Over the last year and a half more and more ikat prints and patterns have shown up in the interior design world on upholstery pieces, home accessories such as pillows or accent pieces, as well as in the fashion world. For me, ikat prints lend a colorful air of the exotic and are a part of the globe trotting trend I wrote about earlier this year. Have you wondered what ikat prints are and where they come from?
Ellen Pompeo’s residence in Elle Decor by Martyn Lawrence -Bullard
Here’s a little bit of history: In Central Asia, decorative weaving and textiles have exisited since the 4th-5th centuries ВС. Uzbekistan is particularly noted for its ikat fabric. Ikat is a word of Indonesian origin, which refers to fabric that is patterned by binding the warp threads to resist dye before weaving.
via world news
Uzbekistan has long been noted for its wealth of unique and decorative applied arts. Its position along the ancient Silk Road led to the development of silk and cotton production in the region centuries ago, resulting in a long and rich history of intricate embroidery and colorful textiles. Embroidered clothing, caps, prayer carpets and wall hangings, which today are revered by many as works of art, have played a central and functional role in the daily life of the Uzbek people for hundreds years.
In Uzbek language, the term used for ikat is abrbandi; literally `to tie a cloud’. According to legend, the first ikat artisan drew inspiration to weave a shimmering, patterned cloth from seeing clouds reflected in a pool of water.
I love this story and the image I saw when I first read it. Today many ikat prints are stunning pieces of Art, collected and displayed proudly in homes and museums around the world. And yes, I often use ikat patterns in accessories or on an accent pieces in my design projects.
via google images
I love them for their color and the fact that ikat prints can mix in with traditional, modern, and in almost any kind of eclectic interior setting. I must admit that I’ve never worn an ikat, but, one of my favorite dress designers, Oscar de la Renta made the fabulous video below. Take a look! If he can do it, I may have to wear it too!
From Oscar de la Renta’s Resort Collection 2011
Do you like ikat’s, or not? If so, how would you use this pattern in your life? Leave me a comment, I’d love to know. Ikat’s are a Little Bit of Beauty™ for sure!
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50 Comments
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I love ikat! I’m actually using a print by Robert Allen (khanjali) as drapes in my family room! Love this post. Thanks for the background info on such great fabrics!
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yes, ikats are fun aren’t they? thanks for stopping by, love your blog and understand making your 3 boy’s home yours too. Good luck!
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Okay, this probably sounds silly, but although I wouldn’t use Ikat in my home, I would love to have them as art on file folders. As a “Cheerleader” in my 6 Character Code system I won’t touch boring file folders. But, if they are aestically pleasing, suddenly I find myself using them and keeping my paperwork organized. I think these ikat designs would be great photographed and covering boring office files 🙂
Brandy Mychals
Communications Coach
Creator of Split Second Perceptions-
fun idea Brandy, although perhaps a fabric covered foler rather then a photo as the beauty of these prints is in the weave.
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I must admit, I never heard of ikat before reading this so thank you for educating me! It is quite beautiful. It’s a little bold for me to wear but I can certainly appreciate it’s beauty.
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I love lots of color in my home and am not afraid like most people to put color on the walls. Unfortunately we move often because my husband is active duty Navy so instead of painting the walls I would take this beautiful Ikat fabric and put it on one of those hanging rods and hang it from the wall like a painting. In that way I can add color to my walls without having to paint them.
Lisa Ann Landry
I’m an exuberant force of light…Come light up your life
http://www.imagedevelopmentgroup.com/speakers.html-
Great idea Lisa!
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I had never heard of Ikat! Gorgeous and stunning! Would love to have a Ikat dress or even a wall hanging!
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I love the pictures and prints – when we traveled to Kazakhstan they were everywhere in the main city of Almaty. I would probably use them as wall art or an accent piece, but not clothing. I’m too short to carry off prints. Nice educational piece.
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Glad you like Laurie, thanks for stopping by!
