Fun with Food and Fabric

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Case in point. What started out as an educational post on classic fabrics turned into it’s own little sideshow today. I blame it on Dot of Pickets Place. After all, Dot posted her very own tutorial on baking a delicious sweet potato casserole complete with a family recipe (read it here http://picketsplace.blogspot.com/ if you dare... yummy looking homemade goodness in every bite), and that was all it took. The guilt trip was laid, and I decided we needed some sweet potatoes for lunch instead of the takeout I had planned.

My sweet husband volunteered to run to Publix for me (note I said Publix and not the grocery store because in Florida, Publix is the grocery store… kinda like Coke is cola, but that’s another story). Anyhow, while Publix has beautiful produce, I never expected Mr. Magpie to come home and present me with something like this (the one in the middle):

Which of These Things…

Now, you tell me: which of these things is not like the others? Is that a bird or a sweet potato??? Kind of hard to tell, now, isn’t it? Might even be a walrus if you turn it the other way, but we won’t debate that here. Let’s just say it’s a Sweet Potato Bird (SPB). Note that the fabric in this photo is an unknown damask, unknown to me because I honestly can’t remember who makes it. I remember where I got it a million years ago in Tampa, but that doesn’t count. This damask is fun because it changes its complexion depending on what other fabrics you put with it. I like fabrics that are versatile because you can change them seasonally if you like. This has been in several places, and it always looks as good as it did when I bought it years ago. The color looks off here, but that’s the fault of the photographer and not the fabric.

I Am The Walrus… coo-coo-coo-choo

Note the “Ianthe” fabric covering the chair in the background of the following photo. "Ianthe" is one of the classic art nouveau fabrics from Liberty of London, and for some reason, the picture makes the colourway look totally wacky. It’s really not that bright. I’m sharing it with you because this has been one of their most popular sellers for many years, but I’m mainly sharing it because it’s a good backdrop for the SPB. ;-)

Liberty Bird

Moving right along we have the SPB modeling in front of a Brunschwig & Fils fabric called “Fabriano”. This is a wonderful damask in linen with a gold ground and a great hand (meaning the way it drapes). I’m not sure about the history of this pattern, but I see it pop up from time to time in magazines such as “House Beautiful.” I think I’ve also seen it in the late “House & Garden.” Not quite sure this colourway does a single thing for the SPB’s complexion, but it sure does a lot for mine. It also does a lot for my mental complexion in that I got this on sale from an antiques dealer who got it from a designer who was clearing out his remnant stash. He gets carried away at times and orders too much which is all the better for magpies who love, love, love shiny objects.

Brunschwig & Bird

One of my all-time favorite designers is Mario Buatta, popularly known as the Prince of Chintz. I particularly love the fact that when quizzed about how he kept his treasures dust free, Mr. Buatta was quoted as saying, “Dust is a protective coating for fine furnishings.” A man after my own heart! As I sit here typing about the SPB , who this time is modeling in front of Mr. Buatta’s glazed chintz and girly-girl fabric called “Nancy,” a layer of protective coating is accumulating on my fine, and not-so-fine, furnishings.

Bird Meets Buatta

This next fabric sets me free. It is a Cowtan & Tout chintz, and it will never go out of style. Ever. Ever. Ever. Ever. I can’t tell you how incredible the colourway is with this fabric, and the detail on the flowers -- gorgeous. I have a friend who was a designer in Charleston who knew the colorist for Cowtan. Wayne said at one point, the colorist left and went with Waverly/Schumacher. That’s why you got such great colors in the chintz fabrics they put out several decades ago. Not sure where the colorist is now, but I love Cowtan. It’s pricey, but it’s classic and never goes out of style. Every now and then, you can find it at a store like Boca Bargoons for a good price. I cannot remember the name of this pattern. Don’t know what’s wrong with me tonight, but I know that lots of designers have used this in projects, including Keith Irvine. And this fabric is so good, it even makes the SPB look like a real bird!

Cowtan & Tater

And what would a sweet potato be without posing on a Martha Stewart plate? Isn’t that a cute plate from K-Mart? The border reminds me of a fine china pattern, maybe Festivites by Raynaud. Check it out and see for yourself. http://www.replacements.com/webquote/RYDFES.htm SPB + Martha = a good thing! ;-)

SPB Meets MSL

As we wind down this post, I thought it would be appropriate to take you on a kitchen tour. Let’s go right over here through this door and… Oh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Tater Tots

April’s Fools! We couldn’t bear to eat the SPB. These are some of his cousins who have been roasting in a 400 degree oven, slathered in extra virgin olive oil and pepper. In the mean time, he’s napping on his favorite fabric. Just look at that… he’s got a little olive branch in his mouth, a peace offering of sorts for scaring you that way.

SPB Says, "Please Don't Eat The Messenger!"

Hope you enjoyed this whirlwind tour through the world of fabrics. What are some of your favorites? Florals? Plaids? Linens? Cottons? Chintz? Silk? Do tell!

Quintessentially yours,

Mrs. Magpie (Sheila)

P.S. Dot, I have every intention of trying that wonderful recipe, only not with the SPB. ;-) Love ya!