indigohome

Block Print Abundance

So we've been slowly receiving shipments of items handpicked and designed by CaraMiya and Daniel while they were in India this summer.  While I might miss the suspense and drama of receiving a 40 foot container all at once, it's so nice to give each new arrival the attention and appreciation it's due...and spread out the impact on my bank account.

It's kindof like Christmas once a month instead of just once a year.

Our latest shipment is all hand block printed cottons--one of my favorite things in the world.  The patterns on all of these cottons are made by soaking a carved wooden block in dye then pressing or printing the pattern onto the cotton.  Print, repeat. Print, repeat. Print, repeat.  You get the idea.  If not, here's a picture!

image from http://leelylumdesigns.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/printing-and-dyeing-methods/

Daniel brought back some of the blocks used for printing too...

One of my most treasured items from Indigo is my blockprinted cotton quilt I took home a few years ago.  I stopped using a top sheet because the cotton is so soft and nice.  The new colors are stunning so I might just end up with a new treasure..

Each of these beauties is reversible and in the above photo you'll see each side next to its opposite. The quilts come in queen/king, twin, and baby sizes.  There's matching standard, euro, and throw pillow covers too.

Of course there are coordinating curtains... Lots of different colors and patterns in different lengths/sizes. Lots of easy ways to update your home with colorful patterns in the great cottons.

I love the use of all the blockprints in these bedrooms from ELLE DECOR

Look at the gorgeous shisha fabric used as a window treatment! (We have beautiful pieces of that work as well) Layering the blue blockprints is a fun way to mix all the patterns and still feel cohesive.

The mix of patterns is really playful and fun.  With our reversible quilts, it's easy to mix it up without trying too hard.

I loved this room because it looks like it belongs on Maui. We carry the simple cotton blockprints in many different sizes and colors.  (They're perfect for the beach too).

There are many more block printed goodies, but I'll leave something to look forward to...  

 

More to come!

 

 

Memorials for Trees?

I was flipping through Australia Vogue Living this morning and this tiny little blurb caught my eye.  The 200 year old Barcaldine Tree of Knowledge, located in a small town in Queensland, is considered the birthplace of the Australian Labor Party. The tree was poisoned in 2006 in an act of vandalism, and the dead trunk is all that remains. For the entire story, click here.

The photo that caught my eye was this one.

picture courtesy of ABC news Australia (http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200905/r366237_1696391.jpg) 

An architecture firm, M3architecture, in association with Brian Hooper Architect, designed the memorial for the tree of knowledge erecting a giant timber and steel box with 3600 suspended (and sustainably obtained) timber slats that recreate the lost canopy.  Check out www.m3architecture.com for the entire project and more pictures.

I recently came across a website produced in memory of a tree that fell on a beautiful beach outside of Paia, the "Rope Tree" at Camp One.

Sorry for the teensy picture, but you can go to http://www.mauiwindcam.com/features/ropetree/  for lots more pictures, and history on the tree which was a major landmark on the northshore for many many years.

So not to get all bummer summer on you, but I find tree memorials pretty depressing.  There's lots of easy ways to make sure you're not consuming too much wood products.   Reading the newspaper online, buying recycled paper products, and all the other things most of us try to do every day (you should post a comment with any stellar ideas on conserving).

One huge industry beautiful trees are used for is furniture.  Lucky for you all the furniture at Indigo is acquired with the environment in mind.  

These night stands  are all older pieces that have been handpainted by talented artisans in Northern India.  They are $550 each and are precious.

We have tons of repurposed pieces like shelving made from old racing canoes and carved gateways.  I just sold the last sweet pouf holder made from an old grain press.  Email if you'd like some pictures and come in anytime to check out all of furniture that won't necessitate a tree memorial.

Rose

Everywhere I look, I find Indigo!

Rose here.  I generally spend too much time online looking over design websites, other store websites, and other blogs.  (NEVER celebrity gossip or clothing websites --NEVER)   So through all of my well justified time online, I have come across a few images lately that show that this little shop on this little island can offer items sought after around the world.

http://www.livingetc.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=6106

Living Etc.  is an interior decor magazine from England.  I love their website because there's tons of photos in their online gallery that I linked above.  This photo looks like it was taken at Indigo (except for the knitted clock--so not Maui), and I will show you why...

