Time to Revisit Laura Ashley?

Laura Ashley has not been on my radar for many years. In fact, the last time I really gave any serious thought to the line was back in childhood when I wore those long printed dresses (yes, we cringe now, but they were very cute "back then"). I also remember having some sweet Laura Ashley lamps in my childhood bedroom. Fast forward to a few years ago when a designer friend had some pillows made for me in a seriously chic solid black chintz- I was shocked to hear that the fabric was Laura Ashley. After the shock wore off though, I didn't give the line a second thought.

Well, perhaps we should take a fresh look at Laura Ashley. Yes, the line is still quite heavy on florals, but they have so many other prints that could work well in more sophisticated interiors. In fact, many of them look a bit like Robert Kime prints. The thing about Laura Ashley prints is that they're quiet- they don't scream for attention. But after years of having bold prints in the headlines, perhaps it's time for something a little more subtle. And really, what is more subtle than a Laura Ashley print?

(Laura Ashley fabric available through Kravet)


"Escot" in Lapis


"Tilbury" in Quartz


"Briston" in Mulberry


"Jezabelle" in Crimson


"Galley Bay" in Chambray


"Raj Paisley" in Colonial

Image at top: "Spice Island" in Coral

Six Degrees of Separation

Meg Braff used Cowtan & Tout's "Floral Toile" in the bedroom above (House Beautiful 5/06). It was also used by Markham Roberts in this bedroom:



Roberts worked for many years for Mark Hampton:



Who worked for Sister Parish and Albert Hadley



Who used "La Portugaise" fabric in Brooke Astor's Library



Which was also used for curtains by Keith Irvine



Whose favorite fabric is B&F's "Le Lac"



Which was also used by Meg Braff

Sticking with What You Love

I think that each and every one of us has one
design-related thing that we return to over and over again. For me, it's Chinoiserie. For others, it might be toile, floral prints, or painting a room chocolate brown. "It" (whatever that may be) is a reflection of our personal style and is something that we should embrace.

For Caroline Herrera Jr., it is ticking, particularly that by Ian Mankin, that is her love. Luckily for Herrera, ticking is classic, chic, and easy to work with. Still, this fabric is a common thread throughout her homes. In the image above (Domino, Spring/Summer '05), Herrera has chosen a beautiful Mankin striped print in soft shades of red to give her Madrid bedroom a feeling of coziness.

The same Mankin print is also found on a Louis XVI sofa at her country home in Extremadura, Spain (featured in Vogue Living, Fall/Winter 2007).



And another Mankin ticking on a Spanish Empire daybed



And ticking is not only loved by Herrera Jr., but by her mother as well. Here it is in a pretty shade of blue in Caroline Herrera's Manhattan sitting room (Domino, Sept '06)

The Latest and Greatest Fabrics and Trims

Houlès Trim

The devil is in the detail... but in this case the detail is divine! I've met very few trims that I didn't like, but Houlès, for me, is the ultimate. Is it the firm' s history? The fact that it is French? Perhaps it's the amazing beauty and craftsmanship. I'm particularly taken with their new Beaugency collection. I think the shapes are exquisite and modern. These are not your grandmother's tassels and trims. I also love this particular colorway- the purple and yellow look so rich together. The nice thing about many of Houlès' trims is that they're fresh looking, both in color and design. They would look great with the most traditional or contemporary of fabrics.

John Stefanidis Fabrics

I've long admired the elegant and timeless interiors of London based designer John Stefanidis. But why was his fabric line not on my radar? The gorgeous fabrics, made primarily of cotton and silks, have such rich prints. And, while many of the prints are inspired by antique prints and textiles, they seem very "right now" to me.


"Chinese Clouds" in Cobalt


"Puccini" in terracotta and blue


"Josephine" in red and gold


"Jaisilmir" in Charcoal

Devine Fabric

One of the most striking photos in the House & Garden article on Aerin Lauder's Long Island home is that of the master bedroom- the fabric on the walls and the bedding is just "devine". Michael Devine, that is.

Devine is the creative mind behind his eponymous line of fabrics. What makes the line so striking is that the fabric is hand blocked, which emphasizes the hand stenciled, loving hands look of the designs. But there is nothing homespun about these fabrics- they are truly sophisticated and to me, a bit reminiscent of the work of the late, great Alan Campbell. Others must agree as Devine's line has been accepted into the prestigious Mason et Objet Editeurs show in Paris in early 2008.

And lest you think Devine only devotes his attention to fabrics, he also has an amazing looking shop in Kinderhook, NY (a shop that I hope to someday visit in person). If you're not in the market for fabric, definitely visit his online shop which carries all sorts of stylish home accessories including ice buckets, wastebaskets, and other wares which incorporate Devine's divine fabric.


