The Textile Company

TEXTILE TALK: TRIMMINGS WITH SHARON CASH AT FABRICUT INC

Jessica Fitzgibbon — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 01:06:21 +0000

TEXTILE TALK: TRIMMINGS
WITH SHARON CASH AT FABRICUT INC.

S Harris Halo Collection

Meet Sharon Cash, the creative force behind the trimmings for all of the Fabricut Inc brands, including Trend, Fabricut, S Harris. Stroheim and Vervain. Over the past twenty-five years, Sharon’s trimmings have been featured in Veranda, House Beautiful, and Luxe.

Sharon earned a Bachelor degree from Philadelphia College of Textiles and a Masters in Textile Science from Clemson University. In addition to her work with Fabricut, Sharon has designed and developed trimming collections for trimming mills around the globe. Sharon derives much of her inspiration from fashion, travel, art and nature. She has four children and resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her husband of 29 years.

We caught up with Sharon to discover more about the design process and her tips on using trims…

Textile Co: Why do you think trimmings are so important in interiors and what are some tips on how to use and where?

Sharon: Trimmings are important in interior design because they have the ability to move color to different locations throughout a space.

For example, you can feature one color from a multicolored chair fabric by matching it to a tape color and applying it along the leading edge of a drapery. Another way to really create a custom look is to extend the tape across the bottom edge of the drapery, which draws the eye to a specific color within a rug in the room.

Multi-colored and wider tapes often work best when kept vertically along the leading edge of the draperies. Narrower, solid trims, on the other hand, add a unique touch when turned along the bottom edge of the drapery. A great tip to remember when placing a tape along the leading edge or bottom edge of a drapery is to use the width of the tape as your guide: inset the tape one full trim width or 1/2 trim width from the fabrics edge.

S Harris- Franja trim

Franja is handcrafted and dip-dyed in India

Textile Co: Where do you get your inspiration from when designing trims? What comes first – the design or how it will be applied?

Sharon: My inspiration comes from four main sources: fashion, travel, art and nature. I am also fascinated by smart and visually inspiring advertising. I like to identify what makes an ad successful. I always have a huge stack of magazines and art books that I am working my way through.

Pinterest is very intuitive to me – the other designers I work with are always surprised when I’m able to show them things they can do on Pinterest because they are used to me being pretty inept when it comes to anything remotely ‘techie’. But the design most definitely comes first. I see design ideas in everything. I never know exactly what will become a trimming, but in the past I have used everything from magazine tears or photographs of architecture, to street grates, butterfly wings, and even cantaloupe rinds.

Textile Co: We see trends in fabrics and wallpapers, do you believe there is a trend with trims? If so what do you forecast for 2021?

Sharon: Trimmings take inspiration from all the same places as fabrics and wallcoverings. The difference is that trimmings are uniquely dependent on fabrics. Trimmings rarely stand alone in home design; they always work in conjunction with fabrics.

Before Covid took hold I was feeling pretty confident in my predictions for what was coming in home design: more color, bolder colors, funkier combinations, less minimalism, more maximalism, and performance fabrics. With regard to color: the return of some shades of red and brown and every shade of green and less grey. I still think maximalism is trending.

With less ability to travel, we can bring the allure of faraway places and cultures into our home using fabrics, wall-coverings and trimmings that have stories attached to them. Texture feels really important. High-end fabrics for the home, like fabric used in couture fashion, will be even more prized for their softness and drape. Trimmings can add layers to the stories, interest to the texture, variety to the softness and craft.

S Harris- Revival collection

Various S Harris Trims

Textile Co: How would you inspire a trim novice to take the plunge and use a trim?

Sharon: I would remind them that trim is what makes a fabric custom, it is like the jewelry for a piece. Trim is what makes fashion couture, it’s the Dolce & Gabbana fringe coat, or Chanel decorated cuff, it’s the same for home textiles. Even in the most minimalist space, something as simple as a cord around a pillow or a tape down the leading edge of a linen panel is like a frame on a work of art.

