My Connect the Blocks Fabric Design in Action

Check out these gorgeous photos that Erin of Clementine + Olive shared with me this morning!  She used some white paint and my Connect the Blocks fabric design in charcoal to totally transform theses chairs.  I love how fresh and modern they look now!

 

Thanks for sharing Erin!  You should check out Erin's shop here for other found and refinished treasures. She's located in Tacoma, WA so all you west coast readers are in luck!

I'd love to share more of these projects completed with some of my fabric designs here on the blog so if you've been inspired to finish a project using any of my designs, please either email me or share over on the Honey + Fitz Facebook wall.  I'm working on a whole bunch more designs...y'know in between packing 8 years worth of my life and all :)

Follow-up: Fabric Identified!

Remember my cry for help to identify the lime ikat in this image?  Lots of you were kind enough to offer suggestions on similar fabrics (THANK YOU!) but we never quite identified the actual fabric used here.

Then a wonderful reader with a very sharp eye left a comment about a pillow on the cover of the latest House Beautiful that looked very similar.  A few days later my issue arrived in the mail and after a quick check of the resources and much examination, I think we've found it!

 

Quadrille's Nomad Lime on tinted cotton/linen appears to be a dead ringer for the fabric I was looking for (you can see a larger view of the pattern in a different color here).  It even comes in an outdoor fabric variety.  OMG...pretty AND kid-proof? 

So...the mystery is solved but I'm not much closer to getting this fabric in my life.  I love all the Quadrille & China Seas fabrics but the prices are OUCH!  Oh well...I'm just happy to resolve the question.  Thanks to all my super-sleuth readers!

How to Mix Fabric Patterns

I am a textile freak thru and thru.  Growing up with a seamstress mom, there were always tons of fabric remnants laying around and I spent many an afternoon as a little girl fashioning new outfits for my dolls (and by "fashioning" I mean tying strips of unraveling fabric around their waists and calling them skirts.)  Fabric is always the first place I look to for inspiration in creating a room.  But if you are anything like me, the sheer number of pretty fabric options out there can get overwhelming very quickly!  Yet mixing different patterns together is really key to creating a beautiful space. 

So today I'm sharing my very down and dirty, quick formula for how to confidently mix fabric patterns to achieve that cohesive look.  There are certainly much more complicated (and professional) ways of doing this but this is a great starting point if you're feeling confused and stuck. 

Your goal is to nail down three patterns.  Start by selecting a large scale pattern.  "Large" is really subjective and doesn't matter so much as the next pattern you select is 1/2 the size.  It helps to keep the colors between pattern A and B somewhat related as well.  For your third selection, add in a solid color pulled from either A or B.  That's it!  If you can get this far, you can move on to more advanced combinations that involve stripes vs. geometrics vs. florals like Jenny from Little Green Notebook posted about here.

Here's the formula in action with some of my favorite patterns right now.  You'll notice what also works well is if you keep one of the patterns more organic looking and one more graphic but still adhering to the large pattern + 1/2 size pattern rule above. 

 

Waverly Small Talk Azalea + Panama Bari San Remo Flor  + Tonic Living Twill Ocean

 

Impressions Foliage Charcoal + Similar + Organic White Canvas

 

Batavia Ikat Citrine + P.Kaufmann Cross Section Charcoal + Organic Cotton Beeswax

 

Hot House Flowers Russet + Zimba Orange F. Schumacher + Flamme Velvet Kravet Designs

What do you think of this formula?  Simple enough right?  Do you have some favorite fabric combinations?  Do share!  My fabric stash is never big enough. 

Clarence House Jembala Fabric

I recently came across this bright and cheery nursery designed by one of my favorite bloggers, Julie of Shelter Interior Design.  There's lots to appreciate here - the use of stripes to accent the crib wall, the way she chose to paint (or not paint) the various slanted ceiling angles, that cozy window seat reading nook with all those bright pillows!  Love it all. 

 

But my favorite thing in the room is this insanely pretty side chair.  The melon-y orange frame is awesome all on its own but that fabric!!!

It's called Jembala by Clarence House and its a hand embroidered work of art designed by Clarence House director Kazumi Yoshida.  Here's a look at the entire jungle scene. 

To really appreciate the detail, you need to see some close-ups.  I love that there are so many different feature-worthy scenes to this fabric.  There are plenty of different areas you could choose to highlight or center on your pillow or furniture piece.

 

 I haven't been able to confirm the cost but I think it's somewhere in the $300+/yard range and available only through a designer.  Yikes, I know!  But I bet a yard would cover a side chair like in the inspiration image.  I love the colors and whimsical images - so perfect for a kid's room.  But the idea of putting a $300+/yard fabric in a kid's room makes me feel a little sick. 

If you love the colors but can't stomach the price tag, the same design is also available as a print which surely brings the cost down considerably. 

I think this officially takes the cake as the most expensive fabric on my "fabrics I covet" list.  Do you have some favorite "in a dream world" fabric?

My caned club chairs and fabric ID help

I have these two chairs that I saved from a thrift store about 4 years ago.  I loved the bright green velvet and caning and at $40 for the pair, I just couldn't leave them behind.

 

I haven't done anything with them because frankly, the original fabric is in great condition and I really like the color.  The wood and caning could certainly be freshened up though and there is some fading on one of the chair's cushions.

I always thought when the time came that I'd freshen the chairs up with a nice clean coat of white paint and reupholster them in a classic ticking stripe.  Just go all out uber preppy with the caning combination.

