cathy of california

poodle print fabric, 1969

this is post is a plea to all of the fabric designers out there that read my blog. please knock this print off!

(from simplicity sewing book 1969)

domestic beauty

i was a few bucks under the limit for free shipping on a recent amazon order so i decided to buy up one of those little photography books that are always so fun to look at but i usually just can't justify purchasing.

i was drawn to "estetica domestica / domestic beauty - fotografias de marta soul" because of the amazing vintage wallpaper featured in the photographs. take a close look at this shot - yes that is pink toilet paper.

screen-printed textile by alexander girard, 1972

andy over at reference library has one heck of a good blog. i really hope you're browsing it as often as i do.

you know how much i love alexander girard. andy's post on this wall hanging really made my day.

(image via reference library via ebay)

lucienne day's textiles, 1950s

i have to admit that i have become very burned out on 50s textile design. i used to just love it but i think all of the scary reproductions out there just made me not want to look at any of if - good, bad, old or new.

but i think the work of lucienne day will help me fall in love all over again.

(from "robin + lucienne day, poineers of modern design" by lesley jackson)

vintage fabric from the states

i bought the cutest little book at rare device in brooklyn last week. it' s a japanese publication called " vintage fabric from the states". it's full of photographs of fabrics (and some notions) from the 50s, 60s and 70s that were purchased at american flea markets and brought back to japan. i was really struck by the one i have pictured here because it really reminds me of the fabrics that my mom used to use.

(image from "vintage fabrics from the states" 2005)

arts & architecture, february 1957

around 15 years ago at the rose bowl flea market we found several bound copies of arts + architecture magazine ranging from 1950 - 1957. they came from the paramont pictures research department. i bet now they wish they still had them.

i just love this cover illustration. it's by john follis who is best know for his designs for architectural pottery.

(cover of "arts + architecture" february 1957)

"seven seas" pattern towels by cannon mills, 1972

"the towels were photographed on the beach before we found that this was the "seven seas" pattern!"

the stylist for this shoot did an amazing job. just imagine how difficult it was to get those towels to look so smooth & clean on that wet sand.

these are the towels (in blue) i grew up with. i'm sure my mom probably bought them at the broadway.

(from "design u.s.a. - a collaborative effort by the broadway department stores and the california design department of the pasadena museum of art towards awareness of good american design" 1972)

maija osola for marimekko, 1961

on the left is the "joonas" pattern and to the right is the "lokki" pattern both desinged by maija osola in 1961. below is a sofa covered with joonas.

(from "marimekko: fabrics, fashion, architecture" 2003)

vera towels, 1975

in 1946 vera neumann cleared some space on her kitchen table so she could silkscreen a floral design onto some placemats.

the rest is history.

(from "1,001 decortating ideas #52" 1975)

the craftsman in production, 1964

this issue of craft horizons was completely devoted to the show "designed for production: the craftsman's approach" held at the museum of contemporary crafts, new york from march 6 to may 3, 1964. the issue also served as the catalog for the show.

1. fabric by ruben eskanian for galey and lord
2. ceramics by yusuke aida for bennington potters
3. teak & enamel relish tray by sam mann
4. rosewood tulipwood bookends by jere osgood
5. glass by steven mildwoff
6. wallpaper designed by jack lenor larsen for karl mann associates
7. wallpaper by jack denst
8. upholstery fabric by jack lenor larsen
9. oak, rosewood & porcelain canister set by joseph rodd
10. wallpaper designed by jack lenor larsen for karl mann associates
11. upholstery fabric by roy ginstrom for elenhank
12. upholstery fabic by boris kroll
13. stoneware by tom mcmillin
14. cabinet pulls by luke & rolland lietske

(from "craft horizons, special issue: the craftsman in production" march/april 1964)