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Deborah Franklin, Design Manager and Special Projects Manager at Skopos Fabrics, has given her insights into the industry. With more than 50 years of specialist design and manufacturing experience, Skopos provides high-quality flame-retardant fabrics and soft furnishings to the contract market.

Offering full-service (design, measure, make-up and install), or fabric-only options, Skopos specialises in innovative flame-retardant fabrics which lead the way in the contract sector. Fabrics meet the requirements of various sectors with attributes, such as antimicrobial, acoustic, soil and stain-resist and new recycled fabrics. With a Bespoke design and colour matching service Skopos can provide customers with the opportunity to create unique statement solutions.

Defining signature styles of flagship hotels and cruise-liners, working with key brands within the commercial sector, Skopos prides itself in leading the way in fabric innovation.

What are the origins of the business?

Skopos was started in the early 70’s by Art College students, Stephen Battye and David Richards. Skopos began by hand-printing Greek inspired geometric designs onto lengths of cotton fabric. It wasn’t until a couple of years later, when joined by a third partner, Bernard Thomas that the company decided upon the name Skopos, roughly meaning ‘design’ or ‘range’ in Greek.

In the mid’ 70s the company started making up curtains and in the late 70’s developed a process to produce fabrics that were flame retardant, initially, specifically for the healthcare market. The first export market for the company was the Middle East, with project teams wanting to specify British product.

In the 80s Skopos explored the retail sector. Roll ends and small leftover quantities were sold here to ensure nothing was wasted. Until 2015 Skopos wet-printed fabrics on site at Providence Mills. Now printing takes place down the road, all via the transfer print method.

Skopos Fabrics

How do your products and services enhance interior design projects?

Skopos’ fabrics, and expertly made soft furnishings, provide the finishing touch to interior design projects across the globe. Providing flagship schemes for hotels, cruise-liners and a vast array of commercial environments, Skopos are the leaders in textile design, bringing new ideas and innovations into interiors. Designs are not limited to collection fabrics. With the offer of Bespoke Design, the Skopos team are ready to create something new and unique for brands that like to stand out. Designers can specify Skopos fabrics with the knowledge that style comes hand in hand with quality: beautiful fabrics that meet stringent technical requirements and soft furnishings produced by a skilled team of craftsmen.

Skopos Fabrics

What value does your specialist sector add to the industry?

Innovations within textile design, production and supply, mean that fabrics are a key part of the interior architecture of any space. Designers can knit together schemes knowing that they have on-hand knowledge including acoustic properties, light reflective values, thermal properties etc…to make informed decisions when creating schemes. All Skopos products are flame retardant as standard, without the need for extra treatments. The contract fabrics sector is ever-evolving and an exciting and key part of the design industry. Skopos’ purpose is to assist the role of the specifier, offering design and colour, enabling the creation of beautiful and functional interiors.

Skopos Fabrics

How do you work with interior designers?

Our next day sampling service is a core tool for designers. Fabrics are tactile and therefore mood-boards with textures and surfaces are a key precursor to decision making or confirming any fabrics or soft-furnishings order. We provide designers with key tools, including sample books and cards or swatches for their library and via our website we allow fabric swatch downloads or the tools to visualise patterns and designs on 3D models…. a bit of a try before you buy idea. Our website also provides designers with downloads of ready-made surfaces that can be adopted straight into AutoCad or other 3D modelling software models.

Skopos Fabrics

What has been your most significant company highlight or success from the past year?

In 2023 Skopos achieved Carbon Neutral status as an organisation, recognising the business’ commitment to supporting our environment. A lot of effort has been made to reduce carbon emission and set achievable goals for the future, offsetting any remaining emissions, to assist worthwhile environmental projects in the UK and overseas. Everything is measured. Every journey, whether person or product, is recorded, to ensure we are realising those efforts for a cleaner future. Alongside Skopos’ wider sustainability drive we are focussing on new recycled product, as a key part of the portfolio ongoing. New recycled fabrics, which re-engineer waste products are a key part to our portfolio. Skopos also make an effort to utlise local suppliers to minimise the carbon footprint of their products. Skopos is an ISO 9001 company, focussed on delivering the best for its customers.

Skopos Fabrics

What are the latest trends you’ve noticed in your client’s requests?

Customers are increasingly aware of sustainability, but also the need to create designs which can be owned by a brand. There are a huge variety of textures being requested. Customers are also keener than ever to understand the architectural qualities of fabrics. Elements which are a consideration in the interior architecture of a room. Colours are a little braver with straight neutrals becoming warmer and used alongside stronger yet muted tones.

We are also seeing an increased use of bolder, brighter colours and the injection of more pattern, with brands striving to reinforce their identities.

Skopos Fabrics

How do you see the interior design industry evolving in the year ahead?

There are some exciting trends running side by side at the moment. The maximalist look is still very much apparent, with an abundance of textures and layers in a room filled with colour and the contrast of dark and light. Texture is a big part of the finishing touches. Higher piles with a natural woolly look sit alongside metallics, velvets, woods and stone. Biophilia is still very relevant, bringing the outdoors in, goes hand in hand with sustainability. Shapes in print are often irregular and organic, yet bold and confident.

Skopos Fabrics

Is there anything new you are excited to be working on?

We are working on an exciting new project for later in the year, with the idea that we are virtually inviting the specifier to have a peek into the Skopos studio, to choose from a special library of prints for a variety of end uses.

What does being an SBID Accredited Industry Partner mean to you?

The SBID Industry partnership gives us access to a broader scope of people in the industry. Designers who have previously concentrated on more domestic projects are branching into commercial challenges, rather than limiting their talents. We are ready to take the challenge and embrace SBID members and work with them to realise their visions.

Deborah Franklin, Design Manager and Special Projects Manager at Skopos Fabrics

About Skopos Fabrics Ltd

Skopos has over 50 year’s experience of supplying innovative statement fabrics and soft furnishings into flagship hotels, marine interiors and other commercial spaces. Working globally with designers and specifiers, the Skopos brand thrives on innovation. Skopos fabrics deliver on style but also meet the needs of customers looking for technical assurance and key attributes, such as acoustic options, impervious upholstery fabrics, antimicrobial and blackout; providing a fabric-only, or made-to-measure and installation service. Accredited as a Carbon Neutral organisation in 2023, sustainable operations go hand in hand with the development of new recycled products and the use of local suppliers.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

We are delighted to introduce a new collection of small-scale, geometric designs that builds on the success of our recent Small Prints and Bibi launches.

These 5 designs are printed onto tumbled, 100% linen cloth with a relaxed, soft touch. Perfect for curtains, blinds, fixed and loose upholstery.

Linwood Small Prints II

Big Top

The free-flowing and tonal movement of this stylized coral, which was inspired by a small section of a traditional chintz from the 1800s, give it an endearingly natural appearance.

LF2398C / LF2427FR
Available in 7 colourways

Linwood - Big Top

Helter Skelter

This pattern is derived from 17th-century domino paper used as book endpaper. The Linwood design team successfully blended a contemporary aesthetic into the design. Through its gentle, delicate flow, Helter Skelter celebrates the natural feel of the stylized fern.

LF2399C / LF2429FR
Available in 19 colourways

Linwood - Helter Skelter

Trapeze

With the immutable quality of a traditional block print, this basketweave pattern has a dynamic movement created by its multidirectional lines and varied tones.

LF2395C / LF2425FR
Available in 9 colourways

Linwood - Trapeze

Waltzer

With scalloped edges redolent of passementerie, Waltzer has an informal feel that captures the enchantment of sound waves.

