety of distinctive designs. 'Monarque' is a rich viscose velvet characterized by its soft drape and solid jewel tones, offering a luxurious foundation. 'Bengal Tiger' presents a cut velvet look with an embossed tiger stripe pattern, evoking a wild and opulent feel. For wallcoverings, 'Monkey Business' incorporates monkey figurines, directly referencing the monkey decorations found in Elvis’s green shag-carpeted Jungle Room. 'Royal Peacock' is a drapery fabric and wallpaper design inspired by the stained-glass peacock windows at Graceland. This pattern features the peacock, a significant talisman for Elvis, intertwined with lush botanical motifs. A particularly dimensional piece in the collection is 'Panthera,' which features an embroidered, lithe leopard gracefully moving across a solid background. This design is a direct nod to Elvis’s elaborately embellished jumpsuits, capturing their flamboyant and iconic style. The color palette for the collection is diverse and sophisticated, ranging from warm, “whisky-tinged blush” tones, as described by Mokum design director Stephanie Moffitt, to deep teals and burnished gold. While plain weaves and solid hues are available, the collection's true impact lies in its decorative offerings, reflecting Martin's personal affinity for pattern, stemming from her childhood in the 1970s. The Royal Menagerie collection by Catherine Martin for Mokum effectively captures the extravagant and unique style associated with Elvis Presley, transforming cinematic inspiration into a range of luxurious and distinctive fabrics and wallcoverings suitable for contemporary interiors. The collection merges historical references with modern design sensibilities, offering pieces that embody opulence, glamour, and a touch of the wild, appealing to those who appreciate a maximalist aesthetic inspired by a cultural icon. #CatherineMartin #MokumTextiles #ElvisPresleyInspired #RoyalMenagerieCollection #TextileDesign #Wallcovering #Graceland #Maximalism

Liberty, traditionally known for its heritage floral textiles, has launched a new interiors and fashion fabrics collection named FuturLiberty. This collection, which debuted at Milan Design Week 2023, is deeply influenced by the early 20th-century art movements of Futurism and Vorticism, both of which celebrated the dynamic and rapidly evolving aspects of modern life. The creative direction for FuturLiberty was spearheaded by nonagenarian Italian designer Federico Forquet. His collaboration with Andrea Petochi, Liberty Fabrics’ managing director, began after the Covid pandemic, with Forquet challenging Liberty to look beyond its signature floral designs and explore how avant-garde artists responded to periods of crisis and social change. Forquet specifically pointed towards the Futurists, an Italian art group from the early 20th century known for their admiration of machines, industry, power, and speed, expressed through abstract and dynamic forms. Under Forquet’s guidance, Liberty’s fabrics and product team, led by design director Mary-Ann Dunkley, delved into Futurist paintings to develop new patterns. Dunkley highlighted Forquet’s emphasis on geometrics and the importance of rhythm in each design. The design process involved extensive research into Liberty's own archives, spanning over 50,000 historic designs. The team found inspiration in the 1960s collections of former Liberty design director Bernard Nevill, particularly his Tango and Jazz ranges, which were inspired by Vorticism—the British art movement that evolved from Futurism. This discovery provided a valuable historical connection for Liberty, aligning the new collection with the brand’s past while embracing an avant-garde aesthetic. After gathering a wealth of inspirational material, Dunkley’s team synthesized and adapted pictorial references to create repeatable fabric patterns. These patterns, characterized by a strong geometric language, were then applied to various fabrics in a diverse range of colorways. Forquet's emphasis on color and nature helped to infuse a playful quality into the designs, distinguishing them from the potentially more austere nature of their artistic inspirations. To further contextualize the FuturLiberty collection, Liberty is hosting two exhibitions in Milan. One exhibition, at Museo del Novecento, showcases the original Futurist and Vorticist artworks that inspired the collection, alongside some of the new FuturLiberty interiors fabrics, demonstrating the translation of artistic inspiration into design. The second exhibition, at Palazzo Morando, explores Liberty’s historical trajectory from the Arts and Crafts movement through Nevill's 1960s designs to the contemporary FuturLiberty collection. This exhibition prominently features the fashion fabrics of the new collection in an immersive installation. Both exhibitions were developed in collaboration with Ester Coen, a renowned art historian, who underscores the exhibitions’ aim to highlight the dialogue between Futurism and Vorticism and to show how FuturLiberty embodies the energy and commitment of avant-garde art towards a valuable future. In conjunction with Milan Design Week, Liberty is also launching a book about the FuturLiberty project, published by Thames & Hudson, which will delve deeper into the interplay between art and design. Andrea Petochi views this initiative as a return to Liberty's artistic roots, fostering a dialogue between society and creativity. As Liberty approaches its 150th anniversary in 2025, the FuturLiberty collection positions the brand as both an innovator and a disruptor, grounded in its rich tradition. #MilanDesignWeek2023 #Futurism #Vorticism #LibertyFabrics #FedericoForquet #TextileDesign #InteriorDesign #FashionFabrics #ArtAndDesign

