Spruce London

Parbold Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 09:28:00 +0000

New arrivals in 2023 large checks The Parbold Collection

Melton Wool Upholstery Fabric

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Wed, 06 Mar 2019 12:01:00 +0000

Kirkland Melton

A new addition to our collection of melton wool fabric, this is Kirkland in sky blue you buy this fabric here BUY

The Cowdray Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 14:14:00 +0000

The Cowdray Collection has a new entry Cowdray a shetland wool fabric which is available in checks and complimentary plains.

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 10:57:00 +0000

We have always stocked linen in fact it was the first fabric we stocked, it's popularity varies but linen is forever.

For centuries flax has been grown and transformed into linen throughout Belgium. The unique climate and the expertise of the Belgian artisans, explains the superior quality of their linen.

Linen has a unique combination of properties; lasting durability, unrivalled comfort and rich color absorption. The more it is used, the more beautifully it ages and gets a unique patine. It is highly absorbent, lint-free and non allergenic.

Flax is inherently ecological as it requires no irrigation and very little chemical treatment. Every part of the plant has value, eliminating any waste. Flax is biodegradable and is now commonly recycled. No other fiber can offer this unique blend of a truly natural product, with elegance and amazing comfort. It is the most natural and environment-friendly choice for dressing oneself and one's home.

By choosing Belgian Linen™, you choose for products manufactured with pride, from renowned companies like Spruce London. All have a long tradition (many are more than 100 years old) and a reputation of quality and service. Their manufacturing is extremely performant and respectful of high social and environmental standards.

By choosing Belgian Linen™, you choose for the finest Linen in the world.

https://www.belgianlinen.com/about-belgian-linen/belgian-linen/

What is the Best Fabric for Curtains?

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 14:47:00 +0000

Elle Decoration

Things to Bear in Mind

When deciding on the best fabric for curtains, the fabric you choose will dictate how your curtains perform and last, as well as how they look. Textured fabrics such as wool give a more luxury quality and natural feel, and will last longer, and there are lots of designs to choose from such as checks, plains, tartans, and herringbones, whereas synthetics or the current trend for prints and metallic thread have a more trendy, short term appeal.

Seeking only beauty?

You can get away with lighter weight fabrics such as lightweight linen and wool if you are looking purely for a nice set of curtains to brighten up a room and you don’t need to block out light or keep warm. There are so many beautiful fabrics from plain colours to checks and sheers. Choose a key colour and select from there.

Do you need to keep the cold out?

Wool, chenille or velvet are the warmest options. Lining or interlining will add further to the warmth value, and will also help with fading if the window is very sunny. It is always best to line curtains, but if you don’t want to line your curtains then go for a heavier wool, but bear in mind that the fabric will fade much quicker.

Need to block out the light?

Heavier weight fabrics will block out light, and you can add a blackout lining if you want total darkness. Sunlight fades all fabrics over time so if the room gets a lot of direct sunlight it may be best to go for neutral colours as these are will appear to fade less.

What is the best fabric weight to use?

If your fabric is too lightweight your curtains won’t hang well. You need a decent weight to create nice folds and drape. However, a fabric which is too heavy or stiff may not fold back nicely when you draw the curtains back. Just a note to add to this. If you are lining your curtains remember this will also add some body and smooth out the drape. You can, of course, vary the weight and stiffness of your lining. A good curtain maker will give you advice on this before you start.

Finally, any good curtain maker will be happy to use your own fabric.

NEW FABRICS - EDALE

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 15:03:00 +0000

Edale Spice

Edale Pimento

Edale Sand

Edale Grape

Just out - our brand new range of Edale Wool Plaid Fabrics. Inspired by the colours of the Derbyshire Peak District in the UK. It is woven from 100% wool, has a 30,000 rub test. Perfect for domestic upholstery and curtains/drapes and accessories.

Best Fabric for Upholstery

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 12:19:00 +0000

You might be wondering ..... what is the best fabric for a sofa or chair?

Are you looking for fabric for upholstering a sofa or chair? Usually, the first thing that most people do when thinking about choosing a fabric for upholstering furniture is what colour to choose.
But, think about other factors too.

Durability (Rub Test)

Something we are asked about quite a lot is what is a rub test and why does it matter? This test is also sometimes known as a Martindale Test and will give a good idea how long you can expect the fabric to last. Clearly, this will depend on where you place your furniture, how often you use it and whether there are children and pets.

