Japanese Indigo Textiles
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 You guys know my love of ethnic pattern and textiles. I can’t get enough ikats, suzanis, blockprints, paisleys. But I’m thinking to freshen up the whole ethnic vibe, interiors need to revisit Japan. Sure, we’ve been there before, but it seems high-contrast indigo patterns are so perfect for interiors right now. Especially if the scale is enlarged and imagery is more graphic. Looking at the fabrics below, they almost appear to be new offerings by Rubie Green. But, they are vintage Japanese indigo-dyed fabrics.
Orime sells kimono and antique fragments on her Etsy shop. Aren’t they striking?
Another Etsy seller, Banglez & Beadz { pleazzze? } also offers an array of handsome Japanese textiles.
More from Orime.
I was a surface designer before drifting into graphic design. Most old Kimono textiles are very small in scale. I'd like to take Orime’s collection of vintage indigo Japanese wovens and blow them up. Huge graphic navy motifs printed on a bright white ground fabric. Or wovens of indigo and white linen.In seeing so many fresh rooms in striking blue and white color combinations, it just feels like the right time for reinterpreted Japanese prints.
Below I've paired a room with a kimono swatch. Now these rooms needed no adjustments — they were already beautiful. But I just love that punch added by the indigo and white patterned fabrics.
{ Interiors images below from Metropolitan Home, Elle Decor, and Head Over Heels blog. }
With white-on-white
Paired with navy walls
With brown fabrics or rustic wood tones
I have scoured some of my favorite fabric sources for new surface design inspired by antique Japanese pattern and I’m hoping we’ll see more Japanese-influenced fabrics popping up.
TOP,John Robshaw’s Ink, a line of navy-colored bedding, TOP CENTER, Rubie Green’s East Village; CENTER BOTTOM,Donghia’s exquisite Indigo line of commercial fabrics based on traditional Japanese weaving techniques; BOTTOM,Thomas Paul’s handsome Kubuki pillow featuring Japanese imagery.
Reader Comments (6)
Sooooo gorgeous, I feel weak in the knees. That white background with the tropical foliage really sets these off. Ba boom, ba boom, ba boom....sorry, excuse the loud heart beats. I need to go lie down. ;0)
This is one of the best blogs ever. I hope you can take your passion and talent and make a lot of money (or win the lottery tonight because you are a genius and you deserve it). Otherwise, i'm winning and we'll start that "Delight & Inspire Company". I'm delighted. And inspired!
This is one of the best blogs ever. I hope you can take your passion and talent and make a lot of money (or win the lottery tonight because you are a genius and you deserve it). Otherwise, i'm winning and we'll start that "Delight & Inspire Company". I'm delighted. And inspired!
I agree with you, NKP! And Carla, you are too sweet. Thank you so, so much!
awesome!
i've just discovered your site and i'm so pleased to find some items from my shop highlighted. it's true, they do look perfect with the interiors that you've chosen. i'm currently in school for graphic design myself, and i often turn to my fabric collection for inspiration. thanks for this wonderful post!