Fabrics For the Rest of Us

Do you ever feel like the fabrics options that we "ooh" and "ahh" over are just too expensive? 

 Maybe I'm alone here, but I love beautiful fabrics and hate their often too-high price tags. Sure, options from Kelly Wearstler, Kathryn Ireland, Lee Jofa, Trina Turk and the rest of the lot make us giddy with their designs; but I'll be the first to admit that I just can't afford the $80+/yard prices, especially if I'm looking to spruce up a pillow, sew some napkins, or refashion a roman shade.

There's no shame in being on a budget, am I right?

I've written about my love for vibrant printed patterns many times here on this blog, but until recently I was at a loss for a new, untapped source for great fabrics.

Well, tah-dah, I found one: Alexander Henry, a company that produces bold, modern prints in cotton. Alexander Henry largely produces fabrics for quilters, and I could see these prints used beyond the blanket at the foot of your bed.
Here are just a few of my favorites I've rounded up for your enjoyment:

"Joy of Life" in red abstract, $2.99 per half yard / "Anja Floral Paisley" in dove, $4.49 per half yard

"Taupe Stripes on Cream" in cream, $9.99 per yard / "Zanzabelle Safari Zikat" in green, $2.49 per half yard

"Vie en Rose Floral" in dove, $2.99 per half yard /"Sage Flowers on Cream" in cream, $9.99 per yard

"Anja Floral Paisley" in black, $2.13 per quarter yard / "Africa Spinning Stick" in red pink, $2.99 per half yard

"Amelie" in rose, $2.99 per half yard / "Still Life" in multi, $4.49 per yard

Okay, so no, these aren't upholstery-weight fabrics, but why not use these lightweight cotton options (with lining, of course) for a fabulous pair of drapes? Or a shower curtain? Or a table runner? Or a bolster pillow?

And...no need to go through a decorator for "to the trade only" fabrics. Be sure to try Etsy and Ebay, as well as online fabric stores, for the very best price.

Fabrics for the rest of us, and we didn't even have to sacrifice style.

Sister Parish Chair and Ottoman Revealed!

This project has been a long time coming, but I am thrilled to finally reveal the "after" results of my reupholstered $40 Craigslist chair and inherited ottoman. Both now happily occupy my living room and I'm so happy that I waited to purchase the fabric that was my number one choice (Sister Parish's "Tucker" design in the beige/white colorway).

I love having pieces reupholstered because it is like breathing life into the well-designed-but-outdated. 

To see the "befores", be sure to visit this post.

 A few detail shots for you all to enjoy:

 For the time being, I think the ottoman is best suited with my Alan Campbell-covered side chair. 

They make a fun little couple, am I right?

I also have a fun Turkish kilim pillow coming (a recent Ebay purchase) that should add another fun print to the chair. 

What do you all think? 

Were the results worth the wait?

I must give full credit to the fabulous upholsterer I worked with, Molly of Chairloom. Thanks, Molly!

Meet the Artist: Duncan Grant

("Self Portrait, 1920" by Duncan Grant)

Recently, I came across a series of textiles that all but stopped me in my proverbial tracks, on account of their whimsy and color. The designer, Duncan Grant, was new to me and with a little bit of research, I discovered that he occupied a space in a storied group of literary and art history, the Bloomsbury Group.

Duncan Grant (1885-1978) was a British painter and textile designer who befriended fellow influential Brits such as Lytton Strachey, Vanessa Bell, and perhaps the most notable, Virginia Woolf. Grant's artistic style is best described as post-impressionism, and it often featured deep saturated colors and abstract subject matter.

Grant's talent earned him a role designing elements for the RMS Queen Mary ship in the thirties, which was being constructed at the time. He stated publicly that he had free range over the design of the first class lounge; as a result, he basked in the creative freedom despite the fact that most of his designs were not ultimately used in the Queen Mary.

(Embroidered firescreen, by Duncan Grant)

("Tulips" by Duncan Grant)

("Garden Path in Spring" by Duncan Grant)

("Vanessa Bell" by Duncan Grant)

In addition to dedicating his talent on painting, Grant also delved into the world of textile design during the thirties. You'll see, the prints look modern even today.

(pillows via Blogging Woolf)

("Clouds" print by Duncan Grant)

("Queen Mary" by Duncan Grant)

("Pamela" by Duncan Grant)

Duncan Grant prints, though, are largely unavailable. Personally, I can't understand why they haven't been reissued for modern use. It is hard to believe many date back to the twenties and thirties, isn't it? 

Some of the textiles and reprints of the paintings above are available for sale through Charleston House, a country home and creative refuge for the Bloomsbury Group. The home features murals by Duncan Grant and, as an avid Bloomsbury fan, I hope to visit one day.

What do you think of Duncan Grant's designs?
Would you consider purchasing a few prints if they were reissued?

Marblelous

(via Elle Decor)

Marble patterns and the art of marbleizing papers have seen a resurgence in recent months. Elle Decor recently proclaimed that marbleized products are "back", so I wonder: are you introducing this trend into your home through fabrics or other decorative pieces?

This weekend, I found these cotton marbled printed fabrics from Joann Fabrics for $6.99 a yard and thought these prints could easily pass for a much-more-expensive fabric used for Dransfield & Ross napkins.

(sorry for the crappy phone picture)
I brought the green marbled fabric home with me and, for all of $14, intended to make runner for my kitchen table. Full project details to follow.

Also, these two rolls of grass green marbleized paper have been awaiting a project for months now and I just got around to deciding on their use: chic drawer liners for my green sideboard.

