Scalamandre: Luxurious Home Interiors by Brian D Coleman (2004-08-01) by Brian Coleman

This is the book the interior design world has been waiting for! Since 1929 Scalamandre has been weaving its own exquisite silks, wools, linens and cottons as well as laboriously hand making elaborate and ornate passementerie (trims, cordings, tiebacks and fringes) for some of the finest interiors in the country. Scalamandre has also had the unique role of being the major manufacturer of historical fabrics in the United States, and over the years has woven historically accurate textiles for restorations ranging from the Red Room of the White House to William Morris' home Kelmscott in England. At last, the story of this leading design and manufacturing house is told, and is introduced by personal reminiscences by Adriana Scalamandre (no accent on her name) Bitter, chairman of the board. Visiting high-end homes across the country, designed by a fifteen different professionals, we see the lush, colorful furnishings, draperies, wall coverings and decorative moods that Scalamandre textiles produce. Ranging from Traditional, English Regency Contemporary, Neoclassical and Aesthetic and Cottage styles to Bungalow, Country French and Louis XV elegance, these rooms are rich with color and personality, always touting refinement and elegance. Designers Michael Simon, Joan Kruse Rogers, Cass Daley, Melinda Gray, Kent Kiesey, John Rolland, Nancy Serafini, Meredith Moriarti, Carol Knott, Betsy Best, Robert Bitter, and JZ Knight. Three historic homes are featured as well. Brian D. Coleman, M.D., is a practicing psychiatrist in Seattle, Washington. Brian is a graduate of Stanford University and Chicago Medical School. Also an old house enthusiast, Brian has grown his love for historic restoration into an active second career. He is the author of Classic Cottages (see page 00) and has published two books about his home ("Vintage Victorian Textiles", 2001, Schiffer Publishing; "The Victorian Dining Room", 2002, Schiffer Publishing). Brian divides his time between New York, where he maintains an apartment, and Seattle where he lives in a unique Victorian. Dan Mayers is a New York-based photographer whose work appears regularly in Country Decorating magazine's Cottage Style, Country Collectibles and Country Victorian as well as Old House Interiors. His work has been included in such books as the Ultimate Kitchen and has been exhibited both nationally and internationally.