LF2397C / LF2427FR
Available in 7 colourways

Linwood - Waltzer

High Wire

This lively, casual stripe is presented on pure linen fabric and is based on an old Indian pattern discovered by the design team during their travels.

LF2396C / LF2426FR
Available in 4 colourways

Linwood - High Wire

About Linwood

Our Hampshire-based family business puts excellence at the heart of everything we do. We straddle the worlds of creativity and innovation to produce distinctive collections of fabrics, wallpapers and cushions that are bursting with fresh ideas, while retaining the quality and artistry we are renowned for.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

Tapping into the beauty of linen, Laon from Skopos offers up 22 chalky linen tones in a superb linen-look quality. Broadening the offer of Skopos flame retardant blackout fabrics, Laon brings natural matt texture to contract curtains. The distinctive texture of the woven face gives a natural variation in the colour and with a choice of calming blues, neutrals and soft greens, Laon provides a beautiful finishing touch for pelmets and windows and has an incredibly soft handle and elegant drape. Perfect for build to rent, hospitality and other commercial environments. Laon provides 100% blackout, without the need for curtain lining.

The collection is offered as wide-width, for easy and quick curtain make-up for contract windows. 100% Polyester with FR backing, 4 pass blackout, the fabric is washable at 30 degrees and achieves UK, European and IMO standards for fire retardancy.

Skopos also offers a comprehensive range of FR blackout (and dimout) roller blinds, available in a wide range of colours, with printed options for further choice.

Blackout curtains and blinds, alongside expert fitting, provide a complete blackout solution for areas such as bedrooms and cinema rooms, where light obscurity is vital for complete relaxation.

The Skopos team offer a full service or fabric only option, providing choice for our customers, with expertise in design, make-up (curtains, cushions and bedding), fitting and installation. Skopos Fabrics Ltd are dedicated to design, service and best performance.

Samples and shade-cards of Laon are available immediately. All colours available as a stocked item.

Skopos Fabrics

About Skopos Fabrics Ltd

Skopos has over 50 year’s experience of supplying innovative statement fabrics and soft furnishings into flagship hotels, marine interiors and other commercial spaces. Working globally with designers and specifiers, the Skopos brand thrives on innovation. Skopos fabrics deliver on style but also meet the needs of customers looking for technical assurance and key attributes, such as acoustic options, impervious upholstery fabrics, antimicrobial and blackout; providing a fabric-only, or made-to-measure and installation service. Accredited as a Carbon Neutral organisation in 2023, sustainable operations go hand in hand with the development of new recycled products and the use of local suppliers.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

There is nothing quite like a velvet sofa for bringing a touch of glamour and luxury to a scheme. From velvet sofas in whimsical prints – witness the naïve quality of Linwood’s gorgeous Songbird design pictured here – to arresting pieces in jewel-like plains or the laid-back elegance of crushed velvet sofas, these pieces not only elevate a room but also add all-important comfort and texture. Read on to discover their endless versatility, as well as some handy tips for keeping velvet sofas pristine…

Tango Prints

Why Choose Velvet?

Velvet is a popular choice for some of the most stylish sofas, and for good reason: ‘By choosing velvet customers can ensure that they are getting a durable, comfortable and luxurious sofa that will elevate their interiors,’ comments Jane Susan Upholstery. ‘Linwood’s velvets are, in our experience as makers of upholstered items and drapery, the best in terms of ‘ease of use’ which inevitably leads to the most exquisite, finished products.’ Due to its extreme softness, velvet is an incredibly inviting option for a classic sofa or even a corner sofa bed. It holds colour and pattern like no other fabric, with the texture of the pile interplaying with light to enhance the design and colours: witness the beauty of our Jungle Rumble printed velvet, whose jewel-like hues are intensified by the fabric’s luxurious pile. And as well as its tactile and visual qualities, velvet is also a highly practical choice for a sofa. Most of Linwood’s velvet fabrics are stain resistant and all have a high Martindale rub count (a measure of how much abrasion a fabric can take before it shows distress), making them well suited to busy households that don’t want to compromise on style.

Odyssey Hali Sofa

How to Style Distressed Velvet for a Lived-in Feel

The trend for distressed velvet sofas goes hand in hand with our desire for homes that exude a sense of comfort and informality. Tactile and cosy, they bring a timeworn quality to a space, giving the impression of a décor that has evolved over the years. Our Hali printed velvet is a perfect example: inspired by a vintage kilim rug, it combines pleasing textural qualities with an innovative printing technique that captures the feel of a gently faded textile. It marries beautifully with the classic style of the sofa, which in turn teams well with an eclectic mix of pieces that include an antique side table and a mid-century style oil painting. Effortless luxury at its best.

Odyssey Chora Sofa

Modern and Classic Shapes

The beauty of velvet is that it complements any number of sofa styles, from sleek, minimal shapes to traditional designs. Velvet can be shown off to stunning effect on a curvy 1950s-style piece yet will look equally glorious on a classic tufted sofa, where buttoning allows the pile to catch the light in different ways. And whilst it is of course important to consider how your choice of velvet sofa will look in the scheme, it is just as crucial to think about how it will be used: an elegant, streamlined design might be perfect for a room that is primarily intended for formal gatherings, but it will probably not be ideal if it is destined for the household to pile onto for a movie night. With its turned legs and soft scrolled arms, the sofa pictured here is a classic piece that lends itself well to traditional settings whilst offering a good level of comfort. The style of the piece is perfectly complemented by our Chora printed velvet; a timeless design inspired by a traditional Turkish kilim. The monochromatic colour palette makes this print particularly versatile – perfect for bringing a touch of pattern to a neutral scheme.

Odyssey Kichanna Sofa

Pairing Velvet Sofas with the Décor

It may well be that you already have a scheme in place when choosing your new velvet sofa, in which case there will be several factors to consider, from the colour palette of the existing décor to the style of the pieces you already own. The striking, angular shape of this sofa fits well with the room’s bold joinery, while the arresting abstract print – Kichana, which is based on a Peruvian document – picks up on the warm terracotta colours of the walls, lampshade and side table, as well as the aqua accents of the accessories and the ottoman’s velvet stripe (Cosmic, our versatile ombré design). Conversely, you can use the design of a velvet sofa to inform an entirely new décor: let the colour options and style of the print – or simply the colour, if you are choosing a plain velvet – guide your choice of pieces, from accessories to cushions, throws and rugs. And when it comes to selecting more fabrics for the scheme, don’t be afraid to introduce different textures: velvet sofas team beautifully with a variety of designs, from linens to wools, silks to leather.

Linwood Kimono Moss

Velvet Sofas in Different Room Settings

Velvet sofas fit into a huge array of rooms, bringing a touch of luxury to living spaces, from sitting rooms and snugs to bedrooms and the more unexpected areas of the home such as a study or even a hallway. Velvet sofas can bring a bohemian air to a space – crushed velvet sofas are particularly good for creating a sense of laid-back luxury – or a resolutely modern feel: think a clean-lined contemporary sofa in plain velvet in a rich, jewel-like hue. Velvet sofas can be used to blend in or stand out, this conversation sofa being a good example of the latter. The arresting abstract velvet, Kimono Dreams, complements the circular design of the sofa, which serves as a centre piece for the unusual marble floor. A luxurious design that befits the grandeur of the space.

