Fabric & Wallcovering

Staff -- Interior Design, 10/31/2004 12:00:00 AM

Randolph & Hein

Composed of flame-resistant Trevira CS, this shimmering sheer forms part of the Nya Nordiska collection, which comes in appealing colors including banana and fraise. Ideal for adding zing and sex appeal to any space. 2222 Palou Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94124; 800-844-9922; randolphhein.com. circle 380

Rodolph

A woven poly-cotton blend with occasional hints of metallic thread, the Show Tunes collection whimsically references favorite tunes of yore not only by the names—Banyan Tree, Summertime, Gypsy Rose, and Blue Moon—but also by the caricature-like designs. P.O. Box 1249, Sonoma, CA 95476; 707-935-0316; rodolph.com. circle 381

Pierre Frey

Geneviève, a colorful retro-modern cotton print that cheerfully tips its hat to the manufacturer's traditional floral, is available in three colorways: original, mauve, and taupe. It's suitable for both wall covering and upholstery. 979 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022; 212-213-3099; pierrefrey.com. circle 382

Unika Vaev

Known for her innovative patterns and textures for the contract market, Dorothy Cosonas has designed the Cachet collection. Its five weaves and jacquards include the linear Boulevard and Monaco Stripe, as well as Chateau, decked out in an organic leaf pattern. All are available in nine practical colorways. 607 Norwich Avenue, Taftville, CT 06380; 800-237-1625; unikavaev.com. circle 385

Jhane Barnes

Karma is this manufacturer's first collection to use the super-durability-imparting Crypton finish, which is tested to withstand more than 50,000 rubs. The finish, applied through submersion, renders the three-pattern collection water and stain resistant as well as antimicrobial. 119 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018; 800-922-0542; jhanebarnes.com. circle 383

Sina Pearson

A happy mix of retro-chic tweeds and graphic two-tone paisley weaves; the color-saturated Paisley collection also boasts a slew of reversible worsted-wool satin weaves in both staid neutrals and look-at-me brights. 150 Varick Street, New York NY 10013; 212-366-1146; sinapearson.com. circle 384

Carnegie

Taking the Xorel polyethylene weave a step closer to perfection, this manufacturer introduces fresh color palettes and patterns including the dapper Tweed, a nubby-looking weave, while bringing back favorite classics like the elegantly neutral Strié. Both are antifungal, waterproof, and nonabsorbent. 110 North Centre Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570; 800-727-6770; carnegiefabrics.com. circle 386

Architex

West Indies, a nylon-cotton-polyester blend available with Gore-Tex sealing protection, uses an innovative and intricate mechanical-pleating construction so its surface reads almost as texture rather than folds, and the textile holds its shape and design over years of use. The cheery, tropics-inspired colorways live up to the collection's name. 3333 Commercial Avenue, Northbrook, IL 60062; 800-621-0827; architex-ljh.com. circle 387

Marimekko

Originally designed in 1963 by Marimekko stalwart Maija Isola, the exuberantly graphic cotton print Vesimelooni is known as the watermelon design (for obvious reasons), and is, in typical fashion, uncomplicated but entirely sophisticated. Available in three colorways. Textile Arts, P.O. Box 3151, Sag Harbor, NY 11963; 888-343-7285; txtlart.com. circle 388

Stroheim & Romann

Distinctively English and undeniably traditional, the English Traditions III collection of nine patterns features printed-linen variations, velvets, and cotton. The textiles range from Fortuny-like two-tone designs to a classic hydrangea floral, all available in several warm-toned, versatile colorways. 31-11 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101; 718-706-7000; stroheim.com. circle 390

K5 Design

Pleasingly crumpled, the Monokrome collection has that "had-it-forever" look. In stunning color-graded stripes and satisfying solids, this textile is created from finished linen that's hand printed and then stonewashed to "break" the colors, giving them an expensive look and a favorite-jeans feel. Available on medium or heavyweight linen. P.O. Box 588, Bellport, NY 11713; 631-776-2700; K5designsource.com. circle 389

