The good side of Blue: Indigo Blue

You know how every colour has a good and a bad side? Like blue for instance, you have a 90’s mid strength, mellow blue which was always paired back with a weak yellow [bad side] and then you have the gorgeous, deep, transfixing Indigo Blue [good side] that works when paired back with any colour. Of course these good and bad sides change all the time so I thought why not start a weekly review looking at the [good side] of the current colour trends.

So here we are week one with one of my current favourites; Indigo Blue! [I especially love Indigo Blue velvet!]

Amazing Indigo Blue velvet deep buttoned chaise. I love this paired back with the white and aqua, it takes on a fresh and light feel given how deep and dark the colour is on it's own.

How could you go wrong! Hot pink and Indigo Blue with white accents, a guaranteed combination. I love the layering on the colour form the rug to the upholstery, walls and drapery trim.

Layer upon layer this works for me! The liquid look glaze on the lamp base is one of my favourite elements.

I have very mixed feelings about this image. I love the Indigo blue and white with the little pink pop but not sure about the mirror against the wainscotting and the little art works under the sconces?

More relaxed hamptons style Indigo Blue deep buttoned sofa which I think is in a waxed linen - how nice!

Besides the fact that this image features my favourite chair, the Chipendale, the repetitive hints of Indigo blue within the room have so much punch!

This is an incredibly cute idea, framed bandanas featuring unique patterns in Indigo Blue.

For more ways to incorporate a little Indigo Blue into your interiors, check out my Pinterest board http://pinterest.com/bobbinscissors/the-good-side-indigo-blue/

Ivy & Piper Breaking New Ground Yet Again!

Melanie Parker and Elizabeth Raptis, the dynamic design duo of Ivy &Piper have yet again broken new ground! For these two girls from Brisbane the sky is the limit. Not only are they Interior Designers and co-founders and editors of their own online magazine Ivy & Piper but they have now added textile designers to the list.

The girls have launched a gorgeous collection of four washable  fabrics suitable for upholstery, drapery and soft furnishings. The best thing is, that even with only four patterns they have captured and provided their own interpretations of the classic Chinoiserie style, Trellis and my Favourite pattern, Houndstooth.

Chinois Soiree Textile

Don't Fret Textile

Happy Houndstooth Textile - I know it make's me happy!

Looking Glass Textile

All available to purchase through the Ivy & Piper online store.

Monday's Lesson: Fret 101

Originally I thought I would go a little left of field and amaze you with my knowledge and tackle the Japanese pattern Sayagata. Before I knew it a little research and Sayagata has turned into a whole lesson on name calling and in the end Fret patterns, so here we go.

Sayagata is a Japanese pattern made of interlocking Manji or left and right facing swastikas joined by lines to form a negative space.  One of the most popular fabrics featuring this pattern is Saya Gata by Alan Campbell.

Alan Campbell Saya Gata Occasional Chairs with Contrast Pipe in White

Alan Campbell Saya Gata Orange on Tint

 

Turns out however that the English term for Sayagata is Key Pattern which is also referred to as Fret which also encompasses Greek Fret or Greek Key. See I said there was a lot of name calling! Turns out Sayagata, Key Pattern, Fret and Greek Key all fall into the same category as they are all patterns made up of horizontal and vertical lines connected at right angles to each other in T, L or square cornered G shapes.

Gorgeous large scale Key Pattern occasional chairs.

Greek Key trim added as a decorative detail to the bed curtains and bedspread.

Traditional black and white Greek Key pattern scatter cushions

I do love a little colour but isin't this monochrome black and white interior fabulous!

I cannot tell you how much I love the elements in this room, the chest of drawers, the hide chair, the stunning bed frame and the cute little key trim on the bedspread repeated on what may be a mirror on the wall. Did I mention the chest of drawers?

Tradtional Greek Key drapery.

For more ways to incorporate Fret pattern in the form of Sayagata Key Pattern or Greek Key, check out my Pinterest board http://pinterest.com/bobbinscissors/pattern-101-fret/

Living With Colour, Can You Do It? Sig Bergamin Can

What are the chances? A couple of days ago I post about Living With Colour then today pick up the April copy of Architectural Digest and almost fall over backward, immediately smile and sit down with my eyes scanning left and right and up and down all over the amazing spread covering the Sao Paulo home of architect and designer Sig Bergamin.

What an amazing example of living with colour!

Monday's Lesson: Kilim Fabric 101

We all know I love a tribal /traveller interior and personally I don’t think there is another fabric that conveys this feeling more than Kilim. It screams 'oh look at me, I travel the world and collect beautiful things', which is the basis for both the Martin Lawrence Bullard and Andrew Martin fabric collections, and what do they both feature? Kilim!
                    
Originating in the Middle East with origins dating back to 2500BC, Kilim was the first step in the creation of today’s rugs. A flat woven tapestry, Kilim is produced by tightly interweaving dyed cotton or wool weft [horizontal] strands in and out of the warp [vertical] strands and then weaving them back on themselves rather than only taking it the one way across, to produce a flat surface with no pile. With no pile to protect the strands they were a fragile option for use as rugs and hence the evolution to the creation of rugs with pile. Used for a myriad of purposes including wall hangings, prayer mats, camel blankets and eating mats, today Kilims are commercially produced and are a weighty, chunky textile used in all facets of interior decoration.

What are your thoughts?

Amazing! I love the balance of the heavy Kilim upholstered sofa paired back with the plain upholstered sofa in a large uninterfering space.

Linwood Collection of Kilim fabrics

World traveller - Kilim scatter cushions with a traditional Suzani bedspread

Andrew Martin Kilim - Chinook

Beautiful Kilim upholstered ottoman, great subtle colour.

I love how I just want to look at everything in this image, the Kilim scatter cushions, dark walls and sheep skin throw just make you think it is going to be interesting. 

Beautiful tailored Kilim occasional chairs. Due to the weight and thickness of Kilim fabrics you are generally limited to more straight line or soft curve upholstery pieces.

Andrew Martin Kilim - Corrientes

Amazing Kilim bedspread, subtle colours. [Rach, this is one I would have picked you liking, am I right?]

Kilim floor scatter cushions.

Beautiful Kilim scatter cushion. Love the collection of textures in this room.

For more ways to incorporate traditional Kilim fabrics into your interior, check out my Pinterest board http://pinterest.com/bobbinscissors/pattern-101-kilim/