Linwood Omega III Sofa

Maintaining Velvet Sofas

Velvet sofas have come a long way since the days when they were the preserve of formal rooms forbidden to children and pets. All of Linwood’s velvets are contract grade, making them an ideal choice for any number of room settings. When it comes to maintaining the velvet, Linwood has two very different velvet “families”. Our Omega, Alpha, Tango and Cosmos velvets are woven with durable polyester velvet piles and can be washed if you have loose covers or wiped with a wet wipe to remove spills and stains on fixed upholstery (pictured here is our Omega III velvet, which has the added advantage of being made from 60 per cent recycled polyester). Velvets with 100 per cent cotton piles or a mix of cotton and viscose, such as our Velvet Wonderland collection, are dry clean only and we recommend finding a dry cleaner that is familiar with velvet to get it returned in pristine shape. Whichever type of velvet you choose, we suggest regular maintenance to keep the fabric looking good. Once a week, give it a light vacuum with an upholstery attachment or use a soft hand brush, making sure to hoover or brush in the direction of the pile. This will get rid of any dust or fluff that has settled on the fabric’s surface.

If you have been hesitant about taking the plunge with a velvet sofa, we hope you are now ready to embrace this supremely elegant option. Choose the sofa shape and the velvet carefully and you will have a sophisticated, versatile piece that you will enjoy for years to come. Here’s to luxuriating in the comfort of your perfect velvet sofa…

About Linwood

Our Hampshire-based family business puts excellence at the heart of everything we do. We straddle the worlds of creativity and innovation to produce distinctive collections of fabrics, wallpapers and cushions that are bursting with fresh ideas, while retaining the quality and artistry we are renowned for.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

Learn to mix, match and maintain vibrant linen upholstery for a lively home decor…

Linwood Bibi Chitgar Chair

Embracing Colour with Linen

Linen fabric is synonymous with quiet luxury – the deliciously muted interiors’ trend that has been hot on interior designers’ lips of late. Yet, this much-loved and versatile furnishing textile also has a confident and gregarious alter ego; one that leans wholeheartedly towards playful and high-spirited colour. With confidence and design at its heart, it’s no less luxurious but oh-so joyful.

Colourful linen fabric – with the tactile texture we know and love – holds pattern beautifully and thus by default is a quality choice for upholstered sofas, chairs, ottomans, headboards and other soft furnishings throughout the home.

Here we explore why to choose colourful linen for upholstery, deep-dive into the perfect palette and reveal the art of mixing and matching patterns. Plus why colourful linen has top credentials for sustainability and durability.

Linwood Bibi Kala Emerald Sofa

Why Choose Colourful Linen for Upholstery?

There are three good reasons why interior designers reach for colourful linen upholstery fabric when building moodboards for their clients’ room schemes.

Firstly, dynamics. Vibrancy is the raison d’etre of a coloured upholstery pattern. From directional horizontal, vertical or wavy stripes to the liveliness of geometrics and spots or the sprightliness of organic-inspired florals and botanicals, these patterns bring untold interest and movement to the eye as shown here by Kala Emerald on a classic sofa.

Secondly, the colour of an upholstery fabric can transform a space’s atmosphere. Varying from deep and moody to light and airy, the breadth of choice is unparalleled and will be dictated by the form and function of the room.

And finally, durability. Linen is a sustainable and hardwearing textile that will last a lifetime.

Linwood Small Prints High Wire

Types of Colourful Linen Upholstery Fabrics

Ask a psychologist about colour and they’ll tell you that in times of uncertainty, humans lean towards life-affirming hues in search of positivity and reassurance. When considering colourful upholstery fabric, mull over what colour tribe you fit into…

If you consider yourself a ‘classic maximalist’, for instance, you’ll naturally veer towards the dark grounds of inky indigo, dark claret, deep forest and domino black. By applying these choices to upholstery, you’ll put furniture front and centre in a space, making it feel dramatic and powerful.

Lovers of ‘modern country’, on the other hand, will dip into the soft and subtle cottage-style hues of garden green, rose pink and sky blue that will suit a casual armchair or decorative ottoman. While those that subscribe to ‘rustic luxe’ will tack towards the earthy tones of dark red and spicy orange. This palette will wrap a handcrafted piece of furniture, such as a loveseat in High Wire Jockey, with a resonant and grounding warmth.

Linwood Bibi Khiva Sofa Blinds Red Curtain

Incorporating Colourful Linen in Various Interior Styles

Once you’ve established your hero colourway, you can start to hone what contrasting and complementary colours can combine with varying printed linen motifs to create interesting and exciting combinations. Check out the colour wheel and – with your style tribe in mind – consider themes such as Modern Vibrancy – where a collection of colours are layered confidently together (as shown here with Khiva Grass’s trellis design and Chitgar Marmalade’s spot). A Rustic Charm direction mingles a melange of florals with stripes. Eclectic bursts – introducing one pattern onto an accent chair, headboard or dining chairs – are also a fabulous way to infuse the excitement of colour into more neutral schemes.

Small Prints Sofa Curtain

The Art of Mixing and Matching

When it comes to coordinating colourful patterns within the same space, it pays to follow established design rules. Choose one large-scale pattern for a hero piece of furniture that will act as the focal point in the room. Then balance with two to three other supporting small prints that will complement the colour theme. Keep to this cohesive thinking and you won’t overdo it.

A good example of this principle is shown here with Garden Gate Strawberry Mousse on the signature sofa leading the way to Maypole Peony on the ottoman and then other soft furnishings such as curtains in Hopscotch Frog and Buttons Pink Icing on cushions.

Linwood Elba Ivory Sofa Close-up

Sustainability and Style: The Eco-Friendly Edge of Linen

Sustainability is a hot topic in interiors and quite rightly so. We all want to be sure that redecoration and refurbishment is done with the planet in mind. That’s why linen is a low-impact upholstery choice – it’s one of the most inherently sustainable fabrics available. The flax plant, from which it is made, is grown organically in poor soil, is resilient to pests and requires no additional water other than rainwater. The resulting yarn is strong and made to last. Linwood’s pure linen fabrics have a ‘heavy domestic use’ rub count rating, making them suitable for all household pieces as well as light commercial use (the exception is Belleville collection of linen prints).

Look to Elba, a timeless linen collection of coloured and neutral plains, including ivory, that will ground schemes, or Small Prints II, an array of small-scale versatile patterns.

Linwood Small Prints Trapeze

Selecting the Perfect Hue: Tips for Choosing Colourful Linen

What other factors can help with choosing the right coloured upholstery for furniture? It pays to pause and consider your existing decor – wall colours, flooring, window treatments and layout – but also how much natural light enters the room itself.

Establish the orientation of the room. As a general rule of thumb, north-facing rooms are by nature darker and cooler and benefit from the warmer hues of yellows, oranges and pinks. South facing rooms receive good light and heat throughout the day but can suffer from glare and heat so look to cooler hues of blues and greens, such as Trapeze Miami on the living room suite shown above.

Ashfield Saffron Wave

Caring for Colourful Linen Upholstery

Follow these tips for preserving and keeping your linens at their best:
– Protect colours from fading by keeping upholstered furniture away from direct sunlight, intense heat and excessive moisture. Drawing curtains, pulling blinds or positioning pieces carefully also helps.
– Vacuum your upholstery on a regular basis to avoid dust and debris settling.
– Spot cleaning and the use of proprietary products is best avoided as you could damage the fabric.
– Seek out professional cleaning help for stain removal and hardcore cleaning.

Small Prints Magic Lantern Sofa

Where to Find your Colourful Linen Upholstery Fabric

Shopping for the right hues for upholstery fabric has never been easier. Use the filters online to sort your favourite colours and see the range of collections of patterns that are available. Order free samples to get the feel for the textile and check that you are on the right path. It’s also worthing making a visit to an interior design store to chat with staff and get their advice. Linwood’s showrooms in London and Ringwood are the recommended go-to for high-quality, colourful linens and excellent in-store guidance.