Some of Devine's charming prints


"Garden Folly" in lemon (which is, big surprise, one of my favorite Devine prints!)


"Bagatelle" in Sea


"Fretwork" in Scarlet


"Pavillion Stripe" in Peony and String


"Celeste" in Delft


A view of the facade of Michael Devine Home in Kinderhook, NY


Ice buckets in the "Bagatelle" print, available on Devine's online shop


(Image at top: Photo of Aerin Lauder's Long Island bedroom. Wall and bedding fabric in "Gramercy" by Michael Devine. Photo courtesy of House & Garden; photographer François Halard).

Quiet English Elegance

I've long had a love of all things English- perhaps it's a result of having grown up in a family of Anglophiles. Lately, however, I've been particularly drawn to the British homes that I've seen featured in various magazines. I don't really know why. Perhaps it was the "Anglomania" exhibit at the Costume Institute last year? Or perhaps the whole English look just feels "right" right now.


I'm especially taken with this London flat, designed by Robert Kime. Yes, the home is somewhat formal and grand, but to me it seems comfortable nonetheless. The walls in the main room (which consists of living, dining, and music areas) are a custom color created by Kime- he likens the blue/gray/rose color to a three-week-old bruise! Despite the sickly connotation of this comparison, the walls are a perfect backdrop for the fine antiques and richly patterned fabrics that are used here. Of course, the fabrics are sublime, but one would expect that from Kime, who is also a textile designer. What I find interesting is that used on their own these prints can be rather bold and a bit distracting, but here they are really quite subtle. The mix seems to give the flat a depth of character, and isn't that really what good design is all about?


The living area of the main room with the bruise colored walls.


The dining area of the main room shows Kime's deft use of pattern (I believe the dining chairs are upholstered in Kime's "Peacock" ikat print, the sofa to the right in "Chenille Stripe", and the sofa on the back wall is in "Long Runner"). The narrow mirrors hanging on either side of the portrait were added to create "internal architecture", according to Kime.


A very orderly and symmetrical vignette.


More images of the flat. Note the top right picture which shows the extremely modern and minimal kitchen in the background. Quite a contrast from the rest of the home.

Image at top: The music room area of the main room with a Flemish tapestry on the wall. The chairs are upholstered in Kime's "Harlequin" print.

(All images from the October issue of British House & Garden; Simon Upton photographer)

Gray and White Matter

I've got gray and white on the brain. It's everywhere lately! And what is more classic than this color combination? It can be crisp and tailored, cool and glamorous, or moody and mysterious. Think Dior's Paris salon, Mary McDonald's former bedroom, Charlotte Moss' Pagoda logo for The Townhouse, or a glam set from a 1930s movie. It's a fail-safe mix of color (or might that be non-color?) that is always chic.

(For information on Dior's glorious rue Royale apartment, see the article from the October issue of Elle Decor)


"Fioretti" wallpaper from Cole and Son- a perfect combination of gray, white, and a bit of black


Mary McDonald's bedroom (a perennial favorite) that was inspired by Dior's salon.


Gray and white vintage cabinet available at Coleen and Company


"Portobello", a grisaille handpainted wallcovering from Paul Montgomery Studio


"French Paisley" fabric in gray and white, from the Suzanne Rheinstein collection for Lee Jofa


20th c. Duchesse Brisée available at William Ockham

Image at top: This gallery in Château de Tanlay has walls painted with grisaille trompe l'oeil images. (Photo courtesy of World of Interiors)

Some Advice from Charlotte

Attention all of you Charlotte Moss fans- check out the Nov/Dec issue of Southern Accents. The magazine has a great interview with the design legend in which she dishes on designers who have inspired her (Tony Duquette and Renzo Mongiardino), favorite furniture styles, and holiday decoration. Moss also gives the reader great advice on how to live stylishly and graciously (something which in my opinion Moss has more than mastered).

I thought I would share a few of Moss' favorite fabrics, some of which are also favorites of mine. But the part I really love? Check out Moss' skirt in the photo above- it's a custom fabric that incorporates Moss' iconic pagoda motif!


"La Riviere Enchantee" by Pierre Frey


"Jardinieres and Citrus Trees" by de Gournay- a beautiful handpainted silk fabric


"Digby's Tent"- designed by Charlotte Moss for Brunschwig & Fils

Image at top: Charlotte Moss in her Manhattan shop. Photo courtesy of Southern Accents. Photographer: Brooke Slezak