I would explain that if you think trims don’t work with your design vibe, you are missing out on a chance to be wildly innovative and set your design apart from the pack. You only like minimalism? Well here is the chance to separate your look from every contemporary home catalogue- use a tiny 1/8” diameter cord to frame that solid contemporary sofa. If you’re into wallpaper- frame it like a work of art using a textured gimp. If you love textiles and layer on the pillows and fabrics, then by all means add some gorgeous tapes, bullions and tassel fringes to make a one-of-a-kind statement.

Textile Co: What is your favorite unexpected way to use a trim?

Sharon: I like to frame the wallcoverings in a room with a pop of color pulled out from the colors in that wall paper. I love choosing a color that is not always immediately noticed, this causes the eye to linger and appreciate the details of the overall design of the wall covering…

To view more from the S Harris trim collection and the other Fabricut Inc brands, please visit their website here and filter for Trims!

S Harris- Moving Wicks trim

Fabricut- Collective Threads trims

LEARN ABOUT SEAMS AND PANELS IN WALLCOVERINGS

Jessica Fitzgibbon — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 00:04:35 +0000

LEARN ABOUT SEAMS AND PANELS
IN WALLCOVERINGS

Solstice Silk

We understand that the appearance of seams is a deciding factor when selecting a wallcovering, and there is nothing worse than a disappointed client. We all work so hard to create beautiful spaces and we want our clients to be thrilled with their investment so to this end, we have created an overview that gives an indication of the final effect of the Phillip Jeffries wallcoverings once professionally installed.

Please take the time to read this article and discuss with us your desired outcome so we can ensure the product specified will meet the client’s expectations.

Phillip Jeffries have divided their collections into 3 seaming categories:

I – Virtually Seamless

II – Subtle Seaming

III – Panels Beautifully

They have indicated some of the factors that contribute to the appearance of seams (see image on left). We also have a seaming chart available here, but it’s important to note that within a collection a colourway can affect the appearance of seams as well. Please discuss your desired outcome with your account manager.

I – Virtually Seamless

If your client doesn’t like to see joins or paneling, you’ll want to select an item that is virtually seamless.

The image below left is an example of a Virtually Seamless collection – Amagansett Weave

This collection shows no seams for a few reasons:

The pattern is matched
It is an all over weave
Machine cut and machine woven
The paper threads are yarn dyed instead of piece dyed. Just to add a little colour here – no pun intended – the dying process affects the overall seaming for a few reasons: Yarn dyed collections utilize yarns that have been dyed in advance and the yarns are generally dyed in very large spools that can produce an entire production run of wallcovering. Because of this, the yarns are completely consistent in colour, and this consistency translates to a seamless effect on the walls.

Sitting in the Artisan Binder, we have Woven Wood (image below right) and its accompanying wood veneer patterns. Why is this collection Seamless? Mosaic collections such as these are Matched Patterns that when installed properly hide seams.

Amagansett Weave

Woven Wood

Vertical weaves or patterns hide seams for a very simple reason – the seams are vertical and they blend right in. Mystic Weave (below left) is an example in the Seamless binder but some of the Vinyls and Textiles also have the vertical pattern which will hide the seams like Vinyl Shibori (below right). See the Seaming Chart for more examples.

Mystic Weave

Vinyl Shibori

II – Subtle Seaming

Next up are the collections that we can’t call seamless, but their effect is so subtle that the joins rarely take centre stage. Either through a randomised pattern, an all over but unmatched texture, or a print – these collections have SUBTLE SEAMING. You’ll find many of the handmade items here, because the touch of the human hand creates natural and beautiful variation.

A great example of this is the Enlightenment pattern (below left). Because the texture is randomised and unmatched, the joints are unmatched, and there is a subtle panelling as they join.

Another great example is the Tweed collection. Again this is an all over pattern that isn’t intended to line up perfectly from strip to strip. Additionally, because there is a thicker texture to many of these textiles, the seams are just somewhat apparent. You can find more examples of these in the Seaming Chart.

Enlightenment

Tweed

III – Panels Beautifully

Moving on to the moody and powerful collections known to PANEL BEAUTIFULLY. One of the most clear indications that a wallcovering will panel beautifully is it’s weave structure.

