"EEK!" Ikat...at least that's what I used to think!

Definition:  Ikat, or Ikkat, is the method of weaving that uses a resist dyeing process similar to tie-dye on either the warp or weft fibres.

If it looks familiar to you, you may remember it from the 60's and 70's when it was used quite often as people became, or at least pretended to be, more Bohemian. I remember it done in peaches and teals and frankly, it made my stomach turn to look at. So when a few years ago I started to see the resurgence of Ikat...I scoffed like I was Rockefeller. No way will it last...no way will I use it! I've come a long way since then and now keep such opinions to myself and try to keep an open mind. Well, ikat is still going strong and with the fabulous color ways and bold patterns they're churning out in furniture, accessories, wallpaper and fabric it might just become a classic. Here are a few ways to do it and do it well.

Loving this color palette (similar to BM Forest Moss) and those incredible gold tables! Ikat is a great accent fabric to use in smaller doses for throw pillows.

(amanda nisbet)

apt therapy

 

Be still my beating heart! I don't know about you, but I'd be too worried my dirty designer feet would sully the pristine beauty of these gorgeous shoes. These would need a display box.

Charlotte Moss

One of my favorites, for sure! I have quite a few ikats like this available so let me know if I can help you select one.

Decorno

Design Sponge

I've had my eye on this Donghia fabric for a while now and this is an inspired use of it as art!

Design Wonderland

Sweet, no?

Horchow

An ikat area rug is a surefire way to brighten up a space and incorporate a bit of the trend.

Flikr

Style Files

This Young House

Urban Outfitters

Design Hole

alan tanksley

We have beautiful ikats available by the yard from Duralee, Thibaut, Kravet and Schumacher.

Email with questions or to set an appointment. Out of town? We ship!

PROJECT WOW!

Some design jobs are just way more fun than others. The clients are open to new ideas, the house offers some interesting architectural elements to work with and the budget is large enough to make a dramatic difference while still being important enough that you have to be creative and think outside the box.

This job began in the dining room as shown. The newest additions were the espresso plantation shutters and the rug. The dining table was staying as well as the small chest, but everything else needed to be changed.

First things first, the stripes were painted over with a lovely ecru which immediately gave us a clean slate to work with. Knowing the client as I do, I knew she was still wanting some major drama and wow factor and wasn't seeking an "elegant" and sparse space. My eye kept going to the shape of the ceiling and I knew I wanted to play it up with some color. Deep red was my thought and so, after hours and hours of measuring and erasing pencil marks, even more hours of taping off and re taping, I managed to give her some definite oomph on that ceiling. We had our focal point!

Custom drapes were created with a great textured silk and trimmed out with an earthy acorn style fringe. New lighting in the form of a capiz shell chandelier, new floor lamp and sconces were added. The artwork was selected after much deliberation to accent the area rug and to pull the chocolate brown of the plantation shutters. Finally, we added a chic and inexpensive wall mounted fireplace that uses cans of gel fuel. The client was thrilled with the space and I really feel like I nailed her style and personality. That's the wonderful thing about design...if you're brave enough to step outside the box, you can stop worrying about what everyone else might think when everyday you come home to your space and it is perfectly reflective of who you are.