Check out Echo's Ovation bedding making a cameo in the season finale of "Hot In Cleveland"!

Show & Tell: "I absolutely LOVE my new echo design bedding. Not only is it so cute, but it is sooo plush and comfortable. I love going to bed because of it!" -Whitney

Thanks for sharing your picture with us, Whitney!

My daughter & her roommate have chosen your fan floral bedding for their dorm room. They love it, but need a coordinating window treatment. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks! : )

From: Trish  [mailto:******@*****.net]
Sent: Monday, July 19, 2010 11:17 AM
To: AskADesigner

Hi Trish,

We’re so excited that your daughter and her roommate love the Fan Floral collection and chose it for their dorm room!  We like the idea of using a clean ivory drape that matches the color of the bedding and using a lime green trim or ribbon that matches the stems from the floral pattern as a tie back to add just a hint of color.  You could even find a lime fabric or trim and sew it on to the panel for that touch of color to become a more permanent fixture on the window treatment. 

Another suggestion (if you’re feeling a bit crafty) to have your windows match directly back to your bedding is to use the fabric from a second Fan Floral duvet to make your own coordinating window treatments.  You can either use the floral pattern or even the reverse of the duvet, which is a grey and white geometric pattern that could look REALLY cute! 

I hope these suggestions helped you.  Please send us pictures of the dorm room after it’s complete – we’d love to see how it turns out!  Have a great school year!

-Rebecca, Associate Home designer, Echo

Reply from Trish:

Thanks for the ideas! We will send pictures when we get them moved in & set up.  : )

I love your Ovation duvet and want to pair it with kelly green. Do you have a fun wallpaper suggestion from your line to pair with the green and chocolate brown combination? Thx! Kristen
From: Kristen
Sent: Monday, May 03, 2010 1:54 PM
To: AskADesigner

Dear Kristen,

We are thrilled that you love our Ovation Duvet!  Do you already have the duvet?  I ask because the green accent color is much more of a bamboo yellow-green, and so I don’t think a true Kelly Green will work well with it.  We do happen to have a paper that I think is absolutely perfect with Ovation from the standpoint of both color and style, and that is our Grasscloth wallpaper– pattern #566-44519 in Willow.  Ovation is a very bold, exciting pattern and so I don’t think you need to put a lot of pattern on your walls.  This grasscloth is solid, but is textured and has enough strength, personality and richness to stand up to the bedding.  I also like that it is an authentic grasscloth, and therefore it has a little bit of an ethnic flavor which will complement the Ovation duvet.  If you decide to go with this combination, we would love to see a photo of your room!

Thank you again for your support of Echo.

Best,
Meg
Designer Director, Home
www.echodesign.com

Purple is an amazing color. One can't help but be in awe of nature when appreciating the deep, spectacular hue of a ripe plum, a fresh blueberry or the bold sheen of an eggplant.  Lighter tones include the beautiful lavender and lilac - both named after flowering plants.  People who like the color of a deep purple are visionaries, spiritual and passionate.  Fans of lavender are romantic and imaginative.  So choosing one of the many hues of this complex color for your home, for your wardrobe, for your table can add a special and unique twist.

From our book COLOR AT HOME: "From the palest lavender to the deepest black plum, purple is a revelation - creative, artistic. Purple is a bit more eccentric and complex than its closest relatives, fuchsia and indigo.  Throughout history, purple has been associated with royalty; today, purple in the home is still rare and refined.  Even if taking the plunge into purple demands a bit of bravery, the color creates a fabulous first - and lasting - impression.  Deep violets and plums work the same wonders for precious textiles, artwork, and the polished patina of antiques as they do for the stark drama of modern furnishings.  Not strictly for grown-ups, purple in a young girl's room feels special, unique.  Delicate lilac paired with white lace is quaint, nostalgic. Purple shutters, from grape to eggplant, are a delightful surprise, as is the jolt of a rich, Prince-purple formal living room.  Purple is always unexpected but undeniably welcome. Vivid and full of character, purple reigns."

Lavender is not only a remarkable, naturally occuring color in nature but the plant itself provides many numerous benefits.  The flowers can be dried and steeped in hot water for a calming, soothing tea.  The buds have been used for centuries to make perfumes and essential oils. Lavender also has medicinal qualities - it is naturally antiseptic and can be used to clean and soothe cuts, burns, abrasions and even dandruff.  Lavender can be used in cooking adding a wonderfully light flavor to many things from sugar cookies, to lamb to jams and jellies.

