Crewel Hearted

I am always drawn to a good crewel.  Crewel embroidery is a surface stitch, usually with wool yarns on a hearty base material, like cotton or sturdy linen.  The needlework technique is at least a thousand years old.  And, it rocks my socks off.

Chairs upholstered in a regal Jacobean crewel by Suzanne Kasler via Traditional Home via tartanscot



Some intricate crewel-ty. Get it?!?! Crewel-ty!?!?!



via Parker Sims



Animal Farm Crewel by Brunschwig & Fils via House Beautiful



Huberta Crewel by Clarence House



via Elle Decor



vintage English crewel tapestry

Claremont Crewel by F Schumacher

Great crewel fabric on Jenny's ottoman!

Oscar de la Renta Crewel for Lee Jofa

The Natural Shade Co via Little Green Notebook

 Jardin Crewel by Lee Jofa

by White Webb via Luster Interiors blog

Camp Wilder Crewel by Fabricut

And my favorite use of crewel: as a wall upholstery!
by Jill Sharp Brinson via House Beautiful



Love, love, LOVE this space!
by Jill Sharp Brinson via House Beautiful


Hope you have an upcoming project full of Crewel Intentions!  (Yikes, these puns are dorky.)
Cheers,
Whitney

Feeling Hamish

Hamish Bowles' New York and Paris apartments have been gushed over for quite some time on the blogsphere, and for good reason!  These images of his homes in NYC and Paris provide loads of inspiration.  The free use of colorful fabrics, antique artwork, unusual lighting pieces, tailored furniture and well-curated accessories is wonderfully stimulating.  Recently, I've been freelancing with an architecture firm whose work is deliberately restrained with very quiet décor.  Revelling in these images of Bowles' homes today feels like a happy punch in the face to quiet décor!

via Vogue

via Vogue

via World of Interiors

via World of Interiors

via World of Interiors

via World of Interiors

via World of Interiors

Hamish Bowles, European Editor at Large for Vogue.  Isn't he dapper?

Happy Friday!
Cheers,
Whitney

Calling All Tri-State Fabric Lovers

Rogers & Goffigon and DeLany & long Ltd is having a huge sale next month, on June 16th, 17th, and 18th in their Greenwich, CT warehouse.  Mark your calendars!

Make a day out of it by visiting adorable & historic Greenwich, CT.  Visit the art+science Bruce Museum, stop by Rinfret for décor inspiration, and go to The Ginger Man for lunch and a libation.
See you there!
Whitney

RL You Listening?

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Ralph Lauren.  He’s more than just a clothing designer.  He’s more than just the Polo shirt.  He’s more than just Dylan (she of the Candy Bar) Lauren’s dad.  Ralph Lauren has been the master of marketing to every aspect of upscale elegant living for over 30 years.  Every seasonal collection is different but so elegant and of supreme design.  Rarely do you see a high end designer produce the number of different looks that Ralph has delivered.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy Awarding Ralph Lauren the Legion d'honneur in 2010. 

image via Town & Country. I find this photo to be terribly cute. 

Call me sentimental, or typical, or preppy, but I love Ralph Lauren Home.  Despite a few bumps and dips (all that heavy Baroque-looking stuff never did it for me) they consistently pump out lovely, livable design.  And I’m all about livable design. 

Be it masculine pinstripes, feminine French, clean & modern, earthy lacquer, Western smart, coastal or country, the designers at RL seem to get it right everytime.

Elegant and chic. Polished and confident.  For years RL's Home line has been setting the bar of high end luxury.  And, let's not forget, brought themselves into the department stores in more attainable bedding and accessory lines, giving more and more consumers the opportunity to enjoy the signature look and opulence of the RL products.

Ralph Lauren and Polo have a strong alumni, designers who began their careers within the RL brand system. 

Thomas O'Brien

Thomas O'Brien

Scott Sanders

Aman & Carson.  image via Elle Decor

Scot Meacham Wood aka tartanscot

Steven Scarloff

I *still* haven't seen the interview Ralph did with Oprah's crew last week.  Raina graciously covered it for Curbed.  I need to see footage of those teepees!  Heading over to Oprah.com...
Whitney