We hope we’ve encouraged you to take a bold approach to using coloured and statement upholstery fabrics in your next home décor project. Inspiring creativity and personal expression through colourful upholstery is what redecoration is all about so take time to research and understand how pattern can combine to elevate your home to the next level and give new life to inherited or tired furniture whether classic or contemporary in style.

About Linwood

Our Hampshire-based family business puts excellence at the heart of everything we do. We straddle the worlds of creativity and innovation to produce distinctive collections of fabrics, wallpapers and cushions that are bursting with fresh ideas, while retaining the quality and artistry we are renowned for.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

Collection 2024

The new collection is one of substance, not only for the number of articles being presented, but also and above all for the way in which it probes a variety of topics. To spark the imagination, some ideas are closely associated with the course undertaken so far, while others are slightly more unexpected.

For Plain Classics, a small selection of velvets of incomparable quality. Two irresistible alpacas of the utmost softness and an intense luminous cotton that has no equal: three plains of great distinction that speak of pleasure and sumptuous beauty.

The exploration of Texturologie continues to be centred on light or natural colours but is also accompanied by some more pronounced chromatic statements. Mottled effects – quite distinct at times – recall the living matter of nature: tree barks, an undergrowth of moss and lichens, rocks, and even references to the animal kingdom. Another direction takes us on a foray into “Modern Crafts” to explore processes, textile experience and artisanal vocations: played out between textural curtains whose transparency adopts new forms, and fabrics for voluptuous seating projects.

The Contemporary Archives, poised between classical and contemporary, forge new roads but also focus more closely on familiar concepts that have already impassioned past research. Emotion, light, an elegance bordering on opulence, the reinvention of classical styles, the art of jacquard weaving: the road winds its way through the various spirits of the immortal tiger skin and soft enigmatic labyrinths; it passes through the geometric motifs of suit fabrics, historiated effects reminiscent of jewellery making, abstract revisitations of Japanese figurative art. In constant expansion is the branch of Contemporary Archives dedicated to the nuances of what is generally considered to be a non-colour but in fact is the synopsis of all others: the White Writings, an immersion of pronounced artistic fervour into the most textural and streaky of whites.

The Contemporary Archives comprise several new fire-retardant fabrics: with a particular focus on the bicoloured theme, but also and especially with an unmistakable aura of couture.

The magical formula of the entire collection remains unvaried: an innate curiosity to increase our knowledge of textile archetypes; a desire to grasp radically new intuitions; a rare “savoir-faire”, thanks to which ideas are transformed into fabric.

Dedar Deja Vu Jamais
Dedar Dilmun

Contemporary Archives

The exploration of the most captivating visual narrations pertaining to each period of the past, radically reinterpreted and innovated, is pursued with an eclectic and curious vocation.

Vivid and densely woven jacquard velvets interpret the tiger’s skin, the archetypal garment of royals and great leaders, naturalistically interpreted in a shade of deep orange.

How to avoid getting lost on entering a labyrinth with its myriad of blind alleys and secret passageways? This archaic and conceptual graphic motif, with its mere semblance of familiarity, lends itself to various interpretations that are almost bewildering. However, the labyrinth itself is inspired by Ariadne to draw a connective thread that becomes gradually more apparent.

A new foray into the “white on white” of White Writings is accompanied by various quotations, from the anarchistic doves guided by the spirit of Jean Arp to the tribal suggestions close to Keith Haring’s vision, or the soft neo-Picassian masks.

As a tribute to historiated artworks and the meticulous workmanship of goldsmiths, a lavish jacquard celebrates the luminosity of the most precious of metals. Ever fond of the “hidden side” of things, the Archives presents its alter ego, to which fil coupé regales three-dimensionality.

The journey continues through other suggestions and abstractions.

A soft geometric motif of couture inspiration is driven by a strong artisanal vocation; an impenetrable jacquard garden recalls the Oriental decorative language with its long bamboo canes, flying creatures and insects; an amazing tempest, interlaced by silky and lamé threads in a honan weave, contributes to enhancing the more abstract side of Japanese art.

Dedar Alpaca Alto
Dedar Noricum

This is the Tiger Speaking: Jacquard Velvet with a Tiger Coat

The happiest possible conclusion of a tiger hunt: having fled its pursuers, triumphant, the tiger snuggles down on a sofa, or nestles between curtains that feel soft and cosy. This vividly coloured snug velvet interprets the jungle queen’s skin in its purest and most natural expression. The repetition of stripes scans the fabric rhythmically: the effect is more pronounced on large surfaces but just as appealing on smaller elements, where the stripe is the focal point.

A Tiger in the Orangerie: Jacquard Velvet with a Tiger Coat

A close-up view of a majestic creature. Its skin pattern is idealized, its stripes soften. The proud feline sheds its ferocity and welcomes cuddles. The sinuous lines of the stripe, conferring an overall rhythm, are the protagonists of a charming and lively jacquard velvet, together with the tiger’s unmistakable shade of orange. A hardwearing fabric with a soft and thick hand-feel.

Dedar Tigers

Leontigre: Jacquard Velvet with a Tiger Coat

The tigers grow in number as they make their way into an abstract jungle. The jacquard velvet is stage to a ferocious conflict between wild felines. The skins form a new pattern of blurred shapes, rich in movement. Stripes devoid of their natural sinuousness, eyes and curly tails are regenerated as ideograms of an enigmatic graphic texture.

Dedar Jamu Jungle

Jamu Jungle: Labrynthic Velvet Jacquard

The lustrous velvet of an animalier geometric motif, poised between the enticing atmospheres of a Twenties’ speakeasy, the stylized language of the Cubists, the American street art of Haring and Basquiat, jazz and hop hop. Between the threads of a jacquard endowed with personality and silky luminosity, a multitude of suggestions generate an impromptu jam session. The large irregular labyrinth – an archaic motif that has found its way into countless art forms – is interpreted in a bicoloured version whose chromatic inspirations range from nature to pop.

Promenade Kafkaienne: Jacquard Graphic Motif with Textural Contrasts

A bold luminous jacquard, inspired by mid-century Informalism. Gesture, painting, and speed come together in a free and uninterrupted stroke. Matter and colour create strong contrasts: a shiny synthetic raffia, akin to the experimental materials used by Carla Accardi or Alberto Burri, stands out with its lustrous feel against a matt ground, together with small textural knots in silk. A similar contrast is provided by the primordial evocation of the labyrinth and the modernity of the colour palette. Kafkian in the way it takes you by surprise and because it sparks a paradoxical dialogue between different elements: its spirit, however, is more playful than serious.

Dedar Promenade Kafkaienne
Dedar Deja Vu Jamais

Déjà Vu Jamais: Soft Velvet Jacquard with Engraved Effect

A jacquard velvet with a full and drapey hand-feel, pervaded by a sense of mystery. Delicately poised between a re-emerging ancestral recollection and the totally unprecedented: “déjà vu” and “jamais vu” in equal parts. The Egyptian mako cotton pile is very thick; the finishing process brings out its flock, while blurring the lines of the pattern. The labyrinth is transformed into an engraving that lends itself to interpretation. A trace of the memory on which the key dimension of colour intervenes: each of the possible monochromatic variants is a door leading to a different world.

