Room Divider and Fabric Outlets

THIS POST IS FROM ROOM REMIX - THE BLOG .

BHG Storage Fall/Winter 2010 Photo Emily Minton-Redfield

When I saw this flat panel TV stands/room divider in a BHG special interest magazine, I thought it was such a clever and functional idea! It divides the space without blocking the view and creates another "wall" for the TV where there previously wasn't one.  I don't know what is on the other side of the TV stand, but I think it would be a great idea to hang artwork on it to create more interest.

What do you think? Good idea, right?

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midwest living

On to fabric outlets. I went this weekend and was reminded of what I love and don't love about them.

First of all, DO NOT go on the weekend. There were so many people it was very hard to even get around. The fabric bolts were pushed all over the place, sometimes blocking the aisles, and the poor people trying to keep them straightened could not keep up. Slightly chaotic.

What I like.
SO much fabric. I love fabric and I love that there's so much of it. So many possibilities and, in a way, I like the challenge of finding the gem among all of the not-so-much gems.

The prices! You can find some really great fabric (if you look hard) for next to nothing compared to retail prices.

BHG.com

What I don't like.
SO much fabric. :-) It's hard to sort through and it's all on the bolt right side in so it's very hard to see. It takes a LOT of work to dig through and find something you can use.
You can cut samples, but there's no guarantee that the same fabric will actually be there when you go back.

Do you shop at fabric outlets? Like them? Any tips?

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Thanks to all of you who linked up to the Paint Series Linky Party! I'll be highlighting some favorites later this week.

RELATED POSTS:
- A Unique Room Divider
- DIY Entryway
- Clever Curtaining and Other Great Design Ideas
- Laminated Fabrics
- Design Your Own Fabrics
- Fabric Sources - Expand Your Options

Kelly Wearstler's Fern Tree for $28 a yard!

Last Friday I made a quick trip out to the amazing fabric store Haute in Marshall, VA (www.hauteonline.com) hoping to find fabric for the family room couch I'm having reupholstered. JACKPOT - Kelly Wearstler's Fern Tree for Schumacher in charcoal grey/ivory at $28 a yard. (Later I read on Pink Wallpaper that this fabric retails for over $200 a yd)

I had a brief moment of hestitation so I'm so glad my friend Anne was there to encourage me to get it - especially since a number of other shoppers started eyeing my prize. Now the only question was would there be at least 12+ yards? I wasn't sure as the bolt didn't seem that large. After 5 yards we found the fabric was cut. My heart started pounding a bit (I know - it's "only" fabric) Well we got to 12 yards and I saw there was more so I kinda shouted out "I'll take it all!" I felt like I was in a casino putting all my chips on Red. My winnings - 18 3/8 yards. Although my husband reminded me it technically wasn't a "winning" but a purchase. Don't quite agree with that...

So now, here's my dilemma. Which way do I run the fabric? Vertical or Horizontal??
( Horizontal Repeat - 3.5", Vertical Repeat - 18.875")


This is not my couch (mine is more straight lined) but it gives an idea. So, what do you think?

(image of couch via Pink Wallpaper. Sorry for the lack of links. I'm posting from my ipad and forgot how to do this)

Rare Finds at Seattle's Red Ticking

Years ago I can remember reading in a number of magazines about the Seattle store Red Ticking and hoping someday I would have a chance to visit. That was before blogging and any aspirations I might have had of meeting the owner, Pam Robinson. Well, I recently had the pleasure of doing both those things and couldn't be more happy about it. Pam left a corporate career in fashion design to pursue her passion for vintage and rare European textiles and opened Red Ticking. Not only is it full of beautiful fabrics but also unique furniture pieces found on shopping ventures on the East coast. Love this settee in the purple gray fabric.
A life preserver with character! Pam mentioned these are hard to come by as of late.

The selection of vintage fabrics is vast. Pam finds these primarily in the south of France. The prices can range from $95 - $900+ depending on the size and rarity. Pam made an analogy between these textiles and works of art - which made a lot of sense to me. The number of these pieces is finite in supply and in some cases there are few pieces left.






At the end of my visit, Pam generously gave me one of these lavender sachets made by a friend of hers in France from a rare indigo dyed fabric. It's like having a little piece of history and I love it! I recently emailed Pam to let her know how handy it came in when we were stuck behind a dump truck in the tunnel out of Boston's Logan airport. Beautiful and practical - the best combination.
Pam's gorgeous home appeared in the April 07 issue of the much-missed Cottage Living. You can check out the complete spread here (Photography by Roger Davies)

*Update - I was just visiting Pam's blog and noticed she now has a presence on 1st Dibs!

Rare Finds at Seattle's Red Ticking

Years ago I can remember reading in a number of magazines about the Seattle store Red Ticking and hoping someday I would have a chance to visit. That was before blogging and any aspirations I might have had of meeting the owner, Pam Robinson. Well, I recently had the pleasure of doing both those things and couldn't be more happy about it. Pam left a corporate career in fashion design to pursue her passion for vintage and rare European textiles and opened Red Ticking. Not only is it full of beautiful fabrics but also unique furniture pieces found on shopping ventures on the East coast. Love this settee in the purple gray fabric.
A life preserver with character! Pam mentioned these are hard to come by as of late.

