Outdoor project for a client.....

We are working on a back patio area for a client and we just got the
cushions back. All if these are outdoor fabrics!!! I love to use
three different fabrics so that you get the most flexibility out of
your pieces. Here we used Trina Turk's peacock fabric in orange on one
side and a Pindler & Pindler lattice in black for the other side. Then
we used a solid black Pindler fabric for the banding and the welting.
We are using the clients' inherited family chairs and we have ordered
two Luxembourg benches in Carrot from Fermob around a light teak and
aluminum extension table from Schou. The benches are set to arrive
next week sometime. And then the look will be complete. It is going to
look fantastic!!!! More pictures soon!!!!

Vibrant colors in durable outdoor fabrics hot for 2011

Here is an article I found on a trade website this morning about the use of vibrant colors in the outdoor fabric world. YIPPEE! Lots of color - it's about time.

I just can't get enough of great bright colored fabrics in outdoor spaces - and there is no shortage of choices lately. My favorites are the Trina Turk outdoor fabrics by Shumacher... fabulous!

So many great choices.......

___________________________________________________________

The Casual Furniture Market

Although trends come and go -- and come again -- the best thing about them is that there is generally something to appeal to everyone. Helping your customers coordinate the latest trends with their existing pieces is a strategy that should really resonate with them in today’s challenging economy.

Reinventing your fabric offerings is a simple and effective way to accomplish this. Casual Living magazine reports three outdoor fabric trends to dominate throughout 2010 and into 2011: durable fabrics that can be used inside and out, splashes of saturated color and amped up pattern play.

A blessed union

Today, consumers are demanding outdoor fabrics with as many styles and choices as there are for indoors. The dual indoor/outdoor use of fabrics is, in fact, cited as a factor in the growth of the durability category.

The main goal is to find textiles that retain their visual appeal and withstand wear in spite of the elements. Real Simple magazine suggests that the best fabrics for outdoor use are solution-dyed acrylic, UV-protected polyester and woven mesh because of their mildew- and fade-resistance. Indoor furniture buyers are actually becoming interested in outdoor fabrics for the same reasons, as homes with small children demand stain-resistant pieces and rooms with ample sunlight require fabrics that won’t fade. More and more manufacturers are attempting to unite indoor and outdoor living by offering beautiful, durable and cleanable fabrics for any environment.

Color me vibrant

Designers are also welcoming bold new color choices for 2011, in opposition to a lingering case of the economic blahs. The dynamic color palette on the horizon will surely incite feelings of positivity and inject vibrancy into any living space.

Ellen Gefen, trend forecaster and author of thehome.com, says a known decorating technique of experts is to pair foundational pieces in neutrals with accents in pops of color. Taking her cues from the fashion realm, she relays current "it" colors to include orange, peacock blue, purple, indigo, pink and black and white. Michelle Lamb, editor of The Trend Curve, forecasts accents playing out in color-infused jewel tones such as turquoise, citrine and pink tourmaline. Pantone has likewise declared turquoise to be the color of 2010.

Go global

On hgtv.com, writer and interior design consult Holly Becker proposes "going global without ever leaving your home" by incorporating ethnic prints and patterns. According to Casual Living, fabric patterns right now are trending toward transitional and modern designs with Southwest, ethnic and travel influences showing up everywhere. Animal prints are also being resurrected in new ways and colors. Gefen believes butterfly and insect motifs will become popular again. As she says, "There is not just one trend. There is a trend for everyone."

--------------------------------------------------------------

A colorful client project.....

I love this project! I have been doing a basement remodel for a client and while we were working through it, they decided they needed to spruce up their back deck with some new outdoor furniture and fabric. YIPPEE!!!!!!! We are having cushions made for some existing vintage pieces and adding some new and colorful pieces with some seriously cool fabrics.

