In the world of textiles, the name Scalamandre stands out as one of the premier manufacturers of fine fabrics and trimmings in the United States. Since 1929, Scalamandre has been weaving its own exquisite silks, wools, linens and cottons, as well as laboriously hand making elaborate passementerie (ornate trims, cordings, tiebacks and fringes) for some of the finest interiors in the country. Over the years, Scalamandre has re-created historical textiles for restorations ranging from the Red Room of the White House to William Morris's home in England.
Herein is the story of this leading design and manufacturing house, introduced by personal reminiscences of Adriana Scalamandre Bitter, chairman of the board.
In the world of textiles, the name Scalamandre stands out as one of the premier manufacturers of fine fabrics and trimmings in the United States. Since 1929, Scalamandre has been weaving its own exquisite silks, wools, linens and cottons, as well as laboriously hand making elaborate passementerie (ornate trims, cordings, tiebacks and fringes) for some of the finest interiors in the country. Over the years, Scalamandre has re-created historical textiles for restorations ranging from the Red Room of the White House to William Morris's home in England.
Herein is the story of this leading design and manufacturing house, introduced by personal reminiscences of Adriana Scalamandre Bitter, chairman of the board.
In this first book on Scalamandre is a sampling of exclusive rooms created by today's interior designers using Scalamandre textiles in creative blendings, custom colorways, and sometimes combined with other just-right textiles from top fabric manufacturers. The upholstered furniture is lush, the draperies luxurious, and the customcolored combinations stunning. An entire section on details features fitted-out lamps, fringed and tasseled ottomans, hand-embroidered valances and many more special treatments centering on the finest textiles available anywhere.
From formal French-style interiors to more relaxed country decor, designers pull favorite pieces and colors together to achieve home decor that exudes personality and exemplifies elegance for any taste, whether it be a masculine library or a very feminine bedroom, or sleeping quarters for the family's pedigreed friends.
Tour some of the most exclusive and well-appointed homes in America, and experience the lavish and colorful world of Scalamandre.
Acknowledgments
Foreword
Adriana Scalamandre Bitter
Preface
Robert Bitter
THE SCALAMANDRE STORY
SCALAMANDRE HOMES
Michael Simon
Louis XV Elegance / Philadelphia
The Elegance of Versailles / Fifth Avenue, New York
Sweet and Light Gustavian Aerie / The Midwest
Joan Kruse Rogers
Country French Serenity in a Norman Revival / Seattle
Cass Daley
An Aesthetic Interior for Antiques Collectors / Westchester County
Colorful Country Cottage / Colorado
Melinda Gray
Vibrant Craftsman Bungalow / Seattle
Kent Kiesey
English Regency Contemporary / Chicago
Chinoiserie Red-and-White Toile / Chicago
Neoclassical Study in Gold / Chicago
Nineteenth-Century Winter Reading Room / Chicago
John Rolland
Classic Continental Elegance I Rittenhouse Square
Nancy Serafini
Brahmin Traditional / Boston's Back Bay
Meredith Moriarty
Georgian Classicism / Chicago
Carol Knott
Neoclassical Library / North Chicago
A Little Girl's Whimsical Wonderland / Chicago
A Warm Traditional Parlor / North Chicago
Betsy Best
Redbrick Regency / Tampa
JZ Knight
Sophisticated French Country / Rural Washington State
David Parker and Mimi Findlay
An Aesthetic Movement Parlor / Manhattan
Richard and Linda Delier
Elegant Country Retirement / Dry Creek Farm, Pennsylvania
Robert Bitter
Country Retreat / Westchester County, New York
Melinda Sullivan and Robert Kevin Cassidy
Colonial Revival / Hartford, Connecticut
Historic Homes
Prestwould Southern Neoclassic / Mecklenburg County, Virginia
A Postmodern Villa / Hartford, Connecticut
Villa Louis / Western Wisconsin
THE DETAILS
A Glossary of Decorating Terms