Some Orange

glass

mesh

Rothko

velvet

curtain

paint

 

 embroidery

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Roger Sterling's Office

There are many reasons I got captivated by Mad Men, this powerful story of men and their work and families in the 60's. The story for sure hooked me, the attitudes toward women still stuns me, the fashions are incredible and then of course the interiors. Roger Sterling's office is one of my favorite rooms with the Saarinen tables, white sofa and chaise longue and Bridget Riley-esque art and the touch of orange cushions and large windows over Madison Avenue. It was very chic and modern then and hasn't it held it's style today.

This new season has really used interiors to help tell the story: the haunted house Don refers to that Betty now lives in, Pete's office with the concrete pillar he walks into, to the white carpet in Don and Megan's new and fashionable apartment.  And wasn't the last episode particularly dark.

Herringbone

Herringbone.

On my work table, samples of fabrics, wallpaper, paint and other materials collect as I put together schemes for rooms. I sort them frequently in colors and patterns, it is like a palette.

Herringbone is a pattern I have always loved, I like the simple geometry of it, the change in threading the heddles on a loom, from 1,2,3,4, to 4,3,2,1, so simple but effective.

It is a fabric and pattern usually used for mens suits, a tweed jacket, but I like to see it on a wing back chair, a slipper chair or cover a sofa in it. Simple, dynamic, tailored.

Samples here are from: sofa.com, GP and J Baker, Ralph Lauren, William Yeoward

Ikats

Mu Raspberry

Stripes Sunburst

Mu Saffron

Stripes Celery

Mu Blue

Stripes Iris

Ikat is a way of creating pattern with dyes in textiles before the fabric is woven. It is an ancient technique that was discovered and practiced around the world.  It is done when you are making the warp and the weft by binding sections of the yarns with rafia to block out or resist the dye when it is soaked in the dye bath.

It is different from tie and dye we see on t-shirts because that is done after the textile is woven and the garment sewn.

Both techniques of tie and dye create beautiful patterns and can make wonderful play of color.

Madeline Weinrib atelier has created from this ancient technique of pattern making a collection of fabrics, rugs and pillow covers with astonishing vibrant colors and patterns. They are simple, graphic and bold, modern and colorful. They would be a welcome splash of color to many modern interiors of whites and taupes. But imagine how beautiful they would be as curtains or blinds against a fashionable charcoal wall.

Take a moment to enjoy the colors and patterns on her website http://www.madelineweinrib.com. The fabrics and rugs are available at ABC Carpet and Home and in Harrods in London.

Gray with Orange Accents

Any color works with gray, but with orange, it's warm, bright inviting.