Vintage Scarf Chair

Hi Girlfriends,

Thanksgiving is behind us........but not the leftovers. The flavors just seem to get better and better too.

I was given the Chicago issue of LUXE Magazine, Vol 2 Issue 4 from our Kravet showroom and it shows the following chair done in vintage designer scarves. This chair can be seen at Susan Fellman Showroom, Los Angeles. Very unique concept.

Here is what Luxe has to say about Susan Fellman:

"For as long as she can remember, Los Angeles - based designer Susan Fellman has been collecting vintage desginer scarves. Evolving form a signature accessory to the creation of pllows, the idea has since taken on a life of its own, most recently in the form of her Reserved Seating collection. Each one-of-a-kind chair is engineered to fit three scarves -- which come form such labels as YSL, Channel and Hermes -- and is fitted with tapered Lucite legs."



Susan Fellman says: "In coordinating the scarves, I am playing with patterns, colors, and eras. Putting three scarves together--that's the magic."

It is understandable why Susan's Los Angeles showroom has become a style destination-!!

Talk again,
Denise & Gwen

Kravet Fabrics Blog w/ Barbara Berry

Hi Girlfriends.

Kravet fabrics has a blog, INSPIRED.TALK, by Steve Noble. He is very knowledgeable and I read him all the time. Right now he is featuring our all time creative fabric girl, Barbara Berry. Not only is she creative with her furniture, accessories and fabrics, but she is tall, thin and BEAUTIFUL...........sigh-!

The following is Steve Noble and his interview with Barbara Berry.



INSPIRED.Barbara Barry

Barbara Barry is enchanting. During our recent conversation about all matters design, marketing and philosophy, I was admittedly “Barbara-ized.” Her spell is effortlessly charming – you will understand why, as you read on...

SN: How do you describe the essence of your brand?
BB: The essence of my brand is truly American…free to synthesize all I have learned and to bring that to a way of living with ease and grace. I design around the rituals of daily life – the physical, emotional and sensual – and strive to awaken in my clients the appreciation of these acts which, when supported with good design, can be transformative. My clients then experience the world in a different way and come back for more.

SN: Who is your typical client?
BB: My clients have intense full lives and they want their homes to support and nurture them; even if they are in them for a night or two. They are global. They generally have more than one residence and each residence is designed to serve them in this way wherever they are. They are accustomed to a certain level of comfort and luxury, which is revealed as much in the small details as the large. We provide an intimate service to our clients; one that touches every part of their lives and once they experience this, they want it throughout their lives.

SN: How did you build your brand?
BB: One step at a time… and loving each step. I put all I have into each step. I believe you either are a brand or you are not. It is in everything you do.

SN: What did you do to establish the reputation of your brand and keep it?
BB: 1. Care. Taking care of all relationships; with clients and with companies.
2. Standards. Working from a strong ethical stance.
3. Giving. 110%, whatever the budget.

SN: What business practices support the success of your brand?
BB: Always telling the truth. My opinion as a designer is the most valuable virtue that I have, and I strive to know it and own it. Believing in the essence of my brand – my philosophy – gives authenticity to my voice.

SN: How do you balance professional life with personal life?
BB: I strive to think right and by that I mean always coming from a place of gratitude. No complaining is allowed. I try to see obstacles as opportunities. I take time away. I rest. I eat right. I try to be in nature as nature renews me.

SN: What do you see as you look ahead to '09?
BB: I look forward to going deeper in the relationships that I have built. I am fortunate to have been asked to do a new collection with almost every licensee I have, even the longest standing ones, which, for me, is a great definition of success. So, for me now, it is all about how I do what I do (with care, standards and giving). I would love to author a book to share with others my journey. And there is nothing better than the philosophy of your life to guide your work and therefore your future. Thank you so much for thinking of me for this interview.

We thank Kravet Fabrics, Steve Noble and Barbara Berry for giving us the opportunity to read about their fabrics, and having such notable and gifted guests...........which we will share with you all from time to time.

TALK AGAIN,
DENISE & GWEN

Bay Window Treatments

Hi Girlfriends,
As we are now into November, it is time to begin thinking about what we want to do for window treatments after the Holidays. When doing Bay Window treatments, the secret to success is to look at the window as a whole, and not as a series of seperate windows.





The Curtain Book, A Sourcebook for Distinctive Curtains, Drapes and Shades for Your Home.
Caroline Clifton-Mogg and Melanie Faine
Photography by Fritz von er Schulenburg

This formal treatment works very well for this Bay Window with the apartment grand piano. We love the idea of the caned loveseat in place of a piano bench-!! The swags and tails of this Bay Window composition hang directly from the ceiling moldings. The symmetrical double tails in the center are toped with rosettes, while the longer and broader outer tails have rosettes on the corners. The draperies themselves are each caught by a simple rope secured behind the tails. The mushroom lning and darkers brown trim work well with the cream.



Denise: If the wooden frames are narrow, it might be appropriate to use just a single pair of draperies, one at each side.

Gwen: HOWEVER, a large window with wide, heavy looking wooden bverticals at each division would look better hung with intermediate draperies that would serve to cover the unseemly expanse of wood and corrrect the overall proportions.

Talk again,
Denise and Gwen