The selection of vintage fabrics is vast. Pam finds these primarily in the south of France. The prices can range from $95 - $900+ depending on the size and rarity. Pam made an analogy between these textiles and works of art - which made a lot of sense to me. The number of these pieces is finite in supply and in some cases there are few pieces left.






At the end of my visit, Pam generously gave me one of these lavender sachets made by a friend of hers in France from a rare indigo dyed fabric. It's like having a little piece of history and I love it! I recently emailed Pam to let her know how handy it came in when we were stuck behind a dump truck in the tunnel out of Boston's Logan airport. Beautiful and practical - the best combination.
Pam's gorgeous home appeared in the April 07 issue of the much-missed Cottage Living. You can check out the complete spread here (Photography by Roger Davies)

*Update - I was just visiting Pam's blog and noticed she now has a presence on 1st Dibs!

D. Bryant Archie Textiles

A Moroccan honeymoon, an encounter with a souk of Berbers and a dream back in 2005
led to the launch of D. Bryant Archie Textiles in 2008. The back story is as interesting as Bryant, whom I had a chance to meet last week at the DC Design Center's Hall of Fame Showhouse opening.

Nestor Santa-Cruz selected two of her throws to feature in his room. Bryant has designed a luxurious collection that is inspired by indigenous hands of the past – from American Indian to Persian and African artifacts.
Beautiful - I've had a chance to see these up close and the quality is impeccable.

Made in a rural region of Peru, the weaving of these throws and pillows helps support the livelihoods and hand weaving traditions of artisans. Her firm also works with partners who support their education and the education of their children. In addition, the process from sorting the fiber by hand to dying, weaving and cleaning of the final piece is environmentally friendly. This throw is one of my favorites - I love the combination of colors.

In addition to being creative and talented, Bryant is one of the nicest people you'll meet. Isn't it great when talent and friendliness combine! To see more of her textiles, go here. As with Nestor Santa-Cruz, I have a feeling her textiles are going to be very popular with designers.

D. Bryant Archie Textiles

A Moroccan honeymoon, an encounter with a souk of Berbers and a dream back in 2005
led to the launch of D. Bryant Archie Textiles in 2008. The back story is as interesting as Bryant, whom I had a chance to meet last week at the DC Design Center's Hall of Fame Showhouse opening.

Nestor Santa-Cruz selected two of her throws to feature in his room. Bryant has designed a luxurious collection that is inspired by indigenous hands of the past – from American Indian to Persian and African artifacts.
Beautiful - I've had a chance to see these up close and the quality is impeccable.

Made in a rural region of Peru, the weaving of these throws and pillows helps support the livelihoods and hand weaving traditions of artisans. Her firm also works with partners who support their education and the education of their children. In addition, the process from sorting the fiber by hand to dying, weaving and cleaning of the final piece is environmentally friendly. This throw is one of my favorites - I love the combination of colors.

In addition to being creative and talented, Bryant is one of the nicest people you'll meet. Isn't it great when talent and friendliness combine! To see more of her textiles, go here. As with Nestor Santa-Cruz, I have a feeling her textiles are going to be very popular with designers.

Camilla David Textiles & a Barn Sale

A few months ago House Beautiful featured this charming Camilla David Little Lambs pattern as one of their favorite 19 embroidered fabrics. I just love it. Camilla was raised in Washington and is now locally based in Bethesda, MD. A former interior designer, she has turned her attention towards textile design with the goal to modernize the look of freshly-picked flowers with unusual, geometric coordinates. The patterns are joyful and the fabric is either all natural 100% Cotton, 100% Linen or a blend of both. (above photography by Phillip Friedman)

These fabrics are available through trade showrooms; here in DC they can be viewed at J. Lambeth & Company. For the full collection, go here.

I also wanted to pass on some news from a local reader - Sharon Hayden of Fabulous Finds is holding one of her well known Barn Sales this Saturday May 15th from 8 am - 4 pm, 1870 Hunter Mill Road Vienna, VA. It looks like a terrific event and a portion of the sales will be given to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in honor of her friend Lucy, a cancer survivor. Go here to see more of the vintage items that will be available. (If you can't make the Spring barn sale, Sharon also offers her finds via her website between sales) Have a great weekend!

Camilla David Textiles & a Barn Sale

A few months ago House Beautiful featured this charming Camilla David Little Lambs pattern as one of their favorite 19 embroidered fabrics. I just love it. Camilla was raised in Washington and is now locally based in Bethesda, MD. A former interior designer, she has turned her attention towards textile design with the goal to modernize the look of freshly-picked flowers with unusual, geometric coordinates. The patterns are joyful and the fabric is either all natural 100% Cotton, 100% Linen or a blend of both. (above photography by Phillip Friedman)

These fabrics are available through trade showrooms; here in DC they can be viewed at J. Lambeth & Company. For the full collection, go here.

I also wanted to pass on some news from a local reader - Sharon Hayden of Fabulous Finds is holding one of her well known Barn Sales this Saturday May 15th from 8 am - 4 pm, 1870 Hunter Mill Road Vienna, VA. It looks like a terrific event and a portion of the sales will be given to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in honor of her friend Lucy, a cancer survivor. Go here to see more of the vintage items that will be available. (If you can't make the Spring barn sale, Sharon also offers her finds via her website between sales) Have a great weekend!