Too Crewel

This summery crewel pillow is from Etsy Seller, Tuttie Lou for only $45!

One of my anonymous commenters (who has yet to man up and get a real name) asked the other day what crewel was. Well, i thought it would be a great opp to show off some amazing crewelwork interiors! Crewel is a style of embroidery usually made with wool threads on cotton or linen and depicting flowers, plants, or vines (but not always). It has a traditional/country sort of connotation but came back as a trend about a year ago. Personally, I love it. I think it can be very elegant and demonstrates amazing craftsmanship.

This duvet and sham is available from Williams Sonoma Home in this nice natural color on a cream background. Maybe I need to switch up my bedspread...

This bright and lively interior is by Todd Romano and he used this incredible crewel work piece as a wall hanging. Crewel work was made a lot by women around the time of the American Revolution so there are many pieces around such as this one.

I adore this room that I found in AD by Suzanne Tucker and I think it's because of the rug but it MIGHT just be because of the crewel fabric (by Travers) used on the slipper chair. I'd just like to point out though that this fabric can be used with modern elements too such as the paintings over the bed.

Another room by Suzanne Tucker (I knew I liked her), she used Lee Jofa crewel fabric on these two chairs flanking the large white sofa. I think the only thing in this room I like are the chairs though and I nearly blacked out in horror over the mirrored wall/screen. Sorry Suzanne.

I remembered this great post that Eddie Ross did on crewel fabric HERE and this one really stood out to me because it was on a dark background. How gorgeous is this?

If I can't get a crewel duvet, I might get a throw pillow or something for my bed. I'm such a pillow lover, sometimes there are more pillows on my bed, than actual bed! HA. This YUM looking bed is from Country Living.

As I think about this more, I believe I had a rocking chair in my room growing up with crewel fabric and I used to complain that it was too scratchy for me. Well, I think I've gotten over that and I'm ready to try again. ALSO, if anyone can figure out the movie soundtrack reference of the title of this post...well, I'll be impressed. HINT: The star of the movie just had twins!

PS: GIVE AWAY CONTEST STARTS TOMORROW!!!


Alicia B.

Design Lesson: Ikat

Ikat pillow from Sheherazade.

A few weeks ago, a reader asked me what ikat is. I realized that some people, who are not design nerds, actually read my blog! I was just whisking you through some fabric and didn't even bother to explain what it was. My apologies. And now you're all subject to a little lesson in design. Ikat is "a style of weaving that uses a resist dyeing process similar to tie dye on either the warp or weft before the threads are woven to create a pattern or design." Huh. Anyway, ikat comes from southeast Asia; Thailand, Malaysia, India, Indonesia and that area. It's a very beautiful style of fabric and seems to be quite popular right now.

Micheal Smith uses ikat here in this beautiful red and white throw pillow. This is actually one of my favorite images of a room. I love the yellow contrasted with the red.

Suzanne Tucker used ikat fabric to cover this entire sofa. The color palette works well with the reds she's used here in the carpet and pillows. It also works well with the handmade baskets on the coffee table.

A large piece of ikat can be used to simply cover the seat and back of a sofa like this one designed by Moises Esquenazi.

Madeline Weinrib has an amazing line of ikat pillows, as well as many other items which I almost bought (this rug). This is her house and she uses one of her gorgeous chocolate brown pillows on the chair.

I've always loved this little sitting room by Hal Williamson. The pair of chairs flanking the fireplace are in ikat fabric and they work so well with the antique rug!

David Easton (swoon) has his own line at Lee Jofa including this ikat fabric called Westmount Wall.

Fabric this beautiful certainly deserves to be framed. I have a piece of fabric framed hanging over my bed now! From Elle Decor designed by Anne Becker.

Besides using this fabric for throw pillows, and upholstery, it can of course be used as a wall covering like here in Bob Bob Ricard Restaurant in London c/o La Dolce Vita.

Truth be told, I really love ikat but I'm going to be a total snob and say that it's on its way out as a trend because I recently saw it at Pottery Barn. I know what you're thinking: "Oh Alicia, get over it," but I must be at the CUTTING EDGE, okay?! I like it in small doses, but when it becomes a trend, I tend to back out. Thoughts? Want to get some of it for yourself? HERE is a pillow from Pottery Barn and a cute BAG from Target, or for more home accessories, Sheherazade! Another great place for affordable ikat pillows is Fabricadabra--my fave is the pink "M" shape.

REMINDER: A surprise give-away contest will be happening sometime next week! Check back for more deets.


Alicia B.