Fabric & Wallcovering

Staff -- Interior Design, 10/31/2005 12:00:00 AM

Kinnasand

This 200-year-old firm may be long in the tooth, but it still produces some of Scandinavia's most innovative fine textiles. Its latest, Kendo, juxtaposes rich color zones with textural lines, and transparent fields with dense and voluptuous shapes. It's polyester and is available in four colorways: red-gray, gray-white, green-gray, and white-crème. P.O. Box 196, Milford, MA 01757; 508-473-1550; kinnasand.com. circle 420

Carnegie

This manufacturer has figured out what fashion designers have always known: Pleats flatter. Witness In The Fold, a multi-hued, striped, cotton-polyester-blend upholstery fabric that uses proprietary loom technology to create permanent folds. The effect is high-drama 3-D—definitely a show-stealer. Offered in nine colors. 110 North Centre Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570; 800-727-6770; carnegiefabrics.com. circle 421

Stacy Garcia

The Contempo, Horizon, and Tiles patterns of this St-Martin's–trained designer, who worked at Ralph Lauren before launching her own production firm, feature opulently hued prints and give a nod to Byzantine shapes. But the fire-retardant Avora poly blends, available in three color motifs, are pure 21st century. 504 Airport Executive Park, Nanuet, NY 10954; 845-426-0756; stacygarciainc.com. circle 422

Barbara Beckmann

The California sun has really gotten to the designers of the Moonstone collection. Merletto, for instance, recalls the sand tones and earthy textures of the Napa Valley (where it's made). The luxurious, 54-inch-wide silk-linen fabric, appropriate for both upholstery and drapery, comes in 10 mineral hues ranging from quartz pink to jade. 1911 North Kelly Road, Napa, CA 94558; 415-863-0304; barbarabeckmanndesigns.com. circle 425

Kravet

Don't let the name fool you: The hardy weaves of this manufacturer's Value Line, which exceed ACT standards, may be moderately priced, but they can hold their own in any beauty contest. Color themes like Key Lime, Sangria, and Sunset speak for themselves; they are supported by elegant designs ranging from subtle textures to graphic diamonds and whorls. 225 Central Avenue South, Bethpage, NY 11714; 888-891-4112; kravetcontract.com. circle 424

Laura Lienhard

Fishnet takes its cue from the sea—not just in the weave of its worsted wool (made in Scotland) but also in its pale, ethereal colorways, Foam (creamy white with just a hint of yellow) and Sea (the palest blue). 187 South Winooski Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401; 802-660-8528; lauralienhard.com. circle 423

Le Studio Anthost

Patchwork, a moiré, is a new venture for designer Astrid de Saint Anthost. The entrancing repeated motif of primitive-looking striations and blocks, however, will be familiar to any fan of her work. 21-79A 24th Street, Astoria, NY 11105; 718-267-8907; lestudioanthost.com. circle 426

Arc-Com

With shades of mid-century modernity and a dash of Joan Miró, Circuit, a free-form small geometric, proves that a stalwart presence in the contract/hospitality market need not relinquish refined design aspirations. The cotton-nylon-polyester blend is available in 12 colorways including deep blue and chocolate. 33 Ramland South, Orangeburg, NY 10962; 800-223-5466; arc-com.com. circle 427

Classic Cloth

This manufacturer, part of the Dessin Fournir group, emphasizes a timelessness that ensures each of its selections will complement everything else in the line. And it doesn't get more classic than this wool leno weave pattern, which is available in a classic shade of ecru. 308 West Mill, Plainville, KS 67663; 785-434-7200; classicclothfabrics.com. circle 428

Brentano

Designer Iris Wang was steeped in the traditions of Chinese and Japanese theater from an early age; that influence suffuses the Theater Collection, with its whimsical cotton-chenille on a background of luminescent polyester. It's available in seven tasteful colorways, ranging from silvers and pewters to ebony. 1451 Paddock Drive, Northbrook, IL 60062; 800-338-7210; brentanofabrics.com. circle 431

Hinson & Company

A bouclé ground is the backdrop for Rings Texture, a retro-glam drama of big, bold circles in eight colors rolling around and over each other in a 27-inch repeat. Don't let the cushy look and elegant earth-tone palette fool you: At a threshold of almost 50,000 double rubs, this polyester and acrylic fabric is no lightweight. 979 Third Avenue, Suite 732, New York, NY 10022; 212-475-4100. circle 430

