News Today: Robert Allen and Duralee Merge

Today Robert Allen and Duralee announced their merger.  We had heard rumors that it was coming.  For us, these are both popular brands.

Here's a quote from the new CEO:
"The Robert Allen Duralee Group is now one of largest companies in the industry. We have an expansive product line—more than 45,000 SKUs of fabric, trim, decorative hardware and furniture within multiple brands to cover virtually any design style. At the same time, The Robert Allen Duralee Group honors the family legacies and experiences of Duralee and Robert Allen through the distinctive capabilities and product offerings from each company. Both The Robert Allen Group and Duralee will continue to operate as separate divisions and will continue to sell products unique to their respective brands."

Sounds ok to me - wonder what will change in the next few months?  We will see.  Shop fabric on www.Fabric-Textiles.com

Gray - is it the new neutral?

Gray brings other colors to life.  We associate the subtle shades of gray with strength and knowledge.  Even Pantone had the following to say about Gray: "While we do not typically think of gray as a trend color, grays continue to be in the spotlight. Serious, thoughtful, chic and elegant, gray signify subtle sophistication. Harkening back through time yet also emblematic of modernity and technology, gray speaks to the rock solid stability that we need to support us today and carry us into the future."

One of our reps was in the office a few days ago and said "Gray is the new neutral".  I did repaint my living spaces with a gray paint a couple of years ago.  The rep was introducing a line of kid-friendly cordless wood composite blinds that have a couple of gray colors that are very popular.  What about you - would you but up gray blinds?  Check out this new wallpaper book - Eclipse with lots of gray wall coverings.

Do you like Kilim and Ikat style fabrics?

Some of the most popular global and ethnic style fabrics we see are modeled after patterns found in traditional Ikat and Kilim rugs.  These styles seem to have staying power as many new fabrics we see follow this design motif.  On our website, www.InteriorDecorating.com, we have a slideshow with examples and historical information.  Check it out >

Have you seen this Peacock fabric?

I have noticed this fabric many times in magazines and around the web. This classic fabric creates a beautiful peacock feather look. Luxurious and soft fabric that is great for pillows, upholstery and more. Available now for you to create with at https://www.fabric-textiles.com/206358-1156-Grenoble-Blue-Green

Where do I find my discontinued fabric?

We get lots of calls at www.InteriorDecorating.com for discontinued fabrics.  We love that.  We might have it - but probably not.  Let me tell you why.  Most of the fabrics on our website are from fabric jobbers. Jobbers purchase fabrics by the bolt in large quantities from fabric mills and converters.  They take those fabrics and put them into collections and books (so you can browse all one color or type of fabric).   After some time, if the fabric did not sell very well, they discontinue it and just don't get any more.  Some times the converter or mill quits making it and they have no choice but to drop the fabric.  Fabrics get discontinued every day.   It's very hard to keep up.

A store, whether online or not, usually has some bolts of fabric they have purchased.  Some of them eventually get discontinued before they are sold out.  This is how we have discontinued fabrics.  We still have some left.  You can see our discontinued fabrics here >>   We don't stock fabrics from jobbers like Robert Allen, Kravet, Duralee, Ralph Lauren, etc.  There is no reason to - they are designed to be ordered cut to measure when you need it.  A store cannot have every Kravet fabric in stock (there are thousands) because that is just not possible.  Kravet has them in stock; therefore, when Kravet discontinues it - it is gone.  If you are lucky enough to know the mill that made it, you might be able to get it in a bolt size (think 60 yards or more).  Finding a couple of yards is like looking for a needle in a haystack - only way that's gonna happen is if someone has a return or something like that.

The other exception is when another jobber booked the same fabric; however, it will have a different name.  So unless you want to spend hours going through every brand of fabric...  I have been known to locate a few discontinued fabrics  - we might just help you find yours too.