A week of Toile - Day 5

I've gotten a lot of positive feedback on my fabric posts...so I decided to take it a step further. A whole week devoted to Toile de Jouy! Oh, those wonderful patterns featuring funny little men in hats in a myriad of bucolic scenes. But, as you shall soon see, not all toile's are the same...

Today's patterns all come from Thibaut, who happens to be one of my favorite places to go for really good toile! As I've saved the 'best' for last, it seems only fair to do something a little special with these fabrics. But what? How about showing close ups of each fabric so you can see just what makes them so special? Yeah... that'll do it!! As always, sit back and enjoy...

Biltmore

Close up of Biltmore

Chateau du Loir

Close up of Chateau du Loir

La Fontaine

Close up of La Fontaine

Toile de Provence

Close up of Toile de Provence

Paysannerie

Close up of Paysannerie

Rockwood Toile

Close up of Rockwood Toile

All the patterns I'm sharing are currently available for sale; often in multiple color options. If you're interested in 2 yards (min) or a bolt, just get in touch with me. I can have your fabrics sent to you, or directly to your workroom. How easy is that?!

Thibaut is also renouned for their wallpapers...and most of these patterns are available in both fabric and wallpaper.  Let me know your room size and I can tell you how many rolls of wallpaper you need. Again, it'll be shipped directly to you!

A week of Toile - Day 4

I've gotten a lot of positive feedback on my fabric posts...so I decided to take it a step further. A whole week devoted to Toile de Jouy! Oh, those wonderful patterns featuring funny little men in hats in a myriad of bucolic scenes. But, as you shall soon see, not all toile's are the same...

Today's patterns all come from Robert Allen...sit back and enjoy!

Perfect View

Vevay Garden

China Journey

Leaping Horse

Blondell

Tulasi

Full Sails

All the patterns I'm sharing are currently available for sale; often in multiple color options. If you're interested in a yard or a bolt, just get in touch with me. I can have your fabrics sent to you, or directly to your workroom. How easy is that?!

A week of Toile - Day 3

I've gotten a lot of positive feedback on my fabric posts...so I decided to take it a step further. A whole week devoted to Toile de Jouy! Oh, those wonderful patterns featuring funny little men in hats in a myriad of bucolic scenes. But, as you shall soon see, not all toile's are the same...

Today's patterns all come from Duralee...sit back and enjoy!

20898 in Toast

20989 in Springtime

41971 in Hayride

42106 in Natural Aqua

20724 in Bermuda

All the patterns I'm sharing with you are currently available for sale; often in multiple color options. If you're interested in a yard or a bolt, just get in touch with me. I can have your fabrics sent to your home, or directly to your workroom. How easy is that?!

A week of Toile - day 2

I've gotten a lot of positive feedback on my fabric posts...so I decided to take it a step further. A whole week devoted to Toile de Jouy! Oh, those wonderful patterns featuring funny little men in hats in a myriad of bucolic scenes. But, as you shall soon see, not all toile's are the same...

Today's patterns all come from Scalamandre'...sit back and enjoy!

African Toile

Canton

Circo

Cupido

Hunt Party

McGregor's Garden

All the patterns I'm sharing are currently available for sale; often in multiple color options. If you're interested in 2 yards (min) or a bolt, just get in touch with me. I can have your fabrics sent to you, or directly to your workroom. How easy is that?! 

A week of Toile - day 1

I've gotten a lot of positive feedback on my fabric posts...so I decided to take it a step further. A whole week devoted to Toile de Jouy! Oh, those wonderful patterns featuring funny little men in hats in a myriad of bucolic scenes. But, as you shall soon see, not all toile's are the same...

Today's patterns all come from Kravet fabrics...sit back and enjoy! 

Blissful

Aerogramme

 

Basil

Kenzo

Hinterland

Victoria

Barrymore

Laura Ashley 1201

All the patterns I'm sharing are currently available for sale; often in multiple color options. If you're interested in a yard or a bolt, just get in touch with me. I can have your fabrics sent to you, or directly to your workroom. How easy is that?!

How to create outdoor spaces with interior items

When it comes to entertaining in the summer, taking full advantage of all your available square footage is just smart. That means utilizing your outdoor space too. Here are a few ideas on how to maximize your outdoor space for entertaining.

When you're thinking about reupholstering indoor furniture, think about using an indoor/outdoor fabric. Not only will you be able to use those pieces outside when entertaining, any inevitable spills will be a snap to clean up! And today's options when it comes to indoor/outdoor fabrics may surprise you... 

Ceramic Asian plant stands do double or even triple duty. From holding potted plants inside, you can then move them outside to be used as additional seating and/or side tables.  From traditional to ultra-modern, there's a plant stand out there just for you.

Lastly, don't forget to 'dress' your table! Bring out your linens, china, and crystal for an elegant evening complete with candelabras and flowers. Or, for a more relaxed evening, hang some old mason jars with tea candles from the trees with simple place settings and a bushel of fruit as your centerpiece. 

Tell me what you love to use to when entertaining outdoors!

Don't Be Crewel

Crewelwork, or crewel (pronounced 'cruel'), originally referred to the embroidery technique where wool yarns were used in the stitching of ornate designs on heavy base cloth, like cotton or linen.  Today you'll find crewel embroidery on everything from silks and velvets to netting and jute.

(I found a really interesting and informative article all about the history of crewel embroidery. If you'd like to learn more, click here..)

While I wouldn't recommend reupholstering your family room sofa in crewel, a small crewel accent chair or pillows could really tie a room together with the right combination of colors and styling!

If you are a crafter, crewelwork might be a perfect fit for you. There are loads of books out there dedicated to teaching the craft. Start with an embroidery hoop, needles, embroidery thread, base fabric, and your imagination!

The intricacies of the stitches, the bold use of the ground, and the dedication of the artists evokes a nostalgia in me for 'the good ol days.'  Like the samplers of yesteryear, today's crewel holds a special place in my heart. Don't be cruel, let crewel into your heart too.

I didn't ask for 'Da Mask.' I wanted the DAMASK!!!

The damask as a fabric is an old weave, at least 1700 years old in fact. It was one of the five basic weaving techniques that were used along the Mediterranean by both the Byzantines and the Islamic.

I'll be sure to post later all about those 5 early weaves, but this week isn't so much about the technical as it is about the aesthetic! 

 As a pattern, a damask is typically stylized flora and fauna designs that are repeated throughout, set on a linear or grid layout. Traditionally tone-on-tone, today's damasks can also be quite bold.

Whether it's a formal dining room or a funky teenage girls room, there's a damask out there for you!