Hi! I'm Meg from Oh, Pickles! and I'm thrilled to join 2Modern Design Talk on Saturdays. I hope to cover a range of topics, from textiles to modern stationery, maybe even some garden and landscape. This week, I'm excited to talk about one of my favorite things: felt.
Mary-Ann Williams, award-winning designer and founder of Illu-Stration in Germany, is known as the "Queen of Felt." Using one of the oldest textiles available (wool felt), Mary-Ann creates a wide range of rugs, wall panels, pillows and cushions, even light fixtures and greeting cards. She created the first wool felt Flokati rugs, which she said were originally laughed at. However, there are now several imitations and her work has won many awards: IF Design Award (Gold), IF Material Award, ID Magazine Award, several Good Design awards and several FORM awards...
At top is the newest design from Illu-Stration, called Lotus Flower. It can be used as a modular acoustic wall panel or as a rug, and is available in many, many colors and sizes. It features the first shag modular (interlocking) system that can be put together endlessly without any tools or backing support. Thinking about how to clean it? The felt has anti-staining protection, you can shake them out or vacuum them, or, if purchased as "modules," you can renew or replace the module as a last resort.
[Pappardelle rug pictured above]
Many of Mary-Ann's designs are inspired by nature; in turn, she is also focused on being environmentally friendly. She carefully selects her dyes, uses chlorine-free bleaching techniques, and uses many leftover pieces in creation. (Mary-Ann's leftovers are donated to schools for crafting or are composted!) Otherwise, her pieces are all hand made either in Illu-Stration's own plant in Germany, by local companies, or by women who can do the work at home (allowing them to stay at home with their children but still do work).
Above is the Cappelletti rug, Mary-Ann's first rug with "bulge" formed felt-pieces - a two-dimensional shape formed into a three-dimensional object. Mary-Ann says it feels like laying on a velvety bed of roses - what a wonderful tactile experience. (Cappelletti was a Good Design Award winner in 2007.) It was named after pasta shapes and foam structures (think about the insulating foam on top of cappuccino - yum!). The increased surface area of the felt lends itself to incredibly useful sound-dampening. (I can think of a few restaurants that need to work on muffling the background sound... and this is such a fantastic, gorgeous way to do it!)
Available in over 50 colors (they can also be mixed up for added color texture), the Cappelletti textile can be used in a range of ways... pillows, room-divider, rug, wall panel, upholstery, cushions, table runner... be imaginative...!
[Close-up of Cappelletti, used as a wall panel, with mixed colors, above]
I just have to say that I love the use of wool felt, such an old, old textile, in fabulous colors and utterly modern textures. There is something so appealing about such a natural textile taking on totally modern style.
[Sconcigli wool felt panels, inspired by seashells, are pictured above.]
Illu-Stration's oak leaf modular panels were customized and used at
the New Majestic Hotel Bar in Singapore, pictured above. [Detail of the
oak leaf panels is below]
Given the range of colors, textures, sizes and configurations available, each piece is custom built. As mentioned, Illu-Stration
also features lighting fixture designs, furnishings, a huge collection
of home accessories, greeting cards, and even a new collection of
scarves. See much more of her work on the Illu-Stration website (where you can also place an order)... and stay tuned for more wool goodness next weekend!