Highland Court

Make a bold fall entrance with Chelsea Designs, a collection that encompasses an impressive 234 selections (many inspired by antique documents) that span five color books. Several are in silk or viscose. Every single one complements the entire collection. 1775 Fifth Avenue, Bay Shore, NY 11706; 800-387-2533; highlandcourtfabrics.com. circle 429

Pindler & Pindler

Reach for Avalon when you want to give your outdoor entertainment areas a retro-modern floral upgrade; the solution-dyed acrylic withstands all weather (it even adds a bit of sunshine). It's available in six colorways and coordinates with the manufacturer's awning stripes. 11910 Poindexter Avenue, Moorpark, CA 93021; 800-669-6002; pindler.com. circle 432

Anzea

Vacation Package is most decidedly a trip: five coordinating Crypton-finished polyester-and-rayon designs borrowed from the beach vendors of Mexico—from serapes to sarongs to ceramics—and executed in a combination of sand and sky shades and brilliant hues. 901 Foch Street, Forth Worth, TX 76107; 817-336-2310; anzea.com. circle 436

Jhane Barnes

This menswear designer continues to dabble in upholstery fabric with the Ascension Collection, which includes Swoop, Pop, and Glide. The names pretty much sum up the happy dynamism of these ultra-durable Zeflon-nylon fabrics (which exceed a whopping 150,000 rubs). Twenty colorways are offered. 119 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018; 800-922-0542; jhanebarnestextiles.com. circle 433

Groundworks

Elegant, friendly to myriad interiors, a flawless merger of vintage and modern—it must be Thomas O'Brien. In his second textiles collection for this manufacturer, lush velvets with a soft nod to retro complement chenille, embroidery, and sheer weaves in a variety of snappy and bold citrus shades. 201 Central Avenue South, Bethpage, NY 11714; 800-453-3563; leejofa.com. circle 435

Moore & Giles

The term "gourmet" gets thrown around a lot these days—gourmet ice cream, gourmet potato chips, gourmet fast food—but gourmet leather? Absolutely, says this manufacturer. Glamour is a glitzy, high-metallic, nothing-short-of-fabulous leather, tanned and dyed in a Vegas-showgirl lineup of colors, including blue, rose, lime, and, of course, good old-fashioned gold. P.O. Box 670, 1081 Tannery Row, Forest, VA 24551; 800-737-0169; mooreandgilesinc.com. circle 434

Unika Vaev

This company is serious about plumbing the depths of 20th-century Viennese design; it even has its own archives collection. Elise,Belvedere, and Lorelei are a contrasting but complementary array of cotton-rayon-blend weaves based on Viennese Secessionist designs. Available in up to seven colors. 607 Norwich Avenue, Taftville, CT 06380; 800-237-1625; unikavaev.com. circle 437

Knoll

Behold Ingot: One simple pattern of texture, inspired by embossed sheet metal, in a waterfall of colorways, running the gamut from metal-toned neutrals to hothouse fuchsia, which means it will fit in anywhere. And the 100 percent recycled poly with Nano-Tex finish means it will last and last. 76 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10014; 866-565-5858; knolltextiles.com. circle 438

Garrett Leather

A lot gets done to the Vintage line of brand-new leathers to give them that been-around-forever burnish: They're chrome-tanned, then retanned with vegetable solutions, then waxed and oiled to achieve a bit of wear, and finally hand-rubbed to give them texture. (Just remember, they last like new leather.) Available in seven colorways. 1360 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY 14213; 800-342-7738; garrettleather.com. circle 441

Larsen

Few textile designers bring as much history, expertise, and sheer virtuosity to the table (and to the market) as this manufacturer. Symphony, brand-new for fall 2005, is a handsome cut-epingle viscose-cotton blend with refined geometric striping that adds just the right touch of art deco. Eight colorways are available. 111 Eighth Avenue, Suite 930, New York, NY 10011; 212-647-6900. circle 440