This blog post draws inspiration from Harry Styles's "Late Night Talking" music video to present three distinct bedding looks, encouraging readers to transform their bedrooms. The article suggests recreating the playful and relaxed aesthetic seen in the video's opening scene, where Styles is surrounded by pastel-colored textiles. This 'Light and Fresh' look can be achieved with a soft, citrusy duvet paired with neutral, gauzy linen or washed cotton sheets. Product recommendations for this style include a light silver-sage green rectangular pillow, a bubble citrus matelassé coverlet, a cloud linen gauze bed blanket, and a linen core sheet set in faded lemon. Moving on to the 'Retro and Eclectic' style, the article highlights the '70s revival evident in the music video's scenes featuring flower-power prints and plush comforters. To modernize this groovy look, the author suggests incorporating mix-and-match bolster pillows, ruffle trim, and multiple layers of comfortable covers. Specific product suggestions for this theme include an organic crinkled percale duvet cover in aegean, a coastal blue beach club stripe sheet set, a ruffled organic spa sateen duvet cover, and a printed linen bolster pillow cover. Finally, the post explores a 'Gold and Glam' bedding style inspired by a theater-like scene in the video, characterized by rich, heavy fabrics reminiscent of Hollywood Regency. This dramatic look is ideal for cooler months and can be achieved with luxurious, weighty materials such as velvet shams and silk sheets in bold colors, complemented by jacquard throw pillows. Recommended products for this opulent style are Juno velvet red bedding, classic fitted sheets by Kumi Kookoon, a Bettie forest green throw pillow with a down-alternative insert, and a jacquard chenille Roseto pillow. Overall, the article offers practical advice and specific product recommendations for readers interested in redecorating their bedrooms, translating the visual elements from Harry Styles's music video into achievable home decor styles. The three distinct themes—Light and Fresh, Retro and Eclectic, and Gold and Glam—provide a range of options for different tastes and preferences, all while maintaining a focus on comfort and aesthetic appeal. The post aims to inspire readers to experiment with colors, textures, and patterns to create a bedroom space that aligns with their desired mood and style. #BeddingDesign #HomeDecor #BedroomInspiration #HarryStyles #MusicVideoInspired #InteriorStyle #RetroDecor #GlamDecor #LinenSheets

This article explores a selection of new fabric launches designed to enhance home interior schemes. The right fabric, whether patterned or plain, can significantly influence the aesthetic of a room. The piece highlights eight distinct collections and designers, each bringing a unique approach to textile design. First, Haines, an online platform for salvaged fabrics, has collaborated with Gabby Deeming of Daydress to create a limited-edition collection. This collection features surplus textiles repurposed into fabrics and soft furnishings, characterized by pretty, ditsy floral patterns in fresh colorways, emphasizing sustainability and unique design. Next, London-based textile designer Beki Bright presents a range of hand screen-printed fabrics, cushions, lampshades, and wallpapers. Her designs draw inspiration from the English countryside of Suffolk, utilizing a signature palette of muted blues, pinks, soft peaches, and mustard yellows, reflecting a natural and serene aesthetic. Beata Heuman introduces a 'Jumbo Gingham' print, which pays tribute to traditional 18th-century Swedish checked textiles. This fabric offers a modest yet playful element, aiming to impart a homey feel to any interior without overwhelming the space. Sophia Frances showcases fabrics that blend traditional British textile heritage with contemporary twists. Her collection includes bold zigzags, painterly florals, large-scale stripes, subtle flowers, and delicate geometrical repeats, providing a versatile range for various design preferences. Zoe Glencross expands her style with the 'Aventura Collection,' inspired by her travels to Mallorca, Seville, Lisbon, and Porto. This collection incorporates Moorish mudejar and Portuguese azulejo patterning, with an earthy color palette of warm terracotta, pinky-beige tones, rich ochres, vibrant apple greens, and coastal blues, bringing a worldly and colorful dimension to interiors. Blithfield, known for its color-driven designs, launches the 'Bancroft Collection.' This collection combines historical references with a contemporary feel, featuring striking printed designs in signature colors. It includes new versions of Ikat Check, a printed stripe named Lambert, and two woven designs: the antique-inspired Jasper and the classic Bailey. Henry Prideaux, in collaboration with Christopher Farr, has re-imagined iconic designs from the Christopher Farr archives, including works by Michael Szell, Raoul Dufy, and Kit Kemp. The recolored fabrics are curated within a palette of terracotta and blue, aiming to infuse renewed sophistication and a modern quality into these classic prints. Finally, Susie Watson introduces 'Natasha,' an Uzbek-style fabric hand-printed on rustic linen. Inspired by the founder's travels, this heavyweight material is stonewashed to achieve a subtle, vintage effect. Available in 'Catkin,' 'Dusty Pink,' and 'Smokey Blue,' it is suitable for curtains and blinds, and can be accented with a pom-pom trim. The article also mentions Fermoie’s 'Circus' design, which features a repeating geometric pattern inspired by the movement of acrobats and jugglers. Fermoie emphasizes traditional printing methods on linen and cotton, using only natural pigments and colors. These launches collectively offer a wide array of choices for interior decorators, ranging from sustainable salvaged textiles and countryside-inspired prints to traditional patterns with contemporary twists and culturally rich designs, all aimed at enhancing the aesthetic and feel of a home. #FabricLaunches #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #TextileDesign #PatternedFabrics #SustainableFabrics #DesignerFabrics #HomeTextiles #DecoratingTrends

The 'Hive' collection, developed by atelier oï for B&B Italia, explores an innovative approach to upholstery using small leather patches, termed "leaves," to construct a three-dimensional textile. This deconstruction process details the extensive trial and error involved in perfecting this complex material, which ultimately informed the design of hexagonal ottomans and complementary low tables. The initial phase of development focused on material exploration, specifically forming studies with leather patches in various colors and configurations. This involved examining both the front and back of these patch arrangements, noting how individual leather pieces connected to form a cohesive textile, even before full attachment. Following these material studies, the design team moved into conceptualizing how this unique leather textile could be applied to furniture. Early sketches focused on adapting the connected leather structures for an ottoman. This led to the creation of numerous ottoman models, varying in size, form, and leather color, to test the aesthetic and structural possibilities. A significant challenge addressed during development was how to effectively wrap the ottoman legs with the patch textile, requiring dedicated studies to perfect the technique. Further refinement involved developing methods to finish the corners and sides of the ottoman, especially given the irregular edges of the leather patches, ensuring a seamless and polished appearance. In parallel with the ottoman design, the concept evolved to include complementary furniture pieces. Initial sketches were created for a similarly shaped table to be paired with the ottomans. This integration aimed to create a cohesive collection where both the ottomans and tables shared a unified design language, inspired by the distinctive beehive-like texture of the leather. The culmination of this design process resulted in a finished product showcasing three-color ottomans paired with the metal tables. The 'Hive' collection was notably featured in an installation at the B&B Italia Store during the Milan Furniture Fair in April 2013, highlighting the successful application of this innovative textile in a contemporary furniture context. #LeatherUpholstery #3DTextiles #FurnitureDesign #AtelierOi #BBItalia #ProductDevelopment #OttomanDesign #TableDesign #MilanFurnitureFair