 Solid neckerchief with satin border; Painterly floral square; Color at Home- Purple

You may have many reasons for why your favorite color is your favorite color - or maybe you don't know why.  Perhaps it's the feeling it gives you. Maybe it reminds you of someone, something or a special place.  Colors have a profound effect on our mood - whether you are aware of it happening or not. But choosing the right color for the right time might be just that little boost you need.  Therefore the colors you choose for your wardrobe and in your home are pretty important.  Do you have one room that is your oasis? Do you have a go-to shirt for those important meetings? What color are they? Double - check. I'll bet you'll be surprised :)

"An apple reflects a shade of red to the retina, forming impulses that travel as coded messages to the brain, where hormones are released, altering metabolism, sleeping, feeding and temperature patterns. So you see, we don't just notice colors, we feel them. Mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually, they empower us. Dawn to dusk, they rule our world, transforming nature's energy into personal realization. Every color has its own personality and in each lies knowledge and clarity."  ~Suza Scalora

So in advance of the first day of spring (Saturday March 20) I'd like to offer a bit of enthusiastic, playful optimism. Here is a little yellow for you.

Color At Home: Creating Style With Paint ; Flower Power Wallpaper;  Lilies in Bloom Scarf

Here are some meanings that colors portray or suggest:
Brown - stability, earthy, reliable
Blue - tranquil , intuitive, trustworthy 
Green - growth, abundance vitality 
Red - energy, determination, passion 
Purple - spiritual, passionate, visionary 
Turquoise - refreshing, cool, imaginative 
Gold - illumination, wisdom 
Lavender - romantic, imaginative, fantasy 
Magenta - outrageous, imaginative, inovative 
Light Blue - peaceful, sincere, affectionate 
Orange - happy, courageous, successful 
Indigo - knowledge, power, integrity 
Pink - friendly, compassionate, faithful 
Yellow - enthusiastic, playful, optimistic 
Aqua - motivated, active, dynamic

Kravet Inc.'s home furnishings line of fabrics, trims and wallpapers designed by Echo recognized by Interior Design Magazine.  Here is the notice that ran in Interior Design's "DesignWire Daily" newsletter today!

INSPIREDESIGN Design Excellence Award Winners Announced

INSPIREDESIGN, the inaugural hospitality design tradeshow hosted by Las Vegas World Market Center and sponsored by Interior Design, is in full swing this week in Sin City. Topping off the show’s events, the magazine recognized the best and brightest in new products yesterday with the show’s first annual Design Excellence Awards.

 Kravet / Echo

A panel of esteemed judges hand-picked by Interior Design's editor in chief Cindy Allen— Michael Morris and Yoshiko Sato of Morris Sato Studio; David Ashen of D-Ash Design; D.B. Kim; and Alice O’Keefe of Gensler—strolled the floor of exhibitors with discerning eyes and selected their top picks that showed excellence in any of the following categories: general design, presentation, sustainability, technology and innovation.

Nano-tex; overall product
Stacy Garcia; Fashionista Collection
Kravet; Echo Collection
Jane Hamley Wells; Para Sectional Sofa
Phillips Collection; Silver Console
Aceray; booth presentation excellence
Global Views; 3-Light Lamp
Dimension Millworks; Stealth Door
Leftbank Art; overall product
Fermob; Luxembourg Collection
Korel Design Tiles; KGRR60 Circle Tiles and 6300-2 Striped Tiles
Stimex; Desk Uno by Karim Rashid
HCI Hospitality Design; Tub
Naturemaker; Steel Art Trees
Kohler; Eco Faucet (Hybrid Energy System + Insight Sensor Technology)
McGuire; Walnut Swivel Chairs
AF Lighting; Candice Olson Collection
Home Source International; Bamboo Sheets
Mayer Fabrics; Frolic
 

AskADesigner Question:
I just bought the Echo Jaipur bedding set but need to redo the color scheme in our bedroom. I have no idea what color curtains would go well with the set. Can you please help with any ideas? We have plain white walls and beige carpet... Thank you!!
Name: Beth and Jim ****
Email: ******@gmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 4:22 PM

AskADesigner Answer:

Dear Beth and Jim,  

Being that you chose your new bedding to be the Jaipur collection, we know you're a couple that's not afraid of color...and we love that! Since this bed is both bold pattern and multi-colored, I understand your confusion on choosing the best color for window treatments. White walls and a neutral carpet make the selection a little easier. If you were thinking about having a fun color on your windows as well, I really like the idea of using panels that match the light aqua color from the bed. It's not one of the brightest colors from the collection, so it won't be too high contrast and will look nice against white paint. Also, aqua is a gender neutral color...I'm looking out for you Jim :)

Another direction is to find window treatments that go with the Indian inspired mood of the collection. Look for curtains in a linen or nubby cloth that work with the bed. I think a pretty neutral color (that doesn't clash with the color of your carpet) would look beautiful! Maybe you can even find something that has a simple, ethnic embroidery, which would mimic the look of the Jaipur Euro shams to tie everything together.