Townsend Leather

Their forte is staid airline, marine, and automotive interiors, so the opulent design of Alhambra is a delightful surprise from this manufacturer. The pattern is embossed and dyed on whole hides, largely eliminating the worry of match lines. P.O. Box 669, Johnstown, NY 12095; 800-852-0144; townsendleather.com. circle 439

Peter Fasano

For more than 25 years this designer has been hand-blocking and hand-screening his own subtle designs, which marry the traditional with a liberal dash of exoticism. His latest, Delicata, is a cotton-linen blend that plays with vine patterns in simple but utterly elegant dual tones like Lapis, Carbon, Spice, Malt, and Pewter. Through John Rosselli & Associates, 979 Third Avenue, Suite 1800, New York, NY 10022; 212-593-2060; peterfasano.com. circle 442

Hunter Douglas Hospitality

The Richmond Resort collection for fall 2005 will bring cool comfort to southern climes, with its turquoise and aquamarine tones that emulate tropical sea and sky. But if you prefer warms or neutrals, this company—known for its readiness to customize colors—is at your service. Suitable for window coverings and upholstery alike. 900 North Franklin, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60610; 800-229-5300; hunterdouglashospitality.com. circle 447

Momentum

The name—Public Space Crypton Collection—might evoke sci-fi utopian visions, but the line's fiber-sealing Crypton technology is serious business. The 12 patterns in the collection are available in sunny colors that reflect Southern California's idiosyncratic mix of funkiness and laid-back cool. 17811 Fitch Street, Irvine, CA 92614; 800-366-6839; memosamples.com. circle 446

Soliloquy

Athena Damask is a 1906 document design depicting stylized ivy vines, reproduced in cotton-viscose on earth- and sky-toned backgrounds. Available in six colorways including Waterfall, gold, and Eucalyptus. 3439 Northeast Sandy Boulevard, Suite 344, Portland, OR 97232; 503-242-1099; soliloquytex.com. circle 443

Pollack

Like many of this firm's designs, Puzzle Box is all about precision execution. Single- and double-cloth poly-silk stripes create patterns of overlapping rectangles beneath a cotton-woven design of undulating stripes. The puckered texture of the background adds dimension and sophistication. Offered in 10 colors. 150 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-627-7766; pollackassociates.com. circle 445

JA Felt

Lava's palette is nothing if not theatrical. The patterns of the Lisere felt fabrics, which combine silk, velvet, rayon, and wool, burst with rich color combinations—hot fuchsia against deep blue, violet, and red backgrounds. The fabrics range in width from 26 to 84 inches. 20604 Grand Mound Way Southwest, Centralia, WA 98531; 360-273-8548; jafelt.com. circle 444

Textile Arts

The Finns, not content simply to gaze at the polar night sky, have now brought us Northern Lights, a gorgeous Marimekko- issued cotton silkscreen, designed by in-house talents Robert Segal and Alicia Rosauer. Available in two colorways; suited for bedding and linens. P.O. Box 3151, Sag Harbor, NY 11963; 888-343-7285; txtlart.com. circle 452

Hable Construction

The Hable sisters are masters of simple, down-home natural linen and hand-screened prints. Chocolate Fig is a brown- black retro-chic leaf motif in cotton-linen. The pattern may also be rendered as a woven textile. 584 Broadway, Suite 201, New York, NY 10012; 212-625-2616; hableconstruction.com. circle 448

J. Robert Scott

In both palette and texture, the Forests collection is inspired by loamy, untouched nature. One hundred percent machine-woven silks, cotton-linen blends, and nubbly wool alpacas create contrasts of texture, and the mushroomy shades mix and match as ably as they do in the woods. 500 North Oak Street, Inglewood, CA 90302; 800-322-4910; jrobertscott.com. circle 451

KOVA Textiles

Ideal for drapes, Roman shades, scrim, and paneling, Basket Weave, in white and clear, combines yarns of clear polymer and vinyl-coated polyester, resulting in a flame-proof, super-strong weave that looks, and hangs, as delicately as lace. It's also available encapsulated in a hard-surface resin product. 32 Union Square East, Suite 216, New York, NY 10003; 212-254-7591; kovatextiles.com. circle 449

