Indulge me. I know that this is at least the third time I've addressed the topic of toile (and insects for that matter) but I promise this will be different.
In this morning's Financial Times there is a wonderful how to spend it Special Interiors Section that had a sidebar on the Glasgow design firm Timorous Beasties. Founded in 1990 by Alistair McCauley and Paul Simmons who studied textile design at Glasgow School of Art, Timorous Beasties was once described as, "William Morris on acid." The name TB comes from the Robert Burns poem, "To a Mouse" (pronounced 'moose") and edgy in their creations. From their website:
The Glasgow Toile above and the London Toile below.
Which brings me to their insects. Insects have long been used in traditional design. Here are two from the TB line of fabrics: the Napoleon Bee and The Moth.
Check out Nice Legs, below. Wouldn't you love to have a duvet covered in this pattern? Maybe not a table cloth.
And finally Stripey Legs.
The image at top is Leaf.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Timorous Beasties
Monday, January 10, 2011
"The King's Speech" -- via The New Victorian Ruralist
One blog I check at least once a week is The New Victorian Ruralist written by James Snowden of Lexington, KY.
He recently wrote about a post about the movie "The King's Speech" and it expresses my feelings exactly. Do check it out and tell him what you think. I will see it again just to savor the colors and textures.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
NOLA on my mind -- Zeitoun, Hazelnut and Robert Tannen
Sometimes things just come at you all at once. I've been meaning to write about some very cool jewelry designed by New Orleans artist and planner Robert Tannen.
I saw his work at the Lori Warner Gallery earlier this month. AND, he's the father of my friend Erica Tannen who carefully composes the e-list -- which encourages shopping and cultural visits along the CT shoreline. The shape is based on the traditional New Orleans shot gun house. Proceeds from the sale of the wooden shot gun house necklaces go to rebuilding the city. I like (love) the silver "block" necklaces (see below). Thanks to Kim Tyler for the photographs.
Then I heard that Tannen is collaborating with architect Frank Gehry on some new affordable housing for the city. Here is a model of the Modhouse.
Last night I finished reading Zeitoun Dave Eggers magnificent non-fiction account of the lives of Kathy and Abdulrahman Zeitoun during Katrina. Phew. This afternoon I see in T&C mag that Mad Men's Bryan Batt has a shop in NOLA called Hazelnut where he has a line of toile de Jouy based on the city's scenes. Check out this tray below.
NOLA, we're done for a while. Except I need something from Hazelnut. Anything.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Whimsical Textile Design -- Coral and Tusk
A friend told me about the wonderful textile designer Stephanie Housley of Coral and Tusk.
Brooklyn-based Housley mostly confines herself to tee shirts and onesies for babies and little children, but she has a couple of pillows that are really fun. She is a RISD grad who spends part of the year in India; in fact she is there right now, so I had to lift images from her Etsy store. She uses organic cotton almost exclusively. Check out this humorous Hungry Whale pillow. $120.00.
The Baby Goat shirt, below, best exemplifies her talent with thread. Amazing. Cute kid. $46.00.
The whimsical detail in this shirt called Crab Claw Crusher is a story in itself. Note the jellyfish and the charming little crabs. $70.00.
A Circus Tent onesie would be a fabulous baby gift. A cool summer outfit for any wiggley baby. $46.00
Pinchy Whale. Great name. I think I love her sensibility as much as her designs. $46.00.
Finally -- and I would love to have this one in an adult size shirt -- my favorite design (if pressed) is called Leaf Cutter Ants. $46.00.
Prices are a little high for every day, but perfect for a special gift. Coral and Tusk products can also be found at Acorn Toy Shop and Sweet William in Brooklyn as well as John Derian in Manhattan.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Galbraith & Paul Fabric
I've been visiting the site of Galbriath & Paul for a year or two, particularly when they were making wallpaper.
A creative collaboration of Liz Galbraith and Ephraim Paul based in Philadelphia. Ivy Paisley above. Below, Persimmon Tulip on Pewter Velvet is smashing. Can you see it as not just gorgeous fabric, but an amazing wallpaper? It was the wallpaper that introduces me to G&P. I can also envision it as a aged panel in an armoire.
The large patters of Marigold Spring Garden on Oyster Linen would be wonderful for curtains. I certainly miss curtains during this cold part of winter. May have to do something about it. There are a few ready-made pillows and some of G&B lighting at Room and Board. There are also a few pieces on sale.
Photo credits: Galbriath & Paul
