When Dorothy Draper, one of the top interior designers in America from the 1920s to the 1960s, decided that big florals in bright colors were the pattern du jour, word spread quickly. Now, half a century later, we still love them! Shop some of our favorites below.
Casabella means “the beautiful house,” and this new collection by York Wallcoverings strives to create just that. Featuring fresh, inviting florals, metallic textures and clean stripes, Casabella II is the perfect set of products to start off your summer.
As you can see from the powder room above, designer Erinn Valencich is a master of pattern. Erinn shared her exclusive advice with DecoratorsBest, suggesting that using traditional patterns on flat items instead of pleated or gathered pieces is a great way to keep florals modern and avoid a “Grandma” look.
Floral patterns in deep hues were all over the runways this spring, and we’re already seeing them pop up in stylish, modern interiors. We love the way that a colorful, feminine floral becomes almost masculine on a black background – the ideal way to satisfy all the members of your household.
During colonial days, canopy beds draped in dense floral fabrics were not only for beauty, but also to stay warm on cold winter nights. Wealthier families used patterns with intricate crewelwork, a hand embroidered embellishment that creates a raised surface on the fabric. Add some early American luxury to your home with a richly-colored crewel, like Schumacher’sPalampore Embroidery.
Although affluent settlers could afford intricate damask fabrics, most families in colonial America decorated walls, furniture, floors and canvas cloth by stenciling damask-like designs onto them. Get the look with a damask wallpaper or fabric that appears to have been stenciled by hand for a hint of colonial charm. We like the simplicity of York’sDistressed Damask Scroll.
Most toiles used by early Americans were produced in Europe. After the American Revolution, the British adapted toile designs exported to America in order to better represent the culture by commonly featuring George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and colonial men in tricorne hats. Pay homage to history with a colonial toile like Stout’sNourished – Robin.
Ticking stripe fabric, or mattress ticking, was popular in early American homes because it offered both durability and decorative interest. Used for everything from clothing to pillowcases, ticking often employed grey, red and blue. In a modern setting, a ticking stripe like Robert Allen’s Oxford Unquilt provides provincial charm and pairs well with checked patterns.
Lee Jofa, one of the interior design world’s top-notch manufacturers of fabric and wallpaper, has a rich and diverse background that has shaped its designs throughout the years. The centuries-old English company is a leading source for exquisite textiles and iconic floral patterns that beautifully meld its historical beginnings with the aesthetics of the present. From timeless to contemporary, Lee Jofa has an array of superior patterns that designers constantly seek to create extra-special looks. Take an inspiring walk with us through this manufacturer’s several divisions, each with its own distinct concept and style.
Acquired by Lee Jofa in 1986, Groundworks is an exciting and contemporary division. This brand features inventive fabrics and wallpapers that are ideal for the trendsetter. Collaborating with popular designers, Groundworks has produced fashion-forward modern weaves, textures and prints worthy of any runway, especially indoor/outdoor fabric Entwine in Mist/Silver, which features dazzling pearl strings embroidered onto a creamy beige fabric. Whether you want to rejuvenate your whole home or simply add a few updated elements, patterns in gilded leopard prints and caramel-hued malachites will make a chic and current statement.
Looking for luxury? Lee Jofa’sThreads division is the epitome of opulence, featuring a wide range of silk, linen, sheers, velvet, wool and chenille. Threads’ exceptional craftsmanship brings a sense of refinement to any space. For a multidimensional and lavish take on the neutral trend, deck your living room with several of their natural-hued fabrics in metallic and textured finishes.
Versatile and diverse in character, Baker Lifestyle’s designs reflect a modern approach to Lee Jofa’s English heritage. To make your life easier, each collection mixes and coordinates with patterns across several collections. One of Baker Lifestyle’s most recent set of prints, Homes & Gardens II, fuses traditional English florals with the vibrant color combinations of Miami. Escape to a tropical world of cultural eclecticism by mixing these large-scale blossom, striped and patchwork patterns in bright blues, lime greens, and navy.
