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DIFFA Dining by Design 2013 Recap

Architectural Digest

With Spring just around the corner, many of us are thinking about tabletop design and how we will entertain this season. Garden party? Elegant and intimate dinner? The buds on the trees signal new life and it’s fun to think about breathing new life into your dining room.

At Dining by Design in New York City, many of the industry’s top names contributed their talents to this annual fundraiser and the results are inspiring. In addition to the AERIN for Lee Jofa table we posted last week, there were lots of other creative and inspiring tables on display this past weekend at Dining by Design. Events Thursday and Saturday raised much needed funds to advance the cause of DIFFA, the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS.

If you missed the event in person, there are lots of other ways to show your support for DIFFA throughout the year, including Dining by Design events in several other major cities. Stay connected with DIFFA on Facebook and Twitter for ongoing news and information.

Without further ado, here are some of the other fantastic tables we spotted at Dining by Design:

Echo Design

Marc Blackwell and Evette Rios

Marimekko

Gensler and Herman Miller

Kinky Boots by Maya Romanoff and David Rockwell

Manhattan magazine by Inson Wood with Fendi Casa

Profiles by James Magni

Benjamin Moore by David Stark

Ralph Lauren Home

Michael Amini

New York Design Center by Thom Filicia

Rachel Laxer Interiors and Robert Kuo

Kenneth Cobonpue

Ask Alice: How is Ikat Fabric Made?

A few years ago, the centuries-old weaving technique called ikat enjoyed a resurgence, and everyone called it a trend. Now, with several years of hindsight we can definitely say ikat is here to stay.  But what separates this ethnic design from the rest? We’re glad you asked. Here, Kravet’s own Alice Guercio tells us how ikats are made, and we’ve put together this video showing the process in action. Let us know what you think in the comments.

-JP

 

One of the most popular trends in interior design today is ikat. The word ikat comes from the Malaysian word ‘mengikat’ or to tie, bind or wrap around. The proper pronunciation of the word has long been debated; however, the correct way to pronounce is ‘ee-kaht’ not ‘eye-cat.’ This ancient style of weaving uses a resist dyeing process similar to tie-dye where the warp and/or the weft yarns are dyed before the fabric is woven on the loom. The result of this process is a motif which is “blurred” in appearance. This ‘cloudy’ look comes from the slight bleeding of the dyes into the resist areas.

Bansuri, a popular ikat from Echo Design, shown here in multiple colorways. Available through Kravet.

Ikat is a universal weaving style common to many world cultures and is likely to be one of the oldest forms of textile decorations now. It is extremely difficult to determine where the technique originated. It probably developed in several different locations independently. For instance, during the 19th century, the Silk Road deserts of Bukhara and Samarkand were famous for their fine silk Uzbek Ikat. India, Japan and many South-East nations such as Cambodia, Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand have weaving cultures with long histories of ikat production. In addition, these designs were also common in Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico.

Thom Filicia for Kravet room setting, featuring his signature Prospect ikat. Available through Kravet.

The ikat design is created by tying areas of the threads into bundles using grasses, wax or even plastic to prevent penetration of the dye. What this means is the weaver needs to figure out where on the loose threads the dye should go in order for it to form the proper pattern when it is woven. For more exact patterning, a weaver will typically use warp ikats, where they can see the pattern on the loom. With a weft ikat, the pattern is less exact because the design is not visible until it is already woven. The most difficult is the double ikat. This is when both the warp and weft are dyed to create the pattern. This form of weaving requires the most skill for precise patterns to be woven and it is considered to be the highest form of ikat. As you add colors, the process becomes more complicated.

Westmount Wall ikat from David Easton, available through Lee Jofa.

Many design motifs may have ethnic, ritual or symbolic meaning. Traditionally, ikats are symbols of status, wealth, power and prestige. Today, ikat has become a generic word used to describe the process, the cloth itself and the type of motif that is created as a result.

Oscar de la Renta's Kublai Kahn ikat (on pillow), available at Lee Jofa.

Alice Guercio, Vice President of Product Coordination and a Kravet veteran for more than 15 years, travels the world to source and develop new product for Kravet. She is one of our top experts on textiles. If you have a question about fabric for Alice, email her at askalice@kravet.com and your question may become the subject of a future article.

 

Kravet Soleil – Echo Design and Windsor Smith Home

Hammock fabric: Echo Design Merton Stripe in Prism - 31716-410; Echo Design pillows left to right: Torbali in Papaya - 31700-12, Torbali in Maritime - 31700-5, Torbali in Lime - 31700-3, Torbali in Surf - 31700-13, Torbali in Tobacco - 31700-6, Torbali in Punch - 31700-17

Two new collections for Kravet Soleil, Echo Design and Windsor Smith, are the perfect antidote to winter’s cold temperatures. Bright colors and patterns appear on fabrics that have been specially treated for durability and UV protection.

Windsor Smith is known for a relaxed style that is strongly influenced by her travels. This collection is designed for and inspired by outdoor living, and unites modern and graphic patterns with fresh plains. The vibrant and fresh color palette of brilliant greens, orchid pinks, ocean blues, sunny yellows and strong neutrals, evokes a beach paradise where surf, sun and sand meet.

The essential elements of an Echo Design collection: color, print, pattern and texture, combine beautifully for the latest collection of outdoor fabrics for Kravet. The vivid color palette of sky blues, lime greens, rich oranges and sophisticated neutrals conjure up the feelings of a modern market place, where bold stripes, intricate textures and beautiful patterns coexist in harmony. These high performance fabrics are designed for sun exposure and maximum durability, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor settings.

Windsor Smith Home fabric on Umbrellas: Mandella in Citrine - Mandella-40; Chairs and ottomans fabric: Mandella in Oasis - Mandella-106; Front pillows: Windsor Smith Home Kapaa in Akuatik - 31764-135, Back left pillow: Windsor Smith Home Kanekopa in Gardenia - 31725-130; Back right pillow: Windsor Smith Home Moloko in Paradiso - 31727-135

Echo Design fabrics top to bottom: Ogee Knot in Ocean - 31708-13, Nestled in White - 31734-101, A Pois in Maritime - 31702-5, Torbali in Tobacco - 31700-6, Esparto Stripe in Peacock - 31701-5, Ogee Knot in Maritime - 31708-5

Windsor Smith Home fabrics left to right: Kanekopa in Akuatic - 31725-13, Kura Kura in Orkid - Kura Kura-17, Halua in Hibiscus - 31718-317, Kura Kura in Haze - Kura Kura-6, Mandella in Orkid - Mandella-17, Halua in Parakeet - 31718-540, Kura Kura in Veridian - Kura Kura-3, Mandella in Haze - Mandella-6, Kura Kura in Akuatik - Kura Kura-13

Echo Design fabrics left to right: A Pois in Cashew - 31702-6, Magnifikat in Gold Dust -31696-416, Melanger in Smoke - 31695-106, Solola in Cocoa - 31697-616, Ogee Knot in Almond - 31708-6, Philo inCocoa - 31698-616

Windsor Smith Home pillows going clockwise: Kanekopa in Gardenia -31725-130, Kura Kura in Akuatik - Kura Kura-13, Moloko in Paradiso - 31727-135, Kapaa in Akuatik - 31764-135; Ottoman fabric: Kanekopa in Akuatic - 31725-13