GIFT SHOW PREVIEW! TULU TEXTILES IS COMING TO TOWN

Possessing both charm and sophistication, antique textile aficionado Elizabeth Hewitt's batiky hand blocked prints have a unique freshness to them.  Printed in fantastic colors with vivid patterns, Tulu Textiles have been a favorite of mine for quite some time. Who else but an American living in Turkey would have named a fabric Madame Farfalla?! Her insanely fabulous fabrics have been available by the yard through Brooklyn's Annika Studio and LA's Nicky Rising Showroom, But I am so excited she is coming to NYC to show her bedding and accessory range.  I look forward to meeting Tulu's designer at The New York Gift Show, where she will be debuting her collection of pillows, bedding and accessories. Look for her in Booth 7877 in the Javits At Home section. 

Your home will look well - traveled with the addition of Tulu's Ottoman florals, tone on tone stripes and Uzbeki inspired geometrics. Just the pop of color that comes from two pillows will shake away the winter blues.

 A mix of antique and reproduction painted and brightly colored pieces from places like Uzbekistan and Burma are totally unique. She has some real hidden treasures.

 In her Istanbul showroom, the assortment of jolly colors and patterns is like a candy store for home accessories.

Orhan bedding in blue dreamy, it would feel at home in Santorini.

Orhan sheeting close-up, so fresh and cheery

Mimi bedding in stylized Turkish flowers is great for those that can't get enough blue and white 

Madame Thar is a fabulous print, especially when mixed with stripes

Mable bedding's floral has 1950's charm

Dame bedding is a favorite of mine, it is so old-school and fresh at the same time. Summer cottages will welcome this one!

Dame being printed

Beatrice bedding with a large and small scale pattern in greys is unexpected.

Alma would look darling in a little girls room.

THE PILLOW SELECTION:

Alvin 

Alma 

Kezban 

Lola 

Madame Thar 

Madame Farfalla in purple

Madame Farfalla

Melvin, another great one

Pascal 

Stella, a fabric that I can't get enough of 

Tallulah

RISING FROM THE SOUTH: BLOCK AND BRAYER HAND-PRINTED TEXTILES

 Photos courtesy of Block and Brayer

The launch of small,  boutique hand-printed fabric companies continues with Atlanta-based Block and Brayer. The gals were introduced to me by my design friend Sara Lloyd, who lived in NYC and now keeps me up to date on all-things Atlanta. The create graphic, slightly bohemian block prints in unique/off colors with a youthful sensibility. Growing up with the hand done graphic prints from companies like Marimekko, a young group of textile - adoring designers is emerging. They embrace the innovative spirit many of the 1970's brands had, by creating small collections with a strong point of view. They then bring them to market through new channels, like their websites and individual retailers. Interior designer Allison Harper and artist Hollis McFadden take their cue from nature, vintage books and decorative details to design prints with linear, graphic and artistic style. Printed on linen with environmentally-friendly inks, their patterns will surely appeal to those that want an artistic sensibility in their home. They currently sell their pillows, poufs and fabrics by the yard through their website, but drop them a line if you would like to carry them in your showroom or shop.

A selection of Block and Brayer prints in nature-driven palettes.

Their colors and patterns work in traditional and more modern environments adding some spark. Their poufs have such personality.

 Chain in French Blue

 Chain in Orange

 Deco Circles in Light Grey

 Deco Circles in Teal

 Frances in Light Grey

 Frances in Celadon

 Hiss... Snakes in Slate

 Triangles in Celadon

Triangles in French Blue

 Pods in Celadon

 Pods in French Blue

Mini Stripe in Celadon

Triangles also comes in this vivid pink

If green is for you, this colorway of Snakes is a statement

A more toned-down brown in the classical Frances

ROLL OUT THE CUSTOM CARPET: ELIZABETH EAKINS ARRIVES IN LA

While in LA recently, I rang Martyn Lawrence Bullard to see if I could pop in, say hi, and see his new office space.  I was there for such a quick trip I was thrilled when he said I should come on over and that he was actually in town.  After seeing his amazing new digs and a catch up , a new street level shop caught my eye. As I was leaving I noticed Elizabeth Eakins had opened on the street. What fun it was coming across the new Eakins retail shop at 8550 Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood. 

Known for her subtly beautiful Connecticut-made hand woven carpets and hand printed textiles, the mood in her store perfectly reflected her aesthetic. A soothing pale palette welcomed me as I entered. The entrance was really something with an  Indian archway and fabric screen that were still up from the Legends of La Cienega Windows to the World window event, created by James Radin. As I walked into the shop, the rugs, fabrics and cozy sofa seating area wooed me. Take a look:

Exotic Indian accents set the scene

Eakins prints made the screens stage set gorgeous

Lounge act ready

Printed pillows are made up and ready to roll

The sofa with bolsters on the ends was just charming

The plethora that awaits, but many go for the custom goods they can create to match any color

Since 1978, the Eakins team has been creating environmentally friendly collections with total artistry and dedication to the craft