If you love cashmere, then get ready for a whole new definition of “cozy”. For more than six generations, Loro Piana has crafted some of the softest, most luxurious, and stunning fabrics that are cut and sewn into clothing for men, women and children, as well as home furnishing accessories.

The company’s latest endeavor is a line of fabrics for interior design, including sumptuous cashmere, incredibly fine wool, as well as vicuña, linens and ultra-fine cotton.

The designs range from a chevron to a plaited weave, raw and lightweight linen to sexy silks and tactile cottons. Use the thicker cashmere fabric on a sofa, the delicate linen for curtains, and the raw linen or soft cottons for a cozy duvet cover.

Of course all of this luxury comes at an equally pretty price, but you can start out with a small chair or blanket and add to your collection over the years. If you really feel the need to splurge, try the cashmere carpet…just don’t spill any red wine!

–By Kate Bailey

Technorati Tags: Loro Piana, interior design cashmere, luxury home fabrics, fine linen, smooth cotton, luxurious carpet, best cashmere fabric, new textiles for home

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I have a serious love of exotic goods and textiles, and on my recent trip to New York I went completely mad for the modern furnishings upholstered with exotic textiles shown on nearly every floor of ABC Carpet & Home (see above and below). From the vintage embroidered Uzbekistani and Central Asian tapestries that embellish slipper chairs, benches and cushions, to the Indian sari that transforms a classically modern chair, these pieces spoke to me as the ultimate symbol of modern design.

While not everyone can afford these one-of-a-kind pieces from ABC, a favorite designer of mine, John Robshaw, handcrafts some of the most beautiful, rich and exotic textiles I have ever found. Their traditional printing, dying and weaving techniques reinterpret centuries old patterns with contemporary colorways and fresh combinations.
Late in 2007 Robshaw opened an online storefront, bringing his stunning wares to anyone with access to the Internet and a true penchant for the exotic. I think you will enjoy his goods as much as I do, and, if you are feeling particularly crafty, consider using one of his fabrics on a fabulous vintage chair or chaise…at half the price of a piece from ABC.

Here are some of my favorite pieces from the latest John Robshaw collection.

Phulkari Bedding

Placemats

Durries

Greek Harpies Pillows

Java Bedding

Technorati Tags: ABC Carpet & Home, exotic fabric, modern exotics, John Robshaw, Indian sari print fabrics, johnrobshaw.com, exotic bedding, exotic tabletop, exotic pillows

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Yesterday I popped by the opening of Kasthall’s new Manhattan showroom (below) at 200 Lex. I’d used a few of the Swedish rug company’s products for magazine shoots before, but this was my first real immersion in the full splendor of their hand-tufted carpets–all made to order (although in a relatively speedy 6 to 8 weeks) in a small town outside of Stockholm.

Although Kasthall is over a century old, the current owners–who took over 12 years ago–have brought the designs firmly into the present, freshening up archival patterns in new colors and collaborating with cutting-edge designers and big fashion names (you can find their plush floorcoverings in Louis Vuitton and Prada boutiques). Even the most restrained designs–which include beautiful flatweaves–have a rich sense of texture that results from the laborious hand tufting process.

Many rugs come in ebullient colors like fuscia and interwoven with metallic yarns–how Swede is that? –Jen Renzi

The lovely new showroom at 200 Lex:

A few samples of Kasthall’s hand-tufted Tekla pattern:

One of the company’s newest designs, Daisy:

Technorati Tags: Kasthall, modern carpets, hand-tufted rugs, Swedish design, New York Design Center showrooms

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Pottery Barn’s spring/summer catalog arrived in my mailbox yesterday. While I’m usually a little eh over their offerings—which are always solid but never a great thrill—my interest was piqued by many cool new items. I’m thus inspired to inaugurate the first in a highly subjective series: shopping my mailbox. Here, my five top picks—and why I think they’re covetable (feel free to disagree):

1. Woodland duvet: I flipped for the springy floral/tree motif, whose girlishness is tempered by a dose of mod. And in eco-friendly organic cotton to boot! Just the thing to brighten up my blah sleeping quarters. $99 for full/queen.