Knoll

Fully flame-retardant polyester makes Tonic Stripe appropriate for health care and hospitality environments alike. The asymmetric, color- saturated stripes evoke summer awnings and will dress (and cheer) up everything from cubicles to showers to headboards. Available in seven colorways ranging from caliente to lagoon. 76 Ninth Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10011; 800-343-5665; knoll.com. circle 391

S. Harris

Tandem Exotic is a plush but durable rayon-cotton-polyester blend that uses riotous color and a multilayered, striated design to create an overall impression of texture, tone, and consistent rhythm that utterly convinces the eye. This design exceeds 30,000 double rubs, and these colors won't fade. P.O. Box 470490, Tulsa, OK 74147; 800-664-5611; sharris.com. circle 392

Momentum

The Allegria collection of 72-inch-wide curtain fabrics for the health care market uses serene color combinations and Asian- and nature-inspired design motifs to add an element of beauty to any healing environment. Brio, Ginkgo, Lucky Bamboo, and Serendipity are available in a total of 26 colors. 17811 Fitch Street, Irvine, CA 92614; 800-366-6839; memosamples.com. circle 396

First Editions

In the midst of the season's trend toward understated naturals comes this gloriously bright floral Rose on Rose, in 1920s styling and five vivacious colorways. 979 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022; 212-355-1150. circle 393

Robert Allen

Each pattern in the Central Park collection evokes a stroll through Frederick Law Olmsted's landscaping marvel. But it's not about just flowers; there are subtle waves, stripes, graphic geometrics, basket weaves, and, yes, a gorgeous floral called Blossom Time that's no less feminine for being Teflon-coated and super-durable like the rest. 79 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016; 800-333-3777. circle 394

Designtex

Mohair Plush III, the luxuriously soft but pleasingly durable standard, is back, by popular demand. This long-beloved and widely used mohair-cotton blend has been reintroduced with 10 additional, good-enough-to-eat colors including Orange Peel and Mandarin. 200 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014; 800-221-1540; dtex.com. circle 395

Conrad Shades

Already master of the woven-blind universe, this manufacturer takes the art to a new level with the introduction of a durable, flexible, silk-like edge binding that flatters and preserves its vast selection of natural-fiber blinds. Available in 16 earth- and marine-toned colorways. 540 Ninth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103; 866-426-6723; conradshades.com. circle 397

Highland Court

Using superior-quality dyes, the Silk Sheers collection mixes stripes and patterns of translucent spun-silk jacquards in designs that are richly traditional but fit the most modern of environments. Excellent for window treatments, the patterns are available in aqua, shimmering metallic gold, and a quiet, neutral palette. 1775 Fifth Avenue, Bay Shore, NY 11706; 800-387-2533. circle 402

Cortina Leathers

Ultraprecise lasers cut a striated pattern onto cowhides to create the Laser Cavallo Terrain. Each piece is designed by hand on half-hides averaging 25 square feet, and is available in six patterns that add richness to hospitality, residential, and contract environments. 45 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10010; 800-338-6229; cortinaleathers.com. circle 398

J. Robert Scott

Meera Paisley and Foliage are luxe, sheer wools with a weight and fall that make them ideal for drapery, as do the delicious and rich-looking neutral colorways that include champagne and espresso. 500 North Oak Street, Inglewood, CA 90302; 800-322-4910; jrobertscott.com. circle 401

Pollack

As nifty as the repeated doodle motif is on this cotton-poly blend, Scribble's production method is also pretty cool. The print solution dissolves the cotton fibers, leaving behind pure polyester and a characteristic contrasting sheen that kicks basic monochrome up a notch. Available in three colorways. 150 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-627-7766; pollackassociates.com. circle 400

Donghia

The 2,000-year-old paisley motif gets a 21st-century update with Angelina, a tone-on-tone cotton-embroidered pattern. Interlocking tear shapes are woven by a hand-guided machine, creating both order and exuberant texture. The eight colorways harmonize with the theme, ranging from light neutrals to spicy earthy tones. 485 Broadway, New York, NY 10013; 800-366-4442; donghia.com. circle 399

