New Saladino for Savel
Saladino for Savel - Introducing Pacifique
Savel has just added a new print to their John Saladino Collection! Pacifique is available either at 55” or 116” width and is suitable for drapery, bedding, or light upholstery use.
52% Belgian Linen, 48% Cotton
55” or 116” wide
Available in three colors
Savel Fabric’s Jakob Schlaepfer Line
Niermann Weeks is fortunate to represent the wonderful Savel fabrics in our showrooms.
Savel is really Sallie Hall and Andrea Elish, a mother/daughter team, who travel the world finding artisanal fabrics of extraordinary texture and tone. Last year I wrote about their Saladino for Savel Fabric Collection, which has been a big seller. By popular demand John will even be expanding his collection this year.
Now I want to write about Savel’s collection for the famous Swiss fabric company Jacob Schlaepfer. (From now on, let’s just abbreviate the name to JS.) JS came into business in 1904 and rapidly gained fame for lace-making, embroidery, and innovative fabric techniques for haute couture. As time has passed, most of the famous couturiers have depended on JS for specialty fabrics. The names include Armani, Romeo Gigli, Yves St. Laurent, Chanel, Ungaro, Christian Lacroix, Prada, Dior, and Marc Jacobs. Recently when JS decided to launch a décor line of fabrics, they selected Savel to represent them in the US,
In 2008 Niermann Weeks launched JS for Savel, first in Los Angeles and then in New York. The JS website brags about the range of their prize-winning offerings, like classic St Gallen guipure lace, textiles studded with rhinestones, or our unique sequin embroideries. Then there are textile innovations such as ink jet prints, laser cut, composés and experiments using metal, varnish and paper. These extraordinary handcrafted fabrics can be used either as textile art installations or in drapery, wallcoverings, or upholstery. After reading that kind of copy, De Beers Diamond Jewellers has appointed JS to design and supply a textile as the new corporate standard for all de Beers shops worldwide.
Now, let’s look at what all the fuss is about. Savel’s Andrea Elish stands here in front a frame of JS’s Lara Meissen pattern.
Savel's Andrea Elish in front of Jacob Schlaepfer Textiles
This photo does not catch the amazing clarity and complexity of the images on the fabric. This detail may give you a better idea, but you really need to come see this fabric in person at Niermann Weeks’ NY or DC showrooms. The images are so clear and so realistic that your hand just wants to handle them. Your eye forgets that you are really looking at an incredibly skillful fabric design.
Jacob Schlaepfer Textiles
If you like minimalism better than a riot of color, then look at this JS fabric that won the European Imagination Prize in 2009 for outstanding textile. It’s a three-dimensional creation of foam tipped with gold leather and applied to transparent tulle. Selected from 1200 submissions, JS got the award for the most daring and most surprising fabric in terms of material, technique and finishing.
Jacob Schlaepfer Textile, Winner of the 2009 European Imagination Prize for Outstanding Textile
In NY the JS display and our showroom manager, Sani, greet you at the elevator entrance:
Jacob Schlaepfer Textile Display in Niermann Weeks' NY Showroom with our Showroom Manager Sani
The late lamented magazine Metroopolitan Home loved the JS line.
Jacob Schlaepfer In Metropolitan Home Magazine
Surely you need to make your headboard as fun as this one in the City Garden Hotel in Zug, Switzerland? I’d do it at home, if I thought Joe could handle all the color and pattern. Looking up at that fabric would put me in a good mood for the rest of the day, come what may.
Jacob Schlaepfer textiles upholster a headboard in the City Garden Hotel in Zug, Switzerland
And now let’s close with my all-time favorite image. In Moscow a pool is being “roofed” with a customized version of the Glinka pattern. Not only can these Russian swimmers use the indoor, heated pool all year round, but they also swim under an almost-photorealist sky. Lucky people!
Jacob Schlaepfer textiles used to form the ceiling of a swimming pool in Russia
Since I hope you are now intrigued by Savel’s Jakob Schlaepfer collection, please refer to these websites for more information:
* www.citygarden.ch/en for lots of installation shots showing JS in use
at a new hotel in Zug, Switzerland, near Zurich
* www.debeers.com
* www.jakob-schlaepfer.ch
* www.savelinc.com
And don’t forget to come see the fabric in person, so you can swoon as I do.
