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The 12 upholstery patterns of Angela Adams's Green collection, available in nine colorways, withstand 50,000 double rubs and use both post-consumer and post-industrial recycled polyester fibers. Argyle has small-scale connected boxes; Arundel references the historic Maine town in Pulitzer Prize–winner Kenneth Roberts' 1930 novel; Birch is patterned after the tree; solid chenille Acadia is named for the national park in Maine that inspires much of the designer's work; and wavy Beach Grass flaunts Cradle to Cradle Silver certification. 800-621-0827; architex-ljh.com. circle 415
Manufacturer: Arndís Jóhannsdóttir.
Product: Fish leather.
Standout: Sturdy, dense, remarkably thin, and waterproof, aquatic hides can be spotted, scaly, or slightly iridescent.
The good thing about living on a sparsely populated island just south of the Arctic Circle is you rarely have to deal with Europe's scuttlebutts. Somewhat problematic, however, are those rare moments—some recent—when you're directly affected by the vicissitudes of the larger market.
Very briefly after WWII, Iceland found itself cutoff from Europe's already scarce supply of raw materials. Since plastics had not yet become a common production material, fish skin was tanned and used in lieu of traditional cow or horse hides. Nearly 40 years later, Reykjavik-based saddle smith Arndís Jóhannsdóttir unearthed some old fish leather in local cellars, and for nearly a decade, she used the skins. Eventually, however, the material became so well received that a fish tannery, shuttered for some 50 years, reopened.
While the tanning process remains a guarded secret, the resulting material is strong, pliable, and unique in texture and pattern. It's used most widely for shoes, purses, bowls, and wall coverings, but Jóhannsdóttir has a new application: tiles made from catfish. 354-8984925; kirs.is. circle 413
Eco-sensitivity seems to run in India Flint's family: her grandmother used tea leaves, onionskins, and calendula to re-dye clothing; her mother crafted botanical drawings. So it stands to reason that, after wandering the world, this Melbourne native settled on a small family farm in South Australia's Mount Lofty Ranges and pioneered her own fabric dyeing process called the Ecoprint.
Flint stumbled on the method while experimenting with the Latvian technique of wrapping Easter eggs in ferns or leaves, then covering them in onionskins to create a fossilized effect. The designer adapted the idea for textiles by devising a water-based method of applying vegetable color to cloth using small amounts of plant material in a recycled dye-bath. All of the vegetation comes from Flint's farm while the cloth is woven from the wool of her own flock of sheep.
The result is a luxurious bohemian look, a profusion of muted color that resembles delicate, couture quality tie-dye. Look closely at the patterns, and the shapes of eucalyptus leaves and blossoms emerge. Flint's new Watermarks collection of billowy tops and dresses is entirely handmade. For every item she sells, the designer plants a new tree. 61-439-999-379; indiaflint.com. circle 409
When you want to lend a touch of class to a project, call on Antonio. This handsome Italian-woven 55-inch wool challis paisley is based on an original 19th-century Kashmir shawl and would be equally at home in a wood-paneled library or modern sitting room. It comes in three classic colors: antique document, red-green, and brown. 800-221-4704; clarencehouse.com.
This suede may be called Painted, but in fact it's screen-printed using European aniline dye. The pattern is from a Native Ameri can symbol for friendship. At sizes of 15 to 18 square feet, each hide is perfect for upholstery applications—in Whiskey, Tile Blue, Mellow Yellow, and True White. 800-886-8339; edelmanleather.com. circle 438
What's not to love in this group of embroidered florals and sprightly stripes? Somerly, a linen-viscose-silk blend, sports velvet appliqué-stitched flowers and embroidered leaves atop a screen print of scattered foliage; Rossini, a linen-viscose blend, gives an ikat effect with multicolored embroidery; Rosebank's silk-viscose blend uses embroidery stitches in both blooms and leaves; and Granville, an asymmetric stripe, lends a sophisticated note. 212-647-6900; cowtan.com.
When a manufacturer of the chic teams up with an eco-friendly company like Bella-Dura, Tides in Jaipur is the result. This vibrant pattern of pink stripes is fashionable enough for indoors and durable enough for outdoor and commercial use. This inert fabric is made from a byproduct of post-industrial waste. When it wears out its welcome (which might take a while, since it's stain-resistant and lightfast for 1,500 or more hours), the fabric is recyclable. 212-228-5942; hableconstruction.com.
We can hear steel drums while gazing at Calypso. This playful sunburst design comes in eight happy colorways. The nylon-rayon blend can take 60,000 double rubs. And thanks to Crypton, it can withstand moisture and microbes, making it perfect for health-care settings. 800-882-4720; paulbraytondesigns.com.
We're ready for our close-up, Mr. DeMille! This avant-garde entry in the Hollywood Glamour line takes its cue from the glitz of 1930's- and 1940's-era Tinseltown. Six velvets make up the collection in bold, sophisticated colors, including cardinal, Astra, marvelous, and ultramarine. 800-621-0827; architex-ljh.com.