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Oh my gosh, how beautiful! I LOVED the gorgeous way that Oscar de La Renta used the colors and fabrics on his models and wish I could look like that ! LOL! Anyway, I had never heard of ikat before now either, and I so enjoy your posts that keep adding new pieces of beauty into my memory folders! You have been so gifted, Irene! I look forward to your next post. : )
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I don’t have anything ikat, but I wish I did! Thanks for the education, I had no idea and loved learning about it. And yes, if I looked like those models, I’d wear those types of patterns too! 🙂
I would however, love to incorporate some of those patterns in my home decor. Added to my list. 🙂
Lisa Vitale
http://lisawifemom.wordpress.com-
They are actually stunning in the home Lisa and I’d love to hear if you ever do anything with them. Of course, pillows are the easiest way to add ikat to your decor
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Well, that really WAS a Little Bit of Beauty… I love Ikat but didn’t know what it was called. So much color and depth – luscious!
Pat Zahn, Photo Solutions Superhero
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Wow, Ikat is beautiful. I’ve never heard of it before but the colors are amazing. Very interesting. Love the comment about putting fabric on a rod and hanging it on the wall…it would look great! I might have to do that. I still can’t believe they are a weave…looks like a print. If Oscar loves and uses them, shouldn’t we all?! lol. The ones he used for the dresses were gorgeous!
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Thanks Irene,
These are lovely patterns, and you just taught me a new word. The functional aspects of art appeals me to most strongly — I’m guessing these works originally were conceived as something useful, to add beauty to some aspects of everyday life.
So for me, I’d love including Ikat fabrics in our regular decor, rather than hanging passively on a wall or in a sterile museum display. I’d love big pieces of it at home — covering furniture, on window drapes, for bathrobes, overcoats, even bedsheets.
Robbie
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Irene – I love the fabric and pattern especially b/c I do like to mix various styles and be “eclectic”
I adore the dress — gorgeous and what a nice illustration of the Ikat. Rachel -
Thanks for the education Irene. I had never heard of Ikat until now. I would love to incorporate into my home as accents.
Rachel Lavern
Personal Transformation, Enlightenment and Development Coach
“Live without limits because nothing is impossible to you.” -
To tie a cloud … love that! here’s hoping this trend sticks around forever.
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Well, it’s been around since BC, I’m sure it’ll be around a little bit longer! Thanks for stopping by, good to meet you here on FB, of course on twitter! It’s a small world. Will you be at the designers blogging conference in La at the beginning of next week?
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I like Ikat print. I really LOVE the top picture in this post. That room should be mine. 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by Ms. Hotness : ) and yes I agree, it is a great room
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Hello again Irene — we met at an eWomen event in Santo Rosa (?) I believe. Good to find you on SNCC!
As for the subject at hand, it appears that you are introducing and educating many of us to the Ikat world. They are the kind of prints I am more likely to admire in someone else’s home than have in mine. Actually I could imagine myself decorating myself with it easier than I could decorating my space with it. But who knows? I keep changing it up all the time.-
I do remember you Maridel, and you would look fabulous in them. I would think you would like them, what with their history and the personal energy that goes into each and everyone that is woven by hand. Tradition, and art.
Good to see you here on SNCC as well, will keep my eyes open hoping to see more of you
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Irene – Beautiful beautiful! I liked your post. Even more, though, I loved your comment to L. Duncan about making her boys home her home too. Boy, I need your help. We had twins six years ago. And when we found out, we prepared for our home to be demolished by two whirling dervishes. Hmmm… I need more me space less twin space. Thank you! Will share via twitter.
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Anytime Debbie, I’m in So. CA a lot as I have a client in Carlsbad and will actually be in LA this next week for a designers blogging conference then on to Carlsbad and PS for client meetings. I’m sure your whirling dervishes can understand Mommy & Daddy space vs. their own at 6…with a little persuasion and fun in their own space. Check out the blog I just posted on Chalkboard paint. Could be fun in a space with kids and a new treat for them. Of course, new treat for them, new treat for Mommy. That’s the way it works in my world! HA
Thanks also for the RT, really appreciate it!