* In NY we’re in The Fine arts Building at 232 E. 59th St (between 2nd and 3rd)
* In DC we’re in the Washington Design Center at 300 D St SE.
Niermann Weeks Recap of Capial Design Days at the DC Design Center
The 2010 blizzards of our discontent have now officially become history, as the Washington Design Center held its spring market on March 10. In my yard daffodils are blooming, in the skies Canada geese are flying north, and in the design center designers are smiling again. Business seems to have picked up, for which we are all grateful.
Entering the building, you are greeted by Kelley Proxmire’s reinterpretation of the lobby. As is her wont, Kelley’s design is fresh and crisp and intensely colorful. The lipstick reds just kiss visitors hello, and our Crillon Chandelier lends the sparkle of its rock crystal drops.
Kelly Proxmire Beautifully Decorated the DC Design Center's Lobby
Then you take the elevator up to the seventh floor, get off, and come right into the best showroom in the building: Niermann Weeks. My daughter Eleanor and our design development manager, Bill Gardner labored for a week to completely redo the 8,000 square feet showroom, which made Joe and me really proud of their efforts. Entering our door closest to the elevator, you are greeted by a mélange of furnishings from us and from the William Switzer company, shone over by NW’s new Crevecoeur Chandelier.
Niermann Weeks' Crevecoeur Chandelier Hangs in the entry to our DC Showroom
You need to zoom in on the Crevecoeur to love its swooping curves and its shimmery Veronese silverleaf finish. Joe had planned to festoon this fixture with crystals, but its metal architecture didn’t need the extra embellishment. Consequently he and Justin decided to develop a plush texture under the silverleaf. They worked on various base coats between the metal frame and the silverleaf before handing the fixture over to our painters.
Justin Binnix and Joe Niermann work on the finish for the Crevecoeur Chandelier
Then presto, the Crevecouer Chandelier!
Niermann Weeks' Crevecoeur Chandelier
That chandelier is a hard act to follow, but Eleanor gladdened her mother’s heart by putting flowers in our Chinoiserie Tulipieres. We designed these with Charlotte Moss for her former retail store in Manhattan. The pagoda shape fascinates Charlotte, so Joe created these multi-level vases for her. Behind each golden grate is a well of water for tulips or other flowers. Further pleasing me, Eleanor even reflected my current fascination with lavender tones in this composition.
Look into this Switzer mirror to see Bill Gardner taking photos of a new wallpaper by Studio E.
Flowers dot our Chinese Tulipieres
This paper is called Stella and the color way is Dusk, Flash Gold. Studio E’s Denise Vasaya took this silkscreen splatter pattern of glitter on a neutral background, and then she made it register top and bottom as well as side to side. The glitter looks so random, but the designing hand has improved it for perfect matching on the wall. I was ready to re-do our living room, but my husband rolled his eyes and restrained my enthusiasm. This paper looks alive, changing subtly in various lights and with various colors around it. You really need to go see it, as a color memo just doesn’t convey the punch of the entire wall.
Stella Wallpaper by Studio E
This vignette also shows how well all our lines coordinate with each other. You’re seeing
* Stella Wallpaper by Studio E
* Italian Plant Stand by Niermann Weeks
* Murano Lamp by Nancy Corzine
* Ashanti Mirror by Niermann Weeks
* The spectacular inlaid Le Signet four-door Cabinet by William Switzer
And here’s Denise from Studio E caught in a snapshot.
Denise from Studio E
Dennis Hunt from Nancy Corzine posed with my Eleanor and our salesman Brad Boswell in front of Nancy’s new Coral wall covering. Nancy has the remarkable ability to capture the pure fragility of celadon tones in all her work, whether fabric, wall coverings, or furniture finishes.
Dennis Hunt, Eleanor Niermann, & Brad Boswell pose in front of Nancy's Wallpaper
Further, Nancy Corzine understands how to make large scale easy to live with in any environment. Her sectional sofa, the Marina, accommodates many people altogether in comfy style. Then she designs her coffee tables like this Museum Coffee to nestle right into the sofa space, for keeping drinks and food easily at hand.
