midcentury modern fabric love

As beautiful as the architecture of midcentury modernism is, I wouldn’t be true to my own aesthetic if I didn’t write a post on the textiles from that era. Like many of you, I suppose, I’ve long nurtured a fabric fetish. Patterns. Designs. Color combinations. Just love ’em. And my home wouldn’t reflect who I really am if I didn’t include some pops of fabric. Midcentury modern fabric love. 

When I first married, I had so much fun shopping for fabric and making all my window treatments. In midcentury modern, however, decor is more about architecture and lines rather than billowing drapes and tailored cornices. Nonetheless, I plan to bedeck my new modern digs with some amazing textiles. Because that’s me. Fabric love!

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Be warned, though. I’m not going to give you a highly researched post on twentieth century pattern and print designers. Rather, I’m going to share with you some of my personal favorites. The textile designers that inspire me most. For me, fabric is more about what truly speaks to me rather than what decorators dictate. It’s about fabric love. 

Ready? Here are my top five crushes:

1. Lucienne Day

You may not know the name, but you will probably recognize the work. The bright optimistic abstract patterns. The jet-set mood. The happy prints and colors. 

Lucienne Day, a British designer, created some of the most iconic motifs of the midcentury modern era. In post-war Britain in the fifities, her happy prints made her a household name. I’d say we can still use some of that liveliness in our homes today. Her fabric is hard to find, but I’ve rounded up a few places worth exploring.

2. Robert Stewart

Now, for my most recent textile love – Robert Stewart.  I stumbled across this Scottish designer in my research, and (it gets even better) his designs from the fifties are now back in production! Living Union, a company based in London, is the force behind this resurgence of Stewart’s work. They obtained permission to manufacture pieces that Stewart created in very small numbers and concentrated on six early prints, four of which are being printed onto tea towels (yes! tea towel love!) and cushions. I especially adore his Picasso-like wall hangings. You can also find Stewart’s work at the retail store Lollipop Shoppe.

3. Marimekko

No surprises here. Everybody knows Marimekko. They are a Finnish home furnishing, textile and fashion company that’s been around since the fifties. In fact, Jackie Kennedy made Marimekko fashion popular in the United States when she bought eight of their dresses to wear throughout her husband’s 1960 presidential campaign. 

In the mid-sixties, Crate & Barrel began producing Marimekko patterns on home textiles and continues to do so today. 

Because Marimekko’s trademark features are bright colors and simple designs, I’ve always been drawn to their whimsy. They definitely evoke a 1960s flavor, but I still believe they intermingle well with midcentury modern decor. 

I love, love, love these drapes made from a Marimekko sheet!

I have to say, though, that I’m inspired most by the Marimekko projects tackled by my blogger friend Claire at Pillar Box Blue.

4. Art Gallery Fabrics

Narrowing my fabric love down to just five designers is difficult, but I have to include this contemporary fabric company – Art Gallery Fabrics. Their modern vintage patterns include lots of soft florals and some sweet geometrics, mostly quilting weight fabrics. I truly love all of their designers, but I especially dig Pat Bravo. And if you really need some “fabric love” inspiration, watch some of the AGF promotional videos. Way cool!

5. Orla Kiely

Yes, my all time favorite, bestest textile designer right now at this point in my fabric fetish life is (drum roll)… Orla Kiely, an Irish designer based in London. Love her! I don’t know if she’s considered an iconic midcentury modernist, but her designs are truly unique. Orla was born in 1963 (close to my age), so I’m positive that if I had been born in Ireland, from her same neighborhood, and – okay – lived beside her, she and I would have been fast friends. Simply speaking, I am drawn to her simple yet beautiful textile designs. 

You can purchase Orla Kiely products from her website (fashion and home), Harlequin (wallpaper), and Amara (personal accessories and home). Her fabric and wallpapers are much easier to find in England than here, but you may have luck with Etsy or Ebay.

So there you have it – my favorite modern textile designers. Hope my midcentury modern fabric love is contagious. A few months ago, I wrote a post about online shops for modern fabric, which you may also enjoy.

Now, go share the love.