The year 2023 heralds a significant evolution in interior textiles, moving beyond previous trends like bouclé to introduce a diverse array of fabrics and trims. This shift is evident from recent industry showcases such as Paris Déco Off and upcoming collection previews. A prominent trend involves the reinterpretation of archival designs, with many fabric houses drawing inspiration from their historical collections. Texture is also a key focus, transitioning from coarse options to more refined materials like sleek-piled velvets and intricately woven tapestries. In terms of color, vibrant, saturated jewel tones maintain their popularity, with a particular emphasis on peacock blue due to its captivating and adaptable nature. Additionally, a notable development is the experimentation with monochromatic fabrics and trims, which aims to create depth and visual interest through inspiring neutral palettes. Several specific trends are highlighted for the upcoming year. "Making the Cut" signifies the emergence of cut velvet as a dominant textile. This material offers a tactile experience and comes in various colorways, providing a fresh alternative to traditional velvets. "Peacock Blue Is the New Neutral" underscores the versatility of this specific jewel tone, presenting it in a wide range of fabrics and patterns. This color is positioned as a sophisticated yet bold choice for interiors. "Fresh Takes on Tapestry" revives ancient craftsmanship, focusing on tapestry and crewelwork. Brands are either offering literal interpretations of historical verdure tapestries or whimsical reimaginings of nature scenes. Heritage houses like Morris & Co. are reproducing historical fabrics with original production quality, while Braquenié celebrates its bicentennial by reissuing over 50 fabrics, 30 wallpapers, and 10 rugs inspired by their archives and those of renowned cultural institutions. This approach merges historical elegance with contemporary design, as demonstrated by the layered display of Braquenié fabrics at Château de Louye during Paris Déco Off. "All That Glitters" introduces metallic threadwork and cording, adding a shimmering effect to fabrics. These metallic accents appear in themes ranging from underwater scenes to forest motifs, as well as abstract patterns, indicating a readiness among designers to incorporate sparkle. "Wanderlusting Prints" features Toile de Jouy and painterly scenic prints that evoke distant locales, creating a sense of travel and escapism within interior spaces. Finally, "White on White" addresses the resurgence of monochrome interiors by exploring innovative ways to add texture and depth to minimalist white palettes through techniques like tone-on-tone embroideries, fil coupé, and variations in fabric weight and sheerness. "Playful Passementerie" emphasizes the renewed interest in maximalism and historical details, making trimmings like ombré tassels and Art Deco fringe prominent design elements. Clarence House, for instance, is launching an extensive collection of solid-color trimmings to complement residential interiors, signaling a detailed and ornate approach to finishing touches. #FabricTrends #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #TextileInnovations #Velvet #Tapestry #JewelTones #MetallicFabrics #Passementerie

Woven fabrics contribute significantly to interior design by introducing softness, warmth, and a subtle textural element that printed cloths cannot fully replicate. The inherent tactility of woven textiles often gets lost in two-dimensional images, making it challenging to distinguish them from printed patterns. However, woven cloth possesses superior strength and offers a comforting quality due to its integrated design, ensuring its longevity. Ireland, with its rich history in weaving, continues to host several long-standing companies that are adapting to modern demands. Foxford Woollen Mills, established in 1892 in Co Mayo, exemplifies this adaptation. While traditional blankets have seen a decline in popularity due to the rise of duvets, throws have experienced a resurgence, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Joe Queenan of Foxford Woollen Mills notes an increased demand, attributing it to both a surge in outdoor dining and a consumer desire to support Irish businesses. He highlights that in times of crisis, consumers gravitate towards reliable, ethically produced goods, willing to pay a premium for quality. This trend is evident in the popularity of Foxford’s high-end cashmere throws, as well as the renewed interest in mohair products. Similarly, John Hanly, a family-run business since 1893 in Ballyartella, Co Tipperary, primarily known for supplying international fashion houses, also offers a contemporary homeware range. Their collection features throws in lambswool, cashmere, and mohair, showcasing vibrant colors. While they rarely receive requests for upholstery fabric, Brian Hanly, the current head, expresses openness to exploring such opportunities, acknowledging the rigorous testing required for durability and fire resistance in upholstery. The viability of short production runs for upholstery fabric, however, remains a challenge. Mourne Textiles in Co Down stands out as one of the few Irish weavers providing upholstery fabric by the meter. As an artisan company specializing in hand-woven products, they accommodate smaller production runs, which impacts pricing. In contrast, Botany Weaving, founded in 1934 with factories in Dublin and Donegal, caters to large-scale contracts. They supply woven textiles for aircraft upholstery, curtains, and carpets for over 120 airlines. Recognizing a shift in market demand, Botany Weaving has expanded into contract furnishing. David Lawson of Botany Weaving mentions that some of their durable, well-designed, and predominantly wool fabrics could be suitable for residential use, often sold under other furniture brands rather than their own. Interior designer Oisín MacManus of Ollas Design emphasizes the role of woven textiles in adding texture to interior spaces. He notes that woven items, typically incorporating multiple colors and materials, invite interaction and add depth to a room, unlike flat surfaces. MacManus uses a sofa upholstered in Glen Marsh from Botany Weaving as an example, highlighting how its varied colors create visual interest and texture. Margo Selby, an English weaver and textile designer, collaborates with industrial mills while also creating her own woven artworks. She stresses the craft inherent in setting machines to produce fabric and the skill of textile technicians. Selby is launching a collection of 23 curtain and Roman blind fabrics with Hillarys, a British brand known for its fitting and consultation services. Her designs are geometric, featuring a mid-century color palette, and are specifically tailored for contemporary homes. Selby observes that people often struggle with selecting window dressings for modern builds, often opting for generic solutions. Her collection, available in ochre and silver, teal and green, and indigo and ink, offers strong yet minimal patterns designed to complement contemporary architecture and add a vibrant touch to interiors. The collection is set to launch on October 12, with prices starting from €289 for curtains and €189 for Roman blinds, inclusive of measuring and fitting services. #WovenFabrics #InteriorDesign #TextileDesign #IrishWeaving #HomeDecor #MargoSelby #FoxfordWoollenMills #JohnHanly #BotanyWeaving

