Friday, September 9, 2011

BURNING BRIGHT: THE FLAME STITCH

The flame stitch has finally moved beyond your grandfather's wing chair. It first arrived on the scene in 16th century from Italy, where it made its way to French and English interiors. It has been re-interpreted in fresh, modern day colors with a funky twist as chevrons, zig zags, and wily lightning strikes. Here is a look at the evolution of the pattern, and how it has gone from ho hum to so fun.

Flamestitch flasks in brights for men with style from Jonathan Adler

Photo courtesy of Osborne and Little
An electric zig zag wallpaper, Volte Face, from Osborne and Little

Photo courtesy of New England Rug Co
Kouri Composition Rug from The New England Rug Collection

Bargello pillows in vivid needle points from Jonathan Adler

Photo courtesy of Trina Turk
Trina Turk's outdoor pillow in a swirly mod flame stitch from Tonic Home

Photo courtesy of Dash and Albert
Steps wool hooked carpet from Dash and Albert

Holland Flamestitch in berry, a cotton blend from Lee Jofa

F.Schumacher's Shock Wave silk velvet in platinum

A cut velvet flamestitch pillow from the new Nancy Price Collection for Design Legacy

Photo courtesy of Hammocks and High Tea
For graphic punch in black and white, there is the Sumba Collection linen and cotton pillow from Hammocks and High Tea

Photo courtesy of Vervain
Ishtar from Barry Dixon for Vervain


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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    Thanks for the post and resources on flamestitch! Happy to see these patterns again.

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  2. Kate DickersonSeptember 9, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    Thanks, Marisa - I particularly love JA's needlepoint flasks - maybe not for men only : )

    Also, my personal fav's the Missonis, were and are modern-day revivers of the flame stitch. I posted about them here:
    http://discoveryourjoiedevivre.blogspot.com/2010/07/missoni-and-synesthesia.html

    and here:
    http://discoveryourjoiedevivre.blogspot.com/2010/08/missonis-influence-on-contemporary.html

    Enjoy! And thanks, as always, for your wonderful posts. Best, Kate

    ReplyDelete
  3. Leslie FineSeptember 12, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    Among my first "grown up" acquisition of furniture were two bergere chairs upholstered in a flamestitch fabric. Your post really brings back memories . . .

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  4. mlbdesignSeptember 13, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    I have always LOVED flamestitch from the first time I saw an antique wingback covered in a gorgeous needlepoint flamestich..Love how they have moved with us into today's design options- not reserved for grandparents and period antiques anymore!! love the reference to Missoni above...a perfect example of young and fresh and timeless as well!
    Cheers!
    Meredith

    ReplyDelete