Nancy Corzine Marina Sofa
Also joining us for market were Malou and Patrice Humbert of La Forge Française, standing in front of their Sophie Table. Patrice is a master of wrought iron, having trained extensively in France in his art. Today he and Malou operate their forge in Southampton, NY, where they create one beautiful piece after another.
Malou & Patrice Humbert of La Forge Francaise
The first piece of their that I ever saw was their
Vincennes Console. By hand Patrice had formed the hard steel into floating ribbons. My word, he is a talented man!
Vincennes Console by La Forge Francaise
In this showroom vignette, Eleanor and Bill gathered some of our most popular lighting fixtures with some of La Forge’s most popular tables and fireplace accessories.
Niermann Weeks lighting and La Forge Francaise Fire Screens
Andrea Elish from Savel came down from NY for the day, and spoke about her newest fabric line “Saladino for Savel”, with Stephen Drucker, the editor of House Beautiful.
Eleanor McKay and Andrea Elish speak with Stephen Drucker
She showed him our Gustavian Klismos Chair upholstered in Saladino’s mohair in an ambiguously neutral purple/grey/pink tone. The metal console is by La Forge Française, and the diptych comes from my man Joe Niermann.
Niermann Weeks' Gustavian Klismos Chair covered in Saladino for Savel
Now look at this arrangement of our outdoor fabrics and furniture. We thank the fabric designer Nomi for her new Tangiers and Labyrinth collections for the ancient patterns on our pillows. While the patterns are from cultures past, she weaves her fabrics of 100% solution-dyed materials that will be happy in your yard or patio. Our seating, bench, and tables will be happy there too, but our Bagatelle Chandelier must be in a covered area to retain its UL guarantee of safety.
Our outdoor viginette featuring Nomi Fabrics
For market, Joe brought various models into the showroom, since he likes to get designer input into NW’s newest design concepts. After making rough sketches in 2D, Joe translates them into 3D with hand-cut cardboard, manila folders, and plywood.
What a kick – Stephen Drucker is taking a photo of this chandelier mock up.
Stephen Drucker of House Beautiful talks with Joe Niermann
Later Joe used monofilament to hang the mockup next to our Baldachino Ceiling Fixture. We need to see how the model consumes space, how easy it is to see through, how the bead structure (the white
bands) will look, and generally how people react to the overall look of the fixture.
How do you like the concept?
A new Niermann Weeks chandelier concept hanging from a Baldachino Ceiling Fixture
NW’s Bill Gardner and I took all these photos. You already know me, but you need to meet Bill, artfully leaning on our Louis XVI bed. He’s a handsome addition to this scene, and you can also admire the floral bed coverings made from our newest fabric line, Telafina. I love the meandering of these vines and flowers along the duvet. They look as relaxed as Bill does.
Bill Gardner, Niermann Weeks' Design Manager
Turning from admiration of the Niermann Weeks staff and showroom, I need to send you to two other blogs for really interesting discussions of Stephen Drucker’s panel at the DC market. He, Celerie Kemble, and Jamie Drake shared their experience on “Interior Design Today: The New Rules.” We all know the rules were in flux even before the recession, and they chatted about more recent changes. Celerie and Jamie agreed that customers now value anything artisanal, showing craftsmanship, and custom-made for a client – sounds like you need to make a road trip to the Niermann Weeks showroom in DC or NY. However. I won’t even give you a hint about the bloggers’ analyses. You really need to see for yourself at:
* www.dcdesignblog.com
* www.bossycolorblog.blogspot.com
Now please go look at these websites for more information, and thanks for visiting my blog. It’s been a pleasure.
* www.kembleinteriors.com
* www.charlottemoss.com
* www.dcdesigncenter.com
* www.housebeautiful.com
* www.drakedesignassociates.com
* www.kelleyinteriordesign.com
* www.laforgefrancaise.com
* www.nancycorzine.com
* www.nomiinc.com
* www.savelinc.com
* www.studioeinc.com
* www.telafina.com
* www.williamswitzercollection.com
Niermann Weeks and John Saladino are a Great Match for Savel Fabrics
John Saladino has been spreading his design genius around lately. Niermann Weeks held a party for him in our New York showroom to celebrate his newest fabric line, Saladino for Savel. It’s a couture collection of exquisite fabrics in the subtle colors for which John is famous – grays, periwinkles, pinky browns – in mohair, silk velvet, linen, wide-width sheers, and subtle patterns. For me, John’s palette soothes the soul, and the feel of his fabrics is as comfortingly soft as a baby’s skin.