A HORIZONTAL weave will create the illusions of panels because the structure is running completely perpendicular to the seam. Where a vertical structure plays into the seam and dissolves the seam, the horizontal structure literally creates an intersection from edge to edge, creating the dramatic look you see in the Silk (below left).

Your client may love this, your client may not – the key for us all is to ensure WELL before purchase and delivery, let alone install, that
they have a clear understanding and expectation on their purchase.

Another example, yet more subtle, is the Manila Hemp in a medium tone (below right). Remember how we said colour will play a role in seaming? Well, we have found that in these collections where the horizontal character is the main feature, that a lighter colour collection will seam and panel less than a darker colour. Manila Hemp- Petal is just about mid-range, and you can see that this panels beautifully, but isn’t completely dramatic.

Star Dust Silk

Manila Hemp

Another horizontal weave is Wabi Sabi Walls (below left). In addition to being horizontal, this collection also features beautifully fractured and irregular pieces that are thick. These characteristics will also contribute to the paneling effect.

And everyone’s favourite – Metallic Ombre! This collection panels beautifully because each and every panel is crafted with care by the human hand. Also due to the undulation of the pattern, there are joins where these intentionally unmatched panels meet. Check out the seaming chart for more examples of collections that PANEL BEAUTIFULLY

Wabi Sabi Walls

Metallic Ombre

Prints, Digitals, and Mashups.

Lastly, we are going to take a detour and explore the Prints, Digitals, and Mashups. Because PJ can print on such a large array of grounds, the amount of seaming really comes down to each SKU, and the amount of SKUS available in Mashup is essentially INFINITE. While this is great for the client, it makes it harder to assign a seaming value. So, PJ have constructed a few guidelines (see left) that will help you understand what is affecting these variations below, but please discuss with us if you need further clarification.

For more info on how to ensure a great wallcovering install, please read our article here

Splash

THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF GRASSCLOTHS

Jessica Fitzgibbon — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 02:12:17 +0000

THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF GRASSCLOTHS

5252-Bermuda Hemp-Turquoise

Grasscloth wallcoverings bring texture and natural beauty to the wall like no other product. From the very finest of hemps to the textural drama of handwoven raffias and grasses, Phillip Jeffries have the perfect texture in a variety of colours to enhance any space.

Founded more than 40 years ago with just 10 grasscloths in a garage, Phillip Jeffries is now considered the ultimate source for natural wallcoverings. Their range of naturals is unmatched, with more than 500 hemps, raffias, arrowroots, jutes and a variety of other natural grasses.

Not all grasscloths are created equal. Phillip Jeffries are handcrafted by artisans using only the finest materials and meticulously laminated at their mill in Japan. Their unparalleled inspection process ensures exceptional quality.

5261-Bermuda Hemp-Graphite

The Phillip Jeffries Difference:

Largest Selection of Designs
Widest Range of Colours
Most Consistent Colour and Texture
Finest Raw Material
Highest Thread Count
Expert Lamination
1-2 week delivery to Australia and New Zealand

What can I expect my grasscloth to look like once on the wall?

Colour Shading:

The same as you would see with a silk and other natural fibre, grasscloths absorb the colour dye inconsistently which creates a beautiful shading effect throughout the roll. It’s important to note that the colour shading is normal and part of the beauty of using a natural product that was once alive. Phillip Jeffries use only the best quality grass (the top 20% of the harvest) which minimises the shading in their products, so it’s not as dramatic as other grasscloths on the market.

Seams and Panels:

The grass is laid horizontally across the width of the roll which creates a beautiful panelled look on the wall. The seams will always be notable and are a feature of the product and the special look of a grasscloth. If you desire a seamless outcome with no panelling, there are other options available in the Phillip Jeffries range. View our article on seaming here

Slubbing:

Slubbing and loose yarns is the beauty of a natural hand-crafted product and illustrates the uneven and irregular nature of the yarn.

Oxidising:

Through the prevailing atmospheric conditions, a grasscloth is susceptible to oxidisation whereby there will be a gradual colour change. This is normal and in fact is hard to notice unless a piece of artwork or furniture is moved.

