Material Matters

-- Interior Design, 2/1/2001 12:00:00 AM

Stroheim & Romann/JAB's latest collections include fabrics that have strong colors, lively patterns, and whimsical accents. Penrose, for example, celebrates the rose in both Rosa, a large-scale design featuring a jacquard flower in a grid layout, and Rosebud, a floral vine in a stripe arrangement. In addition, RosaMarie, a textured plaid, and Rosewood, a stripe, round out the series.

Never tiring of the sun-drenched south of France, Stroheim & Romann created Provence V. Among the patterns: Colbert, a white damask matelassé; Moulin Stripe, a leaf design; the plaid Couette; Le Coq, a rooster design; Le Grand, which incorporates the French symbol for hospitality, the acorn; Boulange, a damask/check design; Cassis, with berries; Maures, a tiny plaid; Moulin Plaid, with small fiddle-head leaves on a check background; Marguerite, a printed cotton, and La Mistral, a wall covering.

From JAB, the Diva collection consists of two fabrics: Cassiano, a silky metallic iridescent with a subtle pebbly texture, and Jalna, a metallic yarn/silk blend offered in 11 colors. The coordinating Gasparone includes a taffeta and chenille horizontal stripe with a narrow metallic one. Silk Essence II includes Jalna, a design of undulating vines and leaves, and Ladakh, a textured solid. Finally, the Goldoni collection consists of Farsetti, with shiny and velvet textures in a thick-and-thin stripe; an iridescent velvet called Rialto; and San Marco, a large-scale leaf design in velvet. Stroheim & Romann/JAB, 11 East 56th Street, New York, NY 10022.

circle 308

Jim Thompson: The New Plaid collection is a series of hand-woven Thai silks that hark back to Thompson's early days, when he employed 20,000 weavers throughout Thailand and exported fabric to 35 countries. Jim Thompson, 1706 Chantilly Drive, Atlanta, GA 30324.

circle 309

Christopher Farr: Debuting at London's 100% Design show, the Cloth collection of furnishing fabrics is designed by Farr in association with business partners Matthew Bourne and Michal Silver and Barcelona-based fabric manufacturer Artextil. Available through DeSousa Hughes, Two Henry Adams Street, Suite 220, San Francisco, CA 94103.

circle 310

Audrey Buckner: The neckwear designer has created a collection of home furnishing fabrics that include Oh Baby!, a soft, flannel-finished alpaca. Audrey Buckner, 150 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019.

circle 311

Colefax and Fowler: Three new trends for winter fabrics include color (soft muted tones and rich shades), texture (silks and wools), and design (florals, checks, and plaids). Galloway Plaid, Dunstan Check, and Arden Check are just three examples. Available through Cowtan & Tout, 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10011.

circle 312

Kevin O'Brien: Well-known for his handmade, burnt-out silk and velvet fashion fabrics, painter O'Brien is trying his hand at drapery panels, pillows, and throws. Kevin O'Brien, 16A North Third Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

circle 313