Umm, obviously they have a professional photographer.  This took me about 5 minutes to setup and I think the similarities speak for themselves.  From Left: Round Stool $220, Fabric Camel $30, Mirrored Pillow $385, Kilim Pillow $215, Round Pouf $120, Coral Stitched Pillow (Made from old salt bag) $215, Mirrored Pillow small $45, Bengali Stitched Quilt (K/Q) $315, Cotton Voile Baby Quilt $86

In other news... The New York Times Home and Garden section featured the vacation home of Melanie Brandman who has her own PR firm and somehow is the manager of the American ELEPHANT POLO TEAM (!) in India. Worth reading the article just to hear about how the guys practice...  Through that life in India, there are some familiar items featured in the slideshow

Check out slide 14

 This is our last elephant knocker.  It's priced $142, and is just like the handles featured in the slideshow.  We have a huge selection of hardware that you can see here

Lastly, while Indigo is not mentioned in the article, the travel section of the New York Times featured Paia last week.  Check out the article at http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/travel/16next.html?scp=1&sq=paia&st=cse

It's a really nice article that explains some of the greatness in this little town.  Aloha!

Lychee!

Rose here.  Just got back from the mainland and am so happy to report that lychee season is here again.  After buying a bag at Mana this morning,  I was munching on some at work and was admiring their beautiful color.  I mean they taste just as good as they look, and I think that says a lot.

The lychee are not pink, they are not red, they are not coral.  I guess they're just lychee colored until they get too ripe and then they turn brown and it's sad....

Even more gorgeous is seeing the lychees on the tree.  There are some old growth lychee trees in Haiku that stand well over 40 feet tall.  So tempting, yet so far away.  But the gorgeous fruits next to the dark green leaves are a beautiful sight to behold, especially if you get a chance to start picking.

    (photo courtesy of http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/jan98/k2296-2.htm.)

So obviously, I'm lychee obsessed.  But even though I love the taste, it's honestly the color that gets me.

Lychee colored pillows.  Sweet cotton floral with ruffle and mirrored velvet both measure 16x16 and cost $38 ea

 This is one of our vintage cotton bengali stitched quilts.  It's single sized and costs $285.  Some of the best we've gotten in over the years have some beautiful old hawaiian fabrics (India produces many of the world's fabrics).  This one has black hibiscus accented with lychee colored foliage.

 Just one of our $12 journals with handmade paper. Perfect lychee color...

 Can you spot the lychee?  The knobs are hand painted porcelain and cost $8 each.

I feel bad showing all the lychees to all of you that might not be able to get your hands on them, but if you can check out this recipe.  I want to try it as soon as I get home...  ASIAN LYCHEE SALSA

See you soon!

 

Flowers and the arrival of spring

Yesterday the annual Haiku Ho'olaule'a and Flower Festival was held at the Haiku Community Center, just a 10 minute drive past the shop on Hana Highway.  The ho'olaule'a  is a fundraiser for the art, music and gym programs at Haiku Elementary, and every year there's tons of people enjoying the flowers, fruit and food for sale.  Hula, music, and other performances round out an awesome day for everyone. Maui News sent a photographer and their write up is here

 

 This was the fourth year I've attended the festival, and it always makes me think of my mom and her love of flowers and all things growing.  It's become a yearly tradition of me calling her from the festival telling her about all the beautiful orchids and plants and buying her a tshirt (designed by Kelly of Hana Hwy Surf), so she feels like she was there with me enjoying the day.   Most years when I call, Mom is starting to see the signs of spring in North Carolina.  Hopefully, you all will be enjoying warmer weather soon, and flowers definitely are one of the first signs of spring.

When I got to the store this morning, I was definitely still in flower mode and was talking to some customers from wintry Canada about how our bright floral cottons could make their lives a little brighter over the winter.  I'm noticing my mainland catalogs are definitely focused on spring, so we can be too.

 

This is a king sized bengali stitched quilt.  We have some gorgeous patterns, but the flowers on this one are so sweet.   Email us or call for pictures of other styles, the bengalis retail at $315.

These are all of our super soft cotton voile quilts that come in three sizes: baby($86), twin($160), and king($240).  Most are reversible and all made of the softest thin cotton.  I have one on my bed, and I don't use my top sheet anymore because the cotton feels so nice.    

This is a stack of our blockprinted cotton curtain panels.  The colors and patterns are all great and it's an easy way to add a jolt of spring to your house. The curtain panels are about 4 feet wide and either 6 ($47)or 8 ($58)feet long.

There's tons of these sweetie pie pillow covers.  The measure 16x16" and come in lots of patterns.  They are made of the same super soft cotton as the quilts and cost $38 each.  

I believe the word "ho'olaule'a" means celebration.   Just one of these items would help you celebrate the arrival of spring.

