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June 7, 2010
FABRIC GLOSSARY
June 3, 2010
MEASURING FOR DRAPERY CURTAINS
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| Fullness: Curtains are designed to be 1.5 times the window width. This offers the best view of the lace. Generally one curtain fits windows 30 to 45″ wide. If more fullness is desired, use more than one. | |
| Curtain Sizing: Curtain measurements are tip to tip. From the very top to the longest scallop on the bottom. The width is first, followed by the length. (W x L) These are flat measurements. | |
| Mounting: When mounting outside the window frame, curtains can end anywhere. At the sill, the apron, in the middle of the wall between the window and floor, to the floor, or puddled on the floor. | |
| Privacy: Lace curtains should not be used alone where privacy is a must. Fortunately, lace curtains can be installed over shades or blinds and look terrific. | |
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Basic Components
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 A Festoon valance can be used alone or as an insert between the swag pairs. |
 The one piece swag and fan tie swag may be used alone or with panels and tiers. |
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The Valance goes at the top of the window. It can be used alone, as an insert between the swags, and over panels or tiers. |
 Tiers usually fit the bottom half of the window. The Valance/Tier designation indicates it is designed to be used as either a tier or a long valance. |
 The versatile panel. This piece can hang just about anywhere on the window. |
| Configurations
(Limited only by your imagination). |
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 A festoon Valance over 2 panels, tied back. A double curtain rod is needed. |
 The swag pair can be hung inside or outside the window frame. Ideally, it should come down about 3/4 as shown. Other lengths are fine as long as the window does not appear cut in half. |
 2 Swag Pairs over 2 tiers. This is a double window. |
1 Swag Pair with Festoon inserted, over 2 panels. This is a double window. |
 One panel tied back. This works well where 2 windows are close to each other. This would be the right side window, the left side would tie back to the left. |
 The Valance can be hung alone. |
Quick Decorating Tips:
Privacy Issues – Sun & Ultra-Violet Concerns
Fabric Content – Style & Design
Quick Lace Curtain Terms Guide – Bay Windows
Privacy Issues:
Lace curtains should not be used alone where privacy is a must. Fortunately, lace curtains can be installed over shades and blinds and look terrific.
Sun and Ultra-Violet Concerns:
Lace curtains softly filter light but not the harmful ultra-violet rays that can damage fine furnishings. This includes furniture, both wood and upholstered, floors and rugs, as well as the art on your walls. In most instances, this is not a problem. However, wherever the light bothers you for a period of time daily, and for most of the year, this could be a problem. There are many possible solutions including windows with built-in protection, products that can be applied to your windows, and protective window treatments such as fabric draperies, shades or blinds. Some of our current Scottish Lace curtains have an UV protective additive. This will help the curtains last longer, but will not protect any furnishings. Polyester lace will not be affected by the sun.
Fabric Content:
Lace curtains are usually made from either polyester or cotton with some polyester added. There are very few items made today that are totally cotton. The term “polyester” does have a “bad” reputation, remembering the stiff polyesters of the past. However today’s polyesters have come a long way. They are soft, very easy to clean, and very durable. (Not to mention – good-looking!) Polyesters can even be made to have the look and feel of fine leather.
As with any fiber, there are varying grades and types of polyester. You can still find the less costly polyester lace curtains and other products that have that yucky feel. We use only high quality polyesters in our lace curtains. Some of our lace draperies are “memory” polyesters that will retain their “drape” after washing.
Our cotton-content lace curtains are either 95% cotton and made in Scotland, 70% cotton-rich made in the USA, or 33% cotton made in Europe. You will be hard-pressed to actually find or feel the polyester fibers in these lace curtains. The polyester adds durability and aids in shape retention. Curtain stretchers have been regulated to the antique collectors! (For those of you too young to remember, curtains were washed and mounted on stretchers to dry. The edges of the curtains were slipped over tiny pins, top, bottom and sides and the rack was adjusted to hold the curtain taunt as it dried.)
QuickTerms Guide:
The Valance is a short top treatment. It can be used alone or with tiers or over panels. Use as many as you need for wide windows. Each piece fits windows 27″ to 48″ wide. Some Valances are shaped like short swags.
Tiers are used on the bottom half of the window, if desired. The 24″ Tier can also be used as a longer top treatment. Each tier fits a window 27″ to 48″ wide. Tiers are one piece unless noted otherwise.