If the fabric does not show a rub test then presume it won't last long. So, check the rub test to see if it is appropriate for the project.

Types

There are many engineered textiles now which look increasingly like natural fabrics, and can withstand wear and tear, but many natural choices are nearly as durable. - it all depends on what you choose.

Wool

Here is one of our best selling lines and is 100% wool. It is available in both domestic and contract grade.

Contract Fabric

Contract textiles are also an option. These are highly durable textiles specially produced for use in commercial buildings, although the selection is more limited.
Other durable natural textiles you can use include wool, velvet, linen, especially machine-washable Belgian linens.

Belgian Linen

Belgian linen is very good for upholstery and loose covers, but choose one to to stand wear and tear. Not all linen is the same, and there are some bad, cheap imports.

Belgian linen is only manufactured in Belgium. Our Belgian linen is manufactured by three mills in Belgium. We know the owners personally and have a very good relationship with them.

Other Fabrics

It’s harder to generalise about cotton, because the category is so broad. Some are durable, others aren’t. Fabrics to avoid include silk, rayon and rayon-polyester blends.

Nearly as important as composition is where the textiles are made. We only sell textiles that have been manufactured in the UK or EU, and where we know the weaver well and get great service from them.

Woven patterns will usually last longer than printed ones, as do those with tighter weaves. However, just because a fabric looks chunky and durable, it might not be so check the rub test before you buy to ensure it is suitable.

Care

Firstly, always follow care instructions.

How long can you expect the fabric to last? Well, even the most durable fabric will break down if you don’t maintain it. Always vacuum furniture at least once a month, to get rid of dirt on the surface as combined with the friction of people moving back and forth, it will wear out the fabric faster than anything else.

If you want loose covers and be able to wash them, go for a washable fabric, but bear in mind that the fabric could shrink a little so check the shrinkage rate (if there is one) when buying the fabric and allow for this when making your choice.

Design

Choose a fabric that complements both the piece of furniture and the interior decor of your room. Merging different styles together can give a good result. Experiment as this will add originality to the space.

Another point to bear in mine is whether the fabric can be railroaded. Some fabrics can be railroaded, others can't, so check this too.

Don't be slave to fashion, but choose a fabric that echoes your own style and the mood of the decor in the room.

Consider the scale of the pattern. It should be appropriate to the size of the furniture it is covering as well as the room size. A large bold, pattern might work better in a larger room, while a more muted or smaller one might be a better choice for a smaller space.

Tartan fabric is particularly relevant regarding this. Some tartans have huge repeats which will not be suitable on a small piece of furniture. Always check the repeat is going to work well for you. Tartan is very hardwearing and is suitable for furniture.

Colour

As said before, colour is very often the first choice you make when upholstering furniture, and it has a significant impact on the decor, especially if the is a large sofa that will dominate the space.

Make sure the colour choice is one you can live with happily with. eg it might be best to avoid a very bold color for a smaller room, especially if the sofa is also large. If you are unsure, neutrals are generally easy to live with and the safest bet.

Avoid light coloured fabrics if you have children and/or pets.

Warm and cool colours affect the mood of the room and depending on whether the room is bright or on the darker side.

Avoid trendy colours, unless you really like them as they can date a room long before the sofa or chair needs recovering.

See Elle Decor Article about Decorating with Colour.

Fade Resistance

Does the room get a lot of sun? If it does, then a dark fabric will fade quicker than a lighter one, so take this into consideration when choosing.

NEW FABRICS - PENRITH HERRINGBONE

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 16:02:00 +0000

THE PENRITH COLLECTION

Penrith Herringbone Azure Blue

Penrith Herringbone Chilli

Penrith Herringbone Cinnamon

Penrith Herringbone Heather

Penrith Herringbone Lilac

Penrith Herringbone Nut Brown

Penrith Herringbone Paprika

Penrith Herringbone Wine

Penrith Herringbone Pale Blue

Just out - our brand new range of 2" wide Penrith Herringbone Fabrics. Inspired by the colours of the Lake District in the UK, it is woven from 80% wool and 20% nylon yarn it has a 50,000 rub test.

