FORGET PASTELS, JEWELS ARE IT

For some reason the Pantone color of the year seems to hold lots of sway in the interior design industry these days.  I am not really sure how this started or why.  Don't get me wrong, I love Pantone, but wasn't it not long ago they were strictly working in the domain of the graphic designer and publisher?  Maybe they have some great insight regarding color trends in general, but I feel everyone in the interiors industry grudgingly follows along with their color selections against their better judgement.

I am pretty sure most everyone is at a bit of a loss over Rose Quartz and Serenity this year, which come on, is really just pink and baby blue.  I don't do a lot of nurseries so I don't foresee using these colors a lot except for in small doses.  These colors should be relegated to a supporting role.

 And last years Marsala?  I know fashion is looking back to Winona Ryder's brown lipstick, but I would prefer not to have this muddy, early 90s eggplant color on my walls.  All I can think about with this one is that it would work quite well in Monica's apartment.

The trend I see so far this year is much richer and elegant than the pastels of Pantone.  Rich jewel tones are making a decided comeback.

Key influences on these colors seem to be -
- an interest in Art Deco and higher end MCM, and non-Scandinavian MCM, ie Italian

- the last season of Downtown Abbey with its current Art Deco tones and a nostalgia for the Edwardian richness of the earlier seasons

- Fashion, we saw what was happening on the red carpet at the Oscars, it was saturated jewel tones

- And the continued obsession with Kelly Wearstler and her obsession with all things stone

I recently had the great honor of getting a sneak peek and offering my opinion on a new line for a fabric manufacturer.  Remarkably I saw a wonderfully rich and elegant palette of deep teal, ocean blue and ruby.  And yes, there were a few hints of pastel, but these pale colors actually worked really well as a delicate and subtle foil to the jewels.

I wish Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams would step up their game in publicizing their color forecasting.  Or one of the many furniture and fabric houses that also forecasts.  I believe interiors colors is different from general fashion/graphic color forecasting and therefore warrants its own take.

So there are my two cents.  Anybody else?

PILLOW TALK

I was recently asked to contribute to a magazine article about 2016 fabric trends and had to think, look at some magazines and a little pinterest, and consider what my clients are asking for as well.  I won't reveal my official findings quite yet, but I do think this little grouping from my own pillow collection tells the story fairly well.  Love the mix of graphic black & white, traditional Oriental-inspired toile, and mid-century modern.

Design Concept Sneak Peek

Very excited about this bold concept coming together for a living room!

Featured on The Highboy again!

Happy to see a pair of my vintage throw pillows featured on The Highboy right now!  I love this guide to using black in interiors, always a dramatic and sophisticated look.

VINTAGE THROW PILLOWS NOW AVAILABLE!

I am happy to announce my line of custom throw pillows, all created from original, vintage, mid-century textiles is now available!  

For the past few months I have been on the hunt for mid-century fabrics that showcase a different side of modernism; not just the typical Eames-style, playful, atomic-age version of the period (not matter how great these textiles can be), but instead a more Hollywood Regency, updated historic, artistic side.  

I was on the hunt for textiles the Grand Dames of interior design like Dorothy Draper or Madeleine Castaing might use.  Textiles that are bold, painterly and elegant, and would feel right at home in a modern interior (or atop any of my restored antique or vintage seating pieces!)  

To introduce these new products, all are discounted now through January 1st.  All below reflect pricing including down pillow insert, but are all available without insert upon request.  I do have some additional fabric if you are interested in additional pillows.

Contact me direct to arrange for payment and shipping; gift wrapping is also available for the holidays!

Chic Chinoiserie, pair of 18x18 pillows from vintage 1940s glazed cotton chinz. Each pillow frames a different charming scene from the large repeating print in modern chinese red, bright pink and fresh green. Pillow has a solid black back and deep red cotton edge welt.

Hidden zipper enclosure and down/feather insert. Retail: $539, On sale: $379, for the pair, or $189.50 each.