GP&J Baker was founded in 1884 by famed gardener and entrepreneur George Baker and his two sons George Percival and James. The Bakers employed leading Arts & Crafts designers and collected antique block prints along with rare cotton prints from India, creating an extensive library of both archive documents and textile designs. Detailed flowers and naturalistic imagery were translated from hand painted works of art into fabrics and wallpapers applicable for everyday use. Floral chintzes became archetypal of the GP&J Baker house and have endured as their signature style.
GP&J Baker’s greatest accomplishment has been its ability to remain modern while honoring its legacy. Under the direction of Creative Director Ann Grafton, GP&J Baker has updated many of the original textiles with modern colorings to create fabrics and wallpapers that are reminiscent of the Arts & Crafts style and, at the same time, contemporary. Most recently, GP&J Baker has released itsCrayford collection, which features several rich-colored archive documents in fabric and coordinating wallpaper. Read more about these historic textiles to give your decor a classic twist:
Nympheus 1915
Contemporary Office (2013) & Original Block Print Archives (1915) Photos via GP & J Baker
Adopted by Arts & Crafts artist William Turner from a Ming dynasty painted silk scroll, Nympheus depicts drooping lotus leaves sheltering kingfisher birds. This large floral pattern has a mysterious quality that makes it hard to identify as antique, retro, or contemporary. Its distinctive lines and block colors make it relevant to today’s decor.
Original Haite Watercolor (1903) & Contemporary Kitchen (2013) Photos via GP & J Baker
GP & J Baker first used the leading Arts & Crafts artist George C Haite’s watercolor “Leaf Cascading” as a hand-block print in 1903. Haite’s “freely-brushed clusters” of foliage are representative of the artist’s style and flow together like a well-groomed garden. Bring a sense of the English countryside into your home with Leaf Cascadingdrapery or upholstery.
Imperial Pheasant Fabric (2013) & Original Document Sketch (1915) B Photos via GP & J Baker
Designed by Sidney G. Mawson for GP&J Baker in 1915, Imperial Pheasant portrays the contrasting aspects of love and nature by juxtaposing sweet magnolias with poisonous oleander flowers. Originally printed using 72 different blocks and featuring both pheasants and turtle doves, this textile has been revamped to accommodate advanced printing methods. Available as a wallpaper as well as a fabric, Imperial Pheasant’s vivid and on-trend colors enhance the exotic flair of the pheasant, magnolia and oleander flowers. Introduce this print into your polished decor to create a lively atmosphere.
Traditional Drapery (2013) & Original Indian Cotton Hanging (1900s) Photos via GP & J Baker
Originally featured as a plate in George Percival Baker’s 1921 publication Calico Painting and Printing in the East Indies, the “Bamboo Bird” painting was inspired by an 18th century hand painted Indian palampore, or cotton hanging. In 1915, GP&J Baker designer Burn was asked to transform the original painting into a block print. Burn maintained the central motifs and adapted the palampore into a symmetrical trellis. Birds perch along intertwining branches that create a diamondtrellis with an all-over leaf background. This pattern looks stunning in a more traditional setting.
Once synonymous with delicate hand stitching and needlepoint, embroidery has undergone a transformation and is now used in many different ways. Sewn onto upholstery fabrics or featured as trim on an ottoman, embroidery has become increasingly durable and is no longer exclusively used for drapery. Check out these four easy ways to incorporate embroidered fabrics into your decor:
1. Coordinate Seat Cushions & Pillows
Embroidery looks delicate and luxurious but is actually durable enough for both drapery and upholstery applications. Use coordinating embroidered fabrics on seat cushions, pillows, and ottomans to create an exotic sitting area.
Embroidered pillows embellish casual decor and enrich a formal space by adding detailed ornamentation. Whether your style is modern or traditional, embroidered throw pillows will add pizzazz and refine your decor.
Marcus William Haviland – Melon FabricsMarcus William Brussels – Marmelade FabricMarcus William Avignon – Melon FabricMarcus William Ecoleaf – Mango Fabric
3. Accent Drapery Panels
Hang drapery panels with an embroidered edge to give a sophisticated feel to a luxe room, and complement it with embroidered linen fabrics. Love the look of an embroidered curtain but can’t find the perfect fabric? Trim your favorite solid pattern with a wide embroidered tape instead!
