Oh Pretty Paisley

I think it's safe to say that this was the house seen 'round the (blog) world:


Many of us fell hard for it.  Jill Brinson's home feautured in House Beautiful is definitely one of my favorite homes to date.  I love everything about it.  But one of the touches that hit closest to home for me was the blockprint paisley. 


(Les Indiennes, above)  I've always had a soft spot for paisley.  Some people can't stand it (I've had clients who "hate" it) but I'll never forget the purple blockprint matching paisley outfits my mom made for us when I was around 4 years old...  I thought mine  was the prettiest thing ever...  I wonder if we still have it somewhere??  And then she had intentions of making us yellow paisley flannel nightgowns but didn't get around to it, but I still remember the fabric, which was always around in the sewing bin.  When I was in college I found a similar pink paisley fabric and immediately bought it and made drawstring pajama pants for myself.  I still love them:




A few years ago -  gosh, probably more like 4 or 5(?)-  Pottery  Barn came out with these amazing blockprint paisley quilts.  Does anyone remember them?  My favorite was a white quilt with bright beautiful green paisley.  I wanted it so badly.  But we'd just gotten married & had already purchased our bedding.  (This was before the concept of switching things out seasonally had occured to me or that quilt would be mine!!)  Anyway, they don't make them any more & I couldn't find a picture of it, but I still want that quilt. When I saw these quilts in the catalogs & in the store, I can't explain it, but I was almost upset...   Upset because I felt like they just took something right out of my mind & stole it.  Not like I was ever going to manufacture quilts or anything, but because I sort of felt like paisley was mine.  Especially that perfect green blockprint.  This was before I read blogs or design magazines, and so pretty much what showed up in stores & in catalogues was the extent of what I saw, so when I saw paisley making a comeback - probably way later than it did in design or blog world- I was a little harrumphed.  (Sort of like when Restoration picked up Bobo...  I was thrilled to see it & have it be accessible but secretly a little disappointed it was now mainstream.)   


Anyway, pasiley's in my heart & since it's making an appearance in so many beautiful rooms these days I thought I'd share some of my favorites.  Do you remember this insanley beautiful bedroom (below) by Tom Scheerer? (House Beautiful)  Love the rough hewn beams against the curvey bed.  The duvet cover is by Les Indiennes and now I want one. 


How fun is the wallpaper in this dining room by Alessandra Branca below? (via Girl Meets Glamour)

 

Check out the little blue pasiley pillow on the sofa(HB):

This bedroom below is just a perfect paisley cocoon!  It's by Cathy Kincaid (featured in House Beautiful & photographed by Reed Davis.)  The paisley on the walls & curtains is called Kashmir & is by Michael Smith. 


The quilted coverlet is by Aleta.  Here's another of their gorgeous fabrics:
 

Tom Scheerer uses lots of blockprints in his work.  The next series of rooms were designed by him.  How amazing is this canopy below?


A pretty little paisley chair: 

How awesome is this chair? (below)


 More paisley pillows: 


And seeing all these canopies has me itching to do one:


 Below is a happy paisley headboard.  Notice it's in the same fabric as the chair a few pics up?


You might remember from my post on Tom Scheerer that I'm apey for this fabric below:


Below is another gorgeous print from Les Indiennes and it reminds me a bit of my beloved Pottery Barn quilt. 
And finally we've got some rooms & fabrics by Peter Dunham.   


Below, the pillow on the chair is Kashmir Paisley by Peter Dunham. 


More blockprint on the walls, below.  From afar it looks like paisley but it's actually just another blockprint:


Here's a close-up of a Peter Dunham blockprint:

 


Loving this:


Now let's go back to Jill Brinson's to-die-for living room:



Did you see the Vamp's post here or Joni's post here in which she challenges us to create Brinson's look in our own homes like Valorie did?  Valorie (aka the Vamp) found these great inexpensive pillows here at Amazon ($22 something) to replicate the look of Jill Brinson's home in her own.:



I thought I'd share a few more.  I LOVE Jackie Von Tobel's designs and her paisley pillow cover(below, $95) is perfection.  Jackie is one of the nicest, most generous bloggers out there.  (And to say she's talented is an understatement.) 