The Swag Pair is a top treatment for a single window. There is a left and right piece. One swag pair fits windows 27″ to 58″ wide. The valance/insert or festoon can be inserted between the swag pair for wider windows or a fuller look. There are One Piece Swags which have to used in multiples for wider windows. Swags can be combined with tiers or panels.
To appreciate the full beauty of our Panels, use one for each window 27″ to 48″ wide. They can be used alone or with top treatments, either lace or fabric. You can hang them to the sill, below the sill, to the floor, or puddled on the floor. If you would like to tie them back, you will need 2 panels.
Bay Windows:
If your bay has the narrow windows on the ends with a wider window in the center, the swag pair is a good choice. The left piece goes in the left bay and the right piece in the right bay. The valance/insert or festoon goes in the center. This keeps the fullness pretty even.
Style & Design:
On our left side navigation bar, we have general Style Groups to help you find the patterns that will fit your style. Please keep in mind that these are not written in stone and most patterns will adapt to almost any style category. Much depends on your furnishings and what you wish to highlight.
Our laces are either new designs or reproduction designs. Whichever you choose, they will be exceptional designs, suit their purpose, and serve you well for many years.
Scottish lace curtains are all reproductions from lace archives. The Rennie and Wisteria belong in the Arts & Crafts style, or even Art Deco. Our other patterns will do well in any country, traditional or Victorian setting. Long curtain panels lend towards a more formal setting, while sill length is more casual.
Please call or email with questions.
We look forward to hearing from you.
OUTDOOR FABRIC SEWING/COMPARISON CHART
June 2, 2010
WALLPAPER BASICS
BASIC WALLPAPER CATEGORIES
The most popular types of wallpaper you will find are:
* Vinyl Coated Paper – this wallpaper has a paper substrate on which the decorative surface has been sprayed or coated with an acrylic type vinyl or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These wallpapers are classified as scrubbable and strippable, and are suitable in most any area. These papers are better resistant to grease and moisture than plain paper, and are good for bathrooms and kitchens.
* Coated Fabric – this wallpaper has a fabric substrate coated with liquid vinyl or acrylic. The decorative layer is printed on this coating. This is generally considered more “breathable” wallpaper which makes it best for use in low moisture rooms, like living areas.
* Paper Backed Vinyl/Solid Sheet Vinyl – this wallpaper has a paper (pulp) substrate laminated to a solid decorative surface. This type of wallpaper is very durable since the decorative surface is a solid sheet of vinyl. It is classified as scrubbable and peelable. Solid sheet vinyl can be used in most areas of the home since it resists moisture and is stain and grease resistant. However, this type of wallpaper will not withstand hard physical abuse (like mudrooms or storage areas).
* Fabric Backed Vinyl – this wallpaper has a fabric substrate laminated to a solid vinyl decorative surface.
* Paper – this type of wallpaper refers to wallpaper with a paper substrate/ground combination upon which the decorative layer is printed. True papers are not coated, but some may have a coating applied to seal in the inks. Because this type of wallpaper varies widely, check the label for attributes of the pattern/brand you want to purchase.
Rediscover the charm, elegance and distinctive style that only comes with wallpaper from Eade’s Wallpaper & Fabric.
The new wallpapers and borders out today use the most user-friendly wallcovering materials ever introduced. They are lightweight and easy to handle, yet sturdy enough so that they won’t expand, nor will the seams curl or separate. And removal is even easier than installation. No messy tools or chemicals. Just lift up a corner and each strip removes in one clean motion with no residue.
Plus, great color and design make these wallpapers the perfect choice for innovative and unique walls in your home – with no ups and downs. Just beautifully simple results.
INSTALLATION IS NOW A SIMPLE PROCESS
The wallcoverings at Eade’s:
• install cleaner, easier and faster
• take about half the time to hang
• are more stable – won’t expand when hanging for a seamless, professional look
• available in prepasted (you can hang immediately after wetting – no booking) or paste the wall (simply position and smooth strip onto the wall with a gentle swipe)
REMOVAL IS NOW VIRTUALLY EFFORTLESS
And when it comes time to redecorate:
• removal is even easier than hanging
• 100% dry removable – no steamers or chemicals necessary
• like peeling a banana, the average 8′x10′ room can be stripped in about 15 minutes
• will not damage walls
• leaves no residue on walls
• walls can be repapered immediately without additional preparation
AND NOTHING CHANGES THE CHARACTER OF A ROOM QUITE LIKE NEW WALLPAPER
Today’s new wallpapers and borders make decorating and redecorating easier than ever. And they’re environmentally friendly, vinyl free and inhibit the growth of mold and mildew.
