Fabricadabra's Blog

Whose flloral trellis fabric is on that ottoman???

The loveseat fabric is “Les Touches” by Brunschwig & Fils.

Sofa fabric by Manuel Canovas for Cowtan & Tout. Curtains are Rose Cumming’s “Lace”.

Something is happening here. What it is ain’t exactly clear. For years now, most floral fabrics have been in the form of abstract monochromatic one dimensional renderings.  In 2010, I started to see the return of funkier larger scale florals. Svenskt Tenn, Florence Broadhurst and Josef Franc floral fabrics experienced a rennaisance on traditional upholstery frames. In 2011, exotic florals, faunas and insect motifs began appearing on everything from wallpaper to melamine plates. Dorothy Draper projects and her floral fabrics received lots of coverage in the press in 2012 as did the Martinique palm leaf wallpaper that is known widely as the wallpaper throughout The Beverly Hills Hotel. In fact, I am convinced that the coverage of this leafy pattern  helped to catapult the emerald color trend (also Pantone’s choice for 2013 in home furnishings).

I developed an appreciation for chintz fabrics in the 1990’s when working for Robert Allen Fabrics. I was given resposibility for a stepchild division that the company somehow acquired. The company was based in a suburb of London and produced printed cotton chintz fabrics that were derived from documents. The company sold fabrics under its own brand as well as produced fabrics that became exclusives for many of the reknowned traditional textile companies. I initialy struggled with the designs because they seemed stuffy and oddly colored.  Over the next few years, I realized that I had become completely smitten with them. I have actually been missing them and awaiting their re-emergence. Apparently, the time is now.

I believe that chintz has legs , but that it has to be used is small doses for the average person to enjoy it.  Chintz everywhere in a room is a bit too overwheling for 2013. Sure, Mario Buatta and Ann Pyne can pull it off for their clients, but they are the exception.

Martinique wallpaper used in The Beverly Hills Hotel

Lily Pulitzer chintz fabric on chair through One King’s Lane

Made in Italy by Kartell, the Mademoiselle upholstered armchair