Contemporary Archives: White Writings

Dimodong: Screen-Printed Matka Silk

Geometric shapes engage in a lively contrast on matka silk, hand woven on artisanal looms and screen printed. A visual world music attempts to embrace the entire world, encouraging multiple artistic currents to mingle. The interrupted motif evokes the painted figures of certain tribal traditions and their influence in the course of time on authors such as Keith Haring or Leni Riefenstahl. Colours range from the Kaolin of Piero Manzoni’s Achrome works to auriferous minerals and earthy tones. Each of the two spirits – drapey fabric or wallcovering – is willing to live alone or cohabit.

Dedar Dimodong
Dedar Palomar

Palomar: Sinuous Embroidery on Wool

A dove traces the sinuous trajectory of its flight, moving freely across the white-on-white fabric that celebrates the formal purity of Jean Arp and Abstract Art. Chain stitch embroidery adds a precious touch to a pure wool textural satin in which overstitching confers greater emphasis to the linear motif. This elegant monochromatic fabric joins a well-established Dedar tradition, that of embroidery on a white ground.

Liberabirinto: Textured and Three-Dimensional Velvet

A motif of impacting dimensionality peeps out: like a theatre character, it is ready to play its role. Its face has the dynamic forms of Twentieth century avant-garde art movements. Its curvy lines trace an endless to and from on an original velvet that is textural and extremely irregular. The play of tone-on-tone effects enlivens the neutral shades. The long-fibre Egyptian mako pile completes the overall sensation of blossoming softness which, when released, caresses the senses of sight and touch.

Dedar Liberabirinto

Plain Classics

Dedar Alpaca Alto

Alpaca Alto: Precious Alpaca Velvet

An extremely luxurious alpaca velvet with a very thick pile. Warm, soft, and sensual, touch it and enjoy the sensation of sinking your hand into its deep pile: the fabric itself caresses, embraces, and hugs us. Alpaca and wool come together, just as the three colours used to dye the cloud of yarn create a subtle melange, in a palette that comprises the most classical shades of wool, together with some more personal colour accents. An invitation to accept without hesitation: like that of an elegant outer garment asking to be worn, or a gentle and affectionate animal wanting to be stroked.

Monsieur Baudelaire: The Most Sumptuous Cotton Velvet

Luminous, soft, and seductive, like the visions of a refined and pleasure-loving poet. This is cotton velvet at its best, sumptuous and beyond compare to the point of being unique, fruit of uncommon material and textile expertise. With an extremely long pile: so thick and deep that several dyeing sessions are needed to absorb the colour and reach the exact intensity of tone required. A cotton of high standing, of regal and luxurious elegance. Such an abundance of luminosity recalls expressions of pomp and splendour that are no longer part of our everyday scenario.

Texturologie

The research behind the 2024 Texturologie Collection has been conducted on two different fronts. Firstly, a lively medley of mottled and irregular fabrics, which are textural and often highly structured, with a personality that is intentionally artisanal: the spotlight is on yarn, in its countless different nuances. Savoir-faire and an in-depth knowledge of fibres foster a beauty permeated with that of nature: tree bark, rocks and mosses inhabit expressive and comfortable fabrics. Shading, mottled effects, details. Perception changes according to the distance. When viewed close-up, each tonal variation can be appreciated; a few metres away, the overall chromatic impact prevails. The thread turns into a visual expression. Fabrics become unpredictable in terms of material and colour. The intrinsic value of yarns is never an end in itself: rich in content and form, they support elaborate effects.

A curious interest in manufacturing and artisanal processes is the driving force behind Modern Crafts, the other side of Texturologie. Its fabrics are alimented by transparencies, subtractions, backlighting. The spectrum of sensations is a vast one, from the softest tactile voluptuousness to wild textural expressions. Suggestions are equally variegated: snowy slopes, straw mats hand made in distant times and places, the peacefulness of a Japanese karesansui.

Luxury fibres such as ultra-fine cotton mako, caressing chenille, unrefined linen bouclé — together with techniques and processes such as fil coupé, special finishing processes, or the insertion of slits — pave the way to a universe of natural textures and unprecedented expressivity, to be almost disconcerting at times.

Dedar Withering Wind
Dedar Deja Vu Jamais

Texturologie: Mottled and Irregular

Cestrum: Luminous Canvas Weave

Jute and light, the odd couple. A bulky yet elegant plain weave with an amazing touch of luminosity, quite a rarity for the most distinctive fibre of its composition. An intervention of great textile expertise has added a scintillating thread, interlaced with intentional irregularity, to the matt canvas weave in cotton/jute string. The matt surface entraps and reveals uncommon glints, to create an effect akin to metallic enamel. This unpredictable, natural-looking weave has the personality of macrame bags and straw hats.

Hurluberlu: Irregular Macro Tweed

A macro tweed of sartorial inspiration with a lively artisanal character. The introduction of irregular yarns transforms the bulky ground weave and confers an haute couture personality. The complex construction exploits a rare textile expertise. It combines two threads of a totally different nature: a particularly textural ondé yarn in linen and wool and a cotton ribbon, which differ not only in terms of fibre but also in thickness. The ivory and linen combination is always associated with a chromatic note which may be more delicate or more contrasting, according to the variant. The overall effect evokes the colours and atmospheres of the wilderness.

Dedar Hurluberlu

Texturologie: Modern Crafts

Minimal Moves: Soft Jacquard Chenille

An abstract chenille, an irregular jacquard of broad scope, endowed with the voluptuousness of velvet. Ideally balanced between material exuberance and expressive loveliness, between elegance and durability. The fibre is a special variety of chenille that seduces at first sight: the special finishing process has conferred even greater softness to a smooth round thread of exquisite quality. A voluptuous fabric, with a soft and compact hand-feel, whose colours range from natural to pastel shades.

Dedar Nevicava

Nevicava: Sculptural Fil Coupé

A snowfall of geometric shapes: a fil coupé pervaded by a sense of poetry and by the airiness of snowflakes falling from a winter sky. A snowy landscape of abstract forms, poised between art and nature, translates into a sumptuous curtain with echoes of haute couture. The transparent effects are mere suggestions. Symbols are drawn from sculpture, architecture, a graphic design of delicately vibrant strokes. A reference to the textile process — scissors that cut — creates backlit effects and recalls the deconstructed aesthetic of Nineties’ fashion. The variant in combed Egyptian mako is white, pure and drapey; the one in coarse cotton has a fuller hand-feel.

About Dedar

Founded in 1976, Dedar is a family-run fabric house located close to Como, in the heart of a manufacturing district. Dedar experiments and innovates to attain product perfection through an ongoing dialogue with those craftsmen and textile specialists who are most familiar with the techniques employed in the production of excellent fabrics. Characterized by seductive colour palettes and unexpected patterns, Dedar’s fabrics combine precious yarns with research into fiber technology to offer various solutions for curtains, upholstery and wallcovering of timeless elegance.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

Linwood Fabrics shares their top tips for working wonderful weaves into your home designs…

The true heroes of the textile industry, woven fabrics are both strong and versatile, making them highly adaptable to a vast array of purposes. From lightweight cotton fabric to durable twill weave fabrics, to elaborate designs showcasing intricate patterns and textures, woven fabrics can cater to many different needs in the realms of fashion and interiors.

Here, we delve into the world of woven fabrics to showcase the artistry and adaptability of these much-loved textiles, exploring their many colourful and textural iterations and offering advice on how to work them into interior schemes. Plus a few tips to ensure their longevity…

Sashay Curtain

Understanding Woven Fabrics

A woven fabric is a type of textile made by interlacing two sets of yarn or threads – known as the warp yarn and the weft yarn – at right angles to each other. The two threads create a structured, grid-like pattern that gives woven fabrics their inherent strength and durability. Unlike knit fabrics, which have a looped structure that gives them stretch, woven fabrics tend to be much more rigid, so while a knit fabric may be brilliant for clothing, it wouldn’t be as suited to, say, upholstery as woven fabrics are.

