This project took place in a beautiful home in Connecticut this spring. An amazing transformation from flat paint to luxurious textured walls. Yes wool on walls.., it is a great finish to a room. As soon as you step in the main entrance of this magnificent home, a warm and peaceful feeling embraces you, surrounded by fabric walls in fine wool in a serene color.

Here is the metamorphosis, before and after the installation. You will notice the clean finish around all the wood frames, ceiling, arch doorways and baseboard. No decorative trimmings like cords or braids is used: simplicity and elegance.

Bare walls before the installation of the wall upholstery

Entrance and corridor upholstered

Rogers & Goffigon fabric on these walls

Details around the arch door, fitting with C.E.S

Close up on the wool cloth

The  furniture period dear to his heart is Napoleon. An example of his upholstery work is this comfortable and colorful armchair who went in a Napoleon III decor in France. All attributes of a fauteuil from this French period are presented here in the braids, tassels, long fringe, cord, striped fabric and  in the lines too.

I also choose to show you an exceptional large fauteuil, it’s a throne actually. A magnificent piece restored  and gilding with 24 carat gold leaves. While the original tapestry was being mended by little hands in Paris, the furniture was completely rebuilt with springs and all the adequate padding. The reconstruction had to be exact to its original shape for the restored work will be placed at a later date. Beautiful clean and sharp lines from this period, Napoleon I, see the furniture at the Chateau de Fontainebleau. Temporary fabric, gilded cord, braid and decorative nails were used on the throne. The fabric is a deep red silk velvet.

I will show you more of his work in the future. In the meantime, here is the link to his website. Enjoy all the pictures of his unique upholstery work…

The make over started with a full cleaning of the wood and new vanish was applied by the owner. As the room had an American country-style, we suggested a fun and light off white color fabric prepared as it was a quilt. A small woven motif of dragonflies made this fabric, the perfect choice. A very dramatic change of fabric for the owner but I was very confident.

So, the rocker was upholstered and a few days later went back to it’s original place in the bedroom transforming totally  that space in the room and blinding with all accessories. A few days after the delivery of the furniture, the client said to me; Is this a new piece of furniture?  I smiled.  Thank him for all compliments. And said to myself; that the sign I am looking for.

The fabric of fabric  that we make is important as it does influence the all atmosphere and well-being in a room. Because the correct fabric was picked it did exactly that. Another job well done and a happy customer.

If you have a chair, wing-chair or any other piece of furniture and may be you already have your fabric or may be not, let me know, I’ll try my best to do the same for you. Thank you for  your trust and confidence.

Thousand of years later, fabric is still used everywhere including in our homes. How would our homes look like without fabric? I wonder!  But I know for sure that my home would not be as warm and cosy, fun and elegant at it is now. Let see, sofa, wing chairs, draperies, bed covers, tablecloths, cushions… all covered in fabric.

What about the walls? We have a few options, solid paint or faux finish like trompe l’oeil, stucco, and wallpapers with so many different textures. Of course wood is an alternative in a room, either alone or combine with other products.

Why not consider having a room in your house with fabric on the walls. Most of the rooms can be upholstered, from your bedroom to the dining room, living room, library, powder room,  and home theater is a great idea. Fabric can be fitted on a stand alone wall or in the entire room. There is a wonderful and unique system available where no gimp, double welt, braid is used around all the edges. A perfect fit for all style of interiors. Check this out. A high quality smooth result with many advantages, Here is the link. See a close up on the amazing finish around this large molding above a build in cabinet.  No other product can do as well as this one.

If you wish, to learn more about this fabric wall installation, let me know, I would love to here from you in Texas or wherever you are.

Grey silk velvet in a corridor

Special offer 2011.

Yellow Emperor of China began ruling in 2696 to 2598 B.C.

How was silk discovered and where?
A legend tells us that around 2600 B.C., the wife of the Yellow Emperor  was ordered to investigated his garden as leaves from his mulberry trees were eaten by something. She found  shiny cocoons and accidentally dropped one into a hot cup of tea. A delicate long filament became to unwind after she took the cocoon out. She then persuaded the emperor to let her have a grove of trees, began to spin, invented the silk loom and exclusive cloth production started. Only the emperor, his close relations including the highest of his dignitaries were allowed to have robes made in this precious fiber. Little by little, silk spread through the different classes of society used not only in clothing but in decoration and industrial use too until it became one of the principal resource in the Chinese economy. For a period in time, silk was used instead of money, i.e. civil servants were paid in silk and farmers paid their taxes either in grain or silk. I like this idea!

A secret kept eagerly by the chinese for more than two thousand years.
Around 200 B.C., silk reach Korea, Japan travel through India where sericulture was established. Another nice story says that a Prince courted and won the heart of a Chinese Princess. She smuggled out some silkworm eggs in her hair.
The Silk Road was established around 130 B.C. introducing silk to the western world. For a long time the West knew very little about this fabulous fabric.

