decor8 » Blog Archive » Doily Love!

Doily Love!

Do not fear the loyal doily! Listen to your grandmother, your lacey round friends can be quite practical and, with thanks to designers giving them a fresh creative spin, even trendy. And because they resemble snowflakes, I’m thinking this is another reason for their increased popularity in the cooler months. If you prefer to take the doily into your own hands (a little DIY’er are you?), perhaps this post will offer you a few affordable ideas where you have an ah-ha moment, “I can do that myself!”. Because in some cases, you certainly can!

{via Inhabitat}

These look pretty simply pinned to a linen board as a decorative touch. This is the work area of Holly Waterfield’s office space in the West Village at her boutique, Camp. Notice the many doilies framed above her desk…

Another modern use for a traditional piece – shape one into
something pretty just like blogger Sweet Paul did here.
Artsy! {via Emma}

While in Europe, I spotted the darling doily on linens and plates, even clothing, and now back in the states, I’m seeing them around town trying to win your favor and love despite how most tend to view them as, well old-fashioned and boring. Ah, c’mon… Show a little doily love. After this post, you may just start rummaging through the attic or hitting the local flea to find a few that you can bring forward into 2007. That’s my goal.

Tips: I think it would be fun to hand sew a few to the bottom edge of a linen curtain (tone on tone is best for this look to stay modern vs. kitschy) or apply a few in random areas on a throw pillow. You can even use the paper ones and with a little spray glue, affix them to the exterior of a glass lantern or candle holder. Candles look so pretty glowing behind their intricate patterns.

Hannover-based German artist Evelyn Hahn incorporates doilies
into her mixed media art, on display here at Gross Stadt Rekorder.

Wrapping paper from Eieio at Rose + Radish, a doily chair by
the uber talented Tara Murray, the many ceramic bowls and plates
from Country Creek Pottery, the gorgeous work of
London artist Mhari McMullan. Are you a believer yet?

Unblossom salt crystal bowl vis Inhabitat.

Of course, you can always count on the craft queen Martha Stewart
for a few good ideas. I like the Lacy Luminarias, the
Lovely Lace DIY idea, doily envelopes, and
the doily-edges shelves – this is a nice idea for a kid’s room.

Thomas Paul is in on this motif, he has some
dinner plates offered over at Velocity Art + Design with
a goth vibe.

Floating vintage doilies framed from Dima Designs,
Small Stump “Tea For Me” Silkscreen print
(she churns out the cutest stuff), and
sweet retro pillows from Dottie Angel.

Or you can be all fancy pants with these 22K gold plates
by notNeutral, also at Velocity.

Modern doily gift tags and cards created by May Third.

Accessorize!
Ink Jet’s badge set in black and white, or a damsels
and doilies key fob from Mary Mo. A black and white
tote made with love by Oh Honey, or how about
a cute wristlet from Generi Online?

There’s also these black rubber coasters or a set of 8 pink vinyl
doilies – both from Rockett St George, Silver
Elissa Frankino contemporary jewelry with
doily impressions (lovely), and Amy Butler lace work fabric.

Crocheted doily jewelry, and another darling creation from
Dottie Angel: dish towels. Tea towels “Tree House” from
new Scandinavian design store (in the USA – yeah!), Huset.
Love this store. You will too. Contrary uses a doily in her
dyptych painting, “When I Was Happy”.

Anthropologie is one we can always count on to be in on the
trends with a mug in blue and white, the porcelain doily cake stand
(perfect for cupcakes – make sure you view the up close details,
it’s very sweet), and the bone doily mirrors (these are such a good
example of bringing a traditional design into 2007 in a very grown-up way).

Doilies influence New Hampshire-based artist Gina Adams.

This is perhaps my favorite of the bunch based on the story alone. How cute is this?

“The doily will be handmade by my mother who has been crocheting for over 50 years! She has made nearly 2000 of these doilies and therefore I guarantee the quality. The cost is $15 for up to 8 letters. Each additional letter would be $2.00.”

