What is IKKAT? IKAT?

 

Right now Ikkat is the absolute “must have”  fabric/pattern in the interior design world. It is showing up everywhere and on nearly everything from shoes to sofas! The word itself means “to bind.”

This collage was on design sponge.

 

Wikipedia gives us this definition: Ikat, or Ikkat, is a dying technique used to pattern textiles that employs a resist dyeing process similar to tie-dye on either the warp or weft fibres.

Actually the process is really NOT like tie-dye because the fibres are dyed before they are woven into fabric.  The color variation exists in the threads first.  When something is tie-died the fabric is bundled (tied) together and then dyed. Take another look.  This collage is from

Haley on home design

 

What a beautiful technique!

And old – very old! Some antique patterns come from South America, India, as well as in the caucuses. If you decide that you are in love with these rare and hand-made delicacies be prepared to spend some serious cash. To make a proper Ikat fabric is labor intensive and time-consuming, hence the large price tag.

 But if you are like me and really love the look of variation in colors and geometric patterns, as shown above in the collages, many companies produce look-alike knock-offs.  And, as far as I can tell, either spelling – one K or two, is correct.

This shows a piece of original IKAT fabric.

 

We have several gorgeous Ikkat patterns available for sofas and chairs from vendors like Thomasville and Norwalk.  All  the fabric lines ( Kravet, Robert Allen, Fabricut, etc) offer  a tempting aray of colors and patterns. Obviously adaptable down through the centuries, the design characteristics of Ikat can be playful, loud, subtle, soft and or sophisticated.

Photo from style-files.

 

Once you fall in love with these patterns you will want more, more, more!

So what is Ikat?

The quiz is coming! 

But, no worries.  You know all about it now.

Ikat shoes from Zazzle

Enjoy the wonderful weekend everybody!

 

Dianne Ross

Interior designer / Phelans Interiors

363-9634

Hot Las Vegas Furniture Market says: Stay Cool.

Hey! Happy hot summer days everybody!

 I love it when the sun shines and we have wild colored zinneas in bloom under cornflower blue skies!

 

So, you might expect a blog about HOT colors today, but alas you would be wrong!

Today,we are going to stay cool. We are going to tone it down, keep it sleek, and admire tones almost without any color at all. The company Brownstone has introduced this collection at the Vegas market. It’s just too gorgeous to keep it under wraps. The finish is silverleaf.

 And  the details are delightful! Here a touch of zen, there a touch of French curves, and all done with an editor’s eye.

Here is what the company has to say about the collection they have named “Fairmont”.

 

Brownstone introduces the Fairmont Collection with this sneak preview of our first showing of the Fairmont collection, a unique collection of silver leaf case goods.

We’ll  be showing this group for the first time at the Las Vegas Furniture Market this August 1-5.  Be sure to visit us in showroom A100 if you plan on attending, and to see the craftsmanship on this group.

This group is NOT production at this time, but if we receive a good response at Vegas then we will most likely have stock around Nov-Dec.

The smouldering bling of  the silverleaf finish is perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day, wouldn’t you agree?

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

French script on fabric chairs!

Today let’s talk about  French things like:  flowing SCRIPT – perhaps Bastille Day Celebrations – bread, wine, chaise lounges and oo-la-la beauty!

 poster from Designnurd

Norwalk Furniture has done it again!

They have designed a fabulous French script fabric.

What is even more remarkable is that you can use this fabric on any piece of furniture in their line! If you prefer a French chaise, or perhaps just a comfortable, American chair, it is so easy to do.

This is the piece we selected for our show room floor!

 So, even though we don’t really celebrate Bastille Day in America, which was yesterday, by the way, we  do love a bit of the French touch in our interior design – and, well okay – in our wine cellar, as well!

All I can say is “Vive laFrance”!

Oh, and I really should say, “Thank you” to Norwalk for producing this beautiful fabric .

Adieu!

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

RE-POST: Turquoise – I just can’t get enough!

 

I posted this about a year ago, but it is one of my favorites,

 so enjoy all these uplifting images!

Better Homes and Garden photo

I loved last week’s post (COLOR) so much I couldn’t let it go. Looking for photos online of all things turquoise I stumbled upon a blog called House of Turquoise. Check it out, but before you go there, here we go again! There should be something for everybody today.

 Enjoy!

I want this kitchen.

and the York wallpaper shown below. . .

Here’s another remarkable room.

Skona Hems shares this room with us.

Peonies and a book – simple.

Pretty – from another blog called Centsational Girl.

(the seashell is a green turbot)

And here’s a lovely little bauble from my own garden taken 4 or 5 years ago.

This guy I photographed as he strutted his stuff on a Texas farm.

Now  “just for fun!”

And today’s finale:  turquoise Gibson Guitar SG Special!