The article details Kirkby Design's 'Underground Vol II' collection, a collaboration with Transport for London (TfL), which was launched at the London Design Festival. The collection features contemporary patterned woollen textiles, specifically upholstery velvets, inspired by historical moquettes from TfL's seating fabric archives dating back to the 1930s. Creative director Jordan Mould explains that the idea for the first 'Underground' collection originated when he observed the unique fabric designs on a tube carriage during an empty late-night journey, sparking the idea for a partnership with TfL. The 'Underground Vol II' collection reinterprets these vintage designs by adjusting their scale, texture, and color palettes to create a more sophisticated and luxurious aesthetic suitable for modern interiors. While the essence of the original designs is maintained, the updated color combinations are trend-driven. Each design in the collection is named after the London Underground line it was originally featured on, which helps customers connect with the historical aspect of the textiles, often evoking fond memories of their travels around London. Mould highlights 'Northern,' a design from 1965 by Marianne Straub, in the 'Biscuit' colorway, as one of his personal favorites from the new collection, appreciating its graphic statement. The article suggests that there is a vast amount of material within TfL's archives, hinting at the possibility of future collaborations. The collection is available from £89 per meter through Kirkby Design and was featured in the October issue of ELLE Decoration. This initiative represents a fusion of historical public transport design with contemporary interior textile trends, transforming functional patterns into high-end decorative elements. #KirkbyDesign #LondonDesignFestival #TextileDesign #UpholsteryVelvets #TransportForLondon #InteriorTextiles #DesignCollaboration #MarianneStraub #HomeDecor

Renowned textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen has collaborated with Sunbrella, a prominent manufacturer of performance textiles, to launch the Larsen Performance Collection. This partnership marks Sunbrella’s first venture into developing an entire collection with Larsen, building on their existing history of collaborations. The collection introduces a vibrant array of multi-use performance textiles that mimic the luxurious appearance and feel of high-end fabrics, while incorporating inspired designs. Larsen, a key figure in 20th-century craftsmanship, draws inspiration from his ambition to integrate design into unexpected contexts, reflecting individuality and global influences gathered during his travels. His familiarity with performance fabrics stems from his work at LongHouse, the 16-acre nature reserve and sculpture garden he established in East Hampton, New York. The collection emphasizes the integration of art into everyday environments, offering intricate and rich patterns that are also durable, fade-proof, and easy to maintain. Larsen has delved into his extensive print archive to reinterpret multicolor floral and stripe designs, transforming them into woven jacquard patterns. These patterns feature soft chenille textures, bringing a new level of tactile comfort to both indoor and outdoor living spaces. Larsen highlights the revival of “Midsummer,” his most popular floral print from the 1950s, now re-imagined as a woven jacquard. His long-standing interest in basket collection also informs the designs, with the Interlacing pattern serving as an exploration of basic basket weave constructions translated into textiles. He emphasizes the importance of durability in fabrics, stating that textiles need to resist fading for various applications, including children’s areas, workspaces, and living spaces, drawing a parallel to the strength of a well-woven basket. Larsen describes the collection’s colors as possessing a “crispness, cleanliness, bright or not,” suggesting their versatility across numerous settings and their ability to create coherent aesthetic themes both indoors and outdoors. A key element of the Hieroglyph design is its fabric pattern, for which the Sunbrella design team developed a performance-grade “horsehair” yarn. This yarn incorporates bi-colors that blend matte and shine finishes, contributing both luster and enhanced durability to the pattern. Similarly, the Chinoise fabric showcases an all-over matelassé pattern, delivering a subtle yet captivating motif with a soft, tactile quality. Larsen expresses his satisfaction with the jacquard facilities and the capacity to use multiple colors to produce patterned fabrics, which he believes bring joy. He acknowledges the significant advancements in fabric technology, noting the rising importance of multi-use spaces and the availability of fabrics that resist sun fading, rot, mildew, rain, and wear. Larsen summarizes the collection’s diversity, ranging from “quite bold, to subtle, to crisp,” and reiterates his belief that the colors are adaptable to many environments. The collection aims to provide high-quality outdoor style solutions, as Larsen remarks on the pleasure of outdoor entertaining. The Larsen Performance Collection is currently available through Larsen Fabrics, offering a range of textile options that blend artistic design with practical performance characteristics for contemporary living. #TextileDesign #PerformanceFabrics #JackLenorLarsen #SunbrellaCollaboration #InteriorDesign #OutdoorLiving #JacquardPatterns #FabricInnovation

