Louisiana Loom Works03/07/2010 @ 8:27 pmI am in New Orleans where I have found renewed inspiration. While I am not here on a design mission, I have made it my mission to seek out design and New Orleans does not disappoint. Magazine Street is a given to visit if you are looking for antiques but, so is Royal Street in the French Quarter. I happen to be staying at the Soniat House on Chartres Street which is of itself a fabulous place for inspiration. Not only are the rooms furnished with antiques, the courtyard is charming along with the Soniat Antiques Shop...just in case you want to incorporate a little french influence into your home design. As I was strolling the streets of the French Quarter with my friend, Liv Rockefeller, we happened upon the most delightful shop. There were no fleur-de-lis, no Mardi Gras beads and, no Who Dat t-shirts. This is a serious shop dedicated to the art of looming rag rugs and in the most beautiful way. We entered Louisiana Loom Works to be warmly greeted by Ronda Rose, proprietor, and her five (yes five) cats. When I pulled out my camera, this little kitty decided he wanted his picture taken...not sure if it's a he or a she (but, seriously well fed), resting itself right on the loom, on my samples!
As you can imagine, the sky really is the limit to customizing your own own colors, including thread. Below happens to be a rug that they have made and the fabric sample that you can choose from and...walla, this is how it turns out.
When I asked Ronda about customizing she pulled out a shoe box (really) of all of the swatches they have in stock to choose from. Customizing for me is about options and options are good. I did go through the whole box and came up with three choices.
A sampling of their rugs. The quality and the colors are phenomenal!
Looming in progress.
Store front 616 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70130...504-566-7788
Wallpaper03/04/2010 @ 12:48 pmThe New York Times announced the re- location of a shop called Second Hand Rose. I had never heard of it but, am so happy to have found it! Suzanne Lipschutz, the proprietor, has the finest collection of vintage and one of a kind wallpapers for the most discriminating client. If you want unique this is the place for you. No mass consumerism going on here. Located at 230 Fifth Avenue (27th Street).
My Friend Kiki02/28/2010 @ 9:32 pmKiki and I have known each other since her daughter Kate was a very little girl. Now Kate is all grown up (and beautiful) and has partnered up with her Mother in a new jewelry boutique named appropriately so, "KIKI", in Lafayette, Louisiana. Both women have an eye for the unique, eclectic and very beautiful personal adornments that one should have. Always ahead of the curve...for instance...Chan Luu. Out of the mouths of babes...KIKI, before anyone knew Chan Luu! I walked away from KIKI with a Cha Luu wrap bracelet two years ago and no one knew what the heck I was wearing. Now all of the "Hollywood Stars" are sporting the wrap bracelets. I am still a huge fan of Chan's bracelets but, an even bigger fan of KIKI for having vision. Vision is everything retail and it takes a unique talent to recognize trends before they happen. KIKI has that! Kiki Frayard and Kate Frayard are the proprietors of KIKI, Lafayette, Louisiana. Located in River Ranch, Kiki also offers the very exclusive Dodo line of jewelry that is not only affordable to everyone but, also appealing and highly collectible through its unique individual charms. My personal recommendation!!! Four stars for Dodo! KIKI is having a DODO trunk show now...and Kate has just finished a commercial for KIKI, please watch and become captivated by KIKI. Not to mention, everything they do can be achieved by phone, fax or email order...do not let anything stop you from becoming a fan of KIKI. Happy shopping!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faxHmfZkSQw
Edith Caldwell, the gallery...Rockport, Maine02/28/2010 @ 8:04 pmEdith Caldwell has recently moved from San Francisco, California to Rockport, Maine. Whew, opposite coasts! She has been representing artists such as Alan Magee, Miya Ando, and John Gibson along wiht many others. Her new studio also offers other little wonderful marvels for sale. Never one to be still, Edie is always on the hunt for what inspires the inner artist in you, whether it be fine art or objects of desire. Take the time to stop in and meet her and walk next door to the other next best thing that has happened in Rockport. RAYR, the wine shop. Jason and Raymond will guide you through their extensive selection of fine wines to suit any palette. You will not be disappointed, and RAYR serves expresso and chocolate too!! Alan Magee
Miya Ando
John Gibson
Anatomy of a Room, Continued...02/21/2010 @ 7:04 pmYou may recall that I posted a block titled, "The Anatomy of a Room" where I am starting the process of designing a room for the Camden/Rockport Decorator Showhouse here in Camden, Maine. I thought it would be interesting for all of us who have no idea how the design process works to get an inside track through working on this with me from the ground up. After my initial visit to Swan's Island Blankets where I met with Bill Laurita we nailed our color down due to Bill's keen eye for indigo, a color he has been developing recently for blanket and yarn production. Swan's Island is working with Chatfield Design to design and produce upholstery weight fabric to the trade. The debut of this collaborative effort will be the Decorator Showhouse in July 2010. Below are some prospects that Bill and myself are looking at as possible pillow design. Little did we both know that Adrienne Vittadini along with Pantone were thinking along the very same lines, hhmmmnnn.
Troy Delano of Alfred's Upholstery is building the furniture as we speak. We decided to combine an eclectic mix of English and French with a little edge. The sofa is a comfy pit that one might never want to leave. The subtle scrolls on the arms say soft, the arms and back being of equal height say traditional knoll, the solid cushion gives it a modern edge. The two arm chairs are both english and traditional. Our treatment of them will have them take on a whole new life. The frames will be stained ebony and the feet will have brass casters. The fabric from Swan's Island will be their "new life", still a secret, oh, and the nail heading...yes!!
Once the padding is added the upholstery will begin. The sofa fabric came quite by accident while on a trip to NYC and a visit into Roberta Roller Rabbit. I found a floral poppy dyed on white canvas. It was the print and color I loved but, really, had no idea what to do with it. Like a true fabric junkie I bought 10 yards and schlepped it back to Maine. Watching the fabric stare me in the eye every time I walked by it, I would shake my head and chalk up the experience to just another extravagance in a long line of such purchases. Having let out a fatalistic sigh I picked up the yardage to move it to "storage" when it all fell out of my arms and ended up inside out. A little irked by ten yards laying on the floor and having to pick it up I had no idea I was looking a gift horse in the mouth. In the reverse I was looking at something fuzzy, colorful and a little Darryl Carter.
New excitement has joined the design team in the way of Tim Van Campen. Tim is designing and representing custom floor covering. I approached him about providing us with an over the top custom rug for the Chatfield Design Showhouse room. Tim, being very gracious, accepted and rose to the task by providing us this sample. The perfect solution, don't we all love perfect? Don't be fooled by the little size...just an example of the larger!
So, here you have it. The process so far as it unfolds. Sometimes things happen quite by accident, such as the Roberta Roller Fabric being reversed, yay! The Swan's Island color selection coinciding with Adrienne Vittadini's Pantone color inspiration for fashion trends, yay! And, Tim van Campen coming on board with his beautiful designs, yay! The Premier Decorator Showhouse runs July 14-16, 2010 in Camden, Maine. This is the first ever event of its kind for this area and we welcome all of your support. Chatfield Design proudly acknowledges the following participants: Without any of you this would not be possible. Thank You! |