Available in white, ecru, and cream. I’d like one with my name on it in
pure white to center in an all white frame and mat. Modern yet
extremely old-fashioned at the same time. I’m ordering! I have
a friend with an all-white home, this would be perfect for her
since she relies to much on texture to add warmth to her space.

The Suspect Shop seems to be inspired by our little lace friends too.

First Snow patterned dinnerware just released by Rosanna at Kekk2.

Crate and Barrel has some dessert plates, felt placemats
(I picked one up for my coffee table over the weekend),
and some very dainty glasses with a doily motif.
Perfect for something a little boozey. :)

Psst: Free crochet doily pattern links {via Inhabitat}.

And for all the fashion victims out there, this doily tee from Urbans is a great piece to throw on beneath a cardigan or black velvet blazer.

So now I ask, do you or don’t you desire a doily?

(images: All from those cited in this entry, with the exception of the intro image via Inhabitat.)

31 Responses to “Doily Love!”

1 Pickle Girl commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 1:52 am

I never thought twice about doilies until a friend of mine strung them together and draped them from the barn where she got married in Northern California. It was stunning–as the day progressed, and the fog rolled in, then went from bone to light grey. It was stunning!

I’m trying to upload a photo, but am not having much luck!
2 Stephanie commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 2:31 am

Gorgeous collection! I have a super soft spot for doily right now too. I just bought a tea towel from dottieangel and I have that elephant print from Mati Rose!
3 Tara Diane commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 4:16 am

Oh gosh, I love it all! My favorite though is the retro doily. Those are some beautiful colors.
4 Anonymous commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 4:28 am

Sensational gathering of goodies! Even your blog banner has a lace background and in some parts looks like a doily. You are always ahead of the curve Decor 8!
5 Leah commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 4:46 am

i started collecting little bits of lace and doilys for use in my art and so i’m a total sucker for them right now. what a collection of wonderful doily goodness! i love the look of a framed doily sandwiched between glass. and i’ve drooled over those doily luminaries from martha stewart many times. perhaps it’s time to get crafty! :-) thanks for the inspiration!
6 Alkemie commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 4:55 am

This was hilarious, inspiring, and sensational at the same time! Who can say they aren’t moved by doilies after this posting lol! Love IT! Your blog was one of the first blogs to hook me onto design blogs. You always have wonderful posts and great interviews! I’m always looking forward to your next post. I just started a blog too, but have yet to discover how you are able to position all of your photos so beautifully! I just posted a collection of chairs I redid today, please come by for a visit. alkemie.blogspot.com

Karen
7 jaime commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 5:14 am

I got one of those personalized doilies as a wedding gift and i love it!
8 Anonymous commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 7:22 am

Shall I ad…Doily Deer Canvas Print from Moderndose.com!

http://www.moderndose.com/product_info.php?cPath=48_65&products_id=167&osCsid=ac63caf30e6367e5560dec4b0bd10084
9 L commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 7:58 am

Anyone else think it’s a crime that Dutch-born Baltimore artist Annet Couwenberg, who’s work has been featured twice in as many years at the Museum of Art & Design in NYC wasn’t linked to in this blog? ( http://www.annetcouwenberg.com/index.html ) Also this trend was detected a few years back in the organizing of “Radical Lace & Subversive Knitting” at MAD last year. Maryland artist Piper Shepard also does some amazing hand-cut lace work which appeared in the Radical Lace show, check out the piece rolled out on her work table in this knitty article — http://www.knitty.com/issuefall05/FEATfall05WTS.html ! A nice round-up, but was sad to see you missed the MAD connection.
10 sandra commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 8:34 am

so many beautiful things to see, this post made me happy :)
11 Lynne Rutter commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 9:13 am

wow, what a comprehensive doily bonanza!
i’m having my great-grandmother’s handmade doilies made into a resin table… it’s long story but , i’ll show you when it’s done!
12 Mhari commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 9:48 am

Thanks for the mention and for spreading the doily love. The crocheted name is gorgeous…
13 enna commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 9:57 am