Textile designer Aelfie Oudghiri's Brooklyn townhouse, shared with her husband, Hicham, and daughter, Mirah, serves as a living showcase for her eponymous line of bedding, soft goods, rugs, and furniture. Housed in a former industrial pencil factory, the 1,800-square-foot space reflects an easy, comfortable, and effortlessly stylish aesthetic deeply rooted in Oudghiri’s upbringing. Her parents, both builders and developers, introduced her to the transformative power of design early on, and an oversized Kerman rug from her childhood ignited her passion for textiles, inspiring her eventual career. Many pieces in her home are samples from her company, allowing her to live with and test products before their official launch, ensuring they are practical and durable. Oudghiri's journey into design began with an e-commerce store in her teens, focusing on products made by other young women, which taught her the foundations of design. Her childhood dream, however, was to design bedding, driven by frustration with the gendered, corny, or poor-quality synthetic options available at the time. Her early sketchbooks are filled with bedding concepts, foreshadowing her future in textile design. When designing her home, the living room was the starting point, prioritized for its comfort, openness, and suitability for entertaining. Her Moroccan husband influenced the layout, seeking a space reminiscent of a Moroccan salon with ample seating for guests. This led to the inclusion of a mint green sofa from CB2, praised for its durability, and another from ABC Carpet & Home. Oudghiri approaches home design with a lack of inherent attachment to spaces, a common sentiment in New York, preferring to evolve the design slowly. Her access to her own home decor line means her apartment is filled with a complementary array of her designs, from bath mats and pillows to poufs and tables, all serving as practical testaments to their wear and tear resistance. A key design element for Oudghiri was baby-proofing and creating a kid-friendly environment for her daughter, Mirah. The massive, open layout allowed for a play-friendly space free from hard obstacles or fragile items. The open and industrial nature of the former factory presented challenges in making the space feel cozy and welcoming. Oudghiri overcame this by strategically using rugs and artwork to soften the industrial brick walls and warm up the cold aesthetic. Her favorite aspects of the home include the exposed beams, high ceilings, abundant wall space for art, and the intricate texture of the floors. A design element she recommends for readers is foregoing a traditional coffee table in favor of side tables and poufs. This decision, initially driven by an inability to find a beloved coffee table, later proved invaluable for creating a large, open play area for her daughter. Visitors often comment on the home's established feel, assuming Oudghiri has lived there for a long time, despite only a few years passing, indicating the successful integration of her personal style and products. #TextileDesign #BrooklynHome #HomeTour #InteriorDesign #ColorfulDecor #PatternMixing #KidFriendlyDesign #IndustrialConversion #DesignerHome

Artist Liz Collins, known for her textile-focused visual expressions, has unveiled her latest project, "Dynamic Expansion," at the Ligne Roset flagship in Manhattan's Flatiron District. This installation is a collaboration that merges art, craft, and design, showcasing Collins's new spring 2021 capsule fabric collection developed in partnership with Pollack and Sunbrella Contract. Collins, a former fashion designer and professor at the Rhode Island School of Design, has a history of exploring textiles through performance and installation, notably with her "Knitting Nation" series. Her connection to the design world solidified in 2013 when Pollack first invited her to contribute to their Makers Collection. Subsequently, Sunbrella commissioned a large-scale drapery project for its headquarters, designed by Tsao & McKown. Last year, Collins created an installation for Rosanna Orlandi’s design showroom in Milan to feature Sunbrella’s high-performance fabrics, where she incorporated Ligne Roset furniture, including Christian Werner’s Prado sofa. When Ligne Roset extended an invitation to collaborate again in New York, Collins enthusiastically accepted, aiming to design a complete fabric collection. She engaged Pollack and Sunbrella Contract for this endeavor. The project, initially scheduled for New York Design Week in May, experienced delays due to the pandemic but ultimately opened at the Ligne Roset New York flagship in November. The exhibition, "Dynamic Expansion," runs through the end of November. The installation features new artworks alongside designs that highlight her fabric collection. Graphic patterns from her textiles extend from the walls onto the showroom floor, where they are used to upholster five Ligne Roset sofas. A central component of the installation comprises seven 3D works, dubbed _Shape Shifters_, crafted from Collins's fabrics. These pieces are stretched on canvas, adorned with "showers of yarn," and suspended above a display of Prado sofas, cushions, and ottomans. Collins intended for the kinetic space to evoke a sense of wonder and visual stimulation, likening the experience to being in a cave, a galaxy, underwater, and on the ground simultaneously. The new fabric collection includes three graphic patterns: Drawers, a small-scale grid inspired by an Ettore Sottsass cabinet and available in four colorways; Gingham Maze; and an oversized stripe titled Dynamic Expansion. All the art pieces and upholstered furniture displayed in the exhibition are available for purchase. The exhibition, "Dynamic Expansion," is located at the Ligne Roset showroom, 250 Park Ave. South, New York. #LizCollins #FabricCollection #LigneRoset #ArtInstallation #TextileDesign #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #PollackFabrics #SunbrellaContract