But then I saw this image and now I can't get it out of my head! Bergere chairs done in a vibrant lime green ikat.  LOVE!   I'm such a sucker for a bold and modern pattern on a traditional form. 

Source: erineverafter.blogspot.com via Dina on Pinterest

Source: marcusdesigninc.blogspot.com via Dina on Pinterest

Does anyone out there recognize that fabric?  The closest I've come is this one from Kravet. 

I can tell it's not the same though (the inspiration chair seems to have more green and less white in the fabric).  I know it's certainly a passable alternative but I'd love to find that actual fabric.  Oh and there's also the fact that the Kravet fabric is $33.50/yard and there's a 15 yard minimum here.  Um...no.  That's not working for me.

Help?  I know my chairs aren't this same style but maybe it could work? Or do you think it will be too much with the caning? 

Spoonflower Designer Fabric Knockoffs

Do you ever fall in love with a fabric only to find out that it's "to the trade" only?  Or worse, that it's $90+ a yard? Happens to me ALL THE TIME!  And while I'm a strong believer in the quality of those more expensive fabrics (they just feel amazing!), I can't afford them for much more than a prized throw pillow!

You all know I'm a huge fan of Spoonflower and regularly spotlight some of my favorite designers.  Recently I've noticed some amazing designer-inspired designs on there.  So if you're in love with a certain "look" but can't afford the 6 yards or so you need to recover that fabulous arm chair you scored on Craig's List, spend some time on Spoonflower!  At $32/yard for their upholstery weight fabrics, it's a substantial savings over most designer fabrics. 

Here are some of my favorite Spoonflower designs to give you that designer look for a whole lot less $$.  

 

Donghia Suzani Pink Passion vs Spoonflower Classic Suzani

Brunschwig and Fils Les Touches vs Spoonflower Charcoal Dots

 

Orla Kiely Multi Stem vs. Spoonflower Leaf Chain 

 

Quadrille Petit Zig Zag vs Spoonflower Freeform Arrows

David Hicks La Fiorentina vs Spoonflower Connect the Blocks

 

Thomas Paul Plume vs Spoonflower Umbraline Peacock

 

Traditional Otomi Fabric vs Spoonflower Mexico Springtime

What Spoonflower fabrics have you favorited for future use?  And how do you feel about these designer inspired creations?  A lot of people feel like Spoonflower shouldn't allow them, especially in the case of fabric designs with licensed characters (Star Wars is a big one). 

{full disclosure: leaf chain & connect the blocks are my designs}

Caitlin Wilson Textiles

I have been a fan of Caitlin Wilson's blog and design work for a couple of years now.  I've followed along in wonderment as she and her young family have moved around the globe from London Dubai to Hong Kong to Philadelphia.  Somehow, despite where she's located, she manages to churn out gorgeous work and inspiring projects.

Her latest venture is a textile line inspired by her signature look - fun happy colors and bold patterns presented in a very classic and clean way.  My favorite thing about her first collection of textiles is just how restrained and curated it is.  It makes mixing and matching a breeze.

 

I love EVERY.SINGLE.THING in this collection but I think my favorite is the Fleur Chinoise. 

 

Not only is the bold pattern gorgeous but the whole thing is printed on metallic linen cotton.  See the subtle gold flecks in the fabric?  L.O.V.E!  I am completely consumed by the idea of creating a sweet little lady's nursery all around this pattern.  How amazing would this be as a bumper? 

Check out all the patterns here.

The NEW Furbish Studio

Today I'm taking you on a little tour of the newly relocated and greatly expanded Furbish Studio.  It opened Saturday and I was there, camera in hand!

Now at 312 W. Johnson St in Raleigh, the new location is the perfect raw warehouse space - exposed wood ceilings and concrete floors.  It is simultaneously rustic and edgy and the addition of Jamie's bold textiles and curated furniture collection only makes it more awesome.  I'm so happy this formerly vacant little corner of Raleigh has been reinvented.  It is truly 3,500 of the most inspirational square feet I've ever been in.  Jamie has outdone herself. 

 

 

 

 

{note to self:  find a place in my life for this foxglove wallpaper immediately} 

{another note to self: get some black paint and start practicing the art of "effortless swirling"} 

This wall treatment is black paint done by Jamie herself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love how she wrapped the poles throughout the space in this chunky rope. 

 

The rope makes another appearance in shelving system that supports an entire wall of pillows!

Furbish designed shower curtains!  Like the prettiest shower curtains you've ever seen.

 

A wall of gorgeous fabric samples.  Love that she used the IKEA Bastis dog butt hooks to display them. 

 

 

 

 

Fun piece of art and so easy to DIY.

 

 

Is this settee not INCREDIBLE?  It's vintage, reupholstered in a vintage fabric. 

 

Another gorgeous settee.  Who new ticking stripes would look so good on such a feminine shape?  Jamie did, clearly!

 

Perhaps my favorite vignette in the whole store.  I LOVE that pink sofa.  

 

 

Love this quote wall at the back of the store (on gold stripes!)  It feels very "Furbish" to me back there with the Maskros lights she had in the original store and the reinterpretation of quotes she had peppered about in the old store too.

 

  

 

 

 I fought the urge to come home with 10,000 new pillows and instead got this great little tray that's been sold out forever.  It's nice and cozy on my dressing room vanity.

I can't even fathom the amount of work it took to transform an empty warehouse into something so inspired and chic.  Congratulations Jamie!!!  It feels like a more awesome version of Anthropologie in there.  Y'know...if Anthro wasn't a chain and you had access to the Style Director at all times.  It's truly a gem and YOU NEED TO GO!