Saladino for Savel at Niermann Weeks Showrooms
Niermann Weeks represents Savel’s line in both our DC and NY showrooms. The mother/ daughter team of Sallie Hall and Andrea Elish for 20 years has combed the mills of Europe to present artisanal fabrics to an American audience. John chose well when he chose Savel for his fabric collection. You can see a smattering of their range at the website www.savelinc.com
At our showroom fete for Saladino for Savel, John held a dialog with his audience about the impact of light, color, and texture in interiors, and how the interior nourishes the soul of its residents. After an hour of formal dialog, we all gathered around a late lunch to keep talking, although we did drag John and his assistant Jane Seamon into this photograph with me, Joe, and falls of John’s fabrics. To enjoy more of John’s virtuosity, go to www.saladinostyle.com.
John Saladino, Jane Seamon, Eleanor McKay, & Joe Niermann at Niermann Week's NY Showroom
A week later we all gathered again in New York for the opening of Hearst magazines’ joint showhouse, Designer Visions: Cinema Style. On opening night, the exterior courtyard featured stills from the films that inspired Thom Filicia, Richard Mishaan, and John to do the interiors in the three adjoining townhouses. John repeated the image in a cozy study on the ground floor of his interior for Veranda, inspired by Girl With A Pearl Earring.
Designer Visions: Cinema Style, Girl With A Pearl Earring
Guests packed opening night, just like peanut butter in a jar, but I managed to get some photos, but only of details. New Yorkers must be starved for good design ideas, judging from how many of them attended this event. Because of the throng I fought my way through John’s work, but completely missed the work of Thom Filicia and Richard Mishaan. Sorry, gentlemen; I’m sure you did great jobs! Dear readers, you’ll just have to go see their townhouses for yourselves – open through the end of the year at the Soho Mews.
To create a pleasing stop to his living room, John hung his Savel fabric, Stonewash in Natural. It did a good job in softening the sound and the feeling. The visual is soft but the power is strong.
Saladino for Savel
Savel’s Andrea Elish was smiling as she enjoyed the fall of her fabric. Standing next to her reminds me that I got my mother’s 5’2″ in height, not my father’s 6 feet. In another life, maybe I’ll be taller.
Savel's Andrea Elish and Niermann Weeks' Eleanor McKay
My photos don’t do justice to John’s interiors. His signature wall treatment. scratch coat plaster, adds depth, texture, and patina to several of his walls. Joe and I plan to repaint our downstairs this winter, but I know I’m too impatient to prepare that texture on all our walls.
John Saladino Signature Wall Treatment
After John was interviewed by TV crews, this study was temporarily abandoned, allowing me a larger view of his design. John is as height-challenged as I, so he left enough pillows on the sofa for people like us. He also used iridescent silks on his pillows, reflecting a different color depending on how the light falls. The lamp placement would let me happily sit and read, as long as a cat or small dog could join me. The light glowing from the pillows, the lamp, in the painting, and off the walls, reminds me of the luminous quality of the pearl from Vermeer’s painting. Finally, John’s romantic dinner setting for two seemed like an added blessing in this space.
Saladino's Romantic Dinner Setting for Two
As I pushed out of the study through the crowd, kind people parted long enough for me to snap these two tabletops. Being married to a design freak, I can imagine the time, pain, and anguish invested in making these vignettes perfect. The steps include: find the right objects, clean and place them so their patina is just so, find the right flowers, make sure the overall composition balances, add a hint of spontaneity, etc.
John Saladino
John Saladino
For more information about this showhouse, which is open through December 2009, please see www.designervisionsonline.com. The magazines will also publish a story in several months on the project they sponsored:
• Thom Filicia for House Beautiful, based on the film The Big Chill
• Richard Mishaan for Town&Country, based on Dinner at Eight
• John Saladino for Veranda, based on Girl With A Pearl Earring
John Saladino is my friend and so my praise may not be trustworthy, please see this unsolicited praise of John’s work, reproduced from Things That Inspire, posted on October 27, 2009.
