Paisley

Feb13

Paisley pattern is a drop-shaped, floral pattern curving at the end. It can have different names in different cultures, for example: cypress, mango, almond.
It has eastern origin which got to Europe by the East India Company in the second half of the 17th century. Later it became really popular by the silk and wool cashmere scarves which were imported and brought home from the Indian colonies. Their prices were quite high.
The mass production of the printed paisley patterned fabrics started in Marseilles and this was followed later by England and Holland. However, the weaving machine, which appeared during the industrial revolution, made possible to copy the pattern. The largest production company was in Paisley in Scotland, the pattern was named also after this town. They worked with five colors since 1800, while other companies worked with only two colors. 15 colors were used since 1860 on the same piece which was still the quarter of the color usage of the original imported fabrics. It was produced in Paisley not only as a woven wool fabric but as printed cotton also. The latter was much cheaper, this way it reached a wide range of people. The original fabric was still imported in a big amount because it was so popular.
The beat generation in the 60s loved to wear paisley patterned clothes. Nowadays paisley has kept its oriental character but it fits for several classic styles because of its wide range of size and color. Even the align of the pattern isn’t set. It appears not only on upholsteries but on wallpaper, carpets and accessories also.
If you also like this pattern, ask for help of an interior designer for the choice fitting for your home.

Table centerpiece 8.

Feb10

Valentine’s Day table centerpiece ideas

Door wreaths 6.

Feb8

Valentin’s Day door decors – even DIY

Patchwork, quilt, appliqué

Feb6

Patchwork is a popular type of needlework also nowadays. Its origin is rooted probably in poverty, anything should be reused if possible. The good parts of old, used clothes and household textiles were cut into pieces and sewn to each other again. They were used to make bedspreads and pillowcases.
The patches are cut in geometric shapes (triangle, square, pentagonal, hexagonal) for combining and joining them easily. The small pieces are sewn to bigger parts, so called blocks, these blocks are joined to create the ready product. There are variable formed patterns which have their own name (e.g. Ohio Star, Windmill, Log Cabin). The patterns and colors of the fabrics used give the real charm of the blankets.
The handmade old pieces are very valuable. Making patchwork became much more easy with the spread of sewing machines. It is so popular because it can be made anywhere, even when travelling on a bus. Many artifacts prove that mankind was doing similar recycling techniques throughout history. It really spread in the 18th-19th century thanks to the American settlers. It was a status symbol in the Victorian era, what quality of fabrics were used for making patchworks by women (they didn’t use old clothes) because purchasing printed cottons could be afforded only by the wealthy. Making patchwork became a hobby and a nice pastime after the World War II. Nowadays there are pattern books, starting kits and courses in the topic almost anywhere.
Quilt is a blanket which has three layers (top layer, filling, back side) and these are fixed to each other with decorating sewing (quilting). Sewing is done on the whole surface, this gives the pattern. The top layer can be a patchwork also. In this case, quilting is done to highlight the pattern of the patchwork.
The third patch-technique is appliqué. Cut fabric pieces are sewn on a fabric base with continuously turning their edges below. The pattern here is made not from geometrical shapes but is already cut out of the material of choice. This can be sewn only by hand, not by machine. This can be combined with the two previous techniques.
Some patchwork blankets can be perfect decoration elements in a bedroom or living room. If you would like to make/buy some showy pieces, ask for help of an interior designer for the choice.

Paint palette 11.

Feb3

Warming color palettes for cold winter

Bunk beds

Feb1

Classic style bunk beds for children’s room

Lace

Jan30

The pattern of lace is not added to the fabric afterwards, but it is created while during the production of the textile itself. Lace has important rule in fashion and interior design.
The stitched lace is created with a needle, with buttonhole-like stitches. For pillow-lace, there are several bobbins used to guide the threads around the pins on the pillow, this is how the pattern is made. Crochet is made with crochet-hooks, the product is a bit heavier than the other types but is more flexible as well. Lace pattern can be also created by pulling or cutting out threads from a textile and the holes thus formed are embroidered around with yarn. Hem-stich is a similar method. Filet lace has a net-like base and the pattern is created by filling the holes with yarn, that’s why it has an angular look.
With the rise of the Italian Renaissance, the demand for lace has increased. Mainly linen, silk, gold or silver threads were used in those days. Nowadays it is made of cotton or synthetic fiber. It was an expensive type of fabric, so using it as decoration was only the nobles’ privilege. It appeared e.g. as altarpiece in church. The most famous, leading-edge factories are still working in Brussels, Venice, Chantilly. Lace was a determining element of the Victorian interior design, especially in decorating the bedroom where specifically feminine and romantic effect was required. Bedspreads, cushions and baldachins were not only decorated with lace but were made entirely of it. Their color was generally white, off-white or cream. Nowadays it is fashionable again thanks to shabby chic style which creates also feminine and romantic interiors. Soft pastel shades are present here. But the black, red, dark blue and dark purple colored lace accessories fit better for the powerful steampunk style.
Many people inherited lace clothes or other lace objects from their parents, grandparents. Some of these might already serve more generations. If you don’t want to get rid of your collection, ask for help of an interior designer for ornamentally using.

Winter details

Jan27

Winter is in the details

My facebook page

Jan25

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Thonet furniture

Jan23

Michael Thonet became world-famous as the pioneer of bent furniture. He was born in 1796 in Germany. He experimented with streaming technology since 1830, where wood is bent to form with streaming and it keeps its shape while cooling in the form. At the exhibition in Koblenz in 1841, Duke Metternich noticed him and invited him to Wien, where one year later he got the right from the court for producing. He founded a factory with his sons and they began the machine-production in 1850. He won bronze medal on the London World Exhibition in 1851.
Chair no.4. was their first model which was produced for Café Daum. Simplicity is the point of the chairs. A single U-shaped back joins to the round seat which continues in the legs back. The front legs are slightly curved also. The legs are connected with a round stiffener. The used wood material has cylindrical shape. This base model was varied in several ways later and they offered many possibilities for filling the back also. Model no.14. became the most popular which was modified only with a bent arm according to the mentioned above.
Thonet’s success was due to the fact that his furniture perfectly fit to the organic style of Art Nouveau, blooming in that times. They were featured by ease, material saving and durability. Besides the several chairs, tables, coat stands, cradles etc. were also produced.
He won the gold medal on the Paris World Exhibition in 1867. The firm became world-famous. Thonet furniture are still produced, they are in fashion again. Old pieces can be renewed easily by painting and fit to the modern taste.
Ask for help of an interior designer for renewing your inherited pieces for the style of your home.