DecoratorsBest

The Colorful Fabric of Robert Allen

2012-05-15T20:46:14Z

Our first day as a blogger-correspondent to the Spring Market 2012 at the D&D Building is a busy one. We love being with fellow bloggers in the Bloggers Lounge and getting a peek “behind the curtain” is quite exciting. Today we are visiting with one of our all time favorite manufacturers Robert Allen.

Robert Allen drew upon art, nature, history and architecture when coming up with the latest fabrics in the Color Library collection. A leader in the decorative fabric and home furnishings industry, Robert Allen continues to introduce exceptional and inspiring colors and patterns to this collection. Five new fabrics are currently available in the Color Library — Zest, Berry Crush, Saffron, Red Hot and Night Sky.

See how these additions can heat up your interiors in the upcoming summer months.

It isn’t hard to see why Berry Crush is one of Robert Allen’s top sellers. The fabrics in this book are rich, reds and purples.

1. Robert Allen’s Cabin Weave – Berry Crush at DecoratorsBest

2. Robert Allen’s Camp Evergreen – Berry Crush at DecoratorsBest

3. Robert Allen’s MexicanRush – Berry Crush at DecoratorsBest

4. Robert Allen’s Imprezza – Berry Crush at DecoratorsBest

Next book in the Color Library collection is Zest. Zest is a more modern take on design.

1. Robert Allen’s Color Palettes – Zest at DecoratorsBest

2. Robert Allen’s Double Take – Zest at DecoratorsBest

3. Robert Allen’s Color Field – Zest at DecoratorsBest

4. Robert Allen’s Britiah – Zest at DecoratorsBest

Saffron, another look from Robert Allen, is very earthy.

1. Robert Allen’s Katonah – Saffron at DecoratorsBest

2. Robert Allen’s Dashes – Saffron at DecoratorsBest

3. Robert Allen’s Cabin Weave – Saffron at DecoratorsBest

4. Robert Allen’s Country Cabin – Saffron at DecoratorsBest

The Red Hot book of fabrics features classic reds in beautiful prints.

1. Robert Allen’s Azteca – Red Hot at DecoratorsBest

2. Robert Allen’s Way Of Life – Red Hot at DecoratorsBest

3. Robert Allen’s Wave Garden – Red Hot at DecoratorsBest

4. Robert Allen’s Woodhall – Red Hot at DecoratorsBest

The last from Robert Allen’s Color Library collection is Night Sky.

1. Robert Allen’s Nicks Notes – Night Sky at DecoratorsBest

2. Robert Allen’s Vine Street – Night Sky at DecoratorsBest

3. Robert Allen’s Flocked Scroll – Night Sky at DecoratorsBest

4. Robert Allen’s Aztec Wind – Night Sky at DecoratorsBest

See why Robert Allen has been one of the world’s finest fabric manufacturers for over 70 years. Take a look at our extensive collection of Robert Allen fabrics available at DecoratorsBest.com.

Interview with “Globetrotter” John Robshaw

2012-05-15T21:09:00Z

With the commencement of Spring Market 2012, one of the most exciting additions is the new John Robshaw collection with Duralee.

Known for his block-printed textiles and bedding, John Robshaw has now expanded his vision by partnering with Duralee. And what a stunning collection they’ve created together! Wearing one of his signature custom shirts made from his sheeting material, John Robshaw and I had a delightful and stimulating chat. A world traveler with a curious mind and the eye of an artist, he quickly synthesizes everything in his environment and transposes select ethnic inspirations into his world of textiles.

John has a passion for creating new ideas. He is refreshed by visiting art fairs, thrives on experimentation and, more than anything, loves to go out on a limb. He is always searching for something visually stimulating and exciting.

Above: John’s workroom complete with inspiration board and a busy work table.

Combining work and pleasure, John is always on the go. Some of his favorite travel spots include Uzbekestan, where ikats are woven; Lima Peru, for its food and handcrafts; Bolivia, for its authentic ethnic qualities; and India, for its rural and traditional textiles.

John’s home on NY’s lower East side, which he designed, is an amalgam of textiles and ideas, stuffed to the gills by things he’s collected from his travels. His new farmhouse in Western Connecticut also has wonderful woven dhurrie rugs enhancing the environment.

Above: Showroom decorated with John’s fabrics.

The new John Robshaw collection for Duralee is very special to John – it gave him the opportunity to utilize his block printing skills (something he specializes in), and to learn about wovens, which he’s been itching to do. His collection holds true to his global aesthetic with a rustic feel. Slight irregularities in the weaves give each pattern an uneven and hand-loomed look. He is particularly fascinated by the chenilles and created raised patterns that not only provide visual texture, but tactile texture as well.

Above: Printing blocks used to create the exquisite patterns in the new collection.

Jama, a raised chenille, features Chinese persimmons, inspired by an antique Chinese wall hanging.

Duralee Jama (Clockwise from top left): 15438-15, 15438-157, 15438-318, 15438-257, 15438-121, 15438-794.

Chun is another raised chenille, and it resembles a luxurious tree bark.

Duralee Chun (Clockwise from top left): 15441-19, 15441-193, 15441-79, 15441-794, 15441-257, 15441-318.

Tabriz is a crewel with an uneven, hand-woven look, illustrating kaleidoscopic floral images on light linens.

Duralee Tabriz (Clockwise from top left): 32395-15, 32395-193, 32395-19, 32395-318, 32395-121, 32395-31.

The colors John selected for this collection are his typical palette’s staples- earthy tones of umber, khaki, charcoal, and moss green, and vibrant tribal shades of coral, indigo and turquoise. It seems as though John rummaged through piles of fabric at open air markets through his travels and hid his favorites away to create this collection.

Click here to take a look at the entire collection on our site. Happy travels!

Fabric Friday – Pindler & Pindler

2012-05-14T14:47:16Z

Happy Fabric Friday! We love Pindler & Pindler’s eclectic “Bessie – Black” (2688 – Black):

http://www.decoratorsbest.com/prod-Bessie_Black-301416.aspx