Here is a Pacific & Rose paisley pillow ($20): 


And this version from Saffron Marigold ($22.99):


Anyway, wishing for a pretty green (inexpenve) version for my own home!  What about you on paisley?  Yay or nay?

xoxo,
lauren

ps- also check out Haven & Home's post on blockprints. 

and Thank you to Jennifer Sergeant for doing an article on our Better Homes & Gardens feature on her new blog, DC by Design!

57 comments:

~Grace Happens~ said...

i've always loved paisley prints...especially way back in the day flaunting my vera bradleys! haha

Tina said...

Oh Lauren - I love, love, love paisley and always find myself having to justify this to those that just don't see what I do ;) Thank you for such a wonderful post! Looking through these images has been a wonderful start to my day:) You have inspired me to use my last piece of paisley fabric to make some summer pyjama pants!! Off to my fabric stash I go :) Hoping you have a lovely day - Tina xx

Catherine Peart said...

I love paisley too and never do understand people's hatred of it (seems like people either love it or really hate it!). Great selection of pics! I hope one of your readers has that Pottery Barn quilt collecting dust in their linen cupboard and gives it to you! :-)

Maria Johns said...

I SOOO love all of these prints, stunning. They remind me of my trip to India. Ive been thinking of finding a stencil of the blockprint type and trying it out on roman shades to create that look!! thanks for the inspiration, so lovely.

The S's beach house said...

Love this post.......I go gaga for paisley!

PS You have been one of my inspirations to join the blog world! My blog is slowly but surely evolving ; )

Kathysue said...

Lauren, great post on block prints in paisley. I know what you mean most people do not like paisley but if they do they don't just like it they love it. I would imagine with it being seen in magazines done so beautifully more people might open up to it. I can totally see it in your living room. It would be beautiful on that wonderful green sofa. I like to look at it but probably will not be adding it in my home. I do have a den where a pillow could work, hmmmmm? maybe I might go shopping!! Kathysue

Cheri said...

You are a girl after my own heart, I LOVE paisley.

Anonymous said...

Yay!

I am a closet paisley lover.

Kathysue said...

Lauren I just read the article that Jennifer wrote on you and your home and the upcoming experience with the photo shoot. She did an amazing job and it made me excited all over again for you, Congrats on all of this excitement and your new journey in life. I think your star has arrived sweetie, Kathysue

Carry Grace said...

Yay, very much a paisley fan.

Tammy@InStitches said...

You're right, people either love it or hate it. I Love it ! I just made draperies for my Dad's sunroom out of paisley fabric and they love it too.

Laura Trevey said...

beautiful pillows and interiors!!

Liz @ It's Great To Be Home said...

I'm totally with you on the paisley thing! I've always loved it and recently tried to talk my sister into it - only to be told that paisley was "gross." :) Oh well!! I made some paisley curtains that I love, and I'm sure it will make another appearance somewhere in my house before all is said and done. :)

~ Liz
www.itsgreattobehome.net

Julie said...

oooh, I love this post because handblocked prints (and Tom Scheerer) are my favorites! Saffron Marigold has some good cheaper alternatives. I posted some of my favorites ( http://filedforlater.blogspot.com/2009/12/hand-blocked-fabrics.html ), but I haven't heard anything about the quality. Has anyone actually ordered from there?

savvycityfarmer said...

I DO love paisley ... but i didn't fall as hard for the room ... it was justabit stiff for me ...I'm an ottoman and blankie over my feet kind of gal ...i love the colors and the textures, tho ...

AND I love you blog

Olivia said...

