Quilts—vintage and modern—were one of my very first design obsessions, and my love affair with all things pieced continues today. My ever-growing collection of vintage quilts is a treasure trove of inspiration, and one I dug into when I created my popular Picnic Quilt for Garnet Hill. The blend of sunwashed seersucker and ticking stripes is impossibly soft, with just the right amount of weight for a Maine spring, summer or fall. And the hand-tacking with golden thread? Like pollen dancing in drowsy, late-afternoon sun. I just can’t get enough.
And so I took a few of the quilts we had on the floor at my Nicola’s Home boutique and design center, and created a year-round indoor picnic by using the quilts as upholstery fabric for a handsome, inviting sofa and chair set that you’ll want to snuggle into year-round. I gave the quilts to the master craftsmen at CR Laine, who create bespoke furnishings of exceptional quality. Bench crafted, hand tailored and just … beautiful. I kept checking in on their progress, and they always indulged me with photos!
(Looks like fun, doesn’t it? Remember, the Nicola Home Design Center can custom-create upholstered furnishings for anyone, using found fabrics as inspiration, or as actual upholstery materials. Cutting into vintage fabrics can seem like a sacrilege, but quilts in particular were made to be used as much as admired. When time has not been kind to the entire quilt, playful projects like these can give them new life. If you’re holding on to a treasured quilt, curtain or embroidery, bring it to our design experts to explore the possibilities.)
Finally, the finished Picnic Quilt set arrived. Come visit the store to see them in person, or email our design consultants for more detailed measurements and photos! I think they would be inspired accents in a little girl’s room or a sweet baby’s nursery – this styling will grow with your little ones, as the color palette is quite sophisticated. The Picnic Quilt sofa and chair would also be quite at home in a cottage-inspired living or guest room, and would add a splash of summer to any cozy corner in your home.
Like all my pieces, this set was designed and built to be a new family heirloom … and quilts, like anything homestead, is very on-trend for fall 2011. An indoor picnic, all year round—thanks to my Nicola Home Picnic Quilt from Garnet Hill!