Andrea Valentini

They're officially called sculptural textiles, and they can be used for personal accessories as well as for upholstery. Bump's surface is inspired by nature's purest shape—the egg. The repeated motif of round protrusions results in a satisfying texture and pattern. Bump is made of molded polyethylene and comes in 24-by-24-inch panels in black, champagne, graphite, and ivory. Custom colors are an option. 28 Selkirk Road, Providence, RI 02905; 401-467-7104; andreavalentini.com. circle 450

First Editions

With Marlborough, much is made from simple elements. Only two colors are used—white against a background in one of nine colorways—but deep saturation heightens the contrast. The design is rudimentary, yet it forms an intricate large-format vine pattern. 979 Third Avenue, Suite 1411, New York, NY 10022; 212-355-1150; firsteditions.com. circle 457

Old World Weavers

Astragale and Saga highlight the appeal of chenille in two different ways: the former ostentatiously, with lush raised arabesques on a shorn ground; the latter subtly, with a simple diagonal twill weave of linen-viscose-blend yarn. Saga is available in 13 complementary colorways, Astragale in seven. 979 Third Avenue, Suite 1002, New York, NY 10022; 212-355-7186; starkcarpet.com. circle 453

Keleen Leathers

Any product named Wet Martini had better have some attitude. This manufacturer's butter-soft upholstery leather, in an array of 28 unexpected colors including Granny Smith green and hothouse pink, more than lives up to its sobriquet. It's even pliable enough to wrap around your favorite vanity table. 2315 Enterprise Drive, Suite 100, Westchester, IL 60154; 708-409-9800; keleenleathers.com. circle 456

Duralee

The Pavilion collection is a compilation of Sunbrella, Weatherwise, and Teflon weaves, so you could practically stage your backyard barbecue on them and they'd still look good and clean up easily. The collection includes a staggering 219 patterns in a panoply of hues. P.O. Box 9179, 1775 Fifth Avenue, Bay Shore, NY 11706; 800-275-3872; duralee.com. circle 454

Donghia

Think of this manufacturer, and visions of exotically named silk and satin jacquards in paisley and bold geometrics leap to mind. Newport, the fall 2005 collection, takes a more austere approach—a simple cotton canvas, perfectly woven—appropriate to its namesake locale. Available in 20 colorways. 485 Broadway, New York, NY 10013; 800-366-4442; donghia.com. circle 455

Stroheim & Romann

They've been in business for more than a century, and the Arts & Crafts Gallery collection affirms that this manufacturer still has the market cornered on old-world craftsmanship and elegance. Its cotton-blend brocades and florals would do William Morris proud. 31-11 Thompson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101; 718-706-7000; stroheim.com. circle 458

YOMA

Designer Lee Olson knows: Solid textiles don't have to be short on visual interest if care is given to texture, weave, and richness of color. Les Baux is a simple polyester-cotton that exceeds 50,000 double rubs. Its crepe construction is embellished by yarns of varied wefts and oh-so-subtle gradations of tone. The fabric is colored in eight harmonious hues that range from crème and millet to poppy and mocha. 580 Broadway, Suite 1209, New York, NY 10012; 212-431-4794; yoma.com. circle 463

JAB

The names are as evocative of distant lands as are the designs: Tuvalu, Grenada,Tonga, and Barbuda. The scarlet, crimson, and vermillion backgrounds of these cotton-rayon-poly blends complement hand-screened Asian motifs and floral and bamboo prints. 31-11 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101; 718-706-7000; jab.de. circle 462

HBF

Initiate, a new collection of eight upholstery and two drapery fabrics, unites multiple fibers and weaving techniques. Etch, shown, is the signature selection: a bold-scale pattern that mimics, with weaving techniques and threads, the look of fabric that's undergone an acid etching process. 900 12th Street Drive Northwest, Hickory, NC 28601; 828-328-2064; hbf.com. circle 459

Madison Leathers

Fashion designers in Italy and elsewhere have relied on this company as a premium leather source for decades. Rain, which gets its shimmering, reptile-skin texture from a resin finishing technique, is now available for the first time as upholstery fabric. It's water-repellent and available in four colorways. 979 Third Avenue, Suite 816, New York, NY 10022; 212-207-3304. circle 460

