Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Porcelain Prints




Novelty prints- those prints whose themes are so unique that they can't be categorized- often get a bad rap, and sometimes rightly so. Many times the prints are cutesy, childish, strange, or just plain bad. One type of novelty print that does at times catch my eye is that which depicts porcelain. Perhaps it's my love of porcelain that draws me to these prints, but porcelain prints can be quite lovely.

Take
Manuel Canovas's "Ming" linen (above)- to me, this print is quite sophisticated. Or "Precious Cargo" by Scalamandre- this wallpaper could work quite well in the right (traditional) home. A drawback to these prints? Be careful- porcelain prints can veer into twee territory quite quickly.


A powder room designed by Elaine Griffin. The plate print fabric on the walls is by Stroheim.


"Precious Cargo" wallpaper by Scalamandre


"Francie & Grover" fabric by Carleton Varney. I know many of you are thinking "Is she for real?". Yes, this is a little too cute and corny, but someone with a great sense of humor (and a love of Staffordshire dogs) could definitely pull this one off.


"Sheffield" wallpaper by Thibaut. To me, this is a versatile and fresh print.


The entrance hall at Haseley Court, Oxfordshire- the home of Nancy Lancaster. Notice the chair with the blue and white porcelain fabric, as well as real blue and white porcelain displayed through out.


This glazed chintz which depicts porcelain, tables, and umbrellas is modern, graphic, and crisp. And to think that David Hicks designed this room!

Image at top: Manuel Canovas's "Ming" linen on the walls of the Creel apartment (photo from Elle Decor, photographed by Simon Upton)

25 comments:

  1. Wow, great detective work tracking down that Hicks room! He makes the print seem so mod. I love how the branches in porcelain work against the wallpaper, top. Also, I like how you brought in that Lancaster chair :)

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  2. I love the porcelain print from Manuel Canovas that I found the other week.
    http://pigtown-design.blogspot.com/2007/09/looong-weekend.html It's got a picture of the fabric.

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  3. Thanks Courtney! It wasn't easy finding images of these prints in actual installations.

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  4. Fairfax- How did I miss that post??!! Great print :)

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  5. I love the Hicks room! I recently saw a photo of a kitchen that was wallpapered in the same print, but now I can't remember where!?! If anyone knows please post.

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  6. Ronda- Now that you mention it I think I know what you're talking about. If only I could remember...

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  7. Perfect the way it is upholstered in the David Hicks room. It almost becomes abstract when applied to curving soft surfaces.

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  8. Brilliant- That's a good (brilliant!) point. I think the Hicks room is one of my favorites.

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  9. Fantastic wallpapers, thanks for always introducing me to new designs.

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  10. Anonymous11:47 AM

    Real plates on wallpaper depicting plates? It's giving me a plate hangover.

    -pt

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  11. PT-Too many plates for you?? :)

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  12. I think novelty prints and fabrics have their place but it takes a very skilled designers to use them at their best. As always you've picked some great examples. I never had the guts or the willing client to really be able to go for it. I love using novelties on pillows or chairs, they're easy to sneak in. Nice Post, Thanks

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  13. LOOOOVE the Sheffield print. Great post!

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  14. Jackie- In the wrong hands novelties prints can be a horror! But on little accents, such a pillows, the right print can be quite charming!

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  15. Design for Mankind- I like that one too b/c I think it's young and fresh.

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  16. Do, and have always loved the Ming.

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  17. Here's another vote for the David Hicks room. He is so timeless.

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  18. Anonymous8:59 AM

    one of my faves: ming from pierre frey. http://www.pierrefrey.com/en/produits/Printemps2007.htm

    the stripes are arranged so the repeat is every few columns, so it looks more natural and you don't get the same stack one after the other, which would be quite boring.

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  19. Anonymous- That is a great print. I also like your point about the repeat making the print look more natural. You're right- the same stack over and over would get very boring :)

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  20. Anonymous8:10 PM

    I have two wing chairs that I have reupholstered several times over the last 25 years. In their last reincarnation, they wore gorgeous prints of blue and white porcelain vases and bowls on a coral ground. They were like butterflies on our dark teak floors.

    They don't go in my small, NY house anymore, but I can't bear to part with them. They are covered with plastic in the garage until I figure them out.

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  21. Loretta- Those chairs sound divine, so I understand why you can't part with them! :)

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  22. I am just having some cushions made up for a client in the Ming Linen as we speak! I adore this fabric - it is so striking. I also LOVE that fabric from Clarence house in the last image - I recently tried to order some wallpaper in this design however, I was advised that it is discontinued. What a shame!
    XX
    Anna

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  23. Anna- Oh no! I love that print. Why are the great prints always discontinued? :(

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  24. Manuel Canovas loves to dot his kind of prints.
    it looks great

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