Everything you wanted to know about Jacquards, but were afraid to Damask

I am often asked this question; “What is the difference between Jacquards and Damasks?”

First, it helps to understand the fabric terms “warp” and “weft.” Simply speaking, the warp yarns are placed first on the fabric loom running the length of the fabric bolt. The weft yarns are woven through running selvage to selvage across the fabric bolt to create fabric patterns. Together, they make up the two types of yarns used to create woven fabrics.

Now we can move on to Damasks. The patterns in damasks are formed by the weaving of different yarns used to create designs in the fabric. An example of this would be a ground in a twill weave and a contrasting design in a satin weave. Damask fabrics are flat and reversible with the patterns loomed into the cloth.

Jacquards are named after the Jacquard Loom, the mechanical - and now computerized - looms used to create the complex patterns woven into the fabric. The Jacquard Loom has automated the production of an unlimited variety of patterns in the weaving process and has made it possible to produce many different weaves from one warp.

This is why Damask fabrics can be Jacquards – since they are woven on a Jacquard Loom and why Jacquard fabrics are not limited to Damasks. I’ll bet now you will look at your draperies and table linens in a whole new way.

The Persian Pickle

As I was moving fabrics around the store today, I was struck by the large number of paisley patterns we have. I admit it. I love paisley. It is neither feminine nor masculine and it holds a timeless appeal.

The history of paisley is really quite interesting – although it might resemble a twisted and ornate teardrop, an embellished kidney, a giant decorative comma, or to me, an amoeba on steroids, it is really an ancient Persian Zoroastrian symbol combining a stylized floral spray and a cypress tree symbolizing life and eternity. The Persian word for paisley is “boteh” and the pattern has been used for over 500 years to decorate not only royal garments, but textiles used by the general population as well.

During the first half of the 17th century, the East India Company imported paisley from India and a new East meets West fashion statement was born. During the 19th century, British soldiers returning from the Indian colonies brought the pattern home with them in the form of wool cashmere shawls and in the Scottish town of Paisley, the patterns were reproduced on hand and jacquard looms and the modern name of “paisley” was born.

Fast forward to the 1960’s…. Paisley took on an almost a rebellious symbolism as it became a popular design during the Summer of Love in 1967. Even the Beatles got into the act when John Lennon painted a Rolls Royce with the Paisley pattern. At one time, Fender Guitars made a Pink Paisley Telecaster guitar by attaching paisley wallpaper onto the guitar bodies for the fashion forward rock ‘n roll crowd.

Now, with its hint of Asian timelessness, paisley patterned textiles remain popular as ever, used in both traditional and contemporary settings. This is one fashion trend made to last.

What's New at the High Point Furniture Market

I am happy to report the reemergence of color at the recent High Point Furniture Market. Though I can appreciate the sophisticated and gentle look of neutrals, I love seeing bright and bold colors used in accent pieces, pillows and accessories.
One of my favorites was a round, beach-ball style hassock in a variety of sizes, upholstered in a large colorful frame pattern at Cisco Brothers. Very chic and urban cool. Kathy Ireland Home by Omnia Furniture, paired classic leather with bold ethnic geometrics for a warm and inviting look. At Haversham, along with their classic case goods and kitchens, they introduced a fresh and inviting coastal palette of red and blue. Even for the bedroom, Ruby's had sumptuous colors and patterns. It was both inspiring and exciting to see colors splashed throughout the entire furniture market!

Color My World

Do you remember the very popular color olive green from the 1970's? It became the color kiwi green in the early 2000's. The home fashion industry is constantly exploring and reinventing color trends. Shades on the color wheel are tweaked, twisted, tinted and reintroduced as the home fashion industry moves forward every season. It is what we do to keep our industry fresh and dynamic.

I once heard color described as food for our emotions. Whether or not we are aware of it, color evokes an emotional response in all of us. Most of us know that warm colors (like red) can be energizing and cool colors (like blue) invoke a feeling of tranquility. When I work with people helping them to choose fabrics for their homes, I find they have a definite expressive response to certain colors. And of course in business, it makes perfect sense for a restaurant to use daffodil yellow in their decor while a better color for a day spa would be seamist blue.

