Tag Archives: handcrafted

Luxury Fabrics: Cashmere, Velvet and Silk

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There are times when you just want to enjoy a little bit of luxury.  That may mean drinking an expensive wine, eating imported chocolates, or using a luxurious fabric in your home.  There are several types of fabrics that fall into the luxury category.

Cashmere

Cashmere comes from the wool of Kashmir goats found in the mountains of Tibet and Mongolia.  The soft touch makes it a popular choice for sweaters and scarves but can also be used to make throws and blankets or to upholster furniture.  It is not particularly durable so should be used in areas that are not subjected to a lot of use; but nothing says luxury like cuddling under a cashmere blanket on a cold evening. 

Velvet

Velvet has long been considered one of the most luxurious fabrics available.   It can be made from cotton or silk thread, which gives it a slight sheen.  Velvet provides a soft and thick look and feel to draperies, upholstery and accent pillows.   Velour and velveteen give a similar look and feel for less money but are not as thick and rich in appearance as the real thing.

Silk

Contrary to popular belief, the silk used in textiles does not come from the silk worm, it comes from moth caterpillars.  The production process is what makes silk so expensive.  Silk draperies add a look of luxury to your windows, as do silk throw pillows or an occasional chair with a silk cushion. 

Hand crafted

Hand embroidered, crewel work or painted fabrics all fall under the luxury fabric category due to the handcrafting necessary to produce these exquisite textiles.  Beautiful window coverings, accent pillows, quilts and light upholstery can all be created from these handcrafted works of art.

Using one of these fabrics to decorate your home will make you feel special and, after all, we all deserve a little bit of luxury in our lives.

Accessory Trends for 2010

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Just as designers and retailers attend “market” twice a year to view the latest collection of furniture and fabrics, they also attend the International Gift Fair (IGF) held in several cities across the nation.  The recent gift fair in NY disclosed several  accessory trends that you can expect to see in the upcoming months.

  • The green movement is alive and well in the accessory market.  Natural wood and organic shapes continue to be popular.  We are moving away from dark, heavy stains and seeing more wood in its natural, unstained form. Other sustainable materials are popular including cork and bamboo found in everything from candles to placemats to wall art.
  • Mixed metals is a popular trend.  This look combines a shiny smooth metal with a matte or textured finish or it combines two different metals like silver and bronze.  You will see this combination in candlesticks, bowls, vases, picture frames and lamps.  The mixture of metals makes it easy to introduce a new piece into your home without worrying about whether it “matches” or not.
  • The ethnic look has been around for a couple of years now.  The goal is to create a room that appears to be decorated with items collected from travels around the world. This would include pillows made from ethnic fabrics like suzanni or Ikat.  Animal figurines, statuary, carved candlesticks, woven baskets, in fact anything that appears to be handcrafted, will complete the look.  Lanterns and exotic mosaics will add an adventurous and ethnic feel to your rooms.
  • Turquoise is certainly the color of the year but it can also be found in accessories.  A bowl of turquoise stones in their natural form, a turquoise lamp base, even pretty hand soaps can all be found in this color thought to have healing qualities.

Accessorizing with the latest in trendy items is an affordable way to update your home for a season or the entire year without breaking the bank.

How Decorating your Home can help the Haitian People

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As we all sit and watch the horror of the aftermath from the earthquake in Haiti we often feel overwhelmed and helpless.  We may ask ourselves “What can I do to help?”  While sending money through legitimate sources provides immediate relief, the Haitian people will need ongoing assistance to get back to work and begin rebuilding their homes and supporting their families.

Purchasing the many handcrafted wares made by Haitians is one way to begin helping.  Through sites like www.dwellingllc.com you are able to purchase home decor items like these that you will be proud to display in your home.

  • Beautiful bowls carved from locally grown olive wood.  These bowls come in many shapes, including an unusual heart shape that would be a perfect Valentine’s Day gift.  Some feature carved and inlaid bone handles for an exotic look.
  • Placemats woven from banana fiber will add a nice textural feel to your table settings.
  • Extraordinary nativity sets are available that have been carved from wood or woven from leaves and twigs.  These would certainly be a unique addition to your holiday collection.
  • Amazing hand carved wooden spoons are available in many different sizes, some featuring unique twisted handles and adornments.

By all accounts, the Haitian people are a strong and resilient group.  In times like these every little bit helps but the opportunity to put a man or woman back to work does not have a price tag.  Be generous!