NEW FABRICS - PATTERDALE

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 15:26:00 +0000

Patterdale Steel Grey

Patterdale Chilli

Patterdale Espresso

Patterdale Heather

Patterdale Latte

Patterdale Light Grey

Patterdale Paprika

Patterdale Sky Blue

Just out - our brand new range of Patterdale Contract Houndstooth Fabrics. Inspired by the colours of the Lake District in the UK, it is woven from 80% wool and 20% nylon yarn it has a 50,000 rub test.

How to Design a Headboard

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne Lea) — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 14:49:00 +0000

How to design a headboard

Article by Elle Decor

What is the optimum size for a headboard? ‘Bedding will make a bed appear broader, so allow up to 7.5 centimetres extra width at each side of the bed to make your headboard look more generous,’ says Bertie Clayton, director at interior design firm Jane Clayton & Company (janeclayton.co.uk). Avoid anything much wider, unless you want a retro look. Contemporary headboards can be as tall as you like and, if you have a high ceiling, a large headboard makes a great focal point in the room.
What are the best materials to upholster a headboard with? Leather is hardwearing and will last for years, while Alcantara faux suede is also durable and stain resistant, making it a good choice. ‘If you’re using fabric, look for something textural that’s not too lightweight; this will maximise the life of your headboard,’ says Clayton. ‘And don’t forget, all fabrics must meet fire regulations.’ The advice from Ian Lea, CEO at textile company Spruce London (sprucelondon.com), is to choose a tightly woven cloth. ‘This prevents the interlining showing through when it’s stretched over corners,’ he says. In terms of decoration, Laura Kelway-Bamber, creative director at The Headboard Workshop (theheadboardworkshop.co.uk) adds, ‘as a rule of thumb, if you have an exciting fabric, keep the shape of your headboard simple. If the fabric is plain, go for a more exotic shape, or add buttons, studs or contrast piping.’
How should it be mounted? Smaller designs can be attached directly to the bed, but larger headboards should be wall mounted. ‘This prevents movement,’ says Kelway-Bamber. The Headboard Workshop can provide suitable struts or a batten mounting system; alternatively you can pick up a pair of concealed fixing brackets for as little as £5.70 on Amazon (amazon.co.uk). Wall mounting is also space-efficient, as you can push the bed right up against the wall and allow the headboard to sit on top.
How do I protect a fabric headboard from marks and stains? Treat it with an upholstery protector spray such as Scotchgard (scotchgard.com) or choose a model with a removable cover that can be machine washed.
How much would a bespoke headboard for a double bed cost? Expect to pay from around £200 for a simple design in a plain fabric.
Words: Claudia Baillie
Picture: Broste Copenhagen

Autumn Hues

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 23:00:00 +0000

Autumn Leaves

Autumn in Scotland

Crichton Plaid Clover

Dales Estate Herringbone 78

Gisburn Herringbone Geranium

Belmont Herringbone Sage

Gisburn Herringbone Parsley

Ashdown Check Tweed 101

Dales Estate 72

British Tweed - The Story

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 15:20:00 +0000

Shooting Party with Edward Prince of Wales in 1895 wearing British Tweed

British tweed is famous all over the world but not many people know that it has nothing to do with the River Tweed. The name was as a result of a mere slip of a pen.

Read more

100% Design 2016, London, England

noreply@blogger.com (Dianne Lea) — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 06:00:00 +0000

100% Design Show 2016, London, England

Spruce took time out to visit the 100% Design Show in London last week. Cutting edge ideas and innovations, impressive installations, and great furniture design. It's a must for architects, interior designers, and high end property developers. Read more

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Fri, 06 May 2016 18:29:00 +0000

Riviera Collection

The Riviera Collection. Riviera is a new collection of indoor/outdoor fabrics, perfect for outside areas, conservatories and marine. It is available in 5 designs and 11 colours.

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Tue, 03 May 2016 18:30:00 +0000

Take a look at the new additions to our Agnes Collection. 19 beautiful new fabrics in natural shades in linen and linen/cotton mixes.