Woven fabrics are typically produced on looms and can vary in appearance depending on the choice of fibres and the weaving technique employed, meaning that there are many different types of woven fabrics. They are a staple of the fashion industry – think of the universal popularity of cotton fabric, and particularly denim fabric, for example – and woven fabrics are also used in industrial contexts, from protective equipment for firefighters to seatbelts for cars and aeroplanes. In the home, the scope of woven fabrics is vast: they are used for everything from accessories such as cushions and headboards to curtains and upholstery. Pictured here is Sashay in Teal from our new Tango Weaves II collection, a durable woven fabric that showcases a sophisticated abstract geometric pattern, perfect for a subtly contemporary window treatment, and equally fabulous for upholstery.

Granite Freya Sofa

Woven Fabric Examples:

Classic Elegance: Monochromatic Weaves

The beauty of monochromatic woven fabrics is that they will sit effortlessly in almost any interior, teaming just as well with a palette of neutrals as they will with a more colourful scheme. And don’t be deceived into thinking that a monochromatic woven fabric is going to be dull: the palette may be restrained but it is the nature of the weave itself that will bring character to the piece, from a nubbly tweed – ideal for upholstering a favourite armchair you want to curl up in with a book – to lightweight fabric woven to exude a sense of airiness, such as a breezy linen or an open weave cotton fabric. Shown here is Freya in Granite, a classic tweed-style fabric that brings lovely texture to the 1950s style sofa. The fabric is made from a wool blend that makes it incredibly robust, ensuring that it can withstand the wear and tear of a busy household whilst creating a smart, subtly tailored feel.

Tango Weaves

Vibrant Expressions: Bold Colour Combinations

When it comes to selecting woven fabrics, your choice of colours really can affect the feel of a space, in turn influencing your mood. Vibrant hues are particularly effective: a pop of yellow, for example, can bring an uplifting feel to a room, while woven fabrics in lively green hues nod to the natural world and lend a sense of optimism to a scheme. Bold blues are good for creating energy and confidence, or, for a sense of drama, try a punchy red – it is fantastic for creating a sense of energy, making it a good choice for sociable spaces. If you are nervous about using bold colours in a scheme, start small: cushions in different types of woven fabrics in vibrant hues may be all the room needs, as well as a few choice accessories such as lampshades or plant pots in similar hues. A small piece of furniture such as an occasional chair, a bench or a footstool is another good way to introduce a punchy weave, and again you can tie it in with accessories throughout the space. Here, a neat side chair is covered in Bolero in Parakeet which, like the cushions, is from our Tango Weaves collection. Each design has a distinctively contemporary edge, perfect for bringing modern glamour and texture to a space.

Orta Sofa

Nature’s Palette: Earthy Tones and Natural Fibres

Woven fabrics in earthy tones are wonderful for creating a grounded feel and a sense of calm within a home. Natural fibres are the perfect choice, complementing earthy hues whilst adding all-important texture to the space. Linen is one of the most sustainable types of woven fabrics, as it is made from the hardy flax plant which can grow in poor soil and requires little more than rainwater to thrive. Linen woven fabrics are also hardwearing, naturally breathable and entirely biodegradable, making them an ideal choice for eco-conscious homes that don’t want to compromise on style. Our Elba range in pure linen includes a palette of rich, earthy neutrals, and we also offer a number of textural woven fabrics that combine linen with manmade fibres for added strength and durability: Orta is a tumbled, heavyweight linen blend weave that comes in 16 soft, muted shades and features natural linen slubs for added character, while our Serrano collection includes a textural plain weave fabric called Collodi, a linen-blend design that comes in three versatile neutrals.

Duart Ollaberry Roxburgh Chair

Timeless Patterns: Stripes, Checks and Herringbone

You really can’t go wrong with a woven fabric in a classic stripe. Bringing a sense of tailoring to a room, striped woven fabrics are an enduring favourite, teaming effortlessly with all manner of designs, from textural plain weave fabrics to bold prints. A tone-on-tone stripe is a particularly useful way to bring structure to a piece of upholstery without overpowering it, this Bressay Stripe in Duart being a case in point. The stripe lends a pulled-together look to the simple armchair, while the soft, neutral shades make it a highly adaptable piece. The fabric is made from pure Shetland wool, a cosy option that is also incredibly durable.

Linwood Lifestyle Beachcomber

Checks and Plaids

The terms checks and plaids are often interchanged but in fact they are distinctly different: checks are formed from two colours and feature the same stripe pattern in the warp and the weft threads, while plaids feature more than two colours and more variety in their layouts. Sometimes the warp and the weft threads of a plaid don’t feature the same pattern, and so they are not symmetrical. And if you are wondering where tartans come in, these are types of plaid associated with specific colourways for different Scottish clans. The appeal of both checks and plaids no doubt lies in the way in which they can bring a sense of familiarity to a scheme, making them a choice that designers return to again and again. Witness how this Beachcomber wool plaid in Stroma brings warmth to a simple armchair, with its tactile feel and palette of natural colours.

Zeus Delft Sofa Detail

Herringbone Elegance

Just as herringbone is favoured by fashion designers for bringing sophistication to tailored pieces, so it is beloved in the interiors world for lending a chic touch to a room. The neat geometric zig zag pattern is highly versatile: it can be used to subtly enliven a scheme, for example, or it can serve to temper an exuberant print. The scale of the herringbone will usually inform its role in a room: a small-scale herringbone can be incredibly subtle, almost reading as a plain-woven fabric from a distance, while a large-scale version is invariably punchier. Here, the distinctive pattern of our Zeus herringbone woven fabric in Delft helps to break up the large expanse of the sofa whilst giving it a lively, dynamic touch.

Serrano Portland

Innovative Textures: Twills, Satins, and Jacquards

The Allure of Twill Weaves

A twill weave is a distinctive type of woven fabric characterised by its diagonal rib pattern, which is created by an offset in the warp threads. Twill woven fabric is renowned for its durability and it hides stains well, making it popular in both fashion – the best known twill weave being denim – and home decor. Twill woven fabric tends to be a very forgiving choice for upholstery, as it is not only incredibly durable, but it also doesn’t wrinkle or crease. This Livorno design is a robust twill weave in a linen mix, which lends itself well to upholstery or heavy curtaining. It comes in Portland, a go-with-anything neutral.

Miletto Sea Mist Curtain Damask Weave

Luxurious Satin Finishes

A woven fabric in a satin finish is guaranteed to bring a touch of old-school glamour to a scheme. Perhaps the most beloved of satin weaves is the damask, a symmetrical, mirror-image foliate design where the monochrome pattern is picked out with different warp and weft threads. The organic patterns reference nature while the mix of matt and shiny threads is supremely elegant. Our Miletto damask is woven from a linen and viscose yarns to create a design that is at once contemporary yet timeless. A beautiful fabric for showcasing upholstery, it also looks fabulous made into curtains and cushions – and we love to see it teamed with contrasting textures such as tactile wools or plush velvets.

Odyssey Pisqu Chair

Artistry in Jacquard Weaves

Jacquard is another type of timeless weave that lends understated elegance to a room scheme. The name comes from the special loom used to create these fabrics, invented by French textile artisan Joseph-Marie Jacquard in 1804; rather like damasks, it creates raised motifs that give these textiles their inherent elegance. This glorious Pisqu design is a jacquard velvet, a rich, tactile fabric inspired by a Peruvian appliqué textile. As demonstrated here, it lends itself beautifully to upholstery and is equally wonderful for thick, indulgent curtains.

