I won’t lie- I LOVE Facebook. On of the many reasons for that is that I have become introduced to fabulous, interesting people all the time that I never would have met otherwise.  I also become privy to cool products and companies that probably would have gone undiscovered by me for months had they not contacted me. One of those is Katherine Rally Textiles, a company founded by husband and wife team Katherine and Rally Dupps. And their story is just as intriguing as their beautiful batik fabrics and pillows.  The architect and interior designer met in 2002 and decided that the best way to test their compatibility would be to take a backpacking trek through South East Asia together. Having come out the other side of that adventure in love (instead of ready to strangle each other as many lesser couples would have) they decided that 6 weeks in India was a more appropriate symbol of their commitment than a diamond ring.  Naturally their travels have continued, including relocating their family to the blissful island of Bali when the American economy took a nosedive (hello Eat, Pray, Love!). They started their textile company to celebrate their love of travel and design and as I imagine, are loving their new life!

I adore the prints and colors and the way they layer together so beautifully!  You can purchase pillows for $95 for an 18″ square pillow cover or $105 for a 24″ pillow cover- you can also buy the fabric by the yard!

Lulu at work/ her amazing Matouk line

One of the fabric lines I never tire of showing clients is Lulu DK.  I just love the fresh, organic designs and crisp geometrics in simple, stunning colorways that appeal to the modern and traditional sensibilities of just about any design appetite. But what fascinates me most is her design process and artwork.  All her fabrics begin as collages or paintings inspired by her travels, life experiences and surroundings.  I myself majored in painting and collage in college and this awakens the artistic spirit in me and makes me want to get my hands dirty with paint, glue and the like.  In fact, over the past year or so since the Globe Magazine featured me on the cover in front of one of my own paintings, I’ve had several people write me wanting to find out who the artist is so they could purchase one (aww shucks)  I also have crazy lofty dreams of designing my own fabric patterns as well, so to begin my new goal is to get back into producing artwork. It’s a big goal since I can’t  even find the time to order new contacts or hang a single piece of art on my wall in my new place, but I’m going to try.  Painting makes me happy and calm- even though facing a blank canvas is one of the most intimidating things on this earth. Being introduced to Lulu’s blog by my girl Julie yesterday only helps my wish to get back to my artist roots become a reality by inspiring me even more and showing me how it can be incorporated into my design work!

The painting as mentioned, cleverly covered with text!

This is the collage Lulu did on vacation that inspired the fabulous Minerva fabric and wallpaper– isn’t it fascinating to see the translation from art to mass produced goods?

Lets look at it step by step though. There are new prints from her line on the horizon and here is one I love:

She begins with her original painting, shown here, which she sends off to the screen makers to translate into a CAD design.

Here is the CAD showing how the design will look printed with two variations of the same color, which I love. It has more life and depth that way in my humble opinion.  The more colors, the more times the fabric has to run through the printing process though, so the more expensive it becomes.

The next step is picking her colorways- here are the color sample cuttings she is sent to pick from:

After she gets the screens of the fabric produced in all the colorways she chose, it goes into production!  Like magic.

Here are some of her delightful collages:

I need to get me a copy of this STAT.

A few rooms using Lulu fabrics– just because.

]]> http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2010/05/inspired-by-lulu-dk.html/feed 13 http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2009/01/all-hail-imperial-trellis-ii.html http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2009/01/all-hail-imperial-trellis-ii.html#comments Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:14:00 +0000 Erin Gates http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/?p=681

Another exciting find at Schumacher yesterday- the new colorways of Imperial Trellis! Navy, orange, light tan and chocolate on ivory! LOOOOOOOOOVE!!!

A friend/client showed me a yard of this fabric she snagged for $20 a yard at a discount fabric shop. I almost passed out- it is a dead ringer for Brunschwig & Fils Dzhambul print. It does not come in the same colorways, is a nubbier fabric and a smaller pattern- but it is DAMN CLOSE if you are looking for the pink/red/blue version!!!

So I was poking around the site and came across SLEWS of gorgeous prints– all super cheap!

-and then I came to a full on screeching cyber-stop. There at Calico are Thomas Paul’s new prints for Duralee– but without his name. Did I unearth a full on fabric scandal or are they offering these fabrics to the trade and to the masses? If so, they better be the same price!!!! I have to stop in there today anyways for some trim so I will certainly see what’s up!


Design Sleuth, over and out.

Isn;t this one fabulous?? It looks like a pencil line drawing? I love it!


Naturally, I had to include the zebra, that comes in a myriad of colors- such a classic pattern, and one liberally overused by moi. Of
h, and a little python print, to keep it wild but varied.


I think this medallion print is genius, and the one to the right looks a LITTLE bit like a “Poor Man’s Luca Linen”.

Delicious lemony bamboo trellis and a groovy seventies print. These two paired would make great throw pillows for a couch or bed!

I had to include this- I might have to get a dog bed made of it for little Baxtypants.

LOVE the diamonds. What girl doesn’t like diamonds? ;)

A great small pattern available in various colors.

One more reason I feel able to say: “You don’t need money to make your house look good!”