Agatha-Light Natural

Aix-en- Provence-Natural

Arles-Natural

Beaucaire-Natural

Bordeaux-Natural

Camargue-Natural

Cavalaire-Natural

Chantilly-Natural

Deauville-Natural

Grasse-Natural

Lyon-Natural

Montpellier-Natural

Moustiers-Natural

Nantes-Natural

Orleans-Natural

Sable-Natural

Toulouse-Natural

Vence-Natural

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Tue, 03 May 2016 09:03:00 +0000

Explore our New Cumbrian Collection - Buttermere wool cable knit design fabric suitable for furniture. High rub test and Crib 5 fire retardancy. Shown here is Buttermere in Camel. Available in 9 colours.

WOOL SATEEN

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 00:43:00 +0000

Wool Sateen, one of the most popular wool sateen fabrics in The UK

Lido in over 30 colours, see all of them here LIDO WOOL SATEEN

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 10:38:00 +0000

THE PETWORTH COLLECTION

THE PETWORTH COLLECTION An incredibly popular fabric, our favourite since it's introduction 4 years ago.
THE PETWORTH COLLECTION

Here is Ashdown-155 a fine check with a red overcheck

Ashdown-Check Tweed-155

Ashdown Check Tweed Fabric in brown with a red over check
Exceptional fabric, hardwearing and soft to touch.
Composition: 100% Pure Wool
Collection: The Petworth Collection
Rub Test: 48,000
Width: 150cm
Weight: 375 gms

ARCHITECTURAL PLANTS

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 08:57:00 +0000

Architectural Plants nursery is near Pulborough in West Sussex and specialise in plants that are both shapely and exotic - Japanese and European Topiary, hardy palms, bananas, bamboos, plants for screening, and a range of rare evergreen trees. They are the home of the interesting, unusual, quirky and bizarre - the tropical and the jungly, of both big and small specimen plants. Winners of a number of awards for their innovative approach and high level of presentation. The Antidote to Garden Centres.

WEATHERED TARTANS

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 18:09:00 +0000

WEATHERED TARTANS

One of our favourite Tartans

Kennedy Weathered Tartan

Kennedy Weathered Tartan 16 oz Tartan An exceptional tartan fabric woven in Scotland by the worlds leading tartan weaver.
Use: Upholstery, curtains, cushions, bed throws, loose covers etc.
Rub Test: 40,000 approx
Width:139 cm +/-1
Fabric Weight: 368 gm2
Learn More

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MUTED TARTAN

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 18:04:00 +0000

MUTED TARTAN

Trending at the moment, muted tartans.

THE HISTORY OF TARTAN

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 09:36:00 +0000

WE FOUND THIS ARTICLE VERY INTERESTING

Tartan is a woven material, generally of wool, having stripes of different colours and varying in breadth. The arrangement of colours is alike in warp and weft - that is, in length and width - and when woven, has the appearance of being a number of squares intersected by stripes which cross each other; this is called a 'sett’.

By changing the colours; varying the width; depth; number of stripes, differencing is evolved. Tartan patterns are called "setts"; the sett being the complete pattern and a length of tartan is made by repeating the pattern or sett over and over again.

PENNINE TWEED FABRIC

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Wed, 25 Mar 2015 11:31:00 +0000

PENNINE TWEED FABRIC

The Spruce London Pennine Tweed Fabric is a Shetland Wool Fabric, soft to the touch making it perfect for occasional use upholstery, cushions and curtains.
Availables in over 25 designs.

Northern Lights in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Canada

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 18:00:00 +0000

See The Northern Lights in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Canada

The Northern Lights* are one of nature’s great displays: a mysterious, multicoloured show in which the night sky is suddenly lit up with a wondrous glow that twists and swirls. Elusive and ethereal, it is one of the great, timeless thrills of travel, that many viewers find a humbling and spiritually uplifting experience.

It occurs most commonly in the Arctic region, and in recent years the chance of enjoying the spectacle has become a prime reason to fly north for a winter break, and the good news is that the range of holidays available for viewing the northern lights has never been better.

To see the celestial disco in its full glory, you will have to head north towards the Arctic, above latitude 60 degrees at the least.

The snowy wilds of Canada and Alaska are fine viewing spots, but for most of us it is more affordable, and convenient, to fly to Iceland or northern Scandinavia, commonly known as Lapland. Here it is possible to see the lights from late September to early April, with October to November and February to March considered optimum periods.

