UPHOLSTERY - GROUNDBREAKING NEW VELVET

 O'BRIEN'S FORAY INTO BEDDING

A New Format

With a fresh new year, we've began a brand new monthly blog format! This is a Newsletter that we are actually mailing into the physical world. However, for those of you who are more tech-friendly here is our e-version. It's chock-full of our latest news to keep you on your toes for the next best thing. Enjoy!

As seen in Home & Textiles Today

KOBS for Capel
A Brief History

We all spend a lot more time looking down than we realize.  It has nothing to do with our mood, it's just a good idea to see where your feet are from time to time.  And that is why what's on the floor is so important, we need something uplifting! This is why we have always wanted to make floor coverings and that opportunity finally came up three years ago when we began creating a line for Capel Rugs.  

A view of our line in Capel's showroom

Our Award-winning Rug from our Tuscan Sun Series with Capel Rugs

Capel is a 100-year-old family owned rug company based in North Carolina that manufactures rugs in their own factory as well as various countries overseas. Their commitment to a family-run, American-made product was top priority to us, and now with their experience and expertise they have been able to guide the design team at KOBS to create standout collections each year since 2011. The line has even been recognized as a winner of the Best New Carpet Award in Atlanta this past spring.

Hanging out with the award

Kevin having some fun on set for a photoshoot

Like most of Kevin's designs, the rugs are based on natural patterns that have been tweaked with a modern sensibility. Taking our aesthetic into a new format such as rugs requires a lot of modifications in a new process. Kevin’s artwork maintains its painterly feel while appealing to a new market. These provide a great platform for our beloved silk velvet home accessories.  

Sarah, one of our designers, enjoying working on a new color palette 

Capel is famous for their traditional braided technique, which we have adored since before partnering with them. This is something we would love to work further on, creating a modern version of such a masterpiece. It’s a challenge that we’re willing to tackle!

Don't forget to stop by at Capel's showroom in High Point Market 18-23rd!

From Silk to Cotton

A New Velvet Experiment

One of our newest collections is our “Glazed” cotton velvet that we’ve been developing for the past year here in the studio. We wanted to introduce something that has a more casual feel while still maintaining the integrity of our signature hand-painted technique.

Kevin experiments with various color tests, he won't stop until it's right!

"Just keep piling on the work, guys"

This collection adds a new depth to our line with a textured printing technique. Our printing process creates a resist print that also leaves a crackled effect when we paint our dyes. This is where the collection gets the name “Glazed” as it appears to look similar to a cracked glazed ceramic. 

This fabric not only offers a different style of products, but it also has the ability to serve as upholstery-weight fabric. This collection is currently available in six colors including: Black, Caramel, Chartreuse, Dusty Blue, Ocean, and Sangria. 

Top: Ombre in Sangria / Bottom: Lovebirds in Caramel & Ombre Medallion in Dusty Blue

(left to right) Tapestry in Chartreuse, Tapestry in Ocean, Lovebirds in Black

Best of NYNOW

               

The orders counted and the verdict is in, we’re back today to give you a taste of our most popular colors and patterns this season. We showed you the process of setting up our booth, and now we’re going to give you a glimpse of our most sought-after products.

New Gun Metal Colorway

This season we introduced three new colors: Gun Metal, Cobalt Black, and Desert Rose. Each of these colors have (as always) been hand mixed and conceived right here in our studio with trends in mind. We'll definitely be busy the next few months painting a lot of these deep blues!

New Colors: Desert Rose (top left and bottom right) and Cobalt Black (top right and bottom left)

This season we’ve also introduced some new metallic velvets that are printed onto a long-haired velvet giving them an embossed look. Not only are these metallic, but we've come up with a whole new range of colors specifically for this new line!

(From left to right) Moroccan Metallic in Eucalyptus, Lovebirds Metallic in Violet Silver, Ombre Medallion in Ruby

New Mohair Tufted pillow with Silk/Velvet button and cording in (from left to right) Bark/Rust, Black/Charcoal, Purple/Amethyst

We've developed a new tufted style of our mohair pillows that have been well received thus far. These go well with our silk velvet decorative pillows and add depth with a more matte texture.

Be on the lookout for our next post about the making of our new cotton velvet line!