An imaginary 19th century portrait of Pliny the Elder

Pliny the Elder, a roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher, as well as naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and personal friend of the emperor Vespasian , wrote in “Naturalis Historia” in 70 B.C. quote: Silk was obtained by removing the down from the leaves with the help of water…”

Ha, ha, ha ! Very clever.

Picture from the Encyclopédie of Diderot & D'Alembert

In the XXI century, the story repeat itself, European traders stole seeds from the Mulberry tree and silkworms eggs and starting to cultivate cocoons in Europe.
Sericulture was introduced into the Southern United States in colonial times, but the climate was not compatible with cultivation. There are many varieties of wild silk moths found in a number of different countries but China dominates all production and promotion, the secrete still lies in one species: the blind, flightless moth, Bombyx mori. It lays 500 or more eggs in four to six days and dies soon after. Today, the silkworm moths live in captivity. They have been domesticated, not able to survive in nature since they have lost the ability to see and fly.

Silkworms

Now that we have more knowledge on when and where on this incredible fiber, lets talk about artwork for a moment.
If you possess a Rembrandt or a Picasso or just simply an exquisite painting, the environment of the room where you have your painting needs to be controlled with air conditioning, good lighting… experts say homeowners should keep a level of humidity from 45% to 55% and a temperature of 65 F, plus or minus a few degrees, colder if not an issue. Keeping the painting in a room that is temperature-controlled is important, as humidity is known to be harmful to oil paintings. Extreme temperatures may cause damage due to contracting and expanding of the materials. Some fabrics will react exactly like that, including 100% silk.

Joseph Montgolfier Balloon made with silk in 1782

The 2 main proteins created by the silkworm are fibroin and sericin. Fibroin consists of layers of anti-parallel beta sheets which are responsible for the great strength of the material (musical cord instruments and fishing lines were made from silk) and also known for its elasticity. Did you know that the Mongolfier Brothers in France build their first air balloon using taffeta?

Corridor in yellow silk doupion.

A great majority of silk fabrics are not stabilized which means, the cloth will move with the temperature, humidity of the room. It stretches on the width, between the two selvedges. This phenomenon is not noticeable in draperies as the material hang loosely from the hardware.

In this case, I would recommend to choose silk mixed with other fibers. There is a wide selection of fabric out there, be sure to check out the composition, try to find a silk blend with cotton,hemp, polyester…

Silk damask in bronze and vine color.

I would also recommended to have a backing placed behind this fabric which gives it more body.

We have installed several room with silk on the walls, a few of them in taffeta. This fabric has different names such as taffeta barré, broché, caméléon, chiné, damier, prismatique and prussienne… today, these names are not so well-known. They distinguish themselves by the motives and/or the colors of the threads used in the weave. The most exquisite taffeta are still woven in France, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

I do love interiors where the soft furnishing is made from silk like taffeta, a very special fabric and delicate, but it won’t look perfect on large flat surface as it does not have the correct propriety to be stretched on walls, including furniture.

Private hone office in taffeta.

Conclusion; yes, a room upholstered in silk looks absolutely great, smooth, beautiful shine with wonderful colors, BUT be careful with 100 per cent silk and taffeta. You could be disappointed. No matter  how it is hang, fitted, stretched, by whom, how and what are the material involved, you won’t get a great result whether it is  for a cabriolet, a bergere, or an entire room. In time, it may and will move if the conditions required are not met. And please, don’t blame your installer or upholsterer. Do make sure the environment is good, consider a few elements mentioned above… see if stabilized or not. There are some excellent types of silk which are suited for these purposes, brocade, damask, damask stripes, Jacquard and so on. Go shopping, have fun! Once you have found the right one, ask a professional , then have a qualified installer do the job. You will love it. I guaranty it.

Your room will be so special.

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

In France, we have ”Il est ne le divin enfant!” comes from the region of Provence written between the XVIII and XIX century.

Lyric of “Il est ne le divin enfant”

Refrain :
Il est né le divin enfant,
Jouez hautbois, résonnez musettes !
Il est né le divin enfant,
Chantons tous son avènement !

Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous le promettaient les prophètes
Depuis plus de quatre mille ans,
Nous attendions cet heureux temps.

Au Refrain

Ah ! Qu’il est beau, qu’il est charmant !
Ah ! que ses grâces sont parfaites !
Ah ! Qu’il est beau, qu’il est charmant !
Qu’il est doux ce divin enfant !

Au Refrain

Une étable est son logement
Un peu de paille est sa couchette,
Une étable est son logement
Pour un dieu quel abaissement !

Au Refrain

Partez, grands rois de l’Orient !
Venez vous unir à nos fêtes
Partez, grands rois de l’Orient !
Venez adorer cet enfant !

Au Refrain

Il veut nos cœurs, il les attend :
Il est là pour faire leur conquête
Il veut nos cœurs, il les attend :
Donnons-les lui donc promptement !

Au Refrain

O Jésus ! O Roi tout-puissant
Tout petit enfant que vous êtes,
O Jésus ! O Roi tout-puissant,
Régnez sur nous entièrement !

Au Refrain

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