The hours of darkness increase the farther north you travel, and while the aurora can be sighted at any moment, 9pm to 2am tends to be prime viewing time. It’s surprising how often the lights reveal themselves just as dinner is served, and many hotels offer an aurora alarm service if you don’t want to stay up waiting.

Where you go will depend on your budget and the time available, but a more crucial decision is what else you want to do when you’re not standing outside in sub-zero temperatures staring up at the night sky with fingers crossed.

It’s important not to become obsessed with the single goal of beholding the aurora, but to see this as just one of many thrills of a winter holiday to the Arctic. Sparkling white landscapes, fairy-tale ice hotels, romantic husky-sled rides, the hi-tech-meets-frontier lifestyle of the indigenous peoples, cool city breaks – these are reasons enough to go.

With luck you will also see the heavens ablaze with a silky, swirling light, but this can never be guaranteed.

Sweden and Swedish Lapland

The specialist soft adventure travel company, Off the Map Travel (0800 566 8901; offthemaptravel.co.uk) organises tailor made trips to the best destinations in the world to experience the Lights. These include Bjorkliden, northern Sweden, which is situated in a weather shadow of the surrounding mountain range delivering perfect conditions for aurora spotting. A three-night trip in the February 2014 half-term to Northern Sweden starts from £999pp based on two sharing, on a half board basis, including exclusive Aurora activities, but excluding flights.

Original Travel (020 3582 4990; originaltravel.co.uk) offers five nights in Swedish Lapland from £1,800 per person based on two people sharing, including two nights at the Ice Hotel, an overnight dog sledding trip under the Northern Lights, two nights at the Treehotel, all transfers and return flights with SAS.

Discover the World (01737 214250; discover-the-world.co.uk) has an extensive northern lights programme to six countries between December and March and offers direct flights between Heathrow and Kiruna, the gateway to Swedish Lapland. The flying time is three-and-a-half hours and avoids the connections in Stockholm, Oslo or Helsinki of some aurora-chasing holidays. A three-night break using these flights costs from £1,211 per person, including transfers, breakfast and a night in a “snow room” at the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi.

Iceland

Hotel ION (00 354 482 3415; ioniceland.is) is a one-hour drive from Reykjavik, close to Thingvellir National Park. Its relatively remote location, in an open explanse of land far from city lights, means it is a good spot for Northern Light sightings. In fact, it has a "Northern Lights Bar" with floor-to-ceiling windows and works with two astronomers, who are close to hand should guests want a tutorial. Doubles from 33,500 ISK (£173) per night.

Regent Holidays (020 7666 1290; regent-holidays.co.uk) can offer a four night South Iceland Winter Break, based in Reykjavik, departing next week from £995 per person, based on two sharing at the four star Radisson 1919 Hotel on bed and breakfast basis and including flights, transfers and a range of excursions including an evening northern lights excursion, a Golden Circle coach tour and a visit to the Blue Lagoon. The company also offers an escorted Northern Lights Explorer Group Tour to Iceland that aims to maximise the chances of success by staging six aurora-hunting expeditions, with a fresh location every night. As the aurora is such a fascinating phenomenon, it helps to travel with an expert who can offer some, well, illumination. Prices from £1,349 per person including return flights and B&B accommodation.

Norway

This winter, Hurtigruten (020 8846 2642; hurtigruten.co.uk), which operates a fleet of passenger ships that constantly sails up and down the Norwegian coast, has extended its "Northern Lights promise" to anyone booking a Classic Round Voyage (a round-trip along the Norwegian coastline from Bergen up to Kirkenes) before December 31 2014. The extension means that if the lights are not visible from your ship, your will be offered a free cruise. The 12 day cruise costs from £999 per person in an inside cabin on full board basis (based on two sharing), departing on a wide choice of dates. Flight and transfer packages start from £330 per person.

A good spot for chances of seeing the Northern Lights is the area around Tromso, in Norway, a city Telegraph Travel's John O'Ceallaigh recommends for its "unblemished surrounding regions". Off the Map Travel (0800 566 8901; offthemaptravel.co.uk) has three-night Tromso trips from £875pp based on two sharing on a self-catering basis, including a snowmobile safari and Northern Lights Dinner Cruise, excluding flights.