Oh, I love the paisley. It reminds me of feathers. :o) I'd say if you are looking for a cheaper way to get some paisley pillows and if you have some artistic talent, grab some green fabric pens and embellish a plain pillow cover on your own. Or maybe you could trace a design if you don't have the drawing talent.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I've always loved paisley too. You have found some of the most wonderful pictures. Love them all. Hugs, marty

Sami said...

I now exactly which pottery barn quilt you are talking about. I loved it too.

You might like the quilts they have at Raksha Bella. They have some pretty hand blocked quilts.

(rakshabellaorganic.com.)

Hamptontoes said...

Lauren,
Yay to paisley! Loved your images!

pve design said...

Paisley is so easy to love! I have always loved paisleys.
pretty images...
pve

Maria Killam said...

Anytime I show a client paisley they barely look at it. I have never been able to sell it yet. But I do think it's wonderful as you do! Great post Lauren!

Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish said...

Love paisley - in small classy doses!

LindsB said...

I'm so glad this print is not just for old man ties anymore- it is a pretty one :)

Unknown said...

Paisley has definitely grown up. I love the new interpretations and the examples you've shown are great. Too bad you couldn't find that PB quilt. Thanks for the pillow plug. Hope you , the family and the new little guy are doing well.

Melissa said...

Love to look at it, don't wanna live with it. But you found some wonderful pictures of things that I LOVED looking at!

DesertChildAZ said...

I'm currently obsessed with paisley prints. Linen and paisley. Thanks for the entry. I loved it!

Catherine said...

Hi Lauren, Beautiful images of the different uses of paisley. AND so exciting about Better Homes and Gardens!!! And I had no idea that magazines went to such lengths to style homes! That's just fascinating - AND SO MUCH FUN to be getting all those boxes!!!! It's like, um, Christmas! xoxoTrina

Jules said...

I'm just going to have to go and dig out all my large paisley scarves again. They have been packed away for many a year!!! enjoyed the visit

Anna White said...

Lauren..I love paisley too...but prefer when there are only 2 or 3 colours in the print.
I saw a tiny bit of paisley bedding today at the Decoration and Design Exhibition..and it was beauitful..made by V.Grace
www.vgrace.com.au

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

I love the modern versions of large paisley prints without too many colors going on, etc. You have shown some awesome examples.

qerat said...

Nice post.
Love paisley even though I dont use it much but keep buying fabrics with paisley prints !!!

"Yeah, that works..!" said...

I share your love of paisley, too. One of my fave childhood pieces of clothing is a paisley culottes dress, lol. Thanks for the great pics!

Leslie said...

I just made 9 foot curtain panels for our living room windown in a gorgeous paisley. Love them!
Also, could this be the Pottery Barn quilt set you loved so much? It's currently on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/POTTERY-BARN-STEPHANIE-PAISLEY-KING-QUILT-NEW_W0QQitemZ130356388472QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1e59d8a278

Acanthus and Acorn said...

Lauren,
Lots of great examples. My favorite client fell in love with a paisley fabric for two fabulous chairs, great curves and nailhead detail. I tried to talk her out of them because I though they were too busy and would take away from the details....she still loves them. Oops!?

kellyk said...

Hi,
Love this blog! Look forward to it every early morning! Finally signed up. I have a store in San Antonio and you are so right about either loving paisley or hating it. I love it. When a client tells me they hate it, they get "the look". I have to contain myself. I remember that PB quilt!

nannykim said...

Paisley has always reminded me of something from Biology class. So I don't always like it. I do love the blue and white room!

Unknown said...

When I was 7, I begged to change my name to Paisley!
I was told to name my bear that, instead --
Many, many thanks - so fun to be included among photos of some of my most favorites!

xxx Jill Sharp Brinson

tarheel said...

I hope you get your green paisley!

O.C. said...

Hmmm, not a big fan of paisley. Of course, I am a guy. I would guess that paisley appeals more to women.

Anonymous said...