Lee Jofa’s GP &J Baker Lifestyle fabrics offer the perfect juxtaposition between casual and formal, creating a beautiful and welcoming entrance. Update your hallway bench with these lovely prints:
GP & J Baker Opera Trellis – Red FabricGP & J Baker Porcelain – Red FabricGP & J Baker Tumbling Leaves – Red Fabric
Spring is officially here, and we at DecoratorsBest have been feeling inspired by budding trees, chirping birds, and buzzing bees. Let Mother Nature inspire you to bring the outdoors inside with these ideas:
Butterflies
The month of May is when caterpillars begin to hatch from their cocoons, emerging as beautiful monarch, painted lady, and blue morpho butterflies. Surround yourself with this elegant and colorful insect by covering the walls of a room with butterfly wallpaper. To make a strong statement, upholster your furniture in a similar fabric.
Schumacher Wallpaper – Birds and Butterflies – Multi on WhiteGraham & Brown FlutterBy – Pearl Wallpaper by Julien MacDonaldSchumacher Fabric – Butterfly – MultiClarke & Clarke – Papillon – Rouge F0473/06
Birds
You know that it’s spring when you wake in the morning to birds singing cheerful tunes to each other and flitting from branch to branch. Bring hummingbirds, sparrows or bluejays into your home with an accent wall covered in bird paper. Add large leafy plants and tree stump end tables to complete the nature-inspired look.
Thanks to April showers, vibrant flowers are in bloom and emitting fragrant scents. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can enjoy bright daffodils, tulips, and bluebells with bold floral wallpapers and fabrics. Punctuate the blossoms with a sofa covered in a punchy blue fabric and silky pastel pillows.
Create an inviting dining room that reflects your individual style by mixing and matching different patterns.
1. Balancing Act: Offset The Scales
Photo via HGTV
Hanging an over sized fretwork wallpaper and upholstering chairs with a small trellis print works beautifully in this space. The tawny color of the chairs picks up on the gold of the wallpaper and the ceiling, and brightens the room. When selecting two strong geometric or trellis patterns, make sure the colors complement each other and the scales are different sizes. Upholstering the back of the dining chairs with a floral softens the room and introduces accent colors. To design a cohesive room, choose a floral fabric that has hints of the same aqua as the wallpaper and use a hot pink trim on the drapery to tie together the floral fabric and artwork.
Recreate your own lively dining room with these fabulous fabrics, trim, and wallpaper:
Schumacher’s Union Square – Citron FabricClarke & Clarke’s Romana – Fuchsia FabricFabricut’s La Luna – Candy TrimNina Campbell’s Stradivari – 04 Wallpaper
2. Playing With Patterns
Photo via HGTV
Center an eclectic and sophisticated dining room with a large, bold ikat fabric. Upholstered onto both sides of the chair, this large ikat provides the color palette for the walls, drapes, and rug. Chose an ikat with several neutral and accent colors. The painted tree enhances the red and yellow accent colors and the aqua molding picks up on the hints of blue green found in the fabric. The rug and the furniture will complement the natural ground color. This idea is perfect for a dining room that opens up into another space since there are many color options to coordinate. Add accent pillows of the same ikat from the dining room to the connected sitting area to unify the adjoining areas.
A bay window is perfect for alternative dining seating; Simply push the table against the window seat and add chairs with seat cushions that match the pillows in the window. Soft grey grasscloth wallpaper and black and whitefloral drapes create a contemporary palette that allows you to switch out colorful pillows and chair cushions each Season. Spice up the black and white decor with zebra accents.
Mix and match your favorite colors and patterns to create a one-of-a-kind dinging room with decor as unique as you! Shop fabrics and wallpapers online at DecoratorsBest.com.
