BERMINGHAM AND COMPANY HAS IKATS COVERED

If you are in New York or have plans to visit, make sure you stop by Bermingham and Company at 243 East 60th Street. In addition to having nicely scaled, pretty antiques, they have the Ikat market cornered, offering over 100 ikat designs in glorious colors. Ikats were traditionally woven in Uzbekistan as clothing fabrics, so the widths were narrow. Most silk widths are between 16 and 18 inches wide, with a few available that are up to 27 inches. Bermingham is one stop shopping since they have their own workroom, where they can turn out pillows, festive lampshades, headboards and upholstery. Designers can decide to match the seams or not, depending on the whether they want the random pattern or matching design. A burst of color makes a neutral interior more lively and ikat gives your home that de rigeur global glamour.


The wall o' Ikats is like standing in front of candy jars at a Penny Candy Store. What should I get?!


Rich jewel tones and brights mean endless options


The circle pattern is a favorite of mine for its clean design and pop of color against the white ground. Their drum shades fly out the door


The square shade is a unique shape, and it gives any lamp a new lease on life


Pillows tossed on a floral sofa would add a kicky jolt


Contrast border colors tie a room scheme together

SPIN THE COLOR WHEEL

I recommend starting with the rug when doing a room scheme-- in this case, bring in some great textural wovens to make the ikat pattern the star.


















An antique chair upholstered in a soft ikat is ready to go

PAGODA LOVE

I have a pagoda logo and find I am constantly drawn to all things chinoiserie. I just can't seem to get enough, whether it is from old books, fabrics, or archives. It is time for a pagoda round up because Eastern influences are always inspiring, and Hutton Wilkinson has a new book coming out on Tony Duquette this fall. Called More is More, it will surely satisfy your Duquette cravings!

Photo Courtesy of Coleen and Co
Coleen and Company has a custom made Garden Pagoda, with Chinese Chippendale walls with a painted metal scallop edged rooftop. This is the ultimate garden folly.

Photo Courtesy of Jack and Lulu
Jack and Lulu has fancy Gold Pagoda Flat Notes for jotting a thank you.
Photo Courtesy of Lunt
The Lunt NYBG Pagoda Teapot with red handle is highly covetable.

Photo Courtesy of Bungalow 5
Bungalow 5 has their Brighton Lamp. I have shown this before but cannot resist showing it again!

Photo Courtesy of WS Home
Williams Sonoma Home has new Pagoda Scroll Embroidered Bedding that is already on sale! The shade of blue is wonderfully serene.

MORE GIFT SHOW GREATS: SHELL GURU KAREN ROBERTSON DEBUTS AT THE NY SHOW

Having shown at the Atlanta Gift Show for a few years, Karen finally decided it was time to bring her world of natural wonder to New York! I have written about her before, and her fantastic shell boxes, faux tortoise shells and pastel pillows. New shell items, sea life, maps and vintage books graced her booth-- a veritable cabinet of curiosities. See her handmade treasure trove at The Karen Robertson Collection. Her creative energy is boundless, and she gets her cues from the natural world. She is a stickler for quality, and all her things are handmade in the USA with tender loving care. Her work has a large green component, since she is reusing found materials, and using vintage books and maps to create something new.

Photos Courtesy of Karen Robertson
Summer is spent on Buzzards Bay in Massachusetts, where Karen escapes the Florida heat. Her genius studio in a tent is the ultimate warm weather hideaway. Talk about being inspired by your surroundings--this is heavenly. Her tent provides a civilized creative getaway where she can relax and generate new ideas.


A daybed for reverie in shell- adorned surroundings make it easy to get in the creative flow.



Winters are spent in Ponta Vedra Beach, FL. Her serene and soothing home there is decorated with her framed sea fans, shell encrusted obelisks and ultra suede icon pillows. Her love of shells runs deep, and she is constantly coming up with stunning new ways to incorporate them into her work.



Handmade shell finials make a mantel complete

The new framed maps of Rome circa 1843 are a fun addition. The prints look great hung in multiples



Shells take on a modern look when mounted on a sleek brushed stainless steel caliper stand



An embellished Ostrich Egg with bugs, butterflies and leaves on stand mixes in well on a bookshelf



The decoupage eggs come with a lobster, coral and octopus designs, seen here with her new paper covered books



Vintage books by the yard covered in marbleized paper were another hit at the show


The red and green marbled paper books have a holiday feel. Yes, I said holiday--it is not too early to start thinking about gift ideas.



The books have a cut out box which Karen calls, "a box in a book", perfect for hiding something secret...

STYLEBEAT LAUNCHES A NEW SERIES: TRADE SECRETS

Go behind the scenes with interior designers, creative influencers, and fabulous stylemakers. Today, Stylebeat launches Trade Secrets, a new must-read series taking you inside the personalities and world of great design. Get to know what the movers and shakers are up to, see how they live, and where they work.
First up, Alexa Hampton...

IF YOU LIVE IN CALIFORNIA VISIT THE AMAZING DEBORAH SHARPE LINENS SALE IN LA

King sheets, queen sheets, full sheets, twin sheets, duvet covers, king shams, euroshams, standard shams, king pillowcases, standard pillowcases, boudoir shams, baby blankets, baby sheets...

at the

SUPER INVENTORY SALE!
First time ever at Deborah Sharpe Linens!

Tuesday, August 18 - Saturday, August 22.
10:00am - 5:00pm
7401 Beverly Blvd
(Corner of Beverly Blvd & Martel Ave)

THANK YOU DECORATI

Photo Courtesy of Decorati
Recently Decorati's Shane Reilly asked me to provide commentary on an interior design project by Kathryn Waltzer for Decorati Access, the online magazine. I really enjoyed the process, and the results can be seen by clicking here: California Classic.

WINDOW DRESSING: TODD ROMANO SHOWS BOB COLLINS WALLPAPERS IN A PEACH AND TURQUOISE VIGNETTE

I love that Todd Romano is carrying Bob Collins wallpaper in his showroom. The first time I saw it was in LA at Keith McCoy and Associates and I was hooked. Bob Collins and Sons Bamboo and Birds wallpaper graces the walls here in a peachy tone, and if you really want to go all out, there is a coordinating fabric. Where does Bob hail from? Palm Beach, natch.

STYLEBEAT BRINGS YOU MORE GIFT SHOW GREATS: CELESTINA HOME LAUNCHES

Celestina, doyenne of the shell clutch and chic jewels often seen on Vivre, has launched a home collection. If you love rare and glamorous materials such as shell, shagreen, and semi precious stones you will clamor for this collection. Gutsy and bold, her line of tables, frames and boxes with French 40's touches brings fashion home.

FURNITURE

Chic shagreen



Shagreen and metal are mixed in this diminutive side table


Inlay and shagreen on a cube end table





PICTURE FRAMES













DISPLAY BOXES

Poppy pink shagreen combined with green turbo shells



Stone inlaid boxes with brass trim. Brass is back in a big way.




















Photos Courtesy of Celestina Home
A realistic looking leaf tray in sterling silver