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These are beautiful! And so much nicer now that I know the background. I love color but am a bit modest on patterns of this nature. I know I wouldn’t wear it and probably wouldn’t use it in my tiny little house. Hubby I’m sure would disagree (I married him to help me expand my horizons;) Now if you gave me an Uzbekistan recipe I would have run on the kitchen to see if I had all the ingredients;)
Yvonne Hall
http://www.facebook.com/wildforwildtree-
Well, slow food, slow home, sort of the same thing as I am writing about in my up coming book. Ikat weaves by nature of the process are definitely a slow mode of art! That’s probably why you like them
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I love ikat! Maybe because we have so many Asian people in the UK I’m more aware of it already. I would definitely wear some ikat prints, the finer ones – and in fact went through a phase of wearing those fabrics when I was younger. I would also most certainly use it in the home too.
Louise Edington
Facing Fears For Freedom
http://louiseeedington.com -
These are so beautiful Irene. The weaving picture is very interesting to me because it reminds me of some of the beautiful shawls I saw woven by the tribal women of Northeastern India. I love the pictures you have of the wall hangings and cushions – so vibrant! Thanks for sharing – I learned something new today about Uzbekistan.
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glad you like Connie, and thanks for stopping by!
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I’ve heard of ikat before. It is beautiful, somewhat more bold than what I would use or wear.
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These truly are beautiful Irene. I am more of a plain clothes person, In fact thinking about it, i don’t think i even own one outfit that had a pattern. perhaps it’s time but I should probably start with something a little less colorful and work my way up LOL. I do remember thinking how beautiful the Asian women in the UK used to look when they wore those colors and patterns.
Julie Labes,…The Fierce over 50 feels much younger point and click junkie loves to travel does not use a jogging stroller and before you ask this is NOT my granddaughter..Woman
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I adore fabrics and bright colours and paint on silk as you may know. I was fascinated to discover the world of the ikat, a special weave. I can understand how these fabrics are so vibrant as opposed to printed ones. The examples in your post are very beautiful and inspiring. It was great to learn something new. Thanks.
Fiona Stolze
Inspired Art and Living
http://fionastolze.wordpress.com -
I had no idea the history behind these prints. I don’t think I’d be able to “get away” with wearing them, and my decorating style is a bit more Veranda-magazine style, but they are gorgeous to look at. Maybe I should think about getting outside my own box!
Jillian
http://www.jilliantoddblog.com
http://www.jilliansboudoirphotography.com -
Really glad I located this. It’s always great to find something new you’d never find normally. I guess web surfing has its benefits!
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Irene,
I LOVE Ikats!!! I haven’t used any yet at home, but would love to recover a chair in a great color combo! Great post! Loved all the great colors and the video was GREAT! Can’t wait to meet you on Sunday!!Carrie Hansen
http://www.studio-c-design.blogspot.com-
I’m glad you like Carrie, and I’m looking forward to seeing you in person as well!
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Lovely prints and what a treat to hear from Oscar himself about Ikats. I tend to accent with prints both in my house and on my person…I can see using a pillow or wall hanging as an accent…I love the idea of bringing the world to my home.
Darcie Newton
Discipline for profit, none for jammy zins and memorable necklaces
http://www.mywealthspa.com -
Hi,
Can you please tell me how to use ikat prints for wall? where would l find the matereial. What a lovley prints! -
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[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Irene Turner, Irene Turner. Irene Turner said: What do U know about Ikat? Here's a quick look at those fabulous prints, do you like them? http://ow.ly/3Ym8U […]
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[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kelly Fallis, Remote Stylist. Remote Stylist said: check out @IreneTurner inside scoop on #ikat http://tinyurl.com/4kx6exo #bloggermondays […]
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[…] wasn’t until the Soviet Era ended that Westerners became more familiar with exotic fabrics such as Ikat and […]
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