Oh, Calico! You’re like the ugly duckling who turned into a swan. You’re Ruthie Pig-Faced Draper from Dan in Real Life who grew up to be ravishing. You’re J.Crew, pre-Jenna Lyons. You’re the kid who was a toad in high school, and then showed up to the class reunion looking like Don Draper. On that note, gooooood Lord. Does anybody have a towel?
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I mentioned Calico Corners briefly in last week’s Craigslist Re-Do post, since they recently went from drab to fab. Scoozi – when did that happen?? I may be a little slow on the uptake, but I remember a day when Calico Corners was wall-to-wall toile & damask (snooze). And then the next time I looked, shuh-ZAM! The place was jam-packed with vibrant colors, gorgeous patterns, and a myriad of fabric options… and at an average of about $30/yard.
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So, for those of you who want to, say, recover a headboard… Freshen up a $10 estate sale chair… Give the living room a facelift by adding a few punchy new throw pillows (a super budget-friendly way to go, ps)… whatever… CC has oodles of noodles of options, including entire collections by Ralph Lauren (for an All-American Classic vibe) & Iman (for a worldly vibe).
Below is an edited smathering of my top picks… many of which bear a STRIKING resemblance to some lust-worthy designer patterns, but for a fraction of the price. And get ready, cause I’m about to start talking to patterns as if they’re people.
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These are my “if I got myself knocked up and moved to Key West, I’d put you in my kid’s nursery” picks.
Batik Leaf in Lily Pink, $24.99/yd. Dottie II Confetti, $69.99/yd (e-gads!) Key West in Pink (and Yellow), $14.99/yd (that’s more like it). Diamante in Seamist, $20.99/yd. Dunham in Linen, $21.99/yd.
Hey, you up there, Calico’s Key West. You look shockingly similar to Lulu DK’s Madison…
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Speaking of buns in the oven, I’d plop you in a nursery too. The pattern is playful, but the palette is sophisticated.
Flower Field in Sand Dollar, $22.99/yd.
Jayne’s house might like these. She has fairly traditional taste and loves warm, earthy tones. She also loves the aqua / tangerine combo. And Kenny G. Jayne is my mahm.
Malino in Rust, $31.99/yd. Bocce Cocoa, $42.99/yd. Ariane Mocha Latte (FAVE), $74.99 $37.49/yd. Tilbury Lapis (FAVE), $24.99/yd. Madeleine in Terracotta, $47.99/yd. Ada in Adobe, $39.99.
Thomas Paul… is that you in there?
Silhouette (FAVE!) and Stockholm patterns, $24.99 in all colorways.
Interesting. You look a bit like Kelly Wearstler’s Imperial Trellis. Though, no offense… the real Imperial trellis rocks my face off.
Sultana Lattice in Luna (Iman Collection), $34.99/yd. Kelly Wearstler‘s Imperial Trellis, available to the trade thru Schumacher.
You and your little medallions make me think of a John Robshaw block print. I would make you into overstuffed pillows for my big outdoor living area. Next to my big pool.
Medallion Bloom Outdoor in Hyacinth, $129.99/yd – YIKES, my bad. But it is Sunbrella (soil & stain resistant)… that’s somethin’.
Remember the Flowering Quince wallpaper by Clarence House?
Home of Lisa Borgnes Giramonti
via Domino
Does this look familiar?
Flowering Branch in silk, $24.99/yd.
I would love to make long, luscious drapery panels out of you, lovely linen. Are you grey? Are you a misty sagey green? I can’t tell, and I don’t think I care. You are fabulous. FAVE.
Fioretto in Sprout, $34.99/yd.
When I look at you two, I hear the Super Mario Brothers music. When I was 10, I thought it was a cosmic coinkidink that my initials were SMB. Obviously, I was born to win at Mario and save Princess Toadstool.
Alhambra Amour (Iman Collection), $28.99/yd.
Have we met?
Suzanni in Jewel, $32.99/yd.
You remind me of the guys perched next to Lulu DK’s coffee table.
via Lonny Mag’s November/December 2010 Issue
You’re a little crazy, in an Alice in Wonderland kind of way. I think I like that about you.
Wilmington in Multi, $22.99/yd.
Oooh – comme les bijoux! You’re like a cool, funky, bohemian piece of jewelry. I would probably only use you in a small dose… maybe on a 12″ x 20″ rectangular pillow. Actually, check that, I’d put you on a Louis chair too. Or any antique French chair, like this one or one of these guys from Jayson H&G. Oh, Punjab! I love a healthy dose of whimsy.
Punjab Peacock in Radicchio (Iman Collection), $48.99/yd.
You there!
Crete in Sunset and Lagoon, $49.99/yd.
You remind me of China Seas‘ Aga! Which is, ps, FLAWLESS.
Hello, Ikat. I am still hopelessly devoted to you with no end in sight.
Tilbury Lapis, $24.99/yd. Magnificat in Avocado, $24.99/yd.
That goes for you too, Suzani.
Corazon in Seaglass, $58.99/yd. Katrina Lacquer, $84.99/yd. Tribal Thread in Sunset and Fog, $52.99/yd.
In the most remote way, you remind me of Madeline Weinrib’s Blue Mu (swoon), therefore I sort of love you.
Kalah in Blue, $23.99/yd.
Blue Mu
You four color combos should mate for life, because you are MFEO.
Ada, $39.99 in all colorways.
You, my neutral little friends, can come live in my house anytime.
Diamante in Flax, $20.99/yd. Cross Section in Charcoal, $12.99/yd (woot woot!) Bocce in Ebony, $42.99. Flower Field in Sand Dollar, $22.99/yd.
Don’t have a Calico Corners nearby or in your town? Don’t sweat it. Their super user-friendly website lets you order free swatches (and by free, I mean, they charge about $5 in shipping for every 4 swatches). You can peruse fabrics online by color, pattern, collection, etc. – and most of the patterns I just showed you come in a ROYGBIV of other colors as well. Giddy up.
xoxo!
