Color Texture Pattern: Modern Kuba Prints

bright and beautiful: kuba napkins in persimmon by serena & lily

The first time I learned about Kuba cloth was in the Marche Puces in Paris. My mom and I had a lovely conversation with a vendor who had once lived in Ohio. He tried hard to sell us some wares, among them a rough-hewn fabric in contrasting shades of brown. When the vendor called it "kuba" I was confused, but my mom - who was an endless font - assured him she understood. Since that vacation, I've always considered actual Kuba cloth a little too rough (the raffia palm) for my taste. Wool is fine, but I tend toward softer hand-feels. 

It's a simple pattern from classic tribal cloths, which modern designers have really taken to updating with color, texture and scale. Certainly the pattern is an uncomplicated one that's easy to play with.

And it works really well...

Single-Girl Style: Moody Modern Luxury

home of di botha and athol moult featured in house & leisure south africa

This house near Cape Town, SA is nothing short of striking with its dramatic combination of dark walls and opulent colors. The interplay of modern lines and luxurious textures adds up to a riveting home. It's not so much welcoming as demanding. You feel required to be there right now, reveling in it's cozy, relaxing atmosphere for as long as possible before the owners kick you out. 

Color Story: Vibrant Luxury

photo: john huba for town & country

Layers of sophistication. That's what this room has, floor to ceiling. African mudcloth, wool drapes, woven throws, silk pillows, velvet seating, handcarved and weathered wooden furnishings and glossy surfaces. Hardwood floors laid in a chevron pattern.

And then there's the color...

Retail Odyssey: New Pieces at Pier 1

It was just one of those random evenings when I was heading down Broadway and decided to stop into a couple of stores. First, Anthropologie which has completely remodeled and actual feels smaller somehow. It is beautiful though...  Then into Pier 1 at 15th Street and there was quite a lot to catch the eye. They too have reorganized they layout including this gorgeous display wall full of African and Indian decor.  

Throughout the store some real gems stood out:

Single-Girl Style: The "Sexy Afro Glam" Vibe

Not too long ago, while cruising around Flickr, an image of this room caught my eye. It was in Aphrochic's photostream and over on her blog she had announced the small-screen debut of her wallpaper, The Vibe, on HGTV's Secrets of a Stylist. Being a love-slave to hot pink and all, of course I was desperate to see the episode. Sadly, it has not yet aired. But the show's host/designer, Emily Henderson, recently posted a link to the episode online.  

The phoenix which Henderson dubbed "Sexy Afro Glam" rose from the ashes of this drab box apartment. And naturally, I screencapped the hell out of it for closer inspection:

Some things are so very worth the wait!

Decorating With Textiles: Sloped Ceilings

Back in the '90s, when I was sharing a cramped bedroom in my sorority house, the best we could come up with for decorating our sloped ceilings were posters. That's right. I lay in my little corner and looked up at "The Little Mermaid" (the one that was rumored to have a penis hidden amongst the towers). 

What this room does that we never thought to? Define the "head-bump space" in rich detail. Not only do the colors vary from rug to rug, but also the patterns and textures themselves. This is probably delightful even on a rainy day. (Notice the chair is centered under the peak so you don't get knocked out standing up.)

Any clever display ideas for your best textiles? Decorating odd walls? 

source: marie claire maison