 

 

Get It While You Can

Our Shopping Cart is filling up quickly with items you can order online.  CaraMiya has been adding new poufs, chowkeys, and benches daily, so that all of you that aren't able to visit us on the north shore can still purchase some of our new goods.

Each listing has a few colors available, so make sure to click on each one to see all your options.  I know I've waxed poetic on the poufs already, but they really are fun and usable pieces for your home.  I have two small ones next to my coffee table and I've taken to having dinner there every night.

 CaraMiya and Daniel had some of the benches, poufs, and chowkeys embroidered with designs based on old Uzbeki suzani designs. 

From wikipedia: Suzani an antique and decorative tribal textile made in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and other Central Asia countries. Its name is from the Persian سوزن Suzan which means needle. Art of making such textiles in Iran is called سوزنکاری Suzankāri (needlework).

In the store we have a few beautiful old Suzanis.

XT-SUZ-1 SUSANI 8.4X8.4 UZBEK C.1930’S $6500  Suzani comes from the Persian word for “needle”.  This intricate piece is completely comprised of the slanted couching stitch known as khanda khayol, solidly embroidered with no backing showing through.  The central circular motif most likely has its roots in pre-Islamic nomadic designs and could represent the worship of the sun, moon, and stars.

While this particular suzani has a central motif, it shows clearly the inspiration for many of the benches, chowkeys and poufs.

XT-SUZ-3 SUSANI 6.4X9.11 UZBEK C.1930’S $5400  This Suzani features silk embroidery on a red cotton backing.  The central pattern seems to be a pomengranate blossom or stylized lotus blossom with smaller renditions making up the border.

This is another suzani available in the store.  As you can see, the antique pieces aren't cheap.  The poufs, benches and chowkeys are a great way to bring a piece of this beautiful handiwork into your home.

The benches are great at the end of the bed, at the back of a couch, in an entry way (to remove your shoes hawaiian style, or even as tables.

This picture is from the Living Etc.  Photo Gallery

One of our benches would be perfect in this type of arrangement.  Just find a cute little tray to keep things stable.  We've found that the tide stain remover pens work well for removing any stains that may come about.

This is another picture from the Living Etc's Photo Gallery   

You can also reference my previous post (Oct'09) on the many uses of the pouf, but this is super cute.

So, have fun checking out the items on our shopping cart.  Call us or email with any questions or concerns. Shipping out of state is tax free, we'll only charge you what UPS or USPS charges us.

 

 

Sale at Indigo

Hi Everybody,

The time has come to cut off guesses for the arrival of our 40 foot container.   If you've guessed somewhere in the next month or so, you may be in luck....

But the best news right now is that we have EVERYTHING in the store on sale at 20-50% percent off until the container arrives.  EVERYTHING is 20% off.  I'm talking EVERYTHING.   I'm talking:

gold!

silver!

curtains!

pillows!

 

Seriously, everything inside these doors is at least 20% off.

In addition, we are currently going through all of the rugs right now marking them 20-50% off.  Check out the full selection here.  As I'm sure you're well aware, each rug is completely handmade using unbleached wool and vegetable dyes.  They are all one-of-a-kind pieces, and we never put them on sale.  I would definitely take advantage of the discounts (actually I am going to)  This is one of my favorites:

Its price is $9500, but is one of the rugs at 50% off, so the new price is $4750. The colors are super nice for any type of decor.  If you've been thinking about a specific rug in the store, contact us and we can give you its sale price, or just come by and check them out.

Also, all the furniture is 40% off in store to make room for the many pieces coming in.  

 

This altar was $5200, but I just made a new sign pricing it at $3120.  Its a beautiful handcarved wooden altar, great for displaying any sort of collection.

So that's the news!  You might actually be a little bummed when the container comes in, because the sale will be over.  Come in and see us, and help us clear some space in the store.

Pouf, Pouffe, Hassock, Ottoman.....by Rose Potter

It seems like there was a lot of confusion about what exactly a "pouf" is.  Since it is the prize for guessing the date of the 40 foot container's arrival, I thought I'd take some time to clear up any confusion.  

According to Wikipedia, the definition of a pouf is as follows:

Tuffet

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tuffet, pouffe or hassock are all terms for a piece of furniture used as a footstool or low seat.[1] It is distinguished from a stool by being completely covered in fabric so that no legs are visible. It is essentially a large hard cushion that may have an internal wooden frame to give it more rigidity. Wooden feet may be added to the base to give it stability. If the piece is larger, so that storage can take place inside it, then it is generally known as an ottoman.

