VISUAL TREATS presents VISIONS OF WINTER / DAY 3

photocourtesycoloroutsidethelinesblog

Peeps,

It's grey and cloudy here in Washington (DC), and with the wind whipping things around (and the temperature at 32 degrees), no one wants to venture outside for very long.  I love living here for the change of seasons, with beautiful springs and glorious autumnal displays of falling leaves; sure the months of July and August are brutally hot, yet when compared to parts of Texas, it ain't so bad.  Still the grey and gloomy weeks of Jan and Feb are real downers, and makes me wonder why last year, so many eager-beavers jumped on the grey/griege bandwagon when it came time to pick a wall color.  It's bad enough to see it--meaning grey--outside, but to live surrounded by it.  Please!!  Honey, you'd better make it a double and forget the rocks.

Today's featured interior makes me smile and feel a little more cheerful.  All my favorite things are here; books on Istanbul and African textiles; folk-art, and holding center-stage on this beautifully composed fireplace mantel is a Suzani.  I first saw one of these brilliantly colored, and wonderfully embroidered textiles in Mehmet's little shop about 15 years ago.  At Woven History, the rug and textile showroom just across from Eastern Market, Mehmet patiently elaborated the history and purpose of the Suzani.  Between puffs on the hookah and endless cups of tea, I was transported to lands distant all the while sitting beneath the shadows cast by Turkish lanterns, camel-saddles, and water pitchers.  He assured me that I would never tire of my purchase, and for the sum of $380.00, I believe that I got the bargain of a life-time.  The passage of time, and numerous visits to view the Textile Museum's Middle Eastern collection have proved him right, and other than periodic loans of my Suzani to my sister who loves textiles, it still remains a favored possession of mine.  Whether thrown casually over a bed, folded on a table, or pinned to the wall, the powerful colors of the Suzani are able to almost single-handedly dispel even the dreariest winter blues.


Please enjoy today's visual treat, and if you are touring Washington, DC, please visit the Textile Museum, Woven History Carpets (across from Eastern Market), or Herat Oriental Carpets in Alexandria (VA) to view Oriental carpets, textiles and woven arts from the Caucasus region.


Thanks,
Shane


PS:  Websites for the referenced sources are as follows:  www.textilemuseum.org, www.wovenhistory.com, and www.heratorientalrugs.com.