($9 at Dick Blick)
I'll be sure to share the drawer lining project posthaste.

Still interested in more marbleizing?
Want to craft your own marbled fabric? This tutorial is worth checking out.

(via Kristin La Flamme)

Do you have any elements of this trend currently on display in your home?
Any marbleized projects you've recently completed?
If so, do tell!

More Bella Foster Prints!

(via Wayne Pate)

Imagine my complete and utter joy when I discovered that Wayne Pate's online shop will be offering another Bella Foster print that is totally up my alley. The piece above, entitled "Central Park," will be available soon!

The world, and certainly our apartment, is a prettier place with Bella Foster's artwork in it.

Patterns at Play

Patterns are a recurrent element throughout my home and I thought it would be fun to share with you a photo survey of many (though not all!) of my favorites.

Alan Campbell + estate sale rug

Wayne Pate's "Urns"

Framed Madeline Weinrib remnant

Abstract embroidery by moi

Mid-century Danish tray and Zara Home dish keep my bedside tidy

Roberta Roller Rabbit curtains and Rubie Green chair

Dash & Albert rug

Hearts and pillows

L.L. Bean blanket

Bathroom tile or New York Times Crossword puzzle?

Togo dots in den

Suzani from Greece; wool blanket from Ebay

Dash & Albert rug

Stripes and zigzags

Favorite stripes: Hudson Bay Blanket

This print may be reimagined in our guest bedroom

Thrifted wool rug with a unique set of shapes

Why am I so drawn to patterns and prints?
Part of the appeal of prints and patterns is that they serve a seemingly contradictory purpose: they add layers of coziness and comfort while also adding visual interest and excitement.

If you scanned your home, would you find a lot of patterns and prints too? Can you relate?

P.S. Sorry for the lack of a post yesterday. Blogger did not want to cooperate...just as it did last Friday.

Finally, Sister Parish is Mine

I thought I'd offer you a respite from guest bedroom-related posts today to let you in on some exciting news (well, maybe only exciting to me...I live a very small, insular life).

I've gone ahead and ordered the Sister Parish "Tucker" fabric I've been dreaming about for months and months!!

 I know what you're thinking: "Wait, that's the exciting news?"

 Yes, yes, it is. 

Let me start by explaining that ordering alone took nearly 8 months...you know, involving a lot of coaxing of a certain fiance/new husband all around the time when we were planning a wedding. Certainly some of you out there can understand the potential minefield of decorating conversations with men.

The past 8 months were also spent trying to find the Sister Parish fabric at a discount because, as I readily admit, I am cheap. Sure enough, I did, only to find out...

...that is was being discontinued.

What the f@#*&%k? 

Is this where my patience has gotten me?

Not so fast. The discounter that I worked with informed me that I could tack on my relatively small order (under 10 yards) to another order to meet the custom order minimum that Sister Parish Design set for reprinting the "Tucker" print.

Wait, so you're telling me that multiple people want this fabric and you're still discontinuing it?

Sometimes I fail to see the logic in certain decisions.

Fast forward to last week. Imagine me, desperate to secure this fabric before it's too late, begging Adam to use his Blackberry to place the order. He's ready to fish or kayak or just generally "vacation" and I'm all worked up over fabric.
A day in the life, I tell you.

So, here is where we find ourselves. Sister Parish "Tucker" fabric, come to mama!

For those of you unaware, I'll be using the fabric on these pieces in my living room:

If you're new to the blog, be sure to catch up by checking out this post and this one on the matter, too.

I can see that the end is near and the long-awaited fabric is mine [insert maniacal laugh here].

Expect gratuitous pictures of these pieces transformed in the coming months!

Pretty, Pretty Pillowcases

A few Fridays ago, I alluded to my plan to sew custom pillowcases for my guest bedroom. Before you question my sanity and comment with a "Don't you live near a Target or Bed, Bath & Beyond where they sell those things?," let me say that I searched high-and-low for printed pillows that struck my fancy. But alas, all my searching failed to produce the perfect print.

That's when I found this very easy-to-follow tutorial for open-sided pillowcases from Eighteenth Century Agrarian Business (a really cool crafty blog, for those of you who haven't checked it out yet). I stumbled upon  a traditional printed fabric at Purl Soho that fit the bill: Devon Shirtings' "Red/Ivory Medallion" fabric (though I found here for much less), and it appeared that things were coming together very quickly.

Here's a detail shot of the print. 

It has a prim-and-proper-but-slightly-block-print look, right? 

Plus, the best part: It was about $7.50/yard and is really soft and durable.

 I ordered 4 yards to create 4 identical pillows, and followed the clearly-written instructions for the pillowcases. 

 Let me confess, this was the first attempt to use my new sewing machine, and it could not have been easier!

If you can cut and sew in a straight line, you can make these pillowcases yourself.

 Ironing, both before sewing and after, makes all the difference.

BTW: I received this cordless iron for a bridal shower gift, and it has changed.my.life, I kid you not.

I won't rehash all of the steps for you, but if you're interested in making your own open-ended pillowcases, I encourage you to check out the ECAB tutorial. Who doesn't want to lay their head each night on a pair of custom pillowcases?

Now, on to the exciting stuff! The end results of my efforts:

and the ever-important detail shot:

The curved stitching, which is a setting on my sewing machine, adds a touch of whimsy to each pillowcase.

Now, who wants to be my guest? 

Hurry and make your reservations because, once the room's done, I think it will be booked for months.