Linwood Hartland

Care and Maintenance Tips for Woven Fabrics

The joy of most types of woven fabrics is that they are incredibly durable, meaning that with a little care and attention, they will last for years to come. It is important to always check the care label of your woven fabric carefully: some are machine washable at a low temperature while many, such as our Hartland textural weaves pictured, are dry clean only, meaning that it is best to avoid spot cleaning as this could permanently damage the fabric. Some types of woven fabrics are inherently stain resistant or they come with a stain repellent finish, making it possible to mop up spills using a soft, lint-free cloth or paper towel. Leave it on the spot until as much liquid is absorbed as possible, but if the stain remains visible, we advise approaching an expert. As with any fabric, woven fabrics benefit from regular maintenance to avoid them becoming dull and lack-lustre: use the upholstery brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove dust from curtains as well as upholstery pieces such as sofas, armchairs and headboards, and regularly plump cushions to remove dust and redistribute the fillings. From time to time, it is advisable to undertake a professional deep clean of your woven fabrics, and when you do this, remember to have all the pieces in the same fabric cleaned in one go, to ensure a consistent colour balance.

We hope we have shown that the possibilities of woven fabrics within the home really are endless, offering the chance to bring personality and character to a scheme. From the timelessness of stripes, checks and herringbones to the elegance of complex weaves such as jacquards and satin, to the punchiness of colourful woven fabrics, the choices are vast, ensuring there is a woven fabric for every aesthetic. And not forgetting the stalwarts such as sturdy twills, versatile monochrome weaves and natural fibre weaves in earthy tones – effortless designs that are perfect for creating calming interiors or for tempering bolder choices within a dynamic scheme. Choose your woven fabrics well – and show them a little care along the way – and you will be enjoying them for years to come.

About Linwood

Our Hampshire-based family business puts excellence at the heart of everything we do. We straddle the worlds of creativity and innovation to produce distinctive collections of fabrics, wallpapers and cushions that are bursting with fresh ideas, while retaining the quality and artistry we are renowned for.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

Amidst threads that intertwine to recount stories and materials of new dimensional suggestions, Dedar presents an all-embracing collection, in which yarn is the protagonist with its unique and unrepeatable irregularities. An impassioned focus on natural fibres reveals a candour and tactile charm that emanates refinement. Silk, linen, and raffia take centre stage in the Plain Classics, Texturologie and Transparencies collections, in which fabric assumes unique forms and features. The Chatwin plain weave expresses the wild side of tussah silk, enhanced by irregular streaks. Gabor dresses up in matka silk with its bulky yarns and soft flexuous drape.

Chintz Nature, linen chintz
Chintz Nature Wall, linen chintz

A progenitor of the linen family is Chintz Nature, a glazed chintz fabric that evokes suggestions of the natural environment. Originally produced in India and adopted in Europe in the XVII century, chintz – term deriving from the Hindi word “chint”, meaning “variegated” – was usually accompanied by multicoloured floral motifs. Dedar celebrates its relevance with a well-balanced intermingling of linen and light, in an expression of elegant nonchalance and spontaneity. The embrace between a bulky weft of technical raffia and a linen warp in Didgeridoo provokes a fascinating encounter that confers depth of colour, fruit of a double dyeing process.

Chatwin, tussah silk plain weave
Chatwin Wall, tussah silk plain weave

In a play of material and chromatic associations, the collection applies fabric to vertical surfaces with its coordinated wallcoverings to create an enveloping sense of continuity, an all-over visual effect, in a consistent configuration and colour philosophy. Hence the ancient tradition of fabric wallcovering coordinated with curtains and upholstery is reinterpreted in a contemporary key: a revival of the camouflage effect typical of the 19th century furnishing style.

Chintz nature, linen chintz
Chintz nature wall, linen chintz

In the new fabric collection, the union between light and matter finds inspiration to evolve in the art of jewellery-making which, with faultless precision, produces exceptional artifacts. The masterly use of yarn brings fabric to life in plays of light and transparency, regaling a touch of preciousness that is always artfully calibrated.

Didgeridoo, technical raffia
Didgeridoo wall, technical raffia

Poised between gravitas and fluidity, Argento Vivo’s elegant chequerboard of metallic yarn recalls experimental fashion garments of the sixties. Lightness and movement recount the informal elegance of Wide Linen Ulisse, while a delicate embroidery on linen traces an evocative abstract landscape of Yukiguni. In a subtle contrast of matt and lustrous effects, an alternate play of different weaves defines Olympia, a bulky linen jacquard with a dual personality, depending on which side of the fabric is used.

Plain Classics – Texturologie – Wallcoverings
Silk, linen, and raffia, three natural fibres interpreted in proposals that reveal all the force of expression and contemporary elegance of Dedar fabrics. This collection recalls the evocative power of natural yarns: timeless fibres of superb quality that constitute the natural habitat of Dedar research and creativity.

Pronounced texturality and the refined yet assertive personality of wild silk and raffia are extended to walls. Yarn plays a protagonist role with its unique and ever varying irregularities. From raffia weaves to hand-spun silk woven on artisanal looms, the collection evokes a wide spectrum of visual and tactile sensations. A coordinated fabric is available for each wallcovering to create an enveloping sense of continuity, in a play of material and chromatic associations. Hence the ancient tradition of fabric wallcovering coordinated with curtains and upholstery is revived but also transformed, to generate a collection whose mood is decidedly contemporary. These wallcoverings surmount the restrictions formerly associated with the task of hanging wallcoverings, thanks to a practical adhesive non-woven fabric backing, while a reduced number of surface joints is enabled by a width comprised in the range of 120-140 centimetres.

Chatwin – Tussah Silk Plain Weave
A plain weave of pure tussah silk, spun and woven by hand to put the accent on the beauty and spontaneity typical of artisanal workmanship. Its yarns and weave create a streaky fabric with pronounced knots and slubs, in which irregularity is an intrinsic part of the product’s preciousness. Ideal for curtain applications. Also available backed for wallcovering applications.

Chatwin - Tussah Silk Plain Weave
Chatwin Wall - Tussah Silk Wallcovering

Chatwin Wall – Tussah Silk Wallcovering
A wallcovering in pure tussah silk that is spun and woven by hand to put the accent on the beauty and spontaneity typical of artisanal workmanship. The choice of yarns and weave creates a fabric rich in streaks, knots and slubs, in which irregularity of weave and colour is an intrinsic part of this product’s precious nature. Coordinated fabric for curtains also available.

Gabor – Matka Silk Plain Weave
A pure matka silk plain weave of bulky irregular yarns is hand woven on artisanal looms. Textural in appearance, soft and drapey when hung, this fabric is ideal for curtain-making. Also available backed for wallcovering applications in a selection of colours.

Gabor - Matka Silk Plain Weave
Gabor Wall - Matka Silk Wallcovering With Water-Repellent Treatment

Gabor Wall – Matka Silk Wallcovering With Water-Repellent Treatment
A wallcovering in pure matka silk of bulky irregular yarn woven on artisanal looms. With its textural look and subtle luminosity, it brings all the beauty and exuberance of wild silk to walls. Wallcovering with water-repellent treatment for ease of maintenance. Coordinating fabric for curtains also available.

