Catch Up on the Latest News from Stewart Drummond Studios.

Website Renovation!

We have been growing substantially over the past couple years and in response have renovated our showroom to accommodate our new fabrics and furniture. We decided a fresh website to coincide with this would be just right.

The new site contains our product listings, the ability to place an order and the latest news about SDS.

We hope you enjoy it and welcome any feedback you have.

Sincerely,

Arlene & David

OPEN HOUSE

We were thrilled to host an open house featuring our new furniture line, Gresham House Furniture. We were also so lucky to have Marilyn Roberts, the owner of Gresham House attend our event. Thanks so much, Marilyn.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the evening!

GRESHAM HOUSE FURNITURE

For the last eighteenth months, David and I have been searching for a furniture line that would provide our clients with great quality and a wide selection of 'Canadian Made' product. In November 2009, we had the opportunity to speak with Max Roberts, the president of Gresham House Furniture, located in Oakville Ontario.

The conference call became a whirlwind trip for David and I. Our 36 hour visit to Oakville gave us an opportunity to meet Max and his daughter, Marilyn Roberts. Marilyn quickly told us that she wasn't the smooth marketer her dad was, but she that she knew her furniture. WOW - does she ever know her furniture!

That brief meeting and tour of their manufacturing facility was all we needed to confirm that the Roberts and Gresham House were a perfect match. They are wonderful people and run a fabulous company.

Many of you have now had an opportunity to see the furniture and meet Max and Marilyn. Several of you have selected Gresham House pieces for your clients - we thank you for that. Our designers have been unbelievably supportive and have provided great constructive comments - keep them coming. We really appreciate your insights and opinions.

Lastly, thank you, Max & Marilyn, for making several trips to Calgary [in less than desirable weather] and providing detailed and incredibly valuable training to the team at Stewart Drummond Studios and to our design community!

Lillian August Designs Collection with Fabricut

Furniture Designer Adds Textile License to Her Growing Brand

TULSA, Okla., July 31, 2009 – Fabricut collaborates with renown textile and furniture designer Lillian August for a remarkable licensed fabric collection with a fresh, uptown take on traditional – Lillian August for Fabricut. “Townhouse Collection” is inspired by documents and archives from Lillian’s personal collection and her extensive background developing award-winning home furnishings products.

“Lillian August has an exceptionally strong brand presence in the home furnishings and accessories industry,” says David Finer, chief executive officer for Fabricut. “With the sophistication of her designs coupled with Fabricut’s aesthetic, the partnership with Lillian was a natural fit."
“Townhouse Collection” features two exciting books – Neutral Palette and Colour Palette – that include fabrics of both rich and soft tones. The Neutral Palette embraces rich chocolates, maple browns and golds, along with, off whites, linen tones and touches of grey. Earthy greens, heavenly blues, powerful reds and rusty oranges are included in the Colour Palette. Each color is a complement of the next and visually stunning when layered in different tones. Paired together, these palettes create clean, color stories that are fresh and dramatic in any space.

“My challenge is to interpret colors, fabrics and designs that capture what is happening in fashion, ranging from casual to sophisticated looks,” says Lillian. “‘Townhouse Collection’ gives fellow designers and decorators the opportunity to be more expressive and add personality to their client’s spaces with my distinct color and pattern layering.”

The collection is an expression of Lillian’s knack for color and design – keeping pieces traditional in flavor, but with an updated twist. Patterns feature textured wovens, lyrical prints, classic silks, plush chenilles, luxurious velvets, graceful damasks and beautiful jacquards – each incorporates a touch of whimsy and romance. A mixture of statement fabrics for upholstery and drapery applications, along with small-scale patterns for pillows, ottomans and other accessories creates a versatile collection with a clean, uptown ambiance.

Her namesake pattern, Lillian, was inspired by an 18th Century document and updated to achieve a new traditional, townhouse look. The classic striè ground is complemented by 8-point stars in bold colors and is great for draperies or dramatic as upholstery. Tea Ceremony is Lillian’s fresh take on a traditional Asian toile. Woven instead of printed, its romantic landscape is colorful, and the hand is soft with an extra wash step on this unique tapestry. This pattern will “fit best on larger surfaces that can feature the entire scene,” she suggests.

“I approach all of my design collections from the same vantage point,” adds Lillian. “I strive for artistry, taste and style. The ‘Townhouse Collection’ embodies my love of traditional with new interpretations for today’s style-conscious consumers.”

Lillian August for Fabricut is available exclusively to the trade in Fabricut Showrooms and through interior designers worldwide.

Fabric Superstore Cut for Designers!

Choice rated too extensive for amateurs
By Gina Teel, CALGARY HERALD

People hire interior designers when they want to achieve a certain look in their homes, as it's understood they have the expertise to manage what's an otherwise daunting job for most regular folk.

An important piece of the process is fabric selection, for everything from throw cushions and bedding to draperies and outdoor furniture, and many designers count on the expertise of Stewart Drummond Studios to help them get the job done.

The studio has a jaw-dropping array of high-end, quality fabrics and a selection sure to boggle the mind of most non-professionals, which is precisely why Stewart Drummond doesn't sell to the public.

The company is a resource centre to the trades, and deals directly with architects, independent designers and retail stores.