Hinson

A bold print with a subtle color contrast means Bahama Cloth's bound to please the vanguard and traditionalists alike. The cotton-rayon blend has a subtly nubby texture and comes in the colorways you'd expect from such a balmy name: coral, yellow, red, straw, and a brazen bronze, among others. 979 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022; 212-475-4100. circle 403

Yoma

Clever and durable, Elan is based on an intricate and delicate carving found on an antique Indian powder horn, but the wool-rayon-poly blend is all business, withstanding heavy-duty abrasion while the subtle shimmer imparts depth to the pattern. There are six colorways. 580 Broadway, Suite 1209, New York, NY 10012; 212-431-4794; yoma.com. circle 404

Myung Jin

Although still true to its origins as a to-the-trade-only manufacturer and purveyor of handcrafted chenille, this Sausalito company's business has expanded to include European mills—like the one in Italy that produces Square Dance, a viscose cut-velvet weave, available in seven colorways. 10 Libertyship No. 370, Sausalito, CA 94965; 415-331-6373; myungjinfabric.com. circle 408

Pallas Textiles

From this savvy supplier of the durable, comes the polyester Office Attire collection of panel fabrics that sympathize with your work-wardrobe woes but always end up perfectly dressed. Business Casual, Business Dress, and Casual Friday set the tone for different environments in easy-to-work-with neutrals. 1330 Bellevue Street, Green Bay, WI 54302; 800-472-5527; pallastextiles.com. circle 405

Townsend Leather

Premium aniline-dyed upholstery leathers are woven on antique teak looms, giving them the "memory" to return to their original form without losing their shape. Appropriate for every type of upholstery, the Pebble pattern is available in multi- or single-toned colorways. 45-49 Townsend Avenue, Johnstown, NY 12095; 800-852-0144; townsendleather.com. circle 406

Hartmann & Forbes

Bottom hems and sides of these hand-woven Roman shades and draperies may now be customized. WeaveNumber 44 in Crimson Harvest has been finished by Pacific Northwest artisans, using George Spencer 5072-04 trim in the color Old Rose. 26100 Southwest 95th Avenue, Suite 200, Wilsonville, OR 97070; 888-582-8780; hfshades.com. circle 407

Pasini Pelle

Uncommon unions of lustrous suede and metallic ink that provide a pleasing patina as fabric ages, Printed Suedes' 12 neutral and earth-toned upholstery-quality fabrics are also ideal for use on wall and accessories. Orders are purchased by the hide and printed according to designers' specifications. 3431 Wesley Street, Unit C, Culver City, CA 90232; 310-836-0376; pasinipelle.com. circle 409

Innovations

When you want to drape, fold, and pleat leather, make a beeline for Axiom, a faux version that exceeds all American Contract Textile standards for heavy-duty upholstery—and still crumples in your hand like a cotton handkerchief. Available in 21 colors. 150 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013; 800-227-8053; innovationsusa.com. circle 413

Le Studio Anthost

Having worked in and provided textiles to some of the world's premier fashion houses, Astrid de Saint Anthost has a background that informs her simple but unerringly sophisticated designs. We appreciate her quality fabric choices, like the double-face leather selected for Brown Leaves. 21-79A 24th Street, Astoria, NY 11105; 718-267-8907; lestudioanthost.com. circle 410

Herman Miller

Green-leaning design aficionados will applaud this manufacturer's use of Kira from Interface Textiles, an annually renewable, organically based fiber weave derived from plant sugars. It performs all the same tasks as superstrength polyester with none of the petroleum, and will compost biodegradably when you're done. 855 East Main Avenue, Zeeland, MI 49464; 800-851-1196; hermanmiller.com. circle 412

