Our guest blogger today is Doreen Creede, owner/partner of the interior decorating and event planning firm The Redecorators LLC. She has starred on several episodes of HGTV’s Mission Organization and her design work has appeared on HGTV, the Fine Living Network and in Philadelphia Magazine Home & Garden. Doreen produces the firm's website and behind-the-scenes blog, Dust & Chandeliers,and authors her own lifestyle blog, Style Maniac.
Doreen Creede
To say I'm obsessed with fabric would be an understatement. Shopping the fabric showrooms is my starting point for every design project. Seduced by the sea of silks and satins, dazzled by rich embroideries and complex weaves, charmed by rough linens and sweet chintz--oh, the inspiration is divine. For my own home though, I use fabric sparingly--piles of pillows, yes, but not a single drape or swag in my contemporary city townhouse. Instead fabric pops up in unexpected places. Such as my dining table. Many a remnant has appeared there, rough edges tucked under since I can't sew a stitch. It's a fun way to liven up a meal and it joins my fabric passion with my love of entertaining. So when Robert Allen asked me to guest post here on Design Dialogue, my immediate thought was to invite some Robert Allen and Beacon Hill fabrics over for a casual brunch, fashionable lunch and dramatic dinner. Bon appetit!
Falling Cloudberries by Tessa Kiros; Ranunculus photo by Denise Fike; Avington Clear Magenta China by William Yeoward; gold flatware by Mepra. Bead photo and all fabric photos above and below by Doreen Creede.
The rich tones and tactile weave of Decorative Arts Earth inspired this exotic dinner with surprising touches and a global menu. I'd trim the fabric with Cascading Beads in Tapestry, toss it on the table and layer on vibrant pink china, gold flatware, dozens of votive candles and masses of ranunculus.
Stacked Michael C. Fina china ad from Doreen's print archives.
Beacon Hill's Plum Blossom in Atlantic Blue would be just the thing for a sweet and casual brunch. Here I'd wrap remnants of the fabric around white cloth napkins (no sewing required!), tie loosely with my stash of gift wrap ribbons and add an eclectic mix of new and vintage china patterns in bright spring colors.
Images from 100 Years of Fashion Illustration by Cally Blackman
I trace my fabric obsession to my grandmother Lydia, seamstress extraordinaire. In her honor I designed this dramatic ladies luncheon. The classic graphic pattern of Soft Scrolls in Jet, used as a runner, with simple white dishes and perhaps a mass of red peonies, set off the real drama of the table: place-cards of fashion art images copied onto heavy quality stock, fabulous enough to also serve as favors. Note: only two of the images originally had that rich red background. The other two I altered with some simple photo editing software. A good trick to easily change the color scheme from red to any color you like.
Contact Doreen Creede:
thestylemaniac@gmail.com
215-429-2000
Links:
http://stylemaniac.blogspot.com
www.redecorators.biz
www.dustandchandeliers.com