Hassock has special association with churches, as it is used to describe the thick cushions employed by the congregation to kneel on while in prayer. [2]

The names tuffet and hassock are both derived from English names for a small grassy hillock or clump of grass, in use since at least the sixteenth century. Pouffe is a nineteenth century French import for "something puffed out".

A tuffet is also an English unit of capacity, equal to 2 pecks, or half a bushel.[3]

Another connotation of the word tuffet is the description of an inflatable landing area for precision accuracy parachute landings.

Pouffes are very functional pieces of small furniture.  They can be used as a table, stool, footstool, or any other variety of uses. 

This image is from elle decor's photo gallery I think it shows the woven pouffe in a traditional setting where they might be utilized as seats or small tables.

 

This is from the same photo gallery, but obviously from Metropolitan Home Magazine.  I guess turquoise is my color of the day, as I love the colors in both of these images.  The pouffe don't have to be used outdoors, but I like showing them outdoors because it shows the versatility and "moveability" of the pieces.

This picture is from Living Etc's photo gallery.

I like the variety of pouffes in the center of the room with lots of interesting furniture.  We're getting pouffes in a variety of sizes (8x16, 8x24, and 20x20), and the prices range from $120-$320.    Lots of really wonderful fabrics and colors, so there will be lots of variety to choose from.

So that's what I could come up with for all of you that were unsure of what to do with a pouffe.  Keep your guesses coming in because the container is still not here....

 

Enter to Win!!!!!!!!!!!!! by Rose Potter

The epic story of Indigo's  40 foot container began last March when Daniel, Caramiya, and 6 month old Evie Jo traveled throughout Northern India buying and designing goods for 3 weeks. Pictures flew back and forth by email to the store promising a plethora of poufs,

painted furniture,

sunburns and sari tents

This morning I have a sunburn from a walk yesterday as part of one of my "favorite day" activities on Maui. Wake up semi-late and go have breakfast at Grandma's Coffee in Keokea (on Saturdays there's an awesome ukelele player).  After eating on the porch bordered by coffee trees inhabited by Jackson chameleons, go for a nice long walk down a country road where there's amazing views of Kaho'olawe, Lanai, South Maui, and the West Maui Mountains, along with some friendly cows and horses.  After the walk I go pick up some vegetables  and flowers at the Kula Country Farm and head back home....

Even though it was such a nice day, my red shoulders make me wish I would have done another of my favorite things and built a sari tent on my porch where I can sit in the shade, read a stack of magazines and partake in a tasty beverage or two. 

                                                        This is a picture from Living Etc's online gallery, but it shows exactly what I like to construct on my porch.   I have a four pieces of bamboo that I push into large planters that are already on my porch (while trying to avoid killing my succulents).  I have a beautiful tie-dyed or bandhani silk chiffon sari that was my first purchase as an employee at Indigo, and I just use rubber bands to wrap the fabric around the tops of the bamboo poles.  I've often thought I could make a more permanent solution by sewing tabs or ties onto the sari at the appropriate places, but I just like rigging things up I guess.  It is honestly so nice to have it all put together and for me, makes me really focus on relaxing.  It's like my little makeshift massage cabana near the beach. Now where's the pool boy with palm fronds to cool me off?

This is an image from domino magazine and it looks like the bench was built for the fabric, but same idea..   When we get our poufs in, they'll make perfect little side tables!

This beautiful shot is also from domino magazine, and I think it's perfect for a brunch or baby shower.  It looks like multiple saris were sewn together along their longest seams and then hung for shade in a courtyard or some other outdoor area.  This technique could create a nice outdoor living area where maybe there isn't one that's usable.  The sun is so bright and hot out here so it's nice to create a shady space to hang out.  Just as with the sari tents, you only have to find places to secure the saris at each end, whether its more bamboo poles, a fence, or even a couple of trees.  

This image is from a book, Fandango, by Sandy Hill.  I just had to include it because a sari could create the same atmosphere for a special outdoor party.

Of course, Indigo has lots and lots of saris to choose from.  There are silk, cotton, sequined, mirrored, and other versions to look through.  Some of the prettiest have gorgeous bead work along the edges creating nice texture.  If you're not available to stop in, just let us know what your favorite colors are and we'll send you some pictures. Then you can be well on your way to making your own sari tent.

Daniel took some gorgeous shots of the saris drying after women washed them in the Ganges River.  The first is probably my favorite shot from last year, and the second really shows off the variety of patterns and colors used in the saris.