Fortuny Fabrics Influencing Southern Style
Recently, we rounded up six of our favorite Southern textile designers in the August issue's Southern Made: Hand-Printed Fabrics. More than one of these new artisans described their designs as "Fortuny-like." For those not in the fabric world, Fortuny is an Italian company best known for creating some of the world's finest fabrics.
Over a century ago, Mariano Fortuny invented the secret and meticulous printing method that the company still uses today. Each bolt is printed by a photographic process, hand-painted, and then dusted with gold and silver powders for added shimmer. Imagine our delight (and the great timing!) when Fortuny Interiors, a new book from Gibbs Smith out this month, came across our desk. The book tells the company's history and is filled with photos of homes adorned with Fortuny's sumptuous fabrics.
Always on the hunt for instant heirlooms, Southern decorators seek out Fortuny's patterns for their beauty and their timelessness. The fabrics can be reworked time and time again or passed down to younger generations. Check out our sneak peek into four fine Southern homes from the book -- each one all done up in its Fortuny best.
Jeff Lincoln, pairs Fortuny's fine fabric (Bittersweet and white texture Pergolesi) with raffia covered sofas for a casual-l..." />
Jeff Lincoln does the fresh casual-luxe look again, elevating rattan bar stools with divine upholstery (Fortuny's "Tapa”). Photographs by Erik ..." />
Barry Dixon lines a built-in china cabinet with Fortuny's "Malmaison" to match the dining chairs and highlight the yel..." />
Matthew Carter livens up this Lexington, Kentucky guest room with a fresh mix of folk art, hot pink walls, and bright blue bed cov..." />
For a copy of your own Fortuny Interiors, head over to Gibbs Smith to purchase.