This designer is branching into vinyl upholstery with eight patterns—and an electric-blue jolt. The line creates sophistication by kissing the tips of the vinyl's embossing with dichroic inks. Note Riviera's subtle texture, while Martini is downright intoxicating with its netting of gold and black. Pour us another, Patty! 501-748-1113; pattymaddensoftware.com.
Kelly Wearstler, whose interiors firm used to be known as KWID, has put her fashionable stamp on textiles and wall coverings with the House of KWID for Decorator's Walk. One of the collection's eight patterns, Giraffe Linen is actually a linen-cotton blend. The five colorways are scarlet-charcoal, Amarillo-ivory, Sahara -ivory, thistle-ivory, and ginger-ivory. 800-523-1200; fschumacher.com. circle 434
This debut of the manufacturer's Crypton Green fabric system, called the Crypton Green upholstery, is polyester and available in three patterns of varying scales. Legend, the largest, contains 66 percent recycled polyester, while the smaller-scale Fable and the textured Lore each contain 64 percent recycled polyester. All three have Silver Cradle to Cradle certification and SCS Gold Indoor Advantage certification, and can contribute to LEED points for commercial interiors. 212-679-7991; knoll.com
These faux-fish have no interest in saving Nemo. The Fierce Fish collection of exotic leathers includes Shark, Stingray, Eel, and Great White. The unique pebbled textures have been embossed onto 55-square-foot cowhides, with a touch of sheen added to evoke the sea. The collection is available in 11 colorways, including Indian Red, Misty Rose, and Bisque. 800-852-0144; townsendleather.com.
The sumptuous Romance Taffeta collection is flame retardant—good for when hearts catch fire. It's also varied: choose from 40 colors, including Cayenne and Caramel, plus 19 pleat options. A bonus: The popular Tying the Knot pattern also is now available in a Romance Taffeta ground. 212-414-2727; barthalpern.com.
Finding out there is no real-life personality behind Kirk Brummel is a little like realizing the truth about Santa Claus: Neither exists, yet both deliver the goods. The myth began when Richard Kirkham and Michael Brummel founded a company to make hand-printed fabric and wallpaper in 1966. Wovens were introduced in the 1970's, and the name and distribution rights were acquired in 2004 by Brunschwig & Fils, which named Brummel director of design. (Kirkham had been bought out in the mid-90's.)
A Michigan native, Brummel was naturally familiar with Charles and Ray Eames, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, George Nelson, Gilbert Rohde, and other designers working in the state. Brummel aug mented this native education with European excursions, which introduced him to the Wiener Werkstätte and art moderne. Settling in the 1950's in New York, he developed an appetite for graphic patterns, abstract forms, and bravura color. Velvet jacquard Feuillagi features an abstract pattern from 1930, while the cut-velvet Zoe replicates a French pattern from 1932. His trademark blending of hand-printing and lavish patterning can be seen in the five-toed dragon of Manchu. And Avatar was inspired by the abstract paintings of Lawrence Chvotzkin, an artist who also designed rugs for Edward Fields. Despite surface differences between Brummel's collections, they harmonize across the years. Designed in the 1970's and '80's, gray-and-white Illusion Fret, chartreuse-and-black Staccato, and orange-and-white Shawnee all work with black flocked Satellite, introduced in 2008.
"The industry has changed since I entered it," he says. "Many hand-print companies either merged or were absorbed by large ones, partly due to escalating real-estate costs. The increasing accessibility and demand for goods from Asia has also influenced the domestic and European market." Brummel, however, remains unflappable in the face of such change. He can have confidence that his devotees, like those of St. Nick, will keep the faith. 800-538-1880; brunschwig.com. circle 426
The Palette collection draws inspiration from everyday things, like the lustrous pages of a magazine. Witness Solange, Charlotte, Kanthas, and Glossy, a few of the elegant patterns in the line. The cotton-linen blends come in six to 16 colorways. 800-221-1540; designtex.com.
The Parallels collection boasts an array of paired designs; two paths with separate, but complementary, motifs. Mother Nature serves as the inspiration for the line, which features interpretations of landscapes and earth elements—ranging from minerals to water—with metallic accents via silicate materials and metallic ink. 800-453-5777; alaxifabrics.com.
The manufacturer has expanded its Steerhides collection of hair-on hides with specialty designs, bringing the total number of products in the line to 21. Some of the playful patterns include a floral called Baby Blue Geranio Lazer and faux animal-skin patterns, channeling zebras and tigers and leopards. Oh my! The average hide size is approximately 35 square feet. 800-342-7738; garrettleather.com.
The manufacturer is marking a decade of distributing Crypton by offering 60 new Performance Line designs with something for everyone: botanicals, scrolls, stripes, and paisleys in a palette of brown, blue, green, coral, and red. Thanks to the Crypton coating, fabrics will resist anything the hospitality or health-care industries can throw at them, and still withstand 50,000 double rubs. 800-367-9026; kravet.com.
The Layers collection aims to change its look, depending on the viewer's vantage point.Hella Jongerius uses layers of felt that are embroidered and cut by hand. Garden Double, in earth, chocolate, and coral, is made of wool, polyester, and nylon and ranges in width from 52 to 54 inches. 800-645-3943; maharam.com.
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