The Romantic English Custom Tapestry Reproductions Are Here!

 Hi Everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well this week.

As you saw in the last post, the Romantic English tapestries have arrived!

 

 

I don’t mind using myself as a guinea pig, but I can’t tell you how relieved I am to no longer take on clients.

No, it’s not the clients that are the problem except maybe 2% of the time.

28% of the time, I’m the problem, and 72% of the time, someone or something else is the problem. So, in reality, 98% of the time, it’s my problem.

 

The living room panel will be stretched like an artist’s canvas.

 

I’m fairly certain it will be hung over the stairwell, but it could also be placed in the den over the sofa.

 

The other three panels will be installed in the entry like wallpaper, so the fabric requires a paper backing.

 

The problem I only realized tonight is that I should have had the main panel in the entry created in two pieces with some material for overlapping that gets trimmed. I’ll elaborate on that more in a sec.

Before I go on, David totally outdid himself; however, I should have insisted on a strike-off. (a sample conveying the colors)

While he knocked the entry colors outta the park, the living room piece came out a little too blue.

 

Below is a cropped photo I took of the tapestry.

 

 

It’s not anyone’s fault. However, the images I sent him might’ve looked more blue than they do on my monitor.

If it were a situation where the rendering was too light, I could fix it with a little paint. However, if anything, the print is a bit dark and slightly oversaturated in places. I feel that the balance with the Gracie panels is off.

 

However, I recolored the image (below) to resemble the one I sent David several weeks ago.

 

 

This was taken draped over the sofa, so the image is a tad distorted and foreshortened. Also, that’s a wrinkle in the fabric over the child’s face, not a defect.

 

Below, is what I sent David to match.

 

Of course, it’s nearly impossible to make an exact match. However, a print closer to this would be splendid.

 

Okay, let’s go back to the entry, and you’ll see why I’m glad this isn’t something I’m doing for a client.

 

The main panel is roughly 67″ square. In my mind, all I needed to do was order the panels and get them paper-backed.

In a ‘it’s too late’ lightbulb moment, I realized I should’ve ordered the big panel in two pieces with overlapping elements that can be trimmed, as Melanie did for the Gracie panels.

Ugh, the reason is, the paper doesn’t come 67″ wide. And I’m positive that Custom Laminations will require the fabric to be cut first.

 

So, I put out an SOS to Melanie Harvey.

 

I hope she can apply the backing paper and do that when she installs the lining paper. She has the equipment and the requisite nervous system to cut fabric. I do not.

Melanie got back to me this afternoon, and at least two of you wanted to know where she obtained her portable work table, and someone also inquired about the type of paste she uses. The answers to those two queries can be found on the Gracie panel installation post, here.

 

Alas, she’s on vacation, so can’t answer the paper backing question just yet.

 

We’ll work it out. However, the tapestry reproduction has a horizontal seam about 18″ from the bottom. Old tapestries are often pieced together.

I took a pic of the entry tapestry folded over and held up by the jib door.

 

First, let’s look at the recolored image of the mural I sent to David.

 

 

Below is an image of the tapestry reproduction superimposed onto a photo of the entry and kitchen.

 

Below, for comparison, is an image of the real tapestry reproduction draped over the jib door.

 

And, below is a larger image for more detail.

 

Look how close they are! This is so perfect, I can’t stand it! You can see the horizontal seam, but I love it because it makes it look all the more genuine. And, in lightbulb moment #2, if I take that seam apart, the fabric can be sent to Custom Laminations. However, I will wait for Melanie to return and consult with her first.

 

Laurel, is that woven like a tapestry? It sure looks like it, and it looks old, too. 

 

No, it’s not woven. The tapestry reproduction is created using a high-res image of an old tapestry and that is printed on plain cotton canvas, the same kind of canvas an artist would use to paint an oil painting. How cool is that!

Shortly after Melanie contacted me, I also heard back from David.

He is happy to redo the Foire Chinoise tapestry.

 

Laurel, if you’re draping fabric over your nearly seven-foot door, does that mean your back is better?

 

Thank you for asking. ;] Yes, it’s better today, and I’m feeling better, in general.

 

Oh, funny story.

I never tell Cale when something new has arrived, so he’ll be surprised when he comes for a visit.

Upon arrival, Saturday morning, he immediately commented on the wallpaper and loved it. After a while, I asked him what he thought of the new dining table. He said, “I didn’t notice the table!” Too funny. He loves it too, and thought it was a real antique.

 

Wrapping up. David has kept true to his word from last summer in an email to me.

 

“Also, literally anything you want from my catalog, just ask, and it’s yours for free.”

 

I am very grateful for that, especially since some of the work recently has cost a lot more than I anticipated.

 

Laurel, will he do this type of custom work for everyone?

 

That’s a terrific question. I do know he can make custom sizes, and I imagine he can also change colors to suit your decor.

 

Laurel, will these tapestries detract from the Gracie panels?

 

You guys ask the best questions. ;] This is something I’ve given a lot of thought to.

No, because the entry looks horribly forlorn as is, and it’s a different room, and the walls are perpendicular.

As it is, the balance is off.

 

I think all of the pieces are quite complementary, while each also stands on its own.

 

I’m very pleased with everything. Hopefully, by the end of next month, everything will be up, including the window treatments.

Tomorrow, I will work on the windows. If you missed that post, you can see it here.

lPlease visit the Romantic English website to order samples and your own tapestry reproductions.

xo,

 

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