I love to take cushions and have them made 2-sided. One fabric on one side and one fabric on the other. Usually we then welt and box (if the cushion is a box cushion and not a knife edge) with a third fabric. It gives such great versatility to the piece...and if you can't decide between two killer fabrics.... I have done this at my own house and it worked so well, I am suggesting it for my clients!

OK then...The existing chairs are black mesh wrought-iron and we are adding this great Luxembourg Bench from Fermob in Carrot. The fabric for all of the pieces will be the will be out of Trina Turk's outdoor Orange Peacock and Pindler's outdoor ebony trellis - we will use Pindler's solid black outdoor for both the boxing and the welting to tie it together......

Luxembourg Bench by Fermob in carrot

Trina Turk by Schumacher - outdoor collection - Orange Peacock

Pindler and Pindler - outdoor - Ebony Trellis

I Can't wait to see this finished - it's gonna look like a million bucks!!!!

what we're up to these days....

We have so much great stuff going on right now! Here are some photos of what we are up to. There are alot of fabric images.....I am a total fabric junkie! We are lucky enough to be able to offer the new Kelly Wearstler fabric by Groundworks (Kravet) line through our shop and we will be using quite a bit of it on one of our new projects - I cant wait to shop you how it all comes together, but here are some of the pieces........

Above is a large stack of the color palette we are working with - and we will be adding some rose/coral and ivory as well.


Above is the dining chair we have chosen from Hickory chair - it is called the Gillow chair and has a loose seat cushion. I think we will using the chair with an ivory finish as it will contrast nicely with the dark wood table - a very traditional style table on toe wheels.....

This fabric might be going on the hickory white chairs above....

...and here is another possible choice

...or it might end up on this modern wing chair or a basic slipper chair........

Above is the drapery fabric by Laura Ashley for Kravet - a great linen with an Ikat print in rose/coral with blue and ivory accents - we will be doing floor to ceiling non-working drapery panels in the livingroom - with the wing or clipper chairs - and in the dining room - with the Gillow chair and the Kelly Wearstler seat cushions. We will be using a Duralee Metro Chenille in Bubblegum on the sofa we are recovering that will sit in the same room....a super warm and colorful palette!

Above is an antique family piece - a great empire chair with lion head arms - that will sit in the entry hall and bring all the fabrics and pieces together and really set the tone for the three spaces as they all run into each other....

Here is the Jim Thompson Hexastripe fabric that will be applied to the lion chair with ivory double welting - self welting it would have been a bit chaotic!

I have been coveting the above piece for a VERY long time - the Hallings Secretary by Thomas O'Brien (sigh) for Hickory Chair - and I am finally ordering it for myself! YIPPEE! It is truly one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen....

Above is my favorite fabric in the world...Chiang Mai Dragon - by Schumacher - I am going to upholster two Heywood Wakefield chairs in this - I have no choice - my darling Stella decided to eat one of the chairs.......

Lastly, above is an outdoor fabric by Trina Turk for Schumacher that we are putting on a pair of vintage wire outdoor swivel chairs - sorry - the pictures of the chairs did not turn out - but I will post the finished product!

Have a great weekend - our weather has cooled down the the week's high of 107 here in Portland. Thank God - I am not a hot weather girl!

CHECK OUT THE SHOP!

We have just put out all of our Spring merchandise at the shop and just look at all the color! The orange bench is my particular favorite - it is by Fermob and it is part of the Luxembourg collection. If you happen to be in France and go to the Luxembourg Gardens, you will find these benches and the chairs in green. Lovely!

I love our gnome dinnerware by Kiss That Frog, the wicker - beachy - chairs, the bug & skull pillows and the recycled tire buckets - great for planting in the garden! We just put out our samples of the new outdoor fabric collection by Trina Turk for Schumacher. Look at the Obama metal sculpture by Sugarpost. Next week we will be getting wonderful wicker market/picnic baskets from the south of France and beautiful tablecloths and napkins. More color If you happen to be in the area - please stop by and take a look! So much good stuff!