My dear friend LENORE TAWNEY warping her threads in preparation for weaving in the 1960’s.

"We need the scale, the soft touch, the eye appeal and texture fabrics supplies to offset our building materials."

~ Dorothy Liebes, Mid-Century weaver SF, CA

Dorothy Liebes was responsible for introducing corporate America to mid-century textiles.

Textiles are Multi-Purpose

How important are textiles to a culture? Let's start with a little history.

In the United States, as late as the 1820’s and before the advent of public schools in the mid-1800’s, ‘infant’ schools taught young girls how to become productive and patient marriage material. “Samplers” embroidered by little fingers to display the skill of the stitching was seen as a virtue of womanhood. These embroidered samplers were a testament to the person’s endurance, and ability to accomplish finite tasks. 

I bought these precursors to ‘real’ samplers some years ago at Brimfield Flea market. They were probably little girls' first attempts. Giving her tiny fingers a chance to gain proficiency. She would develop into more complicated patterns such as this. What a difference between a 6 year old's ability and a 10 year old's.

Amelia Peck of the MET museum writes insightfully about this craft. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/need/hd_need.htm

Candace Wheeler began her professional career at age 52 when she joined Tiffany’s Associated Artists (from 1879-83). An example of this much venerated interior design firm’s work can be seen by the public at the PARK AVE ARMORY'S Reception + Silver Rooms.

Wheeler then went on to start her own design firm by the same name, Associated Artists. The firm did not only produced expensive custom projects, the majority of the pieces in the Met collection (36 in all) are printed and woven fabrics intended for the then growing middle-class market.

~ MET Bulletin 1995/6

floral patterns

Floral patterns in textiles are our way of bringing the outside world in. The world of plants which up until very recently we humans cohabited with for hundreds of thousands of years. A simple way to adapt nature to our geometric interiors is by fitting the shapes into patterns.

For this Appliqué Portiere - literally meaning door hanging, Candice Wheeler incorporates silk velvet on metallic cloth with silk embroidery. She uses gold thread in the tendril motif, and a stronger salmon and ochre color stitching plays against the salmon flower petals and lush green leaves. 

In the mid 90’s, after I’d read Candace Wheeler’s autobiography at multiple sittings in the 42 Street Library reading room, I then went to the MET to see her embroidery. In storage, I made an appointment for them to be brought out to view at the then newly completed Ratti Center. These pieces evoked a feeling of reverence.

timeless textiles

Mixing cultures and eras along with the handcrafted with machine made gives us the feel of an eclectic, timeless lived-in look. This is the antithesis of the ‘magazine look’ that may work behind the camera but not for everyday living.

An inexpensive way to bring this look about is to pick up vintage pieces at yard sales, flee markets, antique shops, auction houses or if your budget won’t allow to fetch a similar look you might find a less expensive version online. But beware, sometimes the knock off might not be manufactured with materials and finishes worth keeping. My daughter quickly learned that MATERIAL MATTERS when she went shopping for mid-century modern online. Danish modern Arne Jacobson chairs bought for a song soon gave out to hairline cracks. 

A little vintage here and a little modern there can transform a room. Vivian Tam, the clothing designer’s bedroom from an article by Wendy Goodman (upper left)

textile influence

Rugs and textiles add not only warmth, they also add spots of color into a space as if we were adding a bouquet of flowers. But unlike fresh flowers, we can enjoy material all year round. Since rugs usually take up a major part of the room considering them in the initial planning of the design process is important. If they are an afterthought then they will look like it.

A rug defining space 

STAIR CARPET for so many reasons

The stair carpet leads us from one level to the next. It acts as the transition for color and design, creates a sound barrier while protecting both young and old from hazardous falls. 3 in 1!

piping and padding

PIPING on couches and chairs add fun accent colors to upholstery fabric, giving the couch a look of luxurious detail on modern and mid-century furniture. 

PADDED WALLS

The padding in this bedroom softens the atmosphere.

(BNO Design, Photo/Antoine Bootz)

Padding in a lobby, office or restaurant make excellent sound barriers. They absorb sound  whereas painted hard surfaces have sound bounce off the walls and act as an echo. Which would you rather have? 

CEILING TREATMENTS - fabric hanging from the ceiling

Restaurants have their fair share of noise. The way to absorb it best is with fabric. Either pad the walls as done above, or with acoustical tile. But if you don’t like the look of acoustical tile, even hanging napkins will do.

After the opening of a café designed by the renowned Italian designer, Paola Navone, the noise level was too much. As a way to rectify this, post opening, practically minded Navone hung multiple napkins from the ceiling to absorb the sound.

Greek Restaurants in NYC hangs ceiling fabric for ambience, to dampen the noise and soften the lighting. Another 3 in 1. 

A couple of beautiful contemporary twists on the quilt: Denise Schmitt quilted her magic and the Gee’s Bend ladies play a jazz symphony on cloth.