{'Happikat' by Lauren Liess Textiles-- eeeek}
I definitely squeeled when I received our very first fabric strike-off in the mail today. I'm sooooo excited and it's amazing to see the designs we've been working on for so long on a beautiful linen. I can't wait to get my hot mitts on the others. I named this overscaled ikat "Happikat" because it really is one of those fun, fearless fabrics that just makes me happy. (And -only half-kidding here- it helps me remember how to pronounce "ikat" ;) My good college friend & artist, who helped me create this design {with her magical skills} is also named Kat! rarrrr {Kat Wright technically}
This design was basically a serious doodle for me. As you might remember, I can't draw, so I just sort of let go and had fun with it. I incorporated a little bit of a Grecian vase shape into it (which isn't in this section so you can't really see it) and just kind of added curls & little paisley shapes & dots where it felt like it needed it. I knew I wanted a bold overscaled ikat with a linear feel and just sort of kept at it until I was happy with the way it all intertwined. Kat then took the drawing I made and evened it out/ made it perfectly symmetrical and made it look as pretty as it was in my head. (because mine was scaaaaaary in actuality) It's been amazing to work with the artists on these designs because they are talented enough to create what you have in your head & are trying to communicate. It's a totally different form of design thatn I do and I'm in complete awe.
I'm using the new fabric in the bedroom/ sitting room I'm designing for the DC Design House, so I'll be sure to keep you posted on our progress. It'll be available in several colorways on linen. (The background of this black & white print is a bit creamier than it's reading in the photos and we still have a few tweaks to make here & there.)
I've got a busy day heading over to the Design House tomorrow to meet with the other designers & our contractors, so gingers crossed all is smooth! For the past couple of weeks we've been working on securing donations from companies in the industry, shops, artisans & contractors, and I'm really amazed at everyone's generosity. {Like I mentioned before, all proceeds from the DC Design House go to Children's Hospital.} I can't wait to share everyone's info with you because so much of their stuff is to-die-for and you will looooove it like I do.
**update: oops I almost forgot: I'm hoping to have the fabrics ready to rock by April. :) ...working on on pricing & on finalizing some of the designs. {And just to fill you in/ warn you, high-quality linen textiles are not cheap, especially when they are not mass-produced. I am working on getting the price down as low as I can to make the textiles as affordable as possible, but our fabrics will in no way be at the low-end of the spectrum both price & quality-wise.- hope that made sense! ;)
If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.