Chintz Nature – Linen Chintz
A pure linen chintz with a glazed effect evidences a lustre that is somewhat unusual for linen. The refined and harmonious luminosity evokes reflections of nature. Flowing, drapey and soft to the touch, this fabric is ideal for curtain-making or decorative applications. Also available in the version of a coordinated wallcovering.

Chintz Nature - Linen Chintz
Chintz Nature Wall - Linen Chintz Wallcovering

Chintz Nature Wall – Linen Chintz Wallcovering
A wallcovering in pure linen chintz with a glazed effect evidences a lustre that is unusual for linen. The refined and harmonious luminosity of this wallcovering evokes reflections of nature that reverberate subtly on wall surfaces. Coordinating fabric for curtains also available.

Didgeridoo – Technical Raffia
A bulky weft of technical raffia is interlaced with a linen warp in a hardwearing textural canvas weave, fruit of artisanal workmanship. The weft yarn evokes the natural look and typical hand-feel of raffia weaves, while the double dyeing process regales depth of colour. Ideal for seating upholstery, this article is also available backed for wallcovering applications in the same colour range.

Didgeridoo - Technical Raffia
Didgeridoo Wall - Technical Raffia Wallcovering With Water-Repellent Treatment

Didgeridoo Wall – Technical Raffia Wallcovering With Water-Repellent Treatment
A weft in technical raffia is interlaced with a linen warp to create a textural canvas weave. Thanks to its artisanal workmanship, Didgeridoo Wall regales the look and typical hand-feel of the finest natural raffia weaves to the walls, while the double dyeing process confers depth of colour. Wallcovering with water repellent treatment for ease of maintenance. Coordinating fabric for upholstery also available.

Transparencies
Luminosity and transparency accompany the harmonious equilibrium of Dedar fabrics, animated by refined metallic yarns that interplay with the sparkle of fibres and reflections of light. Natural fibres either intermingle spontaneously with a silver thread or hang in solitary splendour, in a crystalline luminescence embellished by meticulously worked embroidery, textural weaves or melange-effect finishes.

Argento Vivo – Metallic Crochet
An elaborate metallic crochet shapes a precious composition of tesserae thanks to a refined textile savoir-faire. The architectural structure and the assertive yet elegant presence of an extremely fine silvery yarn evokes the experimental research on avant-garde garments of the sixties. Geometric precision encounters the movement of yarn and the softness of its weave in a fascinating balance poised between gravitas and fluidity.

Argento Vivo - Metallic Crochet
Yukiguni - Refined Embroidery On Linen

Yukiguni – Refined Embroidery On Linen
A lightweight linen sheer is embellished by an extremely refined embroidery depicting an abstract landscape. Meticulous workmanship and a hazy motif define the charmingly elegant personality of this sheer, making it an ideal solution for lightweight curtains.

Olympia – Double-Face Linen Jacquard
A play of alternating weave patterns defines a bulky and irregular linen jacquard. An artful use of yarn enables the creation of a subtle contrast between lustrous and matt effects. This reversible fabric presents a two-sided personality.

Olympia - Double-Face Linen Jacquard
Wide Linen Ulisse - Stonewashed Linen In Double Width

Wide Linen Ulisse – Stonewashed Linen In Double Width
A light and billowy pure linen sheer of informal elegance is enlivened by mélange streaks fruit of a “stonewashed” finish that confers movement and unique depth to its colour. Extra-wide, with a soft hand-feel and a flowing, flexuous drape, this fabric offers an ideal curtain solution.

About Dedar

Founded in 1976, Dedar is a family-run fabric house located close to Como, in the heart of a manufacturing district. Dedar experiments and innovates to attain product perfection through an ongoing dialogue with those craftsmen and textile specialists who are most familiar with the techniques employed in the production of excellent fabrics. Characterized by seductive colour palettes and unexpected patterns, Dedar’s fabrics combine precious yarns with research into fiber technology to offer various solutions for curtains, upholstery and wallcovering of timeless elegance.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

To mark the second chapter of the “Re-enchanting Villa Medici” project, the historic rooms of the French Academy in Rome have been re-imagined and rearranged by the French-Iranian designer India Mahdavi.

Giulio Ghirardi Photography
Giulio Ghirardi Photography

Frequented by popes, princes, poets and artists, Villa Medici dominates the capital from the Pincio Hill with the austere elegance of its fortress-like façade.

Giulio Ghirardi Photography

Embracing the requirements of modernity, the rebirth of Villa Medici highlights all of its surrounding beauty and history, in the name of continuity with a glorious past.

Giulio Ghirardi Photography
Giulio Ghirardi Photography

India Mahdavi plays with geometric forms and bright colours, which give a sense of intimate warmth to the rooms while mingling in a triumph of styles and surprising colour combinations.

Giulio Ghirardi Photography

Dedar fabrics contribute to renewing the spirit of the rooms, where elements with a contemporary flair dialogue with the villa’s heritage.

Giulio Ghirardi Photography
Giulio Ghirardi Photography

Discovered in the archives of Mobilier national, the sofas designed by Jean-Albert Lesage in the Lili Boulanger salon are adorned by Tabularasa cotton satin in the shade of Giallo bombo.

Giulio Ghirardi Photography
Giulio Ghirardi Photography

Dedar has also contributed to the development of the print defined by an octagonal decorative motif, used on the four-poster bed in the Galileo Room.

About Dedar

Founded in 1976, Dedar is a family-run fabric house located close to Como, in the heart of a manufacturing district. Dedar experiments and innovates to attain product perfection through an ongoing dialogue with those craftsmen and textile specialists who are most familiar with the techniques employed in the production of excellent fabrics. Characterized by seductive colour palettes and unexpected patterns, Dedar’s fabrics combine precious yarns with research into fiber technology to offer various solutions for curtains, upholstery and wallcovering of timeless elegance.

If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. 

If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.

Former fashion editor Sophie Doherty dressed the interiors of her Georgian family home with glorious Linwood fabrics that reflect the character of both the house and its surroundings.

Linwood - Omega III
Linwood - Small Prints collection

It took almost a decade of renovating her beautiful Georgian house before Sophie Doherty could turn her attention to what for her was by far the most appealing part of the project: ‘The soft furnishings were the really exciting bit because I was so ready to do something really creative after project managing the renovation,’ recounts the former Senior Fashion Editor of Wallpaper magazine. She continues, ‘I absolutely poured my heart and soul into choosing the designs. This house has a lot of windows and the ceilings are very high, so I knew I could go to town with colours and patterns.’

Linwood - Arcadia collection
Linwood - Elba linen

‘Most of the pieces in this room, including the coronet are French, and so I liked the fact that the floral stripe is based on an archive French design,’ comments Sophie.

Linwood - Arcadia collection

‘If you are likely to see the lining, why have it plain white?’ she opines.

Linwood - Omega III and Hester
Linwood - Hester linen

‘I love the fact that this traditional design has been given a modern update with a stripe featuring a decorative scalloped edge,’ notes Sophie.

Linwood - Croquet
Linwood - Kitty

‘I was sitting on the bed surrounded by fabric samples and all I could see from the window was the bright blue sky and the vivid green of the garden and this print captured that colour palette perfectly,’ says Sophie.

Linwood - English Oak

‘My husband uses the office the most and he says he feels like he is sitting in the canopy of a forest, which is exactly what I wanted,’ Sophie explains.

About The Linwood Fabric Company Ltd

Our Hampshire-based family business puts excellence at the heart of everything we do. We straddle the worlds of creativity and innovation to produce distinctive collections of fabrics, wallpapers and cushions that are bursting with fresh ideas, while retaining the quality and artistry we are renowned for.

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