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Friday, December 16, 2011

Fresh Fabric Friday: Robert Allen's Williamsburg Classics Collection

Lucky me! While attending the Sherwin Williams colormix seminar last week, I bumped into Jennifer, the local Robert Allen sales rep (attending because of the partnership the two companies have), who remembered me from my days of stopping in at the Robert Allen showroom at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. Long story short, she paid me a visit the other day, bringing a host of fabric books for me to start a Robert Allen fabric library.  Today I am sharing one of my favorite collections from the mix, the Williamsburg Classics Collection.
 

The book features a host of print and woven multi-use fabrics in vivid colors. Interestingly the designs were inspired by the 18th century antiques and archives of Colonial Williamsburg. The word "colonial" conjures up a staid and stuffy look, but the collection is anything but and does a beautiful job interpreting traditional patterns, giving them a bold new look and making them ideal for today's interiors.  Here are a few patterns that wowed me:

A floral linen print in very current colorways.

This is a stunning embroidered rayon and linen fabric available in several colors.

A bold damask pattern in cotton with a little poly for durability, again available in several bright colors.

A classic toile made modern with a larger, looser pattern.

A play off of a more traditional check often paired with the toile, this Ikat is graphic and powerful. 

 We visited Colonial Williamsburg a few years ago on a family vacation and I remember being struck by the vibrant decor, so much so that I photographed a few rooms. So, I was not totally surprised by the bold hues as I looked through the Williamsburg Collection.  Check out the color in these rooms!




Seems that everything old is new again!  I love seeing historic patterns re-created.  The fabrics from this collection are available through designers (including me) and retail between $62 and $105 per yard with the higher price points being for some of the embroidered fabrics.

Can you see using one of the patterns from this collection in a room in your home?

Have a great week-end, with 9 days until Christmas, we are in the home stretch... of course I still have mountains of things to do, including finishing the holiday decorating!

One last thing, I hope to change up "Fresh Fabrics Friday" a little bit 2012 and would love your help....  Do you have a favorite fabric or project(s) you have completed using fabric?  I would love to do a feature here on Room Rx on a regular basis (once a month maybe?) profiling one project/blogger in order to share great fabrics and ideas.   Please contact me via email or leave a comment here and lets talk!

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design
If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Design Concept Board or a complete Room Rx.


6 comments:

  1. Lucky you is right! What a collection - I'd love to know what that first fabric is on the very left in the first photo. Reminds me a lot of the colors in our master. I also really love the toile fabric. If I ever get around to do the draperies in our master I will let you know for your Fresh Fabrics feature - what a great idea. Have a great weekend Cathy!

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  2. I could be inspired by fabrics all day long! Love the Plaid Ikat and also the one Holly mentioned. Thanks for the preview!

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  3. So interesting! I would have thought that colonial colors would have been more subdued. That sconce fabric is sooooo pretty.

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  4. Beatiful! Thanks for the post!

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  5. Hi Holly,

    The fabric on the left is Floral Inset Lemongrass:
    http://www.robertallendesign.com/trade/fabric_detail.aspx?product=215322

    Enjoy!

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  6. Hi Cathy,

    Thanks so much for lending us your photos!

    Check out what we did with them here:
    http://redelman.com/blog/2012/06/inspiration-behind-the-williamsburg-classics-ii-collection/

    Enjoy!

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