Royal Romans, pair of 18x18 pillows from vintage 1940s Irish linen.  A highly energetic mid-century modern interpretation of an ancient Greek or Roman scene of chariots and dramatically posed horses. Color palette is warm and retro. Pillows have new solid lined burlap backs and olive green edge welt detail. 

Hidden zipper enclosure and down/feather insert. Retail: $589 On sale: $409, for the pair or $204.50 each.

 

Cut-out Cultivated, pair of 18x18 pillows from 1960s medium-weight cotton.  A dense wooded scene grows towards the top of the pillow where the growth breaks into clear sky showing the treetops perfectly. Colors are rich and vintage Scandinavian inspired. Back of the pillows are solid linen, with a dark chocolate brown edge welt. 

Hidden zipper enclosure and down/feather insert.  Retail: $649 On sale: $454 for the pair, or $227 each.

Op-Art Seaside,single lumbar pillow, 12x24, from 1960s medium-weight cotton.  A groovy abstract take on sand and sea expresses the style and glamour of Mid-Century Cote d'Azure.  
Hidden zipper enclosure and down/feather insert.  Retail: $232 On sale: $158.

Silken Scribbles, single boudoir pillow, 12x16, from 1950s Japan, 100% silk front.  Dynamic and delicate deep navy lines scribe across the bright coral background of this delicate silk.  A chic, uptown take on the Atomic Age.  

Hidden zipper enclosure and down/feather insert.  Retail: $226 On sale: $162.

  

VINTAGE THROW PILLOWS COMING SOON

I am excited to share a sneak peak of my new line of throw pillows all constructed of vintage mid-century fabrics.  Full details and lots of pics coming soon!

FABRIC DESIGNS ROUND ONE

I am very excited to introduce my first fabric pattern created by my father and myself.  We are currently working on a collection of five patterns, all inspired by his wallpaper designs developed several decades ago.  Now we are updating, refreshing, and adding to these patterns, all of which drew original inspiration from traditional Japanese, Southeast Asian and French origins.  I know I should wait and reveal them all together as a cohesive whole, but I am just too impatient.  So here is the pattern 'Nara', in three colorways and repeat sizes (of course black, white and grays will be featured prominently, and I had to throw in my signature deep teal, the color of Christa Pirl Furniture's branding!)

The fabrics shown here are printed on a linen/cotton blend that is only suitable for throw pillows and the like, however, I do have a 100% cotton twill available that is suitable for light upholstery and drapery.

Price per yard for the linen/cotton blend: $92
Price per yard for the 100% cotton: $112
Trade discounts available.  Samples available.

Please check back soon for some fab throw pillows made up in all three of these fabrics.

Any input or constructive criticism is much appreciated!



Copyright Christa Pirl, LLC.

MY OFFICE IS OVERFLOWING WITH PILLOWS!

I love throw pillows.  They are such a great way to add pattern, color and texture to a space in an easy, inexpensive and interchangeable way.  And almost every time I recover an antique or vintage chair or sofa I find a fabric that would just look perfect as a coordinating pillow.  So I started making pillows that can easily be mixed and matched with most of my pieces on Christa Pirl Furniture.  Not surprisingly they are mostly black or white or both, with a few brights mixed in.  I know, I have a pretty particular look.  But that is what you are supposed to have as a designer right?  And what richness do these pieces add without being overly trendy or bold?!

So, if anyone is in need of throw pillows that are ready to be shipped out, or in need of something custom to work with a particular chair or sofa, let me know!

Prices are based on size, with the occasional exception for an exceptional fabric.

12x16, cover only, $75, with down insert $105
16x16, cover only, $120, with down insert $150
18x18, cover only, $140, with down insert $170
20x20, cover only, $160, with down insert $190
24x24, cover only, $180, with down insert $200


Here is the current stock; aren't they pretty? :)