"Transitional" fabrics are the compromise between traditional and contemporary fabrics. Often times, transitional fabrics can go either way. They are conservative enough to blend in w
ith the tr
aditional fabrics, lending a fresh zip to time honored style, yet feel at home also with the contemporaries.
We just received our Fall line of fabrics and it is loaded with these types of versatile prints and solids. The colors are the most striking innovation, as we are seeing color combinations that are truly unique! And most of the patterns that you are about to see come in many other color ways.
The dominant pattern left is called “Entwined” in the color “Tango Mango”. Color is always somewhat distorted on the
Internet, but this is a beautiful, soft Salmon color. The fabric top right in that grouping is called “
Belvedere” in the color “Sand”. It is a
Kasmir exclusive that looks like it is printed on linen and has a wonderfully soft hand. But’s actually embroidered onto 1
00% polyester
greige goods. The
viney flowers have varying tones of the “Entwined” fabric and greens matching the paisley below it. The paisley is called “Madurai”. The inner parts of the paisley are varying tints of the Tango Mango.
Now see how the "Entwined" pattern (right) can swing toward contemporary. The fabrics are all
drapey polyesters, with a slight sheen. Here I have replaced the floral with a stripe that coordinates with "Entwined. The third print, "
Turkana", is still a paisley, but a less traditional one in that it is more open and flowing than the original. Again, the color is a bit distorted, but the darker tones of the stripe are actually repeated in the "
Turkana".
This next grouping is a really strong color combination. The main fabric is called “Extravagant”. It offers sharp color contrast and really makes a statement. This fabric would make an awesome cornice
bo
ard, or perhaps even a drapery; although it would have to be a good sized room to be able to carry it as a drapery. The print itself is fairly traditional, but the color combination really jazzes it up for a more contemporary look. The 2009 color of the year was selected by the
CMG to be purple. (It’s interesting to see how long it takes the yearly color selections to infiltrate cross industry, but that’s a future topic of discussion.) There is a lot of purple in this line. The “Glisten” fabric (in Raspberry” bottom right) certainly pulls the purple from this fabric. Try covering the left fabric (“Glisten” in “Marmalade”) with your left hand. See how the purple jumps from the middle fabric! Now reverse it, covering the right fabric. See how the orange jumps! This exercise makes “Extravagant” look like two completely different fabrics, depending on the coordinating fabric selected. A stunning look would be to combine all three colors in the room. The cut velvet “Glisten” fabrics would make ideal seating, as they have a rating of 40,000 on the
Martindale scale! I haven’t even told you about the coordinating stripe that brings in all three of these fabrics!
The background prints in the next group vary between a traditional and non traditional floral. The one
on the left is called “
Spring Garden”. See how, as discussed
abov
e, you can focus on either the purple or the green. Each one gives a totally different feel to the fabric. But see what happens (right) when we change out
the main fabric (to "Waimea"). All of the sudden, a traditional look becomes contemporary. The geometric is the transitional pattern in these two sequences.
I’
ve been discussing some of the new colors, but I would be remiss I
didn’t include the following blue and brown selections. This combination became the rage about three or four years ago, and it is still huge. This collection offers several blue/brown choices and these are just a few examples.
The main fabric (left) is a light weight polyester called "
Curlique". This fabric would swag beautifully or hang elegantly as a drape. The pattern is nontraditional and the geometric patterns of the companion prints ("Right Angles" and "Diamond Mine")complement it well. Both of the companions would make excellent residential seating. Watch what happens when the contemporary "
Curlique" is paired with more traditional prints (right).
This traditional main fabric is called "
Prestonwood". It surpasses 60,000 double rubs, and would be ideal for upholstery. Here is "
Curlique" again, this time with a stripe ("Plaza") paired together to result in a transitional design. Just a thought, a traversing wood pole in a rich mocha would be especially nice with these draperies!
For several years now we've been crying for prints, only to be semi-placated with mostly solids and eventually a few embroideries thrown in for accent. This seems to be the season of revival of patterns! There are old patterns with a new twist, as well as tons of totally new ones! Dare I say that there are actually some
florals included in this season's selection? Not quite
chintzes, which some day will have their rebirth, but still, nice “pretty”
florals. Also, there are many
geometrics, and small and large scale prints. There are lots of retro (late 60's to 1970's), but the 70's never saw this combination of colors! There is something here for everyone! When these books came in, Mr. UPS was not out of the door before we declared it was time for a break to drool over the new swatches!
Today I went to Waltham to participate in a panel discussion on ways to improve the Hunter Douglas product line. The meeting included me and 7 other dealers from all parts of the state. It was really worthwhile to be able to discuss the advantages and drawbacks of the existing line of blinds and shades with the other dealers, and to share our customers' response to the products. Additionally, we were given a preview of some of the new items, not yet in production. We were able to inspect, study and give our opinions as to the functionality and marketability of the new items. Hunter Douglas really does listen to input from the dealers! This is the 3rd year that I have had the privilege to participate in this event and it has been interesting seeing the implementation of our suggestions and ideas. 