It can be really difficult to find curtains to finish decorating a room that are exactly what you're looking for, so if you're feeling crafty, sometimes it can be easier to find a beautiful fabric at a fabric store and sew the drapes up yourself!

I hope these suggestions helped you to come up with some ideas. We are so excited that you chose Echo's Jaipur bedding collection to redo your room. Enjoy it!

-Rebecca, Associate Designer - Home, Echo Design

We know shopping can be either an exercise in drudgery: we plod along, methodically acquiring items simply because it's necessary to sustain ourselves. Drop it all in a cart and stand in line. Overall, a dull, purely business transaction. Like buying a hammer. Or some duct tape. Or Shopping can be a joyful, blissful experience where we marvel at the choices, the colors, the arrangement, and comfortably weigh our options in a pleasant, beautiful space. All of this adds up to an overall feeling of satisfied contentment. They don't call it Retail Therapy for nothing.

One little shop in Miami has an especially delightful and inviting take on the shopping experience. Miss Peppers accessories boutique just opened in November and they were featured in Daily Candy. At Miss Pepper, you are greeted with a burst of fresh flowers, a fainting couch (you know, it can happen), a friendly boston terrier and a beautifully decorated room accented with bright funky globe chandeliers. When we saw the Daily Candy article and photo about Miss Pepper, we did a happy double take - looked closer and noticed that the wallpaper is Echo's own flower power wallpaper. They used our retro pattern in soft grey to be the backdrop of their customer's shopping experience. So not only can you find hip, new jewelry and accessories but this boutique will make you feel hip and new ... and happy!

Miss Pepper, 7308 Red Road, South Miami (305-668-8282) http://www.misspepperboutique.com/

Hi there Rachel,

Yes, the entire Jaipur collection is made of 100% cotton sateen and it is completely machine washable. The actual label says "Use front load commercial washer or dryer. Machine wash warm, normal. Wash with like colors. Only non-chlorine bleach when needed.  Tumble dry low. Remove promptly."  We know not everyone has a commercial size, front-loading washer in their home (or even access to one) but what that really means is that you need a machine large enough for the duvet to fit and spin freely.  We also recommend washing it alone for that reason and also to avoid any zippers or buttons from other clothes catching on the fabric. Using a smaller machine may result in an uneven cleaning and actually may encourage more wrinkling. Front loading machines are also more gentle on fabrics as opposed to the rougher agitation from the traditional top-loading machines.  Lastly, due to the bright colors of the Jaipur design, we recommend a gentle wash cycle with a cold temperature setting and a mild detergent. The colors are color-fast, but cold will keep everything sharp and crisp for longer.   In order to reduce wrinkles, remove the duvet immediately and shake it out prior to placing it in the dryer. Use a low temperature setting and remove it while it's still slightly damp.  Then you can hang it dry to lessen additional wrinkling.

I thought you might also be interested in a little bit of background on cotton sateen and how best to care for it to make it last.

Cotton sateen is generally made from combed thread, but uses a finer thread than cotton percale. Sateen starts with this long-fiber, combed cotton which is then mercerized to bring out a sheen. Mercerization (invented by John Mercer in 1844) causes the fiber to swell and that's acheieved by soaking the fiber in a caustic soda of sodium hydroxide (i.e., lye) and then neutralizing it in an acid bath. The result makes the cotton fiber stronger and more easily dyed. It also adds a luster to the fibers.  Sateen should be very soft to the touch, with a high thread count and should drape well.  Thread count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads used to create one square inch of fabric.  Sateen fabric uses the satin stitch in construction, which means four over and one under or basically, the threads are mostly on one side of the fabric, giving it that smooth look. A traditional stitch is one over, one under. Therefore cotton sateen is softer than cotton percale as sateen has a higher thread count and uses finer threads.

Sateen has been a popular fabric since the early 1900s. Being made of cotton, it is much cheaper than silk satin, and is also more durable, as well as being machine washable. In the early 20th century, sateen was often used for women's undergarments because of its durability and smooth feel.

Thanks for writing in Rachel!
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Echo Design Web Concierge

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From: Rachel [mailto:*****@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Rachel
Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 4:35 PM
To: AskADesigner
Subject:  Weblog - Ask a Designer
Name: Rachel
Email: *****@gmail.com

Is the Jaipur duvet machine washable?