Instyle

Architectural and impressive, Planet, part of the Life Textiles collection, is environmentally friendly, as are all of this manufacturer's textiles. Made exclusively with rapidly renewable resources (in this case, Australian worsted wool), and without any metals or toxic dyes, it still manages to be great looking, thanks to the freehand motif and the yummy-to-the-touch satin finish. 735 Grand View Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94114; 415-515-9851; instylecontracttextiles.com. circle 411

Blackstock Leather

Magnetic leather floor and wall tiles made of full, natural-grain, vegetable-dyed cowhide are stocked in 16 sizes and 14 colors. The magnetic-backing process allows tiles to be arranged, rearranged, and easily replaced. Custom sizes and colors are available by special order. 13452 Kennedy Road, Stouffville, Ontario, Canada L4A 7X5; 800-663-6657; blackstockleather.com. circle 414

Stark Wallcovering

Part of the Ornamenta collection, the crisp, hand-printed geometric design of Vice Versa creates a matte/metallic contrast using variegated pigments. The result is eye-catching but not overwhelming; it's available in 11 mineral-inspired colorways including anthracite, steel, and stone—several of which have rosy undertones. 979 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022; 212-752-9000; starkcarpet.com. circle 415

Phillip Jeffries Ltd.

While it's beloved by environmentalists for its renewable nature, no one's going to argue the fact that Bamboo Forest looks great and lends a sophisticated Asian edge to any room. Available in raw and baked bamboo, this wall covering is made with a cotton-knit backing to allow for smooth adhesion to curved or angled surfaces. 311 Route 46, Fairfield, NJ 07004; 800-576-5455; phillipjeffries.com. circle 417

Alpha Workshops

The whimsical print Butterfly, the latest in the Painted Papers line, superimposes these creatures of various sizes and shapes over one another, achieving a dimensional, layered effect. This flight of fancy is kept aloft thanks to a rainbow of standard and custom hues. Made to order and available in a variety of finishes, from matte to metallic. 245 West 29th Street, Floor 12A, New York, NY 10001; 212-594-7320. circle 418

Spinneybeck

For the true hedonist (or just the "padded-room" enthusiast), these upholstered leather panels are available in a variety of stitch details including box pleats and wide matelassés. With a whopping 800 color options, you're all but guaranteed a perfect match in any room. Panels attach via Velcro or z-clips. 425 CrossPoint Parkway, Getzville, NY 14068; 800-482-7777; spinneybeck.com. circle 416

Paul Montgomery Studio

Rendered on handmade Fang Kuai paper, the hand-painted Taihu Garden scenic mural panels are all about quality craftsmanship. There's no shortage of choices—designers can select from 50 color options that are offered on 44 standard or color-antiquated paper or silk backings. Each mural set is composed of 20 panels. P.O. Box 976, Churchville, VA 24421; 540-337-6600; paulmontgomery.com. circle 419

Len-Tex

Paloma is a new series of distinctive and elegant Type II wall coverings that mix and match with ease and aplomb, thanks to complementary elements designed into the 6 patterns and 10 colorways. 199 Main Street, North Walpole, NH, 03609; 603-445-2342; lentexcorp.com. circle 423

MDC

Grasscloth is the option du jour for those seeking environmentally sensitive and elegant wall-covering choices. This collection meets standards for a Class A fire rating, but the patterns and textures it offers take you straight back to nature. 1200 Arthur Avenue, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007; 800-621-4006; mdcwall.com. circle 420

Gilford

Designer Dorianna Ricci's Café collection of Type II vinyl is a quiet understatement conceived to enhance rather than dominate its environment. Designs, including Fenêtre, mimic the appearance of natural weaves and plaster finishes, but can hold their own in high-traffic installations. 3001 Hamburg Pike, Jeffersonville, IN 47130; 800-852-5454; gilford.com. circle 421

Versa

Part of the new Atria collection, Toile is an upbeat and welcome entry to the health care and hospitality markets. Designed by Bruce Foster, this beloved, traditional French print is interpreted on Type II 20-ounce vinyl and is available in subtle, nature-inspired colorways. 4700 Robards Lane, Louisville, KY 40218; 502-458-1502; versawallcovering.com. circle 422