Monthly Archives: September 2015
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Autumn inspiration
Our new Fall 2015 collection has launched! This collection conjures very international inspirations and aspirations. Luxury to us is not just about being fancy or expensive, it is much more about a tailored simplicity. Luxury in the fabric world means impeccable quality in the yarns used and clarity of color in the dyeing process.
Indigo collection, from top: Masaru, Akaei, Satchi, and Ishi
Stephane and I have always been drawn to Japanese design, and really just the way the Japanese appreciate beauty in its purest forms. This season, we did an Indigo collection of just four fabrics, each dyed indigo, with lovely "clean" designs.
Akaei, named for a stingray found in Pacific waters, is a shagreen jacquard design. Masaru, named for a favorite Japanese furniture designer, is a tidy and strong plain woven perfect for upholstery applications. Satchi, a type of Japanese basket weaving, is just that (!), a thick basket weave ideal for sofas, chairs, and pillows. Ishi, meaning stone in Japanese, has an organic appeal. Ishi is a matelassé that is perfect for bed covers, upholstery, and striking pillows.
Until you can take your next trip to Kyoto, pour yourself a refreshing saké and enjoy our new Indigo collection!
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Are you watching?
Maybe we are a little slow on the uptake, but we just started watching Chef's Table on Netflix. Love it
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The "Other" South of France
We go away to the South of France almost every summer, and sometimes in the spring or fall too if we're extra lucky. I know, I can almost hear your eyes rolling. This sounds so fancy, so pretentious, so braggy....but let us show you the "other" South of France. No disrespect to Brigitte Bardot, but there is more to the Cote d'Azur than huge yachts and blingy beaches.
Stephane, Castel's owner/President/my husband, is blessed with a family house in an area called Castellaras near Cannes and Mougins. (Hence our company name!) This region of France is called the Alpes Maritimes, and you really can see the Mediterranean and the Alps from most vantage points. Fantastique!
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Sneak peek!
The Castel Fall 2015 Collection is ready to ship! Here is a sneak peek to keep you on the edge of your seats until the collection hits your local showrooms!
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Holding on to summer
There are summer people, and there are winter people. We at Castel seem to fall into the summer camp. What is not to love about lazy beach days, summer concert series, alfresco dining, and being a little bit suntanned?
Our summer holiday is over, and we are noticing the light change as September creeps upon us. But never fear, we found a great spot where it seems to be summer all year round, Brooklyn Crab. Just a hop and skip from our office in Brooklyn Heights over to the Red Hook waterfront is the most festive crab shack. We felt transported to Chesapeake Bay, if only for a few hours, while we sipped our $3 Narragansett lagers and downed dollar oysters on the front deck overlooking NY Harbor and Lady Liberty at sunset.
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Bienvenue!
We are very excited to begin blogging and sharing the Castel spirit and joie de vivre! Everyday we are inspired. Some days inspired by far away travel, and other days just inspired by the way the light hits the side of our brownstone.
We love good food, drinks, travel, cool shop finds, color, textiles, cultures, and most of all finding a special little detail to share. To us, discovering a small cafe on an unheard of street in Paris, sailing under the Brooklyn Bridge, riding a bike on Shelter Island, hunting for an antique fabric, or finding the perfect book for summer beach reading is what makes our days unique.
Let us take you off the beaten path!
