Suzani Heaven!!

There’s a difference between Kelly and I, and maybe some of you have noticed… Kelly has a wonderful eye for decor, colour and interior style and it shows in the projects she completes and the posts she writes. Me? I like anything that has to do with home renovation and remodelling - particularly DIY - and all the mess, mayhem and dramatic success that results from the hard work. I can talk to you about walls that need to be removed/moved and finishes that can make a room sing… heck, I get excited about new doors and windows! (Note: Kelly’s super great at DIY projects too, but I’m trying to make a point here! HaHa!)

So is it any wonder that my knowledge of beautiful things is woefully limited?

Hey! I’m not saying I don’t see or can’t appreciate the beauty!! But what I am saying is that chances are high that you’ve heard and know all about a current style or trend while I’m sadly oblivious. By the time I take notice it’s probably not in style any more! Ha!!

That’s my excuse. That’s why – until yesterday – until I watched Episode 14 of Canadian House & Home’s “Online TV” – until Linda Reeves told me all about them - I knew nothing about Suzanis.

How could I have NOT known about these stunning, traditional Uzbekistani textiles??!! I’m in absolute wonder at the beauty of their design and colour, their history and tradition.

And I can’t tell you how much I want one… or two… or more!!

Above: The home of Emily Walker with suzani-inspired prints above her sofa (beautiful!!), showcased in Canadian House & Home Magazine – click on this beautiful room to be taken to H&H’s “On-Line TV: Episode 14” where Linda Reeves talks about the history and design impact of the Suzani.

Let me tell you a wee bit about suzanis. A suzani is an Uzbekistani equivalent of your grandmother’s heirloom quilt. Usually a bridal gift for bed covers or wall hangings, it is elaborately hand embroidered on linen or silk. The intricate patterns are often made in vibrant colours from nature and are said to have mystical properties. The craft of creating suzanis is steeped in centuries of tradition with each artist interpreting a fresh new element to an earlier pattern. 

From what I’ve learned, talented needlewomen have produced this brilliant folk art for centuries. The oldest ones we know of are from the 18th century. Their designs, however — those meandering grapevines and tulips — suggest motifs from ancient Greece and the Ottoman empire. 

And these special, lovely, artful, dazzling and useful suzanis are more then a design trend… they’re a must have!!

Take a look at some of the beautiful suzanis I found…

They make wonderful pillows… and bed coverings

 

Suzani textiles as upholstery make stunning, unique furniture…

   (Lauren, web editor for Style at Home magazine online, shared a link in our comments [below] to this fantastic bench – made from a coffee table. I love it!!! Click on the photo to read all about it. Thanks Lauren!! It’s funny… I’ve seen this bench before [on the S@H site], loved it, but never realized it was a suzani. Now that I know what a suzani is, I’d know for sure. My “design savvy-ness” is growing!! HaHa!!)

Or how about a wonderful suzani throw…

  

Suzani’s make lovely table cloths

 

A wall hanging… love it!

Or simply displayed as a beautiful part of honoured history

So tell me… are you more decor savvy them me; did YOU know about suzanis? Be kind to me and lie!! I’m teasing!!

Do you own a suzani or, like me, do you want one?

I’ll be searching for mine!!