Velvet, a fabric renowned for its silky, tufted texture, luminous sheen, and exceptional color-carrying capabilities, is celebrated for its ability to infuse interiors with opulence, warmth, and glamour. Its creation involves a unique weaving technique where two fabrics are simultaneously woven face-to-face, with the loops then cut to form a soft, dense pile. Historically, velvet was a luxury reserved for the affluent due to its silk and cotton composition and complex manufacturing. However, advancements have led to more affordable, hard-wearing man-made velvets, like poly-cotton, making this luxurious look accessible to a broader audience. Interior design experts emphasize velvet's enduring appeal, noting its versatility in both contemporary and traditional settings. Simon Temprell, interior design manager at Neptune, highlights its ability to bring warmth and softness, acknowledging it's not the most practical for homes with pets or children, but unmatched in its depth of color. Hayley McAfee, head of Villa Nova, points out that velvet seamlessly transitions from a subtle accent, such as cushions, to a dominant feature like an entire sofa, always maintaining a sophisticated yet relaxed aesthetic. While it excels in living rooms and bedrooms, offering sophistication and coziness respectively, McAfee cautions against its use in kitchens due to cleaning difficulties. Velvet serves as an excellent medium to introduce vibrant colors and comfort into a living space, particularly through seating options. Saffron Hare, creative director of James Hare, suggests utilizing velvet boldly, especially in jewel-bright tones, for accent chairs or sofas. Patterned velvets, like Osborne & Little's Trebah velvet, can create a striking focal point in luxury living rooms, especially when paired with rich, jewel-toned walls. The fabric's rich texture beautifully balances intense wall colors and can seamlessly integrate natural motifs indoors. For dark or cool-toned rooms, velvet upholstery in warm spice tones can inject life and coziness. Vanessa Arbuthnott, a fabric designer, notes that velvet miraculously feels and looks more luxurious than most textiles and improves with age, with its inherent jewel-like colors capable of uplifting an entire room. Beyond upholstery, velvet drapes offer a sense of cocooning warmth, particularly in darker shades for fall and winter, where the pile allows light and shadow to create dynamic textural surfaces. In neutral-themed rooms, where texture is crucial to prevent a flat appearance, velvet provides essential softness and interest. Interior designer Tara Cain exemplifies this by using white velvet for sofas in an 'adult retreat,' creating a luxe yet interesting feel through a mix of cut velvets. For dining rooms, velvet chairs add glamour and comfort, elevating the dining experience. Anne Pulliam's design, featuring cobalt blue velvet chairs complementing blue hints in the wallpaper, showcases how velvet can contribute to a room's personality. In bedrooms, a velvet headboard acts as both a comfortable backdrop and a beautiful focal point, especially in bold colors, as demonstrated by Kitesgrove's design featuring a Forest Green Pierre Frey velvet headboard. For those new to velvet, starting with small accessories like cushions or footstools is recommended to introduce its tactile warmth. Furthermore, velvet is highly adaptable and can be mixed with various materials, such as linen for a contrast between luxury and relaxation, or with harder materials like wood and marble to add softness. It can even be used as a luxurious tablecloth, especially when paired with trimmings for a grand, traditional ambiance, as seen in VSP Interiors' designs. Velvet's compatibility extends to jewel colors, which are intensified by its luminous quality. Hayley McAfee points out that while bold hues like Chutney or Papavar emphasize its luxurious nature, pale hues can evoke warmth and comfort. Its ability to accommodate digital printing allows for intricate, detailed artwork across a spectrum of colors. Velvet harmonizes with contrasting rustic textures like wood and stone, lending glamour to country homes, and pairs equally well with silks, glass, and metallics for a sophisticated aesthetic. As a durable and heavy fabric, velvet is ideal for upholstery on sofas, armchairs, dining chairs, ottomans, and footstools, adding texture and softness. Lee Clarke, director of Warner House, confirms its suitability for upholstery due to its tight weave and durability. Its varying tones, depending on how light catches its cut-pile texture, make it particularly effective for large furniture pieces, softening their appearance. Simon Temprell also notes its sound-deadening properties, making it an excellent choice for media rooms, and mentions that printed, tooled, or 'aged' velvets can enhance its practicality for busy family homes, while its luminous sheen makes it fitting for both glamorous retro styles and relaxed furniture shapes. #VelvetDecor #InteriorDesign #LuxuryFabric #HomeDecorIdeas #TextileTrends #Upholstery #LivingRoomDesign #BedroomDecor #DiningRoomStyle #MaterialVersatility

The article explores the innovative and impactful uses of fabric in creating unique entertainment environments, highlighting its versatility, cost-effectiveness, and ability to shape atmosphere and user experience. It emphasizes the intrinsic relationship between fabric and lighting, noting how skillfully backlit fabric can evoke visceral reactions and create unparalleled qualities in a space. Fabric is presented as a material that offers a market advantage due to its lower cost compared to other construction materials, ensuring its continued relevance in the entertainment sector where new and authentic experiences are highly valued, particularly by the millennial generation. The article delves into how fabrics contribute to shaping real spaces, drawing parallels with the 'maker' movement's emphasis on handmade and tactile objects over virtual ones. Experts like Eric Bury of Eventscape and Catherine Stowell of Designtex explain that textiles often serve as the primary surface interacting with users, offering opportunities to add materiality, texture, pattern, and color. They note that the contrast between soft fabrics and hard surfaces can directly influence user experience by conveying warmth, familiarity, or luxury. Wade Wesson of Dazian highlights fabric's role in bringing elegance and essential acoustic properties to modern architectural environments, while Judy Dioszegi emphasizes its ability to set the 'atmosphere' or 'environment' of a space, coordinating with upholstery, wall coverings, and art to elicit subconscious reactions from clients. Furthermore, the piece discusses fabric's role in managing space, sound, and mood. Bury underscores fabric's limitless potential in architectural forms, from furnishing interiors to literally constructing building elements. He points out its versatility, ranging from tight and hard-edged to loose and soft, and its ability to span large areas or serve as small accent elements. Stowell highlights how textiles can create privacy and intimacy, particularly with new technological developments in fine sheer materials that allow light and visual transparency while providing significant acoustical properties. Wesson reinforces fabric's effectiveness in surface texture for LED lighting and its superior acoustic values for reducing noise in spaces where hardscape panels are not feasible, noting its affordability for post-construction acoustic issues. The article also presents a case study of the Toronto Centre for the Arts' renovation, where Eventscape engineered and installed an acoustical backlit panel solution that not only solved acoustic requirements but also allowed for programmable light shows, demonstrating a unique immersive experience. Dioszegi provides practical recommendations for using fabrics to enhance interior environments, such as suspending, gathering, or pleating fabrics to accentuate lighting, experimenting with different materials and positioning, and understanding how fabric properties like porosity and weight affect sound absorption. Wesson adds that digital printing on fabric enables custom designs and textures at an economical cost, and LED lighting has brought fabric back to the forefront for surface texture. Looking to the future, the experts predict ongoing innovation in fabric applications. Dioszegi notes a trend towards incorporating industrial elements, often printed or appliquéd on fabric for atmosphere and acoustics. Wesson anticipates more complex, deconstructible architectural fabric structures driven by CAD-based software. Stowell foresees increasing opportunities for custom textiles, with manufacturers working closely with designers to tailor materials. Bury is particularly enthusiastic about fabric as a sculptural medium, citing groundbreaking projects like Anish Kapoor's work at the Tate Museum, Zaha Hadid Architects' Winton Gallery, and the use of ETFE in the Water Cube, alongside emerging trends in fabric formwork for concrete, integrated electronics, reactive surfaces, and 'smart' materials, all pointing to a dynamic future for fabric in architectural and entertainment design. #FabricDesign #EntertainmentEnvironments #TextileInnovation #ArchitecturalFabric #AcousticProperties #InteriorDesign #EventDesign #LightingIntegration