May 14, 2010
Bennison Fabrics – May 2010
Spring glides into Summer with DAISY CHAIN in this light and airy bedroom. We have some lovely new fabrics and colourways this Spring, so visit the website and take a look at the Collection page.
This elegant bedroom has both chair and curtains in DAISY CHAIN on oyster linen. The close up image at right shows the loose bouquet of pink roses and scattered buds with silvery leaves. The barely perceptible daisies hang in looping chains.
The LILAC on oyster linen walling above left features both lilac and wisteria prettily reflected in the soft lustre of a Venetian mirror. Mauve DAISY CHAIN on oyster silk at right is also available on either beige or oyster linen.
These curtains in DAISY CHAIN, mauve on oyster linen, were used by Cath Kidston in her house in the country and indeed we first mixed these colours as a custom colour for Cath to go with a vintage cushion. Continuing with the lilac and mauve theme, FADED FLORAL was adapted from an antique textile found by Geoffrey Bennison in 1983 and has been in continuous production ever since.
In the Press
A handsome chair covered in TOOTHCHECK, Treeparrot colours of pink, charcoal grey and yellow on beige linen appears in House and Garden, May 2010. On the right is the dining room of Nancy Meyers (Director, writer and producer of It’s Complicated) with chairs covered in CHINESE TOILE, charcoal on oyster linen. This photo was originally published by In Style Home and we found it on Joni Webb’s blog, Cote de Texas.
Treeparrot and Toothcheck
More from House and Garden, above left, TREEPARROT on oyster linen curtain and walling. The same TOOTHCHECK used on chairs with TREEPARROT curtains by Kit Kemp for the new Crosby Street Hotel in SoHo, New York.
English Home
“Bennison’s timeless fabric and wallpaper designs are on our wish list. Bennison is one of the few companies that still hand prints its fabric designs in England” (Thank you English Home, May 2010, for devoting the whole of the back page to us and emphasizing the fact that we are proud to be an English company still maintaining our printing base in this country and honouring native craftmanship). We also custom colour designs for a minimum of 50 metres.
April 29, 2010
Robert Allen Introduces the Lifestyles Collection
Lifestyles Dockside and Lifestyles Fireside, two versatile new collections of performance fabrics, combine style with durability (30,000 double rubs). Perfect for a vacation home or rental property and ideal for adding style to the year round home, these lively designs add fun to any living space. Coastal-themed patterns in casual linen-looks, matelassés and chenille textures are offered in soft natural neutrals as well as nautical red, white and blue. Rich traditional colors and mountain home motifs distinguish the Fireside collection, which ranges from rustic southwest looks to sophisticated “Aspen casual” designs.
March 16, 2010
Why No Job Is Really Too Small
(By: Tim Clark)
A small job means different things to different contractors and service professionals. Some claim any job under $100 is too small while others consider anything under $50,000 to be too small. Whatever the case may be for your business, you really shouldn’t discard the small job.
Here are two reasons why:
The small job lead may come to you and you choose not to do it. That could be a big mistake. Someone else is going to take that job and get the project done. If your competitor completes this tiny piece of work and does a great or even a good job, there’s a good chance the homeowner or business owner is going to call this person again for the next project. And they may also become a great cheerleader for your competitor and pass his or her name all around town. Wouldn’t it be better for your business to take on the project and then get future work and referrals from it?
Another aspect to consider is this – what if the small project turns into a really big project? For example, a homeowner wants to replace a sink in the bathroom. It’s a pretty small job. But what if that sink replacement becomes more than that? Countertops and cabinets could also be upgraded, along with some new paint, and flooring. Before you know it, it’s a complete bathroom remodeling project.
In a down economy, many people are not taking on the big projects. Things are slowly improving in certain areas. Many contractors and service professionals are gearing up to be able to handle the smaller job leads out there until the economy is rolling again. It would be a smart move to equip your business to handle these smaller projects, too. If you already are taking on the small jobs, then don’t forget to upsell your services to give clients the satisfaction they’re really looking for. It will have people calling you back and it will keep your business name on their lips as they talk to friends and family.
Bennison Fabrics – March 2010
Dress the window with MONTECITO, a luscious cascade of oyster silk. This English design dates from around 1840 and our original document came from a grand house in Devon where it was used as bed hangings for a four-poster bed. It makes wonderful walling fabric and also comes with an aqua background on oyster linen (see Bennison newsletter for February).
