Suzani, Ikat & Co. - Ethno Style Decor

Browsing around my eye fell on a detail at Timothy Paul's bedding and home collection's picture. (found via Apartment Therapy) You see the mirror with mother of pearl inlay on the top of the bed? I brought a similar one from Syria many years ago. Looking at the other products I was surprised to see traditional fabrics from Central Asia reutilized for contemporary home decor - and they fit so well!

Traditional Uzbek Suzani needlework is used for the bedspread; "Suzanis are prestigious and lavishly embroidered panels used as a wall decoration or as a bedcover to protect people from harm and evil eyes. The term “suzani” derives from “suzan” the Farsi word for “needle”, and it used generically to describe a particular family of embroideries as well as specially to describe some of the largest of these which are mainly used as wall hangings. These wonderful textiles are an evolving expression of ancient aesthetic and technological traditions. The production of a number of various embroideries of different forms and functions for bride’s wedding dowry, belongings for horsemen and their horses, and the embellishment of reception rooms was integral part to life style of Central Asian people."
(Source: uzbekshop.com)

I love these colourful pillows with Suzani silk embroidery:


Here are two examples of an Uzbek Ikat, abr in uzbek, which means cloud and refers to the blurry edges of the figures that are woven into the fabric using pre-dyed weft thread. This complicated technique can be found in different parts of the world and is mostly known from Indonesia, where the name "Ikat" comes from.


In Uzbekistan Ikat fabric is made from silk or half silk, half cotton yarn, which makes the fabric more resistant.

The last cushion is decorated with a saree (?) lace.

And now a Suzani table runner, which adds a special twist to the embroidered napkins.

What a beautiful combination!