Wallflowers In Bloom
As the days grow shorter, the promise of interior gardens that remain gloriously in bloom all year long—and with no effort on our part—is an enticing one, especially if they are as charmingly depicted as those of the first “curious eco-minded wallpapers” presented by Abnormals Anonymous. The aptly named new West Coast design studio—directed by a husband and wife who prefer anonymity—recently debuted its latest collection, Living Colours wallpapers, a made-to-order line bursting with big, bold, colorful blossoms in a trio of delightful patterns. The partners say they enjoy “drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature’s oddities and rewriting the story into one of luscious grand scale.” Patterns offered are Floria (shown here), a larger-than-life poetic floral available in one colorway; This’ll, a whimsical botanical in two colorways; and Anthemum, a dramatic bursting mum in three colorways. Living Colours is fully customizable and eco-friendly. The designers use non-solvent, VOC-free inks on all of their papers and can print on a variety of materials, including smooth and textured paper, type II vinyl, and a new recycled medium that contributes to LEED points. Available through Studio Four NYC in Manhattan (900 Broadway, #201; 212-475-4414). Pricing ranges from $85 to $115 per linear yard. For more info: www.abnormalsanonymous.com.
Send Me to My Room—Please!
Kids’ fashions come and go, but, when it comes to room decor, styles have some staying power— longer, at least, than last season’s trend-du-jour. Sure, there’s still plenty of the too-too-twee and trying-too-hard-hip to sort through, but, when a design house gets it right, it’s a thing of beauty. That’s why we’re loving the new All About Me, an imaginative children’s collection of decorative fabrics and complementary wallpapers from Harlequin, featuring a charming array of stripes, daisies, hearts, geometrics, and even a very au courant bookcase motif. For the nursery set through teens, whimsical delights are offered in a palette from sweet sorbet pastels to bright, juicy primaries to subtle neutrals. Design stories include “Home Tweet Home” birdhouses for the wee ones; a bold, graphic “Sum It Up” print for the curious young child; “Boutique Boulevard” for the girly girl; “Funky Flowers” for the trendy teen; and a classic, retro-style boating “Sail Away” for boys. Pricing is to the trade only. Designers can purchase Harlequin yardage and order memos directly through www.stylelibrary.com. Also available at Zoffany’s showroom (979 3rd Ave, New York, NY 212-319-7220; www.zoffany.com)
Border Lines
If a beautifully designed house is in the details, you’ll want to take note of the elegant new Twist & Knot Collection of intricately woven jacquard trim. A collaboration between Roger Thomas, the interior designer of Wynn Resorts, and one of the premier passementerie houses, Samuel & Sons, it comprises two new three-inch-wide borders—French Twist and Celtic Knot. French Twist depicts a graceful ogee in a double weave satin stitch over a finely textured ground. It’s offered in a span of ten hues ranging from subtle neutrals to bright chartreuse. The Celtic Knot is composed of beautifully intertwined line work in the classic Celtic knot symbol and is offered in 12 colors, including three metallics and an array of neutrals and tonal hues. Pricing to the trade. Available at Samuel & Sons’ New York showroom (983 Third Ave, New York; 212-704-8000).
So Not a Cubicle
After she left Wall Street to pursue a career as a professional photographer, Nancy Corbett, founder of Corbett-Wright, was so uninspired by the mundane furniture choices for her in-home office that she set out to design her own line. The result is a luxurious debut collection of six case goods that morph from lushly decorated entertainment consoles, media cabinets, and end tables, to well-organized, hard-working desks, filing cabinets, and other office necessities. “I wanted to enjoy a luxuriously organized life,” she says, “with furnishings that maximize function without sacrificing good looks.” Pictured here is her stunning Campaign Desk; made of North American hardwood, it’s surfaced with decorative high gloss lacquer panels featuring designs that blend photography, digital design, and original art. Shown in the fanciful Jardin Bleu chinoiserie pattern, it is also available in Fireflies and Loja patterns. With Lucite feet and polished nickel pulls, its interior features cubbies, a file drawer, a pull-out tray to accommodate a printer, and a lift-off panel for access to cord storage tray and charging. Corbett-Wright furniture is produced in limited editions and customized for each client. Available both through design professionals and directly to consumers; price upon request. For more info: www.corbett-wright.com.