Today, outdoor fabrics are just as exquisite as indoor upholstery and drapery fabrics. They feature a wide array of patterns and textures and can be used in any setting. Take a look at these three stylish ways to incorporate outdoor fabrics into your home.
1. Create An Exotic Guestroom
Trina Turk’s outdoor fabrics transform a small space into a glamorous sitting room that can double as a guest bedroom. This fabulous daybed and canopy is ideal for a guest bedroom and could easily enliven a pool house. Turk’s fabrics will withstand constant use and damp towels, and at the same time create an inviting atmosphere.
A wide red stripe adds a nautical feel to a family room. Get the look of this relaxing room with a durable acrylic fabric that will protect your favorite settee from sticky fingers and wet paws.
Another perk of outdoor fabrics is the lightfastness, or resistance to fading. Use an outdoor fabric to upholster the furniture in an enclosed porch to enjoy the fabric and its colors for years to come.
Photo via Elle Decor
These floral and solid patterns will allow you to relax, worry-free of fading or stains, in your tranquil seaside getaway:
When we think of Parisian apartments we think of elegant old-world buildings with crown molding, floor to ceiling windows, and Louis XVI furniture. Whether you live in a Boston townhouse or an old Victorian home, you can get the look of a Parisian pied-a-terre with traditional French linens, toiles, and damasks. For a fresh take on the classic French textiles, choose colorful pastel patterns to offset the neutral linens. Or decorate your home with neutral beige, tan, and sage green colors for a refined contemporary look.
Lemon & Lilac: Bring Spring Indoors
Photo via House Beautiful
Infuse your home with a cheerful Spring atmosphere. These muted silk, linen, and leather fabrics accented with a vibrant floral will give your decor an energetic update:
Channel your inner Marie Antoinette with a soft pink and cream dining room. Pink silk drapes and walls create a warm and welcoming glow. Timeless French linen chairs with black and whitetoilepillows are an elegant and understated addition to the ornate setting.
Photo via House Beautiful
Get the look of this feminine salon with these linen and silk fabrics, and subdued frette wallpaper:
A painted mural gives this city apartment bucolic charm. Wingback chairs upholstered in an intricate light sage damask enhance the warm sepia tones of the walls and antique wooden furniture. Hang full spun linen curtains to diffuse natural light and give a contemporary edge to the space.
Photo via Elle Decor
Transform your living room and office into a sophisticated study with these linen, damask, and striped fabrics and toile wallpaper:
Robert Allen’s Aro – Snowflake FabricSchumacher’s Maiandros Weave – Oyster FabricRobert Allen’s Elise Damask – Sprig FabricSchumacher’s Jones Toile – Sepia Wallpaper
It’s a bitter cold day that has chilled you to the bone. What would be better than settling down in a warm, cozy room with a hot beverage? Just about nothing. Think of comfort as the new benchmark of luxury. If you’re looking for design ideas to start the New Year off right, be they rustic or romantic, keep in mind the importance of creating a space that exudes warmth.
Nothing conveys warmth as convincingly and effortlessly as the buttery texture of velvet. Try using it on sofas, chaise lounges and chairs.
Photo via Pinterest
Greenhouse 99384 – Carnation Fabric at DecoratorsBest
Greenhouse 97426 – Giallo Fabric at DecoratorsBest
Greenhouse A1792 – Terracotta Fabric at DecoratorsBest
Greenhouse 10284 – Vitality Red Velvet Fabric at DecoratorsBest
B. Berger 1235 – Hickory Fabric at DecoratorsBest
Ryan Studio Giorgio – Caramel Pillow 14X20
Rich red plaid fabric on the walls creates the feeling of being wrapped in a warm blanket. Add ornate fabrics containing a similar shade of red to ottomans and pillows to round out the look.
Photo via Pinterest
Fabricut Mallomars – Brick Fabric at DecoratorsBest
Scalamandre Highland Fling – Reds and Pink Fabric at DecoratorsBest
Robert Allen Katakira – Plum Fabric at DecoratorsBest
If you’re cozying up to the idea of adding warmth to your home this winter, check out more cuddly fabrics at DecoratorsBest.
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