Textiles, whether brought back from international travels or sourced from local designers, offer a unique way to introduce narrative and texture into home decor. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, textiles carry the stories of different times and places, making them cherished keepsakes. The article explores various methods for displaying these pieces, moving beyond common applications like pillows to highlight more creative and impactful design solutions. One effective approach is framing. Designer Christina Bryant, founder of St. Frank, advocates for framing textiles, particularly in acrylic box frames, which accentuate the handwork, three-dimensionality, and texture of the piece. This method also encourages sharing the textile's history and craftsmanship. An example showcases a framed scarf in a Houston living room designed by Meg Lonergan, demonstrating that not all textiles are raw fabric swatches. Another innovative use is transforming a textile into a headboard. Frances Merrill of Reath Design illustrates this by backing and upholstering an African textile with light padding, creating a comfortable and visually striking headboard. This method offers a distinctive alternative to traditional headboard designs, adding a personal and artistic touch to a bedroom. For those seeking a less permanent or upholstery-intensive solution, spreading a textile across the seat or back of a couch offers significant visual impact with minimal commitment. Textile designer Nathalie Farman-Farma of Décors Barbares, for instance, uses a vintage curtain to adorn her couch, achieving a dramatic effect without the need for professional upholstery. Similarly, Rebecca Atwood uses one of her original designs to enhance the back of a sofa, contributing to a calming room aesthetic. Smaller textile pieces can be repurposed into functional and decorative items such as poufs. Sally Breer of Co-Mingle Design utilizes kilims to create plush poufs, serving as additional seating and injecting color and pattern into a living room. Other small-scale upholstery projects mentioned include covering the seat of a chair, the front of a dresser, or the top of a bench. Textiles can also function as unique window treatments. Sally Breer suggests using vintage textiles for windows, especially those with unusual shapes or walls that need artistic enhancement, given their often-idiosyncratic sizes. This approach turns functional elements into decorative focal points, as seen in a stately living room with black and white Roman blinds. Finally, a simple yet impactful method is to hang textiles directly on the wall. British interior designer Abigail Ahern recommends draping a textile over a pole and mounting it, instantly transforming it into a piece of art. This technique, she explains, can make a space feel warm and cozy by elevating the textile to an artistic display. These diverse strategies allow textile enthusiasts to integrate their cherished pieces into their homes in creative and personalized ways, enhancing both the aesthetic and narrative of their living spaces. #TextileArt #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #TextileDisplay #FramedTextiles #HeadboardDesign #FurnitureAccents #WindowTreatments #WallHangings

