Graphically Speaking

... in black and white, many choices abound. 

Clean, crisp, soft or masculine- graphics can lead you most anywhere.

Of course, I had to insert a bit of or into the black and white. Kubus by Pierre Frey was inspired by a folding screen. 

Bangkok by Pierre Frey- an embroidered sheer

Zadig fabric by Elitis

Graphic patterns aren't just limited to fabrics- check out these rugs.

 Cadrys' Moroccan rug designed by David Hicks

 Loving this rug design- Everest by Hali

 Fuori Tempo by the Italian company, I&I

 Ibiza in chocolate- an Oscar de la Renta dhurrie by Elson & Company

Love this one too: Persian by Designer Rugs

Go for graphics on the walls... with stencils that are totally do-able if you patient and precise. 

Here are a few from Royal Design Studio.

One of the new patterns from RDS' African Collection- Circle of Life.

So cool!

Here Melanie stenciled an elegant "floorcloth" on the back of sheet vinyl! 

Get the lowdown here.

Cutting Edge Stencils also offers a fab selection of graphic stencils.

What is your favorite graphic medium?

[1-2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9-10]

Botanical Beauties

Botanical collections- proudly displayed...

A different kind of botanical display is of chintzed cotton from Pierre Frey and the company's collaboration with Deyrolle, the taxidermy house on Rue du Bac in Paris, which has an unparalled collection of ancient school blocks composed of flowers, fruits and trees in their archives.

Arboretum fabric

Prairie fabric

Verger fabric

Arboretum fabric used to create a garden party dress by designer Michelle Smith for her Milly collection.

The pièce de résistance of botanical beauties is the work of Christopher Marley. His creations are amazing.  Christopher's  insects themselves, and the designs they comprise, evoke feelings of structure, mechanics and form rather than slithering and clicking. Christopher says: "I consider myself more of a designer than an artist, more of a storyteller than an author."  

There are also numerous images that have been licensed from his botanical works of art. Pheromone: The Insect Artwork of Christopher Marley is his first book, with a second book soon to be released.

Do you have any displayed botanicals in your home?

[1-2,3-7,8]

Unconventional Toile

Toile seems to be everywhere these days. Walls, drapery, accessories... you name it, it's there. 

Today, I think I'll take the sofa and handbag in traditional red and white.

Pierre Frey

Longchamp