 Thank you, Pantone, for Turquoise!

 THE END!

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer

Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

 

 SOMEBODY STOP ME!!!

Grey and Yellow: New color buddies

Hi FRIDAY!

No reason, really, to say that.

I just think it sounds like fun!

As my readers know, if I had to scale it down to admitting only one obsession, I would cave at color.

 

Desire to Inspire photo

 

So today you will be treated to this up and coming color trend:

Grey and yellow

Charcoal and butter,

Flint and Gold,

Fog and Sunbeams,

Well, you get it . . .

Charming, edgy, AND classic!

Jan van Eyck photo

Candice Olson has stunning new fabrics in her spring/summer collections that highlight grey and yellow pairing. and, yes we have them in our showroom!

Here is one she calls Kiley!

What do you think?

Do you like this new look?

Do you think it is trendy or here to stay?

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

If you love the style of T.V.’s Mad Men . . .

Norwalk unveiled yet another flashy, and yes, sophisticated look at April’s market featuring the cosmopolitan flair of mid-century modern. Watch the video to see many of the audacious fabrics and styles.

 ME?

I am absolutely MAD about a certain Benjamin Moore blue-green color called 

Wythe Blue.

And, guess what? It’s the color of the Draper foyer! See the photo above. This color is so wonderful that entire articles/blogs have been devoted to it!

Suffice it to say that Norwalk has not neglected the aqua-ish shades in the Mad Men collection.  I will post more photos of this color later – why? because I am having technical difficulties today. arrrrgghh.

But check out this perfect paint color and all the looks from Norwalk. I promise – if you are a Mad Men fan, you are going to lose your mind.

 http://youtu.be/2Bc5jh2rs9k

 

If any of you have used Wythe Blue in your home I’d love to see your photos – and I’d love to post them!

So, “girls” – slip into your stilettos, tie a happy apron around your waist, and get cooking!

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

 

 

“Boho Chic” – Finally a real trend!

I have been waiting for this trend to make it’s way into the home furnishing market! If you have a bit of gypsy color in your blood, then you will love this new collections from  Norwalk Furniture:

                                                              “BOHO CHIC” 

 Street Art, graffiti, celebrities, and even some “1960’s cop-an-attitude” come together to create this mischievous, sophisticated look.

Nothing is too cute here, thankfully. Norwalk did a great job of keeping the look just gritty enough to stay on the edgy side. 

If you like what you see here, you will love the “real deal”!  Watch this video and then come on down to the store! See you soon!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/9s9DHn_Iccg

 

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

PS  Norwalk is an American company – made in Ohio.

Fresh Spring FLOWERS in fabric!

Spring is here! Spring is here!

 

 

 

 

 

Well, if you live in Iowa and think 40 degrees, without a trace of sunshine is spring, you’d be right on the money.  Hey, at least it’s April!

 

 

 

 

 

Everybody is SO ready for some spectacular spring weather with flowers blooming all around, so today here is a pick-me-up until our flowers really do unfold.

 

The fabrics are from Villa Romo and the wallpapers are from Harlequin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mmmmm – You can almost  smell the lilacs.

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelans Interiors

363-9634

Interior Design 2011 – What’s In?!

So, if you are one of those with “IDS” , or as we say in this business,          Interior Design Sickness, you can’t help yourself – you must read on.

 

Is it circles or squares for 2011?

Yes!

 Kravet fabrics

 

 

 

Is it black or espresso?

Yes!

Thomasville bench 

 

 

Is it clean cut and linear or fanciful quatrefoil??                                                    Modern or traditional for 2011?

Yes!

 

Thomasville  Metro sectional 

Kravet fabric

 

Is it Adrenaline or Xanax?

Yes!

 

 

 

 

 

First dibs

 

Greek key bench

The answer is YES!

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

GHOST Chairs Reappear

Art Deco had its hey-day nearly 80 years ago, even though we still “borrow” ideas and style from that era. Like, all friendly spirits, these ghosts keep reappearing! Some look very old-country, and some look very out-of-this-world modern.

 Victoria Ghost Chairs

The 1960’s  really ran with the clear plastic craze  and one of the many pieces produced was a “ghost chair”. Today the manufacturers use lucite, acrylic, polycarbonate, and even glass!

La Marie Chair

Phillippe Starck’s Louis XV Ghost armchair.

 Most are clear and colorless, while some companies are stretching  the entire playful idea of ghost chairs by offering designs in assorted colors!

Lionel Dean’s Holy Ghost chair

This is one of my favorites – it’s painted to look like wood grain and then the bottom of the legs are left clear, giving it that floaty, spooky ghost feeling! It is from the Japanese company Nendo. Of course, it’s called The Fade Out.

Enjoy the sit out of these fanciful chairs! 

 Coming soon to Phelan’s Floor.

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634