A Chivalrous LifeA home trend presentation

By Kristy Janigo

A Chivalrous LifeA home trend presentation

By Kristy Janigo

I originally designed a clothing line called “A Chivalrous Night,” inspired by the Tudors and their reign in England. The “Tudor Romance” trend is important today, evidenced by the popularity of the cable television show “The Tudors” and Alexandar McQueen’s last collection.

The trend lends itself to home design as well. Three types of materials are used to convey the theme: brocades,metals or metallic fabric, and tactile, surface designed fabric such as velvet and quilting. Dark espresso and cherry wood finishes remind us of the opulence of the royal family.

As the economy recovers, customers are looking for items that feel luxurious but are still affordable. “A Chivalrous Life”aims to highlight how to answer the demand. I have prepared the following report, illustrating how the trend can be referenced as a design direction in both holiday and home decor, whether in the living room or bedroom, during the Christmas season, or year round.

And now the adventure begins...

Trend Overview

Above: Images from The Tudors , a television show that aired in the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom, from April 2007 to June 2010. The series was based loosely on the reign of English monarch Henry VII. The costumes and set designs captured the opulence, drama, and extravegance of the royal family.

Below: Images from Alexander McQueen’s Autumn/Winter 2010 line, inspired by Byzantine art. The design elements reflect luxury, decadance, and wealth. McQueen developed the collection, which was unveiled in a series of private viewings in Paris, in the weeks leading up to his death in February, 2010.

Runway Trends:

Images on this page from 2010-2011 runway shows.Details included sequins, shoulder embellishment,a rich color palette, structural silhouettes, brocades,jacquards, and surface designed, textural fabrics.

Materials and Trims

Fabric Trend: Brocades and Jacquards

-Brocades with lurex thread inter-woven

-Motifs resembling mosaics art

-Print mixing and pieced

-Texture, 3D surface design

-Vintage or worn appearance

Fabric Trend: Shine and Metallics

-Moire taffeta and satin for shine

-Foil coatings, sequins, and lurex for bright shine

-Surface texture and printing for dull, burnished shine

-Silver, bronze, and gold

Fabric Trend: Tactile and Surface Designed Fabrics

-Richly colored velvets, patterned velvets

-Patterned lace

-Beaded, sequined, and embellished lace

-Fur, leather, suede

-Quilting of varied shapes

Trims:

-Trim embellished with sequins and lurex

-Jacquard and brocade patterns on trims

-Twisted, braided, or woven trim

-Metal studs, grommets, and rivets

-Vintage or antique buttons

Holiday

Ornaments:

-Heavily embellished ornaments with beading, corded trim, rhinestones

-Mimicry of mosaic art with decoration patterns

-Simple glass ornaments in Chivalrous Life color pallette

--Metallics

Shiny glass bulbs

Figurines and Tree Stars:

-Silver, pewter, bronze and gold finishes on figurines

-Print mixed fabric and embellishment on stars

-Metal finishes, rhinestones and glitter on stars

Christmas Decor:

-Realistic garlands with berries and pinecones

-Monogrammed and brocade table runners

-Brocade trims and lace decoration

White Christmas Cross-Merchandising:

-Special emphasis on white and silver

-Mirrors, silver, glass, and white painted finishes

-Evokes the feeling of being in a winter wonderland

Home Decor

Leather

Brocade

Sofas and Pillows:

-Leather sofa in neutral colors

-Patterned brocade and velvet forcouch and pillows

-Concise color story for high mix and matchability

Lighting:

-Metal bases with antique detailing

-Silver, gold, bronze, and espresso metal finishes for bases

-Lampshade colors in Chivalrous Life color palette

-Eye-catching detailing on shades, including pleating, weaving, smocking,and other surface design

Midnight Twilight Mist Daffodil Cabernet Wild BerryIceWaterfall Apple PieLily

Candelabras: Candels:

-Silver, bronze, and gold finishes -Scents reflecting Chivalrous Life theme

-Antique detailing -Multiple shapes and sizes

-Silhouettes with smooth curves -Colors from Chivalrous Life color palette

Wall Decor:

-Coordinating stories of shelves, mirrors, wall hooks, frames andbrackets

-Gold, silver, and espresso finishes

-Fleur-de-lis, scrolls, and curlicuesas design elements

Furniture and Seating - Cherry Finish:

-Stained wood for a rich finish

-Plush seating with brocade and velvet upholstery

-Scroll and floral carving and detailing

-Bronze or gold metal hardware

Furniture and Seating - Dark Espresso Finish:

-Stained wood for a rich finish

-Plush seating with brocade and velvet upholstery

-Scroll and floral carving and detailing

-Silver metal hardware

Bedroom Decor:

-Canopy beds with etched posts

-Headboards with ornate detailing

-Dark espresso and cherry finishes

-Patterned printed or brocade bed spreads