Hey Holly! I just had a new wrapping paper design printed and it has little papercut doilies on it! see: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8014744

enna
14 zee commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 12:47 pm

Those personalised doilies are too sweet! I think they’d be adorable stitched onto white bedroom pillows in a ‘his’ and ‘hers’ style.
15 Sidsel_._ commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 1:46 pm

wow – what a great and inspiring collection of doilies – great research Grace.
16 AngieMontreal commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 3:13 pm

I’ve been obsessed with doilies for as long as I can remember, and I’m so glad people are using them in new and interesting ways. Now no one can make fun of me when i bring mine out and use them more!
17 amy ross commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 3:13 pm

Just wanted to add a link to the artist Lisa Solomon’s website. She makes fabulous work with doilies!

http://www.lisasolomon.com/portfolio_r.html
18 kaytet commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 3:43 pm

love it!
i have two drawers full of doilies in my craft room and use them for lots of art projects. i even have a sequined one glued to my portfolio. it sounds weird but it’s pretty cool.
19 Rachel commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 4:23 pm

wow, someone went crazy with doily research!
20 decor8 commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 4:44 pm

I’m glad you all enjoyed this post – it took quite awhile to pull it together but it’s been on my mind for months – it felt good to get it out there.

I tried to feature as many artists as I could, of course I couldn’t round up every doily in the world, so my apologies if I left out anyone or any product. That’s why I enjoy hearing comments from readers in this section, you have YOUR chance now to list some of your faves that I may have missed, and I see some of you have done that — so thank you!!

Holly
21 alexis commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 4:57 pm

ooh can we see your friend’s all white house?
22 Christina commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 9:28 pm

Wow! So many beautiful things in this post! :)
23 teeni commented:
November 27th, 2007 at 10:47 pm

I crochet my own handmade doilies so I really loved this post of yours. So many wonderful ways to see doilies inspiring different things or being used in different ways. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and am glad that Heather Smith-Jones sent me over! :)
24 m commented:
November 28th, 2007 at 4:25 am

wow, Great selection of items!
25 a. commented:
November 28th, 2007 at 11:59 am

I collect antique ones. Moderns are often too obviously machine-made or ugly. When I buy new ones, I buy handmade ones.
I am currently teaching myself bobbin lace tatting, which is a highly artisanal craft that runs long in my family. Once I know what I’m doing really, I plan on reproducing some of the antique doilies in my collection (the easier ones, obviously). For now, I love looking at them, framing them together with my antique laces or use them in my work.
26 Kristy commented:
November 28th, 2007 at 2:55 pm

I can never resist buying doilies when out thrifting.So much so that I have a suitcase full!!You have given me so many ideas for displaying them! Do have any idea where I might be able to source the glass frames from? I’m in the UK.
Thanks for the inspiration. xxx
27 MaryMo commented:
November 28th, 2007 at 4:50 pm

Thanks for including my key fob in with all these gorgeous and sweet doilies! I’m in love with the rubber coasters and the mirrors are fantastic too!
Happy Holidays! :)
28 Svanna H. Joensen commented:
November 29th, 2007 at 10:22 pm

So inspiring and fun that people are using doilies. Just wanted to add a link to the beautiful doilies chair, by the danish designer Louise Campbell, enjoy!

http://www.louisecampbell.com/
29 mati rose commented:
November 30th, 2007 at 2:38 am

hey, i just noticed this! thanks for including me on your fabulous blog!
xo
mati
30 decor8 » Blog Archive » Delicate Doilies from Martha Stewart Living commented:
November 20th, 2008 at 3:52 pm

[...] HAVE. MORE. DOILIES. Interested in MORE doily products and projects? Don’t miss Doily Love! It’s a HUGE post featuring doilies galore that I wrote this time last year but it’s [...]
31 Zee commented:
November 22nd, 2008 at 12:14 pm

This is wonderful! I am in love with doilies lately!!! Thanks for this tip, it’s been one year but totally trendy!
Xo,

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