Fading:

All wallcovering and especially natural wallcoverings such as a grass cloth will fade if exposed to sunlight. It is very important as with any wallcovering or fabric that there is good protection from sunlight through effective window coverings.

Extra Fine Arrowroot

Abaca Mist

To ensure a great wallcovering install , there are some important points to consider. Please read out article here

HOW TO GET THE BEST OUTCOME ON YOUR WALLCOVERING INSTALL

Jessica Fitzgibbon — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 02:54:27 +0000

HOW TO GET THE BEST OUTCOME
ON YOUR WALLCOVERING INSTALL

3221- Star Dust Silk

The Textile Company and Phillip Jeffries strive for the very best installation outcomes and for delighted customers. The make or break of a great install is generally down to the installer, so it’s imperative that you select one with the skills and experience to guarantee a great result.

The other very important aspect is to ensure your client can visualise and understand how the chosen product will look once installed so that their expectations are met. Ask your account manager to talk you through the product attributes, to show you install shots and you can also refer to our articles on seaming and grasscloths to ensure the selected product will meet your client’s expectations.

Choosing an Installer:

The most important step of a great install is to choose a professional wallcovering installer who has plenty of experience in hanging natural, textured and specialty wallcoverings like the Phillip Jeffries products.

Ask for images of their work, talk to them about their recent projects and make sure they are confident in hanging the product. If it’s a grass cloth for example, do they understand how to shade the product correctly? Have they inspected the substrate to ensure the correct preparation based on the wallcovering they are installing?

We have a recommended list of installers available below and we strongly recommend you use one of these installers that have a proven track record and are highly skilled in the installation of specialty wallcoverings.

Australia Recommended Installers

New Zealand Recommended Installers

Hanging Instructions:

Wallcovering orders are all delivered with hanging instructions either on the box or attached to the roll. Please ensure your installer locates these and contacts us if they are missing.

The installation instructions are also on the Phillip Jeffries website and each collection has unique instructions relating to the specific wallcovering. This includes the quality of the wallcovering, handy tips and specific instructions as to the actual install.

Inspection:

It’s your responsibility to ensure you have received the correct quality, design and colour and the correct amount of wallcovering to finish the job. You’d be surprised by the number of designers who do not check a high value order of wallcovering before it’s installed. Once the product is on the wall, it’s too late!

The installer must inspect the wallcovering carefully to ensure it’s free of defects. If no defects are evident before installation, the material should be inspected after 3 strips are installed. If any defect or hanging issue is evident at this time (or at any point in the installation) no additional material should be hung until The Textile Company has been notified.

No claims for replacement material will be allowed for more then 3 strips on the wall and all claims must be made within 30 days of the invoice date. Claims for labour cannot be accepted.

SAFE FRONT HYGIENE PROTECTOR

Jessica Fitzgibbon — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 06:10:37 +0000

SAFE FRONT HYGIENE PROTECTOR

SAFE FRONT HYGIENE PROTECTOR
Permanent Disinfectant Against Bacteria & Viruses

All Aquaclean fabrics come treated with Safe Front Hygiene Protector, Aquaclean’s very own antibacterial and antimicrobial treatment.

Recent testing on a Feline coronavirus (the closest relative to Covid19) showed that 91% of the virus was killed on the Aquaclean fabric treated with Safe Front.

Certified to ISO 20743:2013 8.1 & ISO 18184:2019

See more details here

PFC FREE

Aquaclean fabrics utilise the latest technological advances to achieve a product that’s not only elegant and of the highest quality, but that is also practical, resistant and as safe as possible. Aquaclean does not use PFC’s in any of their products to ensure a quality product without endangering people’s health or the environment.

See more details here

S. HARRIS X PULP DESIGN

The Textile Company — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 01:42:46 +0000

S. HARRIS X PULP DESIGN STUDIOS

Known for their incredible repertoire of work ranging from commercial and retail projects to residential interiors and product designs, Pulp Design Studios is on a continuous quest for originality in their work, which they achieve through a combination of luxury design and a flair for the unexpected.

The Pulp team brings a sense of adventure to the business of design. So when it came to defining the narrative for a new contract collection for S. Harris — their second collaboration with the fabric company — interior designers Beth Dotolo and Carolina V. Gentry of Pulp Design Studios, turned to an important source of inspiration for the team.

