Cool: Saffron Marigold

My New Duvet and Shams!!

I am so happy to have stumbled upon a bedding line called Saffron Marigold while searching for a new duvet cover and shams for my bedroom. I was online and googled "Indian Bedding" when I found them. The name alone was conjuring up beautiful exotic images in my head. I was hoping that the company was as good as it looked when I ordered what appeared to be the perfect Summertime bedding. I chose a black on white paisley pattern.

Saffron Marigold's pretty stationary

Let me just say.....I am extremely impressed all around. Saffron Marigold emailed me a confirmation immediately, and the next day emailed me that my items had been shipped. Two days later (I had asked for standard shipping) my package appeared (granted, I realized when ordering that the company is based in Petaluma, California....I'm only a couple of hours away...but still!!). It beat the Crate and Barrel bedding I ordered by two weeks!

When I opened up the box, a handmade paper envelope made with Marigold petals caught my eye. So pretty. Inside was a beautiful card printed with the company's logo with information and care instructions inside. What an impressive touch! Details like this make my day. I would not hesitate to have a box like this delivered to my clients.

The duvet and a just as impressive. I expected the block print on the front to be like the photo on the website. But I was pleasantly surprised by the small blue paisley print on the opposite side. So fresh and pretty! I feel like I got two looks in one. Really great quality and the fabric is really nice. Best of all....the pricing is right where it should be....fair and affordable!

Two thumbs up!!!

Here is a little background and some of the other prints available from Saffron Marigold.

Carving a Wood Block

Indian fabrics are printed using a wood block method where detailed patterns are painstakingly carved into the wood.

Here is an example of a particularly intricate pattern.

Many of the patterns are in medallion forms like this one, and the pattern I chose for myself. Others are all over patterns like the one below. Almost always there is a decorative border along the edges, and bedding is printed to the size of the duvet or sham, so there is a border along all of the edges.

Here is just a sampling of what can be found at Saffron Marigold.... You are bound to find something perfect for summer!

Happy Shopping and Happy Summer!!

Cool: Katherine Rally Textiles

Rally Dupps, Katherine Dupps and the Dupps pups

I recently came across a line of fabrics which I am sure you will love as much I as I do....Katherine Rally Textiles. The story behind the beauty is part of the reason.....and then there is the price (ahem....so great I had a big smile after I found out). But first the story.....

Katherine and Rally Dupps are the husband and wife creative force behind Katherine Rally Textiles. Rally is an architect originally from Nashville, and Katherine is an Interior Designer from Arizona. Well....they met and fell in love with travel and each other. A union and family soon followed. When the economy went south, the Dupps headed south with it....to the South Pacific that is. They relocated to Bali and started up their new venture.

I have had the opportunity to correspond with them about their adventures....

Pillows from Katherine Rally Textiles

Katherine and Rally, can you tell us a little about how you were inspired to create your beautiful textiles business?

Kathy and I absolutely love to travel and wherever we go, we buy textiles. We always make room for them in our luggage. once home, they serve as a colorful and useful souvenir. You can use one as a tablecloth, hang one on a wall, upholster a headboard, or hide an enormous red wine stain on the couch.

You are both seasoned world travelers. How did you decide on Bali for this next chapter in your lives?
We promised each other we would live abroad for one year when I turned 40. When the economy hit the skids, I was 38, and we decided it was close enough. We had been to Bali years before when we were dating and we absolutely loved it. Even though I was attacked by a monkey in the monkey forest, Kathy and I decided it was the best of Asia, with a rich and vibrant culture, caring and wonderful people, and all with a hint of exoticism. It was the complete package. Eight years later, it still is, but with much faster Internet access.

Fabric from Katherine Rally Textiles

What inspires your designs?

A walk through the rice field, the silhouette of a frangipani tree against the sky, Balinese ceremony decorations. I love watching a fern leaf unfurl in the garden. The quiet cool world inside a Balinese temple complex. The gurgling sounds of the water everywhere you go. I find a quiet place to sit and try to take in a tiny fraction of my surroundings. It's a lot harder than one might imagine.

Katherine Rally Accessoires

What does a typical day look like in the life of Katherine and Rally Dupps?
We wake up to crowing roosters as the sun is rising. Breakfast is served outside on our veranda overlooking the jungle. After breakfast, go for a run or a hike with Eliza (our 18th month old) who is in a kiddie backpack and Roman (our 3 1/2) year old) goes to school. We return home to Ketut, our Balinese helper who is a cross between Snow White and Mary Poppins. She allows Kathy and I to have time during the day to work on Katherine Rally Textiles and oversee the construction of our house and showroom. We often find a quiet cafe and bring the laptop and email during lunch. I am always drawing and working on new designs. Our evenings consist of tubbie time for the tow little ones, dinner on the veranda and perhaps a new release courtesy of one of Ubud's many counterfeit DVD shops. We read a story or three with the babies and it's pretty much nighty night for everyone.

The pillows are fantastic! These a a few of my favorites

How would you describe your personal style?
Stylish and casual, but NEVER sloppy.

What is happening next?
Five new batik designs and three new colors. Question...can animal prints become great batiks?

What color are you and why?
I am orange, and why not? Kathy is yellow, like the the sunshine.

Fabrics are batik and patterns are beautifully exotic

What is on your nightstand?