China
CHINA seen here used as a table runner in Elle Decor, January/February 2010. These Chinoiserie panels depict musicians, cranes and a weeping willow framed by bamboo latticework and surrounded by cranes in a hexagonal trellis pattern.
Seen above in the original colourway of blue, red and cream on oyster linen. Also available in pink, green and cream on oyster which can be seen on our website in the Bennison Collection. There is also a companion print, CHINA BIRDS (see below) which comes in the same two colourways. See more of both these fabrics on our Collection page.
Banyan
BANYAN shown above on oyster linen has been used as walling in this stylish bedroom decorated by Guy Goodfellow. This photograph appeared in House and Garden, March 2010. BANYAN also comes in a green colourway and can be seen on our New Designs page on the website. The name Banyan denotes a morning gown worn by men at home in the eighteenth century and these loose informal dressing gowns were often made of chintz, blockprinted in India and imported by the East India Company.
Roses, shocking pink on oyster linen
All time favourite, ROSES, seen here to great effect in House and Garden, March 2010 covering a console table trimmed with studded nails. One of twenty-five special colourways of Roses, this Schiaparelli Shocking Pink version on oyster linen brings this mid nineteenth century English design bang up to date. There are more pictures on our Lifestyle Images page.
New Colourways
A beautiful new background colourway for CHINESE VASES and REVERSE KASUMI right, in dove grey, one of several new stone colours. This versatile allover print is a perfect complement to many of our latest prints. Check out our latest prints in the New Designs section on our website www.bennisonfabrics.com
Hot off the Printing Table
Finely drawn roses, tulips and carnations in faded colours of madder and indigo. This print was taken from an eighteenth century French fichu or lightweight cotton or muslin scarf and is printed on our fine oyster linen.
Bennison Fabrics – February 2010
Umbrellas at the ready! Gray skies and rainy days will be greatly cheered by these brightly coloured umbrellas. Featuring, from the left clockwise, Phoenix, purple Lotus, Blueprint, American Resist, Green Roses, Montecito aqua, shocking pink Roses, green Waikiki and Lotus.
LOTUS and MONTECITO
LOTUS is a strikingly beautiful print from the Turkmenistan region and was taken from the lining of a silk ikat coat. It shows curving stems of lotus flowers in full bloom and bud with Chinese or Tibetan cloud motifs.
MONTECITO, has a soft aqua blue background which shows off the delicate ivory and creamy yellow of the magnolia. As in many arboresques, several different types of flower and blossom develop on a branch, but maybe it’s possible to suspend our disbelief and imagine that trees may actually grow like this somewhere (possibly in Pandora). For more please visit our New Designs page.
The Lady in Yellow
A charming portrait of an Edwardian lady in Town and Country October 2000 shows a canary yellow dress flanked by curtains in pale yellow French Twist on oyster linen the colours of which are echoed in the pink tinged yellow roses. This photograph and other editorial images can be seen on our Lifestyle Images page.
Pale yellow FRENCH TWIST is a columnar design taken from a French document print dating back to the mid-nineteenth century. Field flowers are bordered by pillars of doily-like cartouches filled with posies and rustic scenes. In pale yellow, pink and grey-green, it also comes in a stronger chrome yellow. Please go to the Collection page for more.
Oscar de la Renta at home
Oscar de la Renta sits in front of an over-sized sofa which Geoffrey Bennison bought at the sale of contents of Lord Iveagh’s Eleveden Hall in 1984. Geoffrey decorated this New York apartment for Annette Reed before she married Oscar and it appears nothing was changed for at least twenty years. The sofa is covered in Bird and Basket on beige linen, see swatch below, and the original document was found by Geoffrey covering an antique chair seat. To see more please visit the New Designs page.
Geoffrey Bennison’s Brighton flat – circa 1978
Geoffrey’s home in Brighton was a spacious apartment overlooking the sea with walls the colour of wet sand. The painting of mountain peaks at dawn is by Lucien Levy-Dhurmer. The Bokhara and Moroccan embroidered cushions (Broderie de Tetuan) are evidence of Geoffrey’s love of antique textiles.
More antique textiles fill the opposite end of this sun-filled room. Crewelwork, Indian blockprints and more Moroccan embroideries abound. The ceiling height Coromandel screen adds drama and provoides a suitable background for the collection of blue and white Chinese pots.
