Ikat is enjoying a surge in popularity, cropping up on everything from furniture to floors in the world of interior design
Ikat itself (pronounced ee-KHAT) is the name for the dyeing process where patterns and colours are impressed on the yarns prior to weaving. The process needs the weaver to place the colours on exactly the right part of the loose strands, so that the correct pattern will come out on the loom. When you consider the amount of colours in some of the items we’ve chosen below, it really is as complicated as it looks.
One of the most beautiful examples that we’ve found comes in the form of this rather colourful rug (pictured above). Hand knotted to order, which is worth bearing in mind when it comes to ikat, these rugs can be made in wool, silk and (amazingly) cashmere. With handmade fabrics you get these wonderful subtle variations in pattern or colour so that no two items are ever quite the same and with a statement rug such as this one, knowing that it is also totally unique has got to be a plus.
This is definitely an upstairs rug; Bedrooms with natural wood flooring might benefit from having something more delicate against the wood and a pale carpet or sisal would get a lift from the pops of green, yellow and purple. Avoid putting large furniture on top of this rug; not only because it’s delicate but also so the colours don’t get swallowed. If you have to, make it fabric based like an ottoman or something slim like a console that won’t take up too much space.
As with the rug, ikat is a very good way of introducing bright colours into your interiors. If the idea of having a sofa upholstered in fuchsia velvet is too much to bear, then ikat cushions might be a much less daunting option. Our second find is just that; pink and cream hand-woven cushions with silk velvet on one side and silk/cotton ikat on the reverse (pictured above). The different textures make these a fun choice for a multitude of places; with a dark coloured throw on a cream or white Living Room sofa or as decorative pillows on a bed to liven up plain-coloured bedding. The option of reversibility means you can chop and change according to what fabrics you already have in that space…or what you may feel is missing.
Ikat’s appeal really comes from its versatility. Its indigeneity is attractive to those in search of a bohemian style that is reminiscent of what would have been traded amongst Uzbek weavers along the Silk Road. The technique itself is still in place and so there is a definite sense of ‘other worldliness’ about this fabric yet the essentially limitless pattern and colour options have made ikat a feature of modern interiors. Our third choice, a blue ikat slipper chair (pictured above) is a more contemporary take on this material and has fast become a Jane Churchill Interiors favourite. Unlike silk or cashmere, cotton ikat is slightly thicker and therefore stronger which is why is works so well on a chair frame. This slipper style chair works beautifully in a Bedroom as the pattern is unusual without being too loud. As a (rather glamorous) clothes horse, this would be a good choice in an alcove or at the foot of a large bed but if you wanted it to be a decorative piece of furniture, position it in front of some embroidered voile curtains so the blue stands out.
Whether it’s on the smallest bought cushion or the biggest bespoke headboard, ikat can really transform a space. Be brave with textures and be bold with colours- although it’s the fabric that everyone’s talking about, its vintage look will ensure that ikat never goes out of fashion.
For enquiries about anything featured above, please contact letty@janechurchillinteriors.co.uk at Jane Churchill Interiors Ltd; 020 7730 8564
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