Love this post Lauren! I confess I didn't used to love paisley, but have for the past few years. I think I'm looking at it in a new way. I carried some paisley pillows at my store a couple years ago, more modern menswear and less fresh/feminine/modern than these you've shown, but they ended up being a hit.... a few paisley converts! Congrats on the BHG shoot...how exciting! Magazine shoots are always fun and so neat to see how they are styled, the camera angles etc. and then how the spread looks in the publication! Enjoy the ride :)

Karla
Kerrisdale Design
blog.kerrisdaledesign.com

debra @ 5th and state said...

great.........just at joni's site realizing i need striped area rugs. now i am here lauren and realize i need paisley. fearful of opening another blog :-)

boils down to great designers presenting a concept and we all swoon
xo
debra

traci zeller designs said...

I just tried on a dress with an oversized, almost abstract paisley. A stylist picked it out, and it was pretty ... but I just couldn't do it. Too not me. But I love all of these photos, so obviously interiors are a different story!

Saara {www.varv.ca} said...

I think I remember that quilt! Never "loved" or "hated" paisley....thanks for making me think more about it! The images are lovely!

Unknown said...

Wow, Lauren, huge congrats on the Better Homes and Gardens!! You are really an inspiration! :)

Karen said...

I've always been a fan of paisley, but I love this fresh take on it in the pillows you featured.

paula said...

You must look on Blueprint Bliss today. you will love the quilt under the table:)

Barbara Matson said...

I also LOVE paisley prints. I purchased a few meters of black onyx by Waverly last year. It is a beautiful black paisley print fabric. I have made throw pillows, a memory board, table runner and now am recovering a chair with it. I have loved paisley since I discovered some gorgeous paisley print fabric my mom had in her fabric bin back in the late 70's when I was hand sewing dresses for my Barbies! It has been a love affair ever since. Thanks for sharing the inspiration photos!

**** April **** said...

You've got a fan here too! I must say, in my younger days I wasn't real fond of it but now that I have a little more style (and wisdom) I see the beauty it encompasses. In fact, when I designed my couch for my (now defunct) formal living room, I chose paisley pillows to go with it as a beautiful compliment to the other fabrics. Unfortunately, it's sitting in my husband's office due to the fact that we had to turn the formal living into the formal dining so that the formal dining could become a playroom since our next boy (due in April) is taking over the playroom. Lots of fun changes but hey... I need to figure out how to get some paisley back in there! Hmmmm...

Holly said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE Les Indiennes and block-print paisley in general!

Elizabeth said...

Lauren, I discovered your blog a month or so ago, and have so enjoyed your posts. Thanks for this latest -- and, yes, I too love paisley!

Lucy said...

Hello Lauren, I've recently discovered your blog and have really enjoyed it, thank-you!

You've opened my mind about what paisley is, I think some in the collection below are paisley now! Not sure if you get Blendworth in the US,

http://www.sandersonfabrics.co.uk/acatalog/Charleston.html ( beach house and radcliffe ones, one looks greenish!)

Anonymous said...

YAY! I love it. I have almost all of these images in my 'stash' as well.. It's such a classic pattern that rarely ever overpowers a room. xoRH

Anonymous said...

YAY! I love it. I have almost all of these images in my 'stash' as well.. It's such a classic pattern that rarely ever overpowers a room. xoRH

The Andersons said...

Love paisley! Love the images you have posted and your style! My master bedroom duvet and euro shams are paisley print and my cream, matte lasse coverlet has a paisley pattern. Wish I could find some inexpensive block print drapes for my living room.

Debbie said...

I love paisley and fell in love with those pillows of Jill's but then looked at the price. Oh my, hmmm could I make them somehow, haven't block printed in 3 decades.
My mother made me paisley orange pants when in high school and I loved them and my friends can still remember them after 40 years. If you love paisley once then it never goes away.

Visual Vamp said...

Thanks for the shout out and this fantastic post!!!
xo xo

cotedetexas said...

missed this somehow, thanks for the shout out - love lvoe love love love this!!!!!!!!!!! the best!! love it. hehe.