2. Taj stool: This great little side table/stool is made of cane laced with hand-woven spun rope in sun-kissed colors. I love that you can drag these lightweight pieces in and out of the house with ease, injecting a bit of island living. And they appear to have a nice handcrafted look. $79 each.

3. Leaf outdoor rug: A graphic print splashes across hand-tufted, mildew-resistant polypropylene. It’s made for the outdoors but I’d place it in the bathroom for a little liveliness that will stand up to wet feet. $169 for 3 by 5 feet.

4. Potrero collection chaise (top): No! Stop! So cute! Especially in that graphic crab-print terry chaise cover ($55 extra).

5. Andron dining chair: Normally I am not a huge fan of Mediterranean/French-ish metal chairs—I find them a little cliché. But I couldn’t resist this in turquoise. And even though the metal is weather-resistant, it’s pre-aged with a lovely patina. $499 for set of 4.

Happy shopping! —Jen Renzi

Technorati Tags: Pottery Barn catalog, summer furnishings, colorful outdoor furniture, French bistro chairs, water-resistant carpets, crab-print fabric, mod vintage-inspired bedding

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Ladies and gentlemen, spring has sprung! Well, sort of. In some parts of the country—including my home base, New York City—the weather has not quite caught up with the calendar. If you suffer from such a plight, coax in the sunshine and balmy weather with these spirited, springy finds:

1. Shitake Stool (top)
Everything Wanders designs exhibits grown-up fairy-tale charm, and his Shitake stool for Moroso is no exception. Made of roto-molded plastic embossed with a lacy crochet pattern reminiscent of his iconic Knotted chair, these waterproof, UV-resistant wonders withstand April showers. Although designed for outdoor use, the stools would look just as cheery sprouting in your living room.

2. Strida bike:
There’s no better way to enjoy the great outdoors than by…commuting to work on the subway? Hardly! Work out en route to work—while soaking in the sun—with Strida’s super handy bike. While the innovative triangular frame looks a touch awkward, the lightweight wonder folds down smaller than a Fendi handbag and is easily maneuvered up stairs. And it’s especially great for the ladies: the low cross bar and greaseless chain means you can ride it wearing your favorite Marc Jacobs skirt. (And it comes in so many colors—pink, orange, yellow—you can even match it to your outfit!) Sold via Areaware: check out their website for more fabulous designs plus a demo of how it folds.

3. David Wiseman porcelain vase:
Fresh-cut flowers are one of the easiest and most affordable ways to channel spring. With beautiful blooms, you don’t even need a fancy vase. But, heck, why not splurge for one anyway? I’ve certainly been looking for the perfect excuse to indulge in David Wiseman’s pink porcelain confection. (He designed a similar series of faceted, colored crystal tumblers for Czech glassmaker Artel that are just as divine.) Take a peek at his inspiring website for more loveliness, like the porcelain floral sculptures he installs on ceilings (bottom) and fireplaces. The much-missed Blueprint mag did a great interview with Wiseman back in December.

4. John Robshaw’s ethnic-chic cotton textiles:
I’m an advocate of the dying art of switching your décor seasonally, swapping out nubby winter wools and cozier throw pillows for lighter, more boldly colored textiles in warmer months. Try these: I’m such a sucker for everything John Robshaw creates, including these machine-washable hand-printed cotton drapes (a great alternative to wallpaper for commitment phobes who want to add a little graphic punch) and Greek-inspired pillows. Bright and cheery enough to add seasonal sass, but also timeless year-round.

5. Madeleine Weinrib’s cotton flatweaves:
I’m working on a longer post on Madi’s newest designs (including eco-friendly pillows and some fabulous new furnishings), which I checked out a few weeks ago. But in the meantime, let me turn your attention to her super affordable cotton flatweaves in an array of colors, all emboldened with her abstracted Middle Eastern motifs. Swap out your blah rugs with these pretties, or layer them over wall-to-wall carpeting or more neutral design. This is the one I’m currently coveting:

Technorati Tags: Spring decor must haves, modern indoor/outdoor furniture, folding commuter bicycles, Marcel Wanders designs, Moroso, Strida bike, John Robshaw, ethnic-print textiles, Madeline Weinrib, colorful contemporary carpets, David Wiseman, modern glassware, Czech glass

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