The collection speaks to a collision of materials cast in an array of fashion hues & modern neutrals.

While keeping their worldly wits about them, but also searching a bit closer to home for aesthetic persuasions, Pulp Design Studios’ second collection with S. Harris strengthens the connection between the cutting-edge style of residential textiles and durability of commercial products. The result is a collection that brings a wider range of elevated and artistic sensibility to the hospitality sector.

“In residential design, we’re always bringing functionality and usability to our clients, and this collection will offer that to residential clients and will also give a wider range of luxury and artistic sensibility to the commercial sector.” – Carolina V. Gentry, Pulp Design Studios

View the full collection here.

DISCOVER THE AWAKENING COLLECTION

The Textile Company — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 01:41:31 +0000

DISCOVER THE AWAKENING COLLECTION

Venetian Plaster

In the light of optimism, we feel awake & present.

The latest collection from Phillip Jeffries reflects upon a ‘new normal’, bringing a contemporary perspective on what adds joy to our lives. Inspired by the nurturing surrounds of nature, cosy comforts and shared moments, Awakening draws in a calming breath of fresh air and deeply exhales the stresses of today’s world.

Gilded Grid

Ox Horn

Organic materials combine with metallic glamour to bring light and optimism. Awakening shows great appreciation of the art of slowing down, taking time to create and produce something of beauty. Many of the wallcoverings produced involve time-intensive processes which result in fine works of art.

Gilded Ascent

Continuing ancient traditions, Phillip Jeffries works closely with artisans around the globe to produce exquisite wallcoverings for interiors worldwide. Gilded Ascent displays the art of Japanese metallic leafing where talented artisans carefully apply gold, silver and pewter leafing to a metallic ground using hashi (or chopsticks) – cleverly producing a series of shapes in a process reminiscent of stencilling.

Casting- Canopy

Casting- Channels

Casting- Rain

Seeing the beauty in time-worn materials Venetian Plaster brings a soft, organic feel to a room while allowing one to find comfort in imperfection. Castings of cascading petals, falling rain showers and slightly more structured Chanels create subtle drama; drawing the outside, in.

Broad Strokes

Broad Strokes brings fluidity and movement with its sweeping brushstrokes, drawing life to the walls in an organic yet modern shadow print.

Vinyl Reconstructed

Vinyl Shiplap

Collage

In a range of high-performance wallcoverings, vinyl takes on a more natural look with a variety of textures and patterns.

View the full collection here.

IN THE PRESS: HOUSE & GARDEN

The Textile Company — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 23:55:10 +0000

IN THE PRESS: HOUSE & GARDEN
PHILLIP JEFFRIES SAVANNA

Wallcovering 1520- Savanna Weave- Heritage Tan

Little Treasures…

Beautiful arrangements of collectables and palletes of calming neutrals will elevate the experience of every corner of your home.

Issue: House & Garden Australia, August 2020

Products Featured: Phillip Jeffries wallcoverings 1520- Savanna Weave and 5390- Zebra Cloth

Styling: Kate Nixon

Photography: Kristina Soljo

5390- Zebra Cloth- Grey Grey

1520- Savanna Weave- Heritage Tan

THE ORIENT EXPRESS

The Textile Company — Mon, 25 May 2020 00:49:53 +0000

THE ORIENT EXPRESS INSPIRES THE MISIA PARIS
Promesse D'Ailleurs collection

In 2020, the Misia Paris collections do not deviate from the brand’s favoured theme: travel. Prague, Vienna, Budapest…the most beautiful Central European capital cities pass by, linked by the Orient Express which weaves their story, finding the common thread between these wonderful destinations, until it reaches Constantinople.

During the 1920s, the “Orient Express” style reached its peak, particularly thanks to the work of well-renowned decorators, such as René Prou or René Lalique. The carriages which cross Europe from West to East, are extremely refined, combining lacquering, gilding and marquetry with sublime decors of bronze, copper, exotic wood, ivory and other exceptional and rare materials. The carriages are the fruit of remarkable and meticulous collaborations between thirty different crafts using their traditional “savoir-faire”, amongst them cabinet-makers, carpenters, painters, jewellers and master glass-makers.