The article explores the latest textile and wallpaper trends for 2025 as previewed during Paris's Déco Off, Déco Home, and Maison&Objet; in The City events. These industry showcases highlight innovative approaches to home interiors, emphasizing both aesthetic appeal and advanced manufacturing techniques. The future of interior design, as presented by leading brands, appears focused on elegance, incorporating iridescent weaves, imaginative color palettes, and enduring earthy tones. Rubelli's new "Teorema" collection, designed by Formafantasma, features patterns that blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary vision. The collection introduces wool and chenille fabrics with abstract and geometric motifs, notably the "Zig Zag" line, which reimagines embroidery techniques using shiny viscose thread for a modern, textured effect, pushing boundaries in decorative textiles for home transformation. Dedar's collections introduce material variations and new production methods within its "Contemporary Archives" family. The brand's soft figurativism enriches textiles with painterly depictions of natural elements like mountains, waterfalls, and starry skies. A highlight is the "Thank you for sending me an angel" line, crafted from kid mohair, which offers a luxurious, curly velvet texture that evokes the feel of fur without being actual fur, providing an elegant and pleasant tactile experience. Métaphores, an Hermès textile chain brand, presents "L'Echappée" by art director Emilie Paralitici. This collection draws inspiration from travel and exploration, translating distant memories into new fabrics. It celebrates iconic English beauty with exotic and oriental influences, incorporating tweed and tartan in vibrant colors suitable for contemporary spaces. The collection also includes textured fabrics with abstract patterns reminiscent of nautical cords, designed for both indoor and outdoor applications. Fischbacher 1819 collaborates with Marcel Wanders for the "Ancient Memories" collection, presented in Paris's Rive Droite. This line introduces an "archeology of time-traveling fabrics" that bring lightness to modern spaces. Developed with artist Caterina Roppo, the collection features decorative elements and canvases that convey poetic and emotional narratives. A notable inclusion is the "Nature's Dialogue" line, showcasing cotton lace embroidery that merges traditional craftsmanship with new technologies. Fortuny's "Armonia" collection, created in collaboration with designer Chahan Minassian, was unveiled in an art gallery during Déco Off. This collection merges Fortuny's historical legacy with Minassian's distinctive design approach, aiming for a timeless yet forward-looking aesthetic. The resulting patterns reflect on fabric's versatility in living spaces, integrating the traditional Venetian aesthetic with contemporary artistic vision. Lelièvre's "Métamorphose" collection emphasizes nature as an inexhaustible source of inspiration. The collection is characterized by designs that embody the rhythm of the seasons through visual and tactile patterns, delicate transitions, and blurred contours. The "Ammonite" line, for instance, features a fossil-inspired motif that connects to the origins of natural forms, refreshing the brand's aesthetic. Élitis introduces the "Brera" collection, which pays homage to the Milanese aesthetic of neoclassical style found in historic palaces and villas, particularly those in the Porta Venezia district. The collection reintroduces printed velvets and fabrics reminiscent of sophisticated clubs, creating a theatrical and elegant atmosphere in modern homes. This collection merges themes of nature, travel, and contemporary living through its upholstery, textiles, and accessories. Maison Pierre Frey's "Paralleles" collection explores the interplay of stripes, solid colors, and varying fabric thicknesses. The collection offers a vibrant range of palettes for contemporary homes, blending elegant, classic, and ethnic influences. The brand's installation, "Desert," presented in Paris, showcases wallpapers and fabrics that reinterpret 18th-century interiors with a modern twist, rejecting static interiors for dynamic, life-welcoming environments. Little Greene's "Storybook Papers" collection delves into childhood nostalgia, featuring designs inspired by archival materials and 20th-century aesthetics. Curated by the National Trust, the collection transforms wooden toy designs into two-dimensional motifs for wallpapers. Each wallcovering is accompanied by suggested paint selections, making them suitable for children's bedrooms, nurseries, bathrooms, dining rooms, and entryways, refreshing and renewing home spaces. CMO's new collections prioritize sustainability, utilizing natural fibers such as abaca, palm leaves, raffia, linen, silk, wool, and cashmere. These materials are processed using methods that blend ancient craft techniques with modern approaches. The brand focuses on preserving rare artifacts and traditional skills from remote villages, ensuring these unique practices are not lost to industrialization, thereby contributing to both design innovation and cultural heritage. #TextileTrends #WallpaperDesign #MaisonEtObjet #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #LuxuryFabrics #SustainableMaterials #ParisDesignWeek #DesignExhibition

Los Angeles-based designer Sean Leffers shares his current design inspirations, particularly focusing on a mood board created for an oceanside home in Santa Monica. Leffers, who is known for his blend of traditional textiles with vibrant colors and playful patterns, aims to create rooms that are both elegant and cozy, imbued with a well-traveled, chic sensibility ideal for family summers by the beach. His approach for this specific project involves energizing whitewashed adobe walls and terra cotta tile floors with a carefully curated mix of timeless patterns, rich textures, and eclectic antiques. Leffers's design philosophy emphasizes creating spaces that reflect the essence of their inhabitants. For the Santa Monica home, the goal is a breezy yet comforting atmosphere, characterized by classic Americana fabrics, contrasting colors, and spirited motifs. He describes the aesthetic as "unimpeachable, good taste meets a well-traveled eye with nothing to prove," drawing a comparison to the refined style of Bunny Mellon at the beach. The chosen materials and patterns are detailed through a flat lay, providing a tangible representation of his vision. Among the selections is the "Etienne Floral Stripe in Vintage Black" from Ralph Lauren Home, which Leffers appreciates for its cheerful yet subdued elegance and antique appearance. He plans to use an antique Miao Chinese Batik cotton blanket, which he finds charmingly soft, for pillows. Another textile that sparks his interest is antique Japanese Boro cloth, revered for its earnestness and history of being repurposed from scraps for warmth. The "Jardin Floral in Summer Canvas" from Ralph Lauren Home captivated him with its subtle tonal sophistication, leading him to acquire a significant quantity for future projects. For a classic Americana touch, Leffers chose the "Stone Hill Gingham in Indigo" from Ralph Lauren Home, noting its soft hand-feel and purchasing 100 yards for repeated use. The "Le Borde in Indigo" from Le Gracieux, with its faded finish and resemblance to bandana patterns, further reinforces the Americana theme. The "Peverell Check in Tarn" from Ian Sanderson adds sophistication with its washed-out color, providing an analogous complement to the indigo hues in the scheme. The "Ivins Stripe in Soapstone" from Ralph Lauren Home offers a contemporary take on a French flour sack cloth, introducing a provincial element without being overly artistic. Another distinctive choice is "Pangea in Coconut" from C&C Milano, a raw silk fabric that offers an organic simplicity and material elegance, reminiscent of bamboo shades. An antique Javanese Batik, with its contrasting oxbloods and pinks, contributes a sophisticated palette, echoing the ombré petals of the Ralph Lauren floral. For bedding, Leffers selected the "Antik Matelassé Coverlet in Off White" from Matteo, praising its supersoft hand and classic, elegant look. Finally, "Lost and Found in Indigo by Kit Kemp" from Christopher Farr Cloth was chosen for its contemporary, fun, global, and Americana-compatible aesthetic. This detailed selection process highlights Leffers's ability to blend diverse elements into a cohesive and personally resonant design. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #TextileTrends #DesignerInspiration #AmericanaStyle #RalphLaurenHome #VintageTextiles #FabricSelection #SantaMonicaDesign