Remote locations away from cities and light pollution offer better chances of spotting the lights. Head to Sollia on the Russian-Norwegian border and stay at the Sollia Gjestegård which has one of the best restaurants in northern Norway. You can also visit the owners’ aurora borealis basecamp. Inntravel (01653 617000; inntravel.co.uk) has its Sollia Northern Lights Break from £948pp based on two sharing including return flights London-Kirkenes, transfers, three nights' half board, and an evening in the aurora borealis base camp.

There are also holidays that cater for photographers (lightsoverlapland.com), while music lovers should head to Norway for the annual Northern Lights Festival in Tromsø (from January 23-31;nordlysfestivalen.no), or catch some polar jazz in far-flung Svalbard (from February 5-8; polarjazz.no).

Finland

In Finnish Lapland, combine accommodation at the Torassieppi Reindeer Farm with dog-sledding and cross-country skiing with night treks on snowshoes, by minibus and snowmobile to seek the Northern Lights. Travellers are also provided with an aurora alarm, to maximise sighting chances. The Aurora Zone (01670 785 012;theaurorazone.com) has departures for its Torassieppi Northern Lights Quest on February 14 from £1,995pp, including flights from London, transfers, seven nights’ full-board accommodation, all activities, cold-weather clothing and guides.

Adventure Worldwide (01962 737630; adventureworldwide.co.uk) has a three-night "Northern Lights Special" tour based high above the Arctic Circle, which not only offers guests scheduled aurora hunting tours, but also spare time to walk out into the frozen lake and look up for extra sighting chances. The trip costs from £1,345pp based on two sharing, including flights, three nights' full board, all transportation, activities and a tour leader/guide.

Canada

The lights are not just a northern European event: cross the Atlantic for potential spectacular sightings too. Churchill, in the Candian province of Manitoba, is one of the best places in North America to witness an aurora borealis display. Go seeking them on a Tundra Buggy at night, combining such excursions with snowshoe treks and dog-sledding by day.

Wexas Travel (0207 838 5892; wexas.com) is offering an eight-day Northern Lights & Winter Nights package to Canada from £3,450pp on an all-inclusive basis. Price includes return economy flights to Winnipeg, flights between Winnipeg and Churchill, transfers (excluding arrival and departure transfers in Winnipeg), three nights in Winnipeg, four nights in Churchill, four Tundra buggy night trips to hunt the aurora and other activities as mentioned in the itinerary.

Other specialists include Transun (01865 265200; transun.co.uk),Specialised Tours (01342 712785; specialisedtours.com) and Taber Holidays (01274 875199; taberhols.co.uk).

*The lights are formed from fast-moving, electrically charged particles that emanate from the sun. These are driven towards the poles by the Earth’s magnetic field – their varying colours are a result of the different gases in the upper atmosphere. In the northern hemisphere they are known as the aurora borealis and hang above the planet in an oval-shaped halo.

Taken from an original article in The Telegraph

CHANEL AND HER LOVE OF TWEED

noreply@blogger.com (Spruce London maintained by Acquablue) — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 09:11:00 +0000

Chanel in Tweed (source unknown)

Tweed has been in fashion on and off since the 1920s, and there is nothing quite as iconic as a classic Chanel tweed piece.

Coco Chanel discovered tweed during her love affair with the Duke of Westminster in the 1920s. Much of their time was spent in the Sutherland region of the Scottish Highlands on both the Duke's 123,000-acre estate, Reay Forest, and those of neighbouring lairds. They would fish, hunt and play cards, often with Winston Churchill as their companion. Chanel loved the country life and would often borrow and wear items from the Duke’s wardrobe, adapting them for herself during her lengthy sporting expeditions in the Highlands where she learned to fish. Chanel realised the comfortable, supple fabric had a stylish quality that would lend itself well to her designs. In 1924, Chanel asked a Scottish factory to produce her tweed fabrics for everything from sportswear to suits and coats. She was inspired by colours form the Scottish countryside, and often brought back leaves, moss, and even bits of earth to her manufacturers for them to match.

The tweed trend spread fast, and the look quickly became popular throughout couture houses in Paris.

Chanel switched factories to northern France in the 1930s and began combining her classic tweeds with wools, silks, cottons, to give them a more high fashion, and lighter weight style.

Today, tweed remains a strong part of the Chanel story and also features strongly in Burberry and Dior collections, where this traditional fabric is continued to be worked in a modern way.