Spinneybeck

If your interior needs a glam injection, here's your leather: Velluto Pelle boasts 61 colors of aniline-dyed hides and was originally designed to furnish restored vintage Porsches (not a bad detail to drop when friends come by). 425 Cross Point Parkway, Suite 100, Getzville, NY 14068; 800-482-7777; spinneybeck.com. circle 461

Versa

Type II waterproof paper in 52- and 54-inch widths is the business component, but the elegantly interlocking patterns and incandescent blush of metallic ink are the star power of Harlow, this Hollywood-inspired design. The colorways—Silver Screen and The Red Carpet—are bold and beautiful. P.O. Box 32159, Louisville, KY 40232; 502-458-1502; versawallcovering.com. circle 464

Edelman Leather

Vintage leather—the kind with a burnished finish and a world-traveled, inherited-this-from-Mummy pedigree—is the inspiration for Old Rattlesnake wall tiles. Individually selected hides are grained, engraved, and dyed with complementary tones to achieve flawless opulence. Available in six hues. 80 Pickett District Road, New Milford, CT 06776; 800-886-8339; edelmanleather.com. circle 468

Innovations

Pretty, versatile, and talented—a veritable shoe-in for the beauty-contest circuit: The swishy refined-glass beads of Murano are, as the name suggests, hand-crafted in Venice. They're affixed to a non-woven backing that bends like a pretzel, allowing for a clean fit into right angles. To top it all, the wood-pulp backing and recyclable polyester fibers are environmentally friendly. 150 Varick Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10013; 800-227-8053; innovationsusa.com. circle 465

Phillip Jeffries

Get your daily dose of minerals: Granite Stone uses vegetable-colored papers and consumer- recycled backings so it's extremely pliable, the granite-mica-vermiculite makeup of its very handsome surface notwithstanding. Seven colorways are offered: Verde, Platino, Blanco, Plata, Cobre, Oro, and Noche. 311 Route 46, Fairfield, NJ 07004; 800-576-5455; phillipjeffries.com. circle 467

Set

A brand-new entry from this brand-new-to-the-market firm, Curtain Call is part of a collection manufactured using a patent-pending hypersaturated color system by designers who dabble in everything from staid textures to edgy photo murals. The gradated, silkscreen effect of the stripes suggests the rich dimension of a folded drape. 1825 MacArthur Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30318; 800-620-6922; setwalls.com. circle 466

Flavor Paper

If air guitar isn't your thing, try Luxury (or, for that matter, any of the designs in the manufacturer's Rare collection) to get that serious rock-star feeling. Individually designed by a groovy New Orleans firm using all water-based inks and premium grounds, it's a swirling, Technicolor paean to high-flying glam. 4213 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70117; 504-944-0447; flavorpaper.com. circle 473

J Prichard Design

Ceramicist Jennifer Prichard's eyebrow-raising creations straddle the line between installation art and wall covering. Cush is a series of molded plaster tiles that fit seamlessly together to create a plane in which mellow monochrome juxtaposes provocatively and deliciously with extreme texture. 1006 East 15th Street, Austin, TX 78702; 512-922-2968; jpricharddesign.com. circle 469

Maya Romanoff

Beadazzled Geode is the perfect example of how this firm has gained its reputation for glamour. Flexible glass beads of varying sizes create complex patterns of tone and light reflection. It's 281/2 inches wide and available in six standard colors or any custom hue. 1730 West Greenleaf Avenue, Chicago, IL 60626; 800-933-6292; mayaromanoff.com. circle 470

Stark Wallcovering

Lush and patrician, Banana Leaf is a refined botanical drawing, duplicated and hand-printed on subtly but richly textured grass cloth. The three standard colorways—Pomegranate, Khaki, and Sandalwood—cover neutral and warm ground; there's also the option to customize colors. 979 Third Avenue, Suite 1002, New York, NY 10022; 212-752-9000; starkcarpet.com. circle 472

Wolf-Gordon

A durable Type II vinyl paper that forms endless, intricately wandering vines when laid seamlessly, Filigree is an homage to designer Kari Pei's roots in printmaking. It's also a merger of traditional pattern ideas and cutting-edge material technology—a hallmark of this firm. Offered in 13 colors. 979 Third Avenue, Suite 413, New York, NY 10022; 800-347-0550; wolf-gordon.com. circle 471