These journeys to the edge of the East are the privilege of a wealthy clientele. The Orient Express lines have been taken by many famous faces : the icon Joséphine Baker, the designer Coco Chanel, the adventurer Lawrence of Arabia, the spy Mata Hari, the writers Leon Tolstoy and Ernest Hemingway, and most memorably Agatha Christie, who chose the train as the scene of a crime and its investigation by Hercule Poirot. So many names and stories which have fed our imaginations over decades.

By taking on the story and the iconic theme of the Orient Express trains, Misia Paris has again proven its commitment to convey a certain idea of French-style luxury. It keeps its promise: inviting an exacting clientele on exclusive and luxurious adventures which it has partly rewritten, taking them to other countries, creating friendships and discovering cultures, satisfying the desire for encounters, the unknown, awakening the dream of being somewhere else.

View the collection here

EXCLUSIVE COLOUR PALETTE

The Textile Company — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 02:32:22 +0000

THE EXCLUSIVE MISIA COLOUR PALETTE

Each year, the colour schemes are selected and perfected by Florence Vermelle, the designer and artistic director of Misia Paris. The brand stands out through its use of exclusive and sparkling colours, created to emphasize and enhance the most luxurious interiors. The signature colour “Bleu Misia” (Misia Blue) is present in each new collection.

The 2020 collection features four luxurious combinations inspired by the Orient Express. Strong colours like Burnt Orange, Arabesque (a paler orange), Peacock Blue and Egyptian Blue, Imperial Green and Opaline Green are tempered by more restrained colours; Carbon, Ivory, Bronze, Copper and, of course, Misia Blue.

AMBIENCE 1
Associations of warm colours; Burnt Orange and Mahogany, with deep blues such as Misia Blue, the signature colour of the brand.

AMBIENCE 3
Associations of Carbon, Gold, Bronzes, Whites and Ivory.

AMBIENCE 3
Associations of softer blues such as Peacock Blue and Turquin Blue, with coppery colours and touches of beige.

AMBIENCE 4
Associations of Imperial and Opaline Green with different shades of Copper, with touches of Umber and Ivory.

View the collection here

The Textile Company

TEXTILE TALK: TRIMMINGS WITH SHARON CASH AT FABRICUT INC

TEXTILE TALK: TRIMMINGS WITH SHARON CASH AT FABRICUT INC.

LEARN ABOUT SEAMS AND PANELS IN WALLCOVERINGS

LEARN ABOUT SEAMS AND PANELS IN WALLCOVERINGS

THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF GRASSCLOTHS

THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF GRASSCLOTHS

HOW TO GET THE BEST OUTCOME ON YOUR WALLCOVERING INSTALL

HOW TO GET THE BEST OUTCOME ON YOUR WALLCOVERING INSTALL

SAFE FRONT HYGIENE PROTECTOR

SAFE FRONT HYGIENE PROTECTOR

S. HARRIS X PULP DESIGN

S. HARRIS X PULP DESIGN STUDIOS

DISCOVER THE AWAKENING COLLECTION

DISCOVER THE AWAKENING COLLECTION

IN THE PRESS: HOUSE & GARDEN

IN THE PRESS: HOUSE & GARDEN PHILLIP JEFFRIES SAVANNA

THE ORIENT EXPRESS

THE ORIENT EXPRESS INSPIRES THE MISIA PARIS Promesse D'Ailleurs collection

EXCLUSIVE COLOUR PALETTE

THE EXCLUSIVE MISIA COLOUR PALETTE

TEXTILE TALK: TRIMMINGS
WITH SHARON CASH AT FABRICUT INC.

LEARN ABOUT SEAMS AND PANELS
IN WALLCOVERINGS

HOW TO GET THE BEST OUTCOME
ON YOUR WALLCOVERING INSTALL

IN THE PRESS: HOUSE & GARDEN
PHILLIP JEFFRIES SAVANNA

THE ORIENT EXPRESS INSPIRES THE MISIA PARIS
Promesse D'Ailleurs collection