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Design Treasures and Inspirations"Knot" What You'd Expect?12/24/2009 Seeing the Light12/11/2009
Fabric Inspirations are Everywhere!11/03/2009
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Design Treasures and Inspirations"Knot" What You'd Expect?12/24/2009 Seeing the Light12/11/2009
Fabric Inspirations are Everywhere!11/03/2009
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I'm seeing knots from all over the world: Irish Celtic knots showing up in jewelry, fabrics and fashion; nautical-inspired knots that have informed coastal designs; even the knotted "tribal tattoos so popular today! This photo of a wonderfully intricate Ottoman Empire design was executed in wrought iron, but wouldn't it make a great fabric? 
We offered this pattern, Chandelle, though the De Leo Couture collection starting in June 2009. Chandelle was inspired by the recent design trends focusing on lighting as art; I've seen framed prints of chandelier shadows, wallpaper with chandelier motifs, and of course the "real thing, the lovely art of Murano-glass chandeliers themselves. And we're always looking for a tweak on traditional, so I worked closely with our mill designers to develop this traditional pattern framed by lovely laurel leaves, but with a literal representation of a beautiful chandelier replacing the expected floral spray or urn. Using a reflective Italian yarn to represent the glowing candles and sparkling crystals gives it dimension and that special luster.
Chandelle, which is available in 5 colorways, has been fabricated for wall covering, chairs, pillows and top of the bed. Look for it in an upcoming high-end catalog!
A spectacular wall in a restaurant in Istanbul was a design inspiration for me. I love the flowing geometry of this vertical pattern! It's visual, textural and finished with a fine patina that offers a soft glow without shine.
This dimensional pattern touches on several trends I see emerging: a softened geometric look that is perfect for transitional and eclectic rooms; an abstract reference to raindrops that subtly whispers "environmental caretaking without screaming "GREEN, and movement inherent in design.
I feel that patterns that evoke movement are important in design, especially as we become a more global society. We are exploring how every human on earth connects to each other, and design motifs that operate in isolation are opposed to this connectivity. I find myself repelled by design motifs that are isolationist, such as a pattern featuring leaves floating unconnected to each other. Contrast that with a pattern featuring leaves connected by lovely vines or even connected through layering. Much more warm and friendly, because it visually represents what we are striving towards in an world connected by the internet, by instant communication and by economies dependent on each other.