FINDING VINTAGE...

This weekend, I roamed around checking out some of the coolest little fabric stores in Park Slope, Carroll Gardens and Red Hook looking for some vintage fabric for a project. My favorite find of the day was from the adorable Brooklyn General Store, where they stock an ever-changing selection of vintage fabrics from the owner's private stash.

After many hours searching, I found some great fabric, but came up mostly empty handed on the vintage front. Yesterday's rainy day seemed like the perfect time to scour eBay and Etsy. Here are some of my favs...

Loved the colors and abstract print of this tablecloth...

Mod Tablecloth- Gallivanting Girls

Swiss Dot fabric, popular in the 1950s is always one of my favorites

Dotted Swiss Fabric- Callida

 Blue-Tan Mod Op Art Fabric- CaffeineQueenie

Love this abstract chevron...

Vintage Fabric- Carersattic

I think "groovy" might be the right term for this fabric. Love the details...

1970s Ink Pen Girl- RainyDayStoryVintage

Big, bold and graphic fits the bill...

 Vintage Fabric- The House of Oliver

Red and White Dotted Vintage Chenille Fabric- alorasadorables

Straight from the Netherlands, bright, bold and mod

Bubble Gum Fabric- Fabbits

 

Mod Yves Saint Laurent Pillowcases- Dazzleship

Do you have a go-to for vintage fabrics? 

GOING MARIMEKKO BOLD

The last few days, I've been working on the set-ups for the show this weekend. Looking for some inspiration, I headed over to the Marimekko shop at Crate & Barrel, where I picked up this gorgeous, bold fabric for the tables.

The colors on screen, do not do it nearly enough justice. Here's what it looks like in person...

While at Crate & Barrel I also spotted these fantastic lamps. The bright cord is a perfect accent. I already plotting to get two of these for my bedside tables.

 Mack w/ Cord Lamp

OUT WITH THE OLD...

I'm finally ready to reupholster a vintage wingback chair I've had since I moved from San Francisco. I bought it for steal at Antiques by the Bay, but removing the individual nailheads, painting and recovering it always seemed a little intimidating. Now that I have some free time, I'm ready.

Right now my living room is orange, pinks and browns with light gray walls but, I think I'm ready to migrate to fresh white walls, navy and pink/ yellow accents for summer.

Given the new color inspiration, here are some of the fabric options I'm considering. I'd love to hear what you think...

I've been obsessed with this geometric David Hicks fabric since it graced the cover of the first issue of Domino.

 But at almost $100/ yd it's a little out of my price range.

SUMMER FABRICS

I'm getting ready to reupholster a vintage wing chair and asked my very stylish friend, Henriette about some of her favorite fabrics. Lucky for me (and you), she agreed to share some Scandinavian fabric finds, as well as some truly inspirational danish design sites. (Definitely worth checking these out!) Without further adieu, Henriette...

The lil bee

I grew up around fabric. My mom had an atelier [workshop/ studio] filled from floor to ceiling with textiles from all over the world; here she would spend hours a day making quilts and other beautiful things to fill our home. It was so inspiring to peruse the endless drawers of her color blocked fabric bundles. Unfortunately I never quite picked up the knack for quilt making but I remain fascinated by prints and patterns to this day. 

 Design*Sponge 

With the recent opening of the Marimekko shop inside Crate and Barrel in SOHO, I couldn’t be more excited! It feels like a piece of home right here in the Big Apple! I just love the freshness and simplicity of Scandinavian textile design, and being Danish myself I am often drawn to my fellow Vikings whenever I am on the hunt for new furniture or a fun new print or pattern. Right now, I have got my eyes on these bright pillows by Marimekko.  They would look great thrown onto a black vintage leather couch or on a freshly made bed.

 

IKEA is also a great place to buy textiles, at amazing prices too. I think this yellow print would make a fun table cloth for summer.

Slightly more up market, but a million times more inspiring than a trip to IKEA is the Purl Soho Fabric store, where one can easily spend an entire afternoon pulling out fabrics. If you’re not exactly sure what fabric to pick I love their pre-made bundles that you can pick up for about $30. 

I couldn’t resist this versatile blue and white printed rug from Sweden (It’s plastic!) How perfect would this be in a kitchen or kids room?

Here are a few of my favorite Scandinavian websites & blogs that I often browse for inspiration: 

FryDog Design

 

50 DANSKA KVADRAT

Skona hem

RUM

Men's Shirting Repurposed

When shopping for new fabric for my apt, more often than not I am drawn to clothing fabric over traditional upholstery fabrics. While not as durable, the selection of printed cottons, denims and gorgeous jersey prints is usually too much to pass by. This weekend, I rekindled my love for men's shirting.

 (J. Crew Men's Shirt)

(Image: Katyelliott.com)

For awhile,  I have wanted to deck out my living room in men's shirting fabric. I love mixing pattern on pattern. I can imagine a collection of pillows with plaids, checks, solids and stripes in gorgeous fall tones sitting together. I could also imagine cutting a bunch of squares and covering a vintage slipper chair in a fabulous patchwork.

 (Image: The Trad)

Here are a few fabrics that I picked up this weekend...

Might have to go back for some great fall hues in purple, red and brown.

What type of fabric do you love?