I’m going through an Ikat period. Ask anyone who’s seen me lately, and they’ll tell you I keep trying to mix Ikat patterns in to every project. I like the real, antique ones (who doesn’t?), the reproductions, cheap enough to use with abandon, and especially the newest fabrics that take a bit of the Ikat graphic punch, clean it up, and use it in a fresh, new way. Since the textiles are so ancient, there are Ikat-weave fabrics in many cultures around the world, so there must be an Ikat for every occasion. This obsession has been with me for a very, very long time, but in recent years I’m finding the bright modern Ikats on the market today just perfect for my work at the beach. Plus, they are becoming more popular, so each market there seem to be more and more to choose from. With unique and colorful versions from Madeleine Weinrib, Brunschwig & Fils, China Seas, and even some we offer at Posh, we may have more Ikats in design than we can handle in the immediate future. I hope this doesn’t create a “trend” that will one day be “over”; I hate when that happens to something I really love. So enjoy them, but a word of caution to clothing manufacturers and big chain stores – please give us Ikat-lovers a break, and don’t overdo it!
And here’s some more Ikat eye-candy: Continue Reading »
Color Rendering of Layla's Design for a Privacy Trellis and Plantings
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Go to Greg Sisson Real Estate FB page, like his page and then post that you vote for Layla’s outdoor design!
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When you shop for upholstered furniture, what are you really getting? If we listen to manufacturers and sales clerks, all of the sofas are wonderful and they’ll last forever. So many of us have had the experience of buying a new sofa only to be disappointed a few years later by flattened cushions, sagging springs and a torn cover. It’s difficult to tell how well a piece of furniture is made by inspecting it from the outside. To find a good sofa or chair, you need an interior designer, and you’ll need to know what questions to ask.
What about springs? The best have always been 8-way hand tied springs. In this construction, large coil springs are attached at the top and bottom to tight webbing, and tied to each other in every direction. The jute webbing and waxed twine used are soft materials that minimize squeaking. Since the springs are attached directly to the wood sofa frame, the frame has to be strong to stand up to the pressure – hardwood such as oak or maple is preferred. Corners should have blocks glued and screwed into place so the frame stays square for years. 8-way hand-tied springs are labor intensive and take a lot of skill, so they are found on the best quality pieces.
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