Press Release
For more information contact:
Liz Nightingale - Schumacher Marketing
Communications - 212-213-7978
Mike Strohl / Andrew Boepple - Strohl & Company - 212-242-7200
CLASSIC FRENCH DESIGN INSPIRES MATTHEW
PATRICK SMYTH FOR SCHUMACHER
February 2008 – Living in Paris for part of each year has given Matthew Patrick
Smyth the chance to spend time combing the archives of the Musée des
Arts Décoratifs
and other resources. Inspired by these designs and finding nothing comparable
on the market, Matthew was thrilled when he was invited to create a new collection
of wovens and prints for Schumacher, incorporating timeless design interpretations
in a subtle, sophisticated color palette. The result is Matthew
Patrick Smyth for Schumacher, a very personal collection of classic French
fabrics, with a bold nod to Matthew’s Irish heritage.
“I have always been drawn to the way the French are able to so easily
mix formal and casual fabrics,” says Matthew, “but I kept finding
that many of my favorite patterns that allowed me to do that were being discontinued
or that the mills producing them were closing. This new collection is designed
to encourage easy mixing. Virtually every color and pattern works superbly
with all of the others for draperies, upholstery, and pillows in any room of
the house.”
“We all so much enjoyed working with Matthew on this collection,” says
Susan North, Vice President of Design for Schumacher. “His terrific
sense of style and his ability to create a collection based on classic patterns
that are very right for today’s market made the whole collaborative process
very special for all of us.”
The damask, plaid, printed and embroidered fabrics that comprise this exciting
new collection are a reflection of the timeless style that Matthew Patrick
Smyth and Schumacher’s work stand for.
Durance Embroidery
Durance Embroidery – Inspired by Matthew’s Irish heritage, this
design is an adaptation of a classic Celtic knot, interpreted into a modern
embroidery on a cotton and linen ground. At home in both a modern and traditional
interior, this fabric is suitable for both drapery and light upholstery applications.
Beatrice Bouquet – This charming floral bouquet has been adapted from
an antique Indian block printed cotton discovered in a textile archive. Printed
on a fine linen ground, the print retains both the simplicity and hand-made
appearance of the original. The open spacing of its motifs gives it an airy
feeling, which is perfect for draperies.
Luberon Plaid
Luberon Plaid – This clean and graphic windowpane plaid has been derived
from an original fabric Matthew discovered on an antique chair. Bold in scale,
this plaid uses a combination of wool, which provides softness and drape, and
cotton, which gives a drier hand. Hand weaving adds to its authentic appearance,
and the slubs and subtle variations in color and weave are part of its natural
beauty.
Martine Weave – This small scaled design derives its inspiration from
a marquetry pattern of interlocking circles. Woven with soft cotton chenille
in its weft, the simple geometric shapes have a subtly raised texture, accented
with a viscose cord that provides just a dot of shine. Featured in predominately
neutral shades, this companion woven is perfect for upholstery applications.
Opio Leaf
Opio Leaf – Inspired by Matthew’s
love of French textiles, this small and stylized leaf and branch design has
been reproduced from nineteenth century French printed cotton. Printed on a
fine combed cotton ground, its scale makes it a great coordinating pattern
to wovens and larger print designs.
Pont Royal
Damask – This grandly scaled botanical damask of intertwining
vines, branches, blossoms and fruit has been translated from a nineteenth century
silk discovered in an archive in Lyon, France. Interpreted now in silky mercerized
cotton and fine linen, the damask shimmers with the alternating matte and shine
effects of satin and plain weaves, in three neutralized shades.
Servandoni
Servandoni – Derived from an eighteenth century silk originally woven
with metallic silver yarns, a swaying leafy vine shimmers against a subtle
moiré faille ground in this statement woven. Named after eighteenth
century French stage designer Servandoni, this fabric creates a glamorous,
luxurious look for both draperies and upholstery applications.
Vallier Vine – This linen and cotton print has been adapted from an
eighteenth century French resist print discovered by Matthew in a textile archive.
Prints of this type were imported from India during the eighteenth century
into the port of Marseilles. Exotic and stylized, intertwining vines, leaves
and flowers are embellished with smaller decorative patterns in this monochromatic
stamen print.
Gabrielle Embroidery
Gabrielle
Embroidery – Inspired by the details on a vintage couture
gown discovered by Matthew, this elegantly simple embroidery, which emulates
gather look of a string of pearls, has been sewn in a stripe against a luxuriously
heavy 100% silk ground. The silk has been woven with yarns which are native
to India and given the ground a subtly slubbed appearance, which adds texture
to this glamorous fabric. Colorations are primarily soft and neutral, but also
include a dramatic deep brown and a graphic charcoal on ivory.
The Schumacher brand is known for textile and wallcovering design of the highest
quality. Its signature looks encompass a diversity of design and include classic
luxurious silks and European derived wovens as well as innovative modern designs
gathered from sources around the world. Historic interpretations and reproductions,
often in collaboration with museums and historic foundations, have also been
a central part of the Schumacher heritage and continue in our collections today.
The Schumacher brand has been a consistent resource for the essential needs
of interior designers, from versatile sheers and solids to opulent textures
and velvet plains.