Two permanent magic markers, two fine tip black pens, tracing paper and a folder of new designs with words "good ones" scribbled on the cover. Kathy always has a few days worth of NY Times and design magazines piled up and i am reading Rudyard Kipling's "Kim".

You live in Bali, which is paradise in itself. When you want to "get away" where do you go"?

Our Indonesian Visa means we must leave the country every 6 months. We love Georgetown in Penang, Malaysia....beautiful architecture, great food and doesn't feel touristy. I ill be turning 40 in December, so we have a big trip planned to Sri Lanka. We will also be celebrating Christmas, our daughter's second birthday and New Years there. We are the kind of people who don't go bananas celebrating holidays (in bed by 10 on New Year's Eve), but we decided to just blow it out this year - we can't wait.

This one may find it's way to my Family Room soon

Favorite music?

We've been rediscovering the Beatles lately - out kids LOVE the Beatles.

Favorite occupation?

Travel is number one. It's what brought us together and continues to be our favorite indulgence. In addition, Kathy and I frequent "boardroom meetings" at our favorite Balinese spa for tandem massages.

So many to pick from

Favorite meal?

Rally goes for Indonesian ayam sambai matah (super spicy shredded chicken with chilies), Kathy loves grilled tuna salad at Tumak in downtown Ubud.

What is your favorite place to shop and why?

I love the souk of Marrakesh. The sounds, the colors, and the smells of trading going on all around us is heaven on earth. I especially love buying rugs here. It's actually a real problem. After a few purchases. I have Kathy hide the money from me. Kathy loves the blue and white Fez pottery. We have a large vase in our house here that Kathy turned into a lamp. She lugged that thing all the way to the States and then all the way to Bali.

For my Bedroom!

What is your idea of Earthly happiness?

I am with my family as a purple red sky blazes above and the sun sets behind the mountains of paradise. The call to prayer is faintly overheard int he distance. The smell of spice and woodsmoke is in the air. We are planning our next adventure........

And the story continues.......

The Dupps are living the dream...well....my dream! I am sure you will be seeing much more of them. They design all of their own batik fabrics and what I find most appealing is that the pillows retail for about $68 (this includes the insert). (Very do-able especially when compared to the competition!)

Check out all of the delicious styles and colors and retail locations on their website HERE. In the Bay Area....check out Lotus Bleu! (Not on the website yet, but in stock!!!)

Happy shopping!

Cool: Australian Botanicals Outdoor by Mokum

I think this new Australian Botanicals Outdoor fabric collection from Mokum speaks for itself.

It's saying: "I love porches. They are my favorite places to be. Unless you find me out by the pool, or in the garden. With my indoor-oudoor lifestyle, I am happy in almost any environment! My style reflects the native landscape of Australia: soft eucalyptus greens, crisp aquas, ocean blues and the warm rust tones of the outback. I am pure Australian through and through: I am tough (exceeding 50,000 double rubs) but caring (100% recycled content). And of course I am fun-loving and not too hard on the eyes if I do say so! In fact, I have been told I am quite stunning! I hope you have a chance to visit me ....or better yet....let me visit you! You can find me here under latest releases."

Great speaker! Great design

Designers Guild, Autumn 2008

As we go into the weekend, I wanted to leave you with the dreamy images of The Royal Collection, Fabrics and Wallpaper, the newest from Designers Guild.

Inspired by the interiors of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, and by the art in the Royal Collection, this collection is a creation of luxurious fantasy.

Designers Guild was given access to the archive of historic fabrics and wallcoverings and has come up with their own interpretation of sumptuous embroidered silks, velvet jacquard velvets and flocked wallpapers.

The Arabella Autumn Winter Collection also makes it's appearance with a fairytail-like collection:

Dream a little dream this weekend!

Additional Note: I received an email from Sophie Trinder with a reminder that the whole collection can be viewed here. And in answer to Aesthete's Lament comment, the collection was indeed photographed at Buckingham Palace. A link to the Royal Collection with more information about the Palace can be reached here.

HAPPY WEEKEND!

Visual Vacation: Le Petit Cabinet de Curiosites

If any of you are needing a little getaway this weekend , but can't really get away....take a few minutes to visit my friend Melanie at Le Petit Cabinet de Curiosites blog. Melanie is an antique shop owner in Provence who finds the most wonderful things. Her father is the most wonderfully talented upholsterer, and she captures his work in photos often. Melanie chronicles her adventures, her shop, and her home in the most beautiful photos:

So, if a little visual vacation to France sounds good this weekend, Melanie will be the most wonderful hostess and tour guide!

Bon Voyage!

Domino: Alan Campbell

Alan Campbell

Domino, August 2008

Don't miss designer, David Netto's article about the incomparable fabric design icon, Alan Campbell in Domino's August issue. You are bound to know Alan Campbell's fabrics, but David Netto let's us in on the man. And as his godson, he knows a thing or two.

Alan Campbell fabrics in the Parish Hadley famous 1970's peacock blue room.

Domino, August 2008

Summer Porch

Coastal Living, April 2008, Photo by Jean Alsopp

What do I like about this Porch? The white painted plank floor, the rattan furniture mixed with the vintage white painted pieces, the beadboard ceiling. Like a tall cool drink of water.

Fabric : Duralee, "Pavilion" in Natural Green.