on the mend...

Ahhh! Patches! Those sweet little make-do, fix-up, get-by mends are getting their just do! I have been dealing in textiles for about 15 years and have always adored sweet hand stitched mends on quilts and linens, but I have seen customers turn their nose up at a perfectly lovely mend on a perfectly lovely textile. This I could never understand! To me it always made the item more special, showing such a personal sign of care (and an early understanding of re-use and frugality).

I just read a recent posting at dcbydignblog.com and was so pleased to see my favorite design textile, the humble grain sack, still holding strong as a favored upholstery covering. I guess a new trend surfacing is is using old commercial tarps as furniture covering! I have to say, I like it! Perfect for a cozy beach cottage! The above photo is a detail of a tarp covered couch that is part of a line that Designer Thomas Bin  created for Four Hands, an Austin, Texas based importer of "Lifestyle Home Furnishings."

http://dcbydesignblog.com/2010/09/from-grain-sacks-to-truck-tarps/

Bloom...

I was just online and checking out Remodelista. Francesca had just posted an article on "Bloom", a lovely store located in Sag Harbor. I am a die hard fan of spare primitive decorating–early painted cupboards, baskets and hand woven textiles, but done with a minimal flare. This shop looks amazing! It looks like the interior of someone's home. What a great way to merchandise! For more about Bloom (and more wonderful photos), read more at:

http://remodelista.com/posts/shoppers-diary-bloom-in-sag-harbor#comments