Another new wallpaper and it's magnificent

Sometimes samples just don't reveal the true beauty of a pattern. I've known this my entire career, but it's worth stating. I remember going to trade shows with my last company taking with me boxes of 6" x 6" squares on rings trying to convince savvy buyers that they were looking at fantastic designs that would fly off of their shelves. It takes a great deal of imagination and some serious trust in the salesperson to take that leap of faith. Being on the other end of that equation, I can't tell you how many patterns I've been told are the best selling patterns in this or that collection. Unsavory salespeople and antiquated anecdotes aside, I have to you about a pattern that I bought, practically sight unseen.

As you know by now, Schumacher is done with its Williamsburg Collection, which it produced for nearly 70 years in partnership with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. I was sent several samples as they were clearing out obsolete designs, one of which was called Jones Toile. The sample I was sent was of typical size and revealed a hint of neoclassical decay which is quite common for these 18th century historicist patterns. I was unsure about it, however, the printing, while good seemed overly dark. It overwhelmed the sample and I was afraid that it would be a tough sell, even at a discount.

I took a flier on it anyway, feeling that if I was going to be wrong at least I wouldn't have all that much of it- there were only sixteen rolls left anyway. Well, it came in yesterday and BOY.WAS.I.WRONG.

Jones Toile turns out to be the most amazing toile wallpaper I have ever seen. The repeat is nearly two yards long and the larger than life scale revealed quite a few "secrets" that the sample didn't allude to. For starters, there is a gorgeous peacock with long flowing tail feathers. The trees and columns thrust vertically in the air with confidence and assuredness. This really is quite a fantastic design. Tonight I'll work on the imaging and post the pattern for sale... that is unless I decide to keep it for myself. It's that good.

I Bought Some Schumacher Wallpapers

Continuing my trade secrets theme, I picked up a select handful of high end Schumacher wallpapers. I picked up a good mix of designs, a few came from the now defunct Williamsburg Collection- those being two color ways of The Aviary (Indigo and Moss) and two color ways of Jones Toile (Black and Brown). I picked up a tropical striped toile paper called Child's Play. The pattern was so sophisticated and festive that I didn't even recognize it as a children's pattern. However, my two favorites are these:

 

Colombes et Sanglier Wallpaper by Schumacher 

and

La Fete Champetre Wallpaper

La Fete Champetre is about the most detailed toile print I have ever come across. It features a huge sweeping 36" vertical repeat and depicts a towering water fountain, immersive vegetal features, and playful theatrical motifs. This paper would be so excquisite done up on a wall that I should make it a requirement that the designer or do-it-yourselfer that buys this wallpaper MUST send me a photo of the finished work. This is museum quality at a budget price.

Colombes et Sanglier is a neoclassical Beaux-Arts style print that features a host of vignettes and historical references against a small scale geometric background. This high end paper is rich in detail and color and packs ample wow power. Schumacher still runs two color ways of Colombes et Sanglier but DraperyRow.com is the only place to find this particular discontinued color.

I derive most of my pleasure in the fabric and design business acquiring beautiful pieces such as this at a bargain and then passing them on to savvy consumers. Along the way I have regrets about selling pieces I should have kept for myself. The toile may be one of those patterns. Don't miss your chance to take any one of these fantastic designs and do check out the rest of my trade secrets at www.draperyrow.com.

Trade Secrets: Drapery Row

It has always been my philosophy to invest my buying dollars in excellent design. I've never given into cynicism and followed the trend to their inevitable bargain retailer conclusion, nor have I ever mistaken a brand name for quality (even the best fabric houses make mistakes). Great design is timeless, intrinsically valuable, and, in my opinion, somewhat spiritual. A block print dating back to the founding of our country accurately reproduced in Schumacher's Williamsburg Collection ties us to our shared history and continues a legacy of textile and design innovation that led to the industrial revolution. A Fortuny print continues the mad-genius tradition of the textile version of Architecture's Gaudi, a one-of-a-kind process, unmistakeable and unimitable.

The Drapery Row Trade Secrets Collection is an evolving library of important textiles reserved for clients whose taste demands the best at a reasonable price. I comb the fabric libraries of America's best collections to hand select essential designs. In many cases, the fabrics in our collection are the last available examples of their kind- waiting for that discerning client- whispering that essential truth "love me now, or lose me forever".

Great design lasts forever, says the great Brunschwig & Fils. This is true, but these great designs won't last forever... not at these prices.

Drapery Row - Trade Secrets Collection

Last Chance: Williamsburg Collection by Schumacher

I have lived in Virginia for most of my life and the pull of Virginia's colonial past has always drawn me. Fifteen years ago I went to Colonial Williamsburg for the first time and

Since 1941, Schumacher and the Williamsburg Foundation have worked together to faithfully recreate and preserve the decorative arts of the early Americas. This partnership has resulted in hundreds of beautiful patterns and the realization that good design is timeless and that the threads of who we are can be traced back through the generations.

As the president of Drapery Row, I seek out unique and exciting patterns to add to my collection of "Trade Secrets"- high end discounted designer fabrics. I have chosen 15 patterns from the exclusive Williamsburg Collection- all of which are historically important, beautifully realized, and the last of their kind. This is your last chance to own a piece of history and have Schumacher's Williamsburg Collection in your home. Do not pass it up!

Drapery Row Williamsburg Collection

Two New Vervain Asian Prints Arrived!

The fun part of operating your own fabric business is the opportunity to pick up some of the most remarkable designer prints at a discount. These two Vervain prints retailed for approximately $200 per yard and were hand printed in Italy. Satsuma features nearly 20 hand printed colors and Komiko is a larger than life watercolor-like toile.

Komiko Toile Blue by Vervain

Satsuma Apricot by Vervain

The cheapest I've ever seen these is about $60 per yard. I'll offer them for 30% less- while supplies last.