Before you embark on your decorating project, think not only about the function and activities of your rooms, but about your own reaction to the colors in your design plan. Let's take a brief spin around the color wheel;

Red - energy, power, passion, strength, excitement
Orange - joy, enthusiam, creativity, fun, happiness
Yellow - warmth, spontiniety, cheerfullness, optimism
Green - harmony, growth, safety, freshness, healing, stability
Blue - tranquility, confidence, calmness, trust, sincerity
Purple - luxury, romance, sophistication, dignity, mystery

Most of all, whatever colors you choose to surround yourself with, they should please you every time you walk into your room!

What I Learned on My Summer Vacation

While attending the Las Vegas furniture market, I had the good fortune to attend a trend forecast seminar presented by Michelle Lamb of Marketing Directions, Inc. During this standing room only presentation, Michelle shared her color and design trend forecast for 2009 and 2010.

I learned so much, I thought my head might implode. I'll save the color forecast for another forum - for right now, I would like to share with you her views on current and upcoming fabric design trends;

1. Lots of detailing - pleats and puckers with both visual and tactile interest, ruffles and gathers, and contrasting piping and outlining.

2. Interesting luster levels - mixing matte and shimmering fibers, creating a juxtaposition of a dressy and casual aesthetic.

3. Global evolution - with an African, Asian and Moraccan influence, leaning a bit away from the exotic and more toward a decorative, folkloric look.

4. And, all of this will inspire a counter-trend of clean and simple lines, stripes, smocking, and dots in the positive and negative.Later, while walking the (over 5 million square feet) of showroom space, I saw many examples of these trends in furniture, bedding, accessories, lighting, floor coverings, and textiles.

Next time, I will write about colors....

Family Matters

I work in an anomaly in the business world. Along with my brother, I manage our family business. That by itself is not too unusual, but we are the third generation of our family in the same location running a strong and robust company in a dynamic industry. What makes our story even more unique is my son, Brian, is the fourth generation of our family to be involved in our business.

Even though more than 90% of businesses in the United States are family owned, less than 3% make it to the fourth generation. Those are some staggering statistics. What is it that makes some family businesses viable over the years while others falter?As I grew up in our business, I watched our family develop certain qualities that have served us well and allowed for the succession of future generations.

First, we have been able to keep our family and business rolls separate. It is not often easy, but it has enabled us to balance the needs of our families with the needs of our business. We are able to make family decisions for family reasons and business decisions for business reasons.

Second, we are flexible within our roles in our company. Although we each have defined responsibilities, our structure is still somewhat informal, allowing us to step up in rank if and when the need arises.

Third, the older members of our family have patiently mentored the younger members, encouraging them to learn current trends in our industry while creating an atmosphere that is creative and adaptable.Hopefully, we have built the framework for succeeding generations to prosper and continue the legacy of the founder of our business, my grandfather, Howard Tocker.
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Going for the Green

What in the world does "eco-friendly" mean to us as consumers and business owners? Is it a fad, a trend, a marketing gimmick, or a movement toward environmentally responsible decisions?

Those of us involved in the home decorating industry can no longer afford to ignore the green movement. Today, not only do many government and commercial projects require LEED certification, consumers have access to green products and information in every home decorating periodical from “Domino" to "Architectural Digest." There is even a cable television program dedicated to environmental issues, "planet green.”

Many of my vendors are responding to the eco-friendly movement by manufacturing products sensitive to environmental issues. As a fabric, trim, and supply wholesaler, we now have access to a myriad of products, such as fabrics made from recycled water bottles, recycled polyester, and renewable resources such as bamboo, hemp, linen, cotton and other natural fibers, and leathers dyed with vegetable based dyes - all manufactured in a environmentally responsible manner.These products cover the entire spectrum of designs and textures and colors - they are attractive, practical, and affordable.I believe our customers and clients will drive this market. I am very aware that when the consumer decides to purchases green, she (because the decision maker is usually a she) is making an economic statement. However, I think most consumers will still purchase based upon aesthetics and price - and if the product is green, she will feel warm, fuzzy and good about her choice.What do you think? I am interested in your thoughts, ideas, and experiences regarding this issue.