Chelsea Textiles Embroidered Fabrics and Bench
European embroidered textiles from the 17th and 18th centuries are exquisite and highly coveted, but they’re also extremely fragile and rare. Interior designers have always loved the look of antique embroideries, but 30 years ago, even good reproductions were hard to find. Former Bloomingdale’s buyer Mona Perlhagen saw this unfilled niche as an opportunity — not only could she start her own business, but she could preserve historic embroidery designs at the same time. In 1992, she moved from New York to London where she extensively researched French and English archives, and sourced authentic materials and craftsmen. Out of this passion for antique embroidery, Chelsea Textiles was born. The London-based company has since become one of the world’s most desired resources for hand-embroidered textiles and pillows, highly respected for its faithful adherence to original designs and manufacturing. Recent inspirations have derived from embroidered 18th-century provincial undergarments shown at the costume museum in Grasse, to the 18th century engravings of Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf, royal manufacturer of printed toile de Jouy cottons. Current collaborations include several designs by English interior designer and hotelier Kit Kemp, who is known for her love of folk art and classic patterns. Former World of Interiors illustrator and textiles expert Domenica More Gordon, has created more than a dozen charming embroidered pillow designs of dogs of various breeds. George Cameron Nash has carried Chelsea Textiles for years, and this month (May 2018) he brings Chelsea Textile’s furniture collection to Texas for the first time, via his showrooms in Dallas and Houston. Perlhagen, who lived in Sweden for seven years, launched her collection with Gustavian furniture in 2004. Other pieces and collections have followed, including country French and English, bamboo and tropical, and mid-century modern. Like its textiles, Chelsea furniture is painstakingly researched, hand made and finished by master craftsmen using traditional techniques and authentic materials. Gustavian and mid-century pieces receive special lacquer and hues that freshen their simple silhouettes for 21st century rooms.
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