Designers can come in on their own, or bring their clients in with them to peruse fabrics for the project at hand.

However, it's clear non- professionals would be challenged to settle on a fabric in a given hue, as the selection is as vast as they day is long, with pattern dif- ferent from the last.

"That's the reason a lot of designers prefer to come in and make their selections and take them out to their clients," said Arlene Liepins, who owns Stewart Drummond with her husband, David Fordyce.

"Most clients get over- whelmed," she said.

Located in Builders Park, Stewart Drummond offers several lines of fabric in different qualities and styles, from sheers to upholstery and outdoor fabrics.

As fabric is often one element of a larger project, the store also carries wallpaper, custom trims, tassels and tie-backs, and drapery hardware, as well as hard win- dow coverings and shades.

What sets Stewart Drummond apart Ñ besides being a third-generation family run business Ñ is its spacious sewing room, which allows for custom manufacturing on-site.

This means designers can come in and select fabrics, and have draperies or bedding fabricated by skilled seamstresses who excel at finicky tasks like hand-pleating.

Designers can also have reupholstery work done and custom furniture made through the studio, but those jobs are done off-site to keep the shop pristine to protect the fabrics.

Stewart Drummond's selection of fabrics range in price from $7 and $8 a yard for some sheers, to $1,000 per yard for ultra-high-end, custom fabrics.

Fabric lines on offer in- clude Vervain, a traditional fabric known for beautiful natural fibres, Liepins said.

"They have incredible cottons, beautiful linens, a lot of natural fibres are used, incredible silks as well," she said.

Included here is Charles Faudree, a French country style line.

Under the Fabricut umbrella is the Isaac Mizrahi line, described as very funky with lots of glitz, and S. Harris, a much more contemporary line.

The Duralee line is also available. It's been around for a long time and offers a wide array of prints and cottons.

Studio Line is Stewart Drummond's own line. Liepins said they deal with another third-generation family that travels the world and buys fabric and has done so for decades.

Fabrics here are a mix of traditional and contemporary, and unusual colours and styles.

"It's very different," Fordyce said.

Fabric sales comprise the bulk of business at 60 per cent, followed by manufacturing at 20 per cent and drapery hardware and hard window coverings making up the rest.

Stewart Drummond got its start in the 1960s as Martin's Drapery Installations Ltd.

The drapery hardware and installation business was started by Liepins father, Martin. Her mother, Audrey, took care of the administrative side of the business.

The business enjoyed steady growth and evolved to the point where Martin had a nice gig supplying hardware to local designers.

While Liepins grew up in the business, Fordyce didn't start working there until 1981 while attending university.

The two were an item, she in university and modelling, and he a promising football player drafted by the Edmonton Eskimos.

Fordyce was working part-time doing installs and learned the drapery business from Martin.

The couple married in 1983. Soon after, Fordyce blew out his knee, bringing an end to his pro career, and he ended up working a lot with Martin.

Six years later, Martin passed away unexpectedly, and the family had a choice to wind down the business or run with it.

They decided to continue the business, and started ex- panding and growing in different directions.

The business already had a line into larger interior design stores thanks to Martin, so growth into manufacturing was a natural progression.

As the company evolved, the family decided a name change was necessary to better reflect the business's expanded offering.

Stewart is the family name of Liepins' (very Scottish) maternal grandmother "who taught her to love fabric," while Drummond is the family name of Fordyce's paternal grandmother.

Business had always been healthy, but it really blossomed about seven years ago when Stewart Drummond acquired the rights to the Fabricut line, a nice, multipurpose line that's popular with designers.

"At that point, we were out chasing people, and chasing lines and trying to get them to use us," Fordyce said.

"Now we're the opposite, where they're approaching us to carry things, which is very comfortable."

Today, Audrey still works at the studio, as does the couple's daughter, Jordan Fordyce, a law student who spends her summers at the shop.

"She's been working here since she was 15. She's a vet," Fordyce said.

Bella-Dura Studio Creates Comfortable Living Indoor and Out

Jennifer Schreiner
Public Relations/Marketing Specialist
Fabricut, S. Harris, Vervain, Trend

TULSA, Okla., November 4, 2008 - Fabricut is proud to introduce Bella-DuraTM Studio, a versatile collection of performance upholstery fabrics for both indoor and outdoor applications. Stylish, fresh and environmentally friendly, this collection boasts an unlimited color palette with traditional and modern patterns and textures.

"Bella-Dura Studio is a beautiful collection designed for comfortable, family living indoor and out," says David Finer, chief executive officer of Fabricut. "This collection is the fabric solution for everyday living."

Bella-Dura Studio is highlighted by a stunning jacquard construction with a soft, luxurious hand. Its chenille accents create a comfortable, inviting space for both indoor and outdoor living. With its beautiful color combinations and trend setting designs, Bella-Dura Studio is ideal for family living and far exceeds the heavy duty standards for durability. All patterns surpass 50,000 double rubs for abrasion and are resistant to pilling. Plus, Bella-Dura Studio is 100% stain resistant; making these fabrics easy to clean with soap and water for small spills or mild detergents for tougher stains. Bella-Dura Studio creates an ideal solution for high-traffic areas and active households.

With its stain resistance, Bella-Dura Studio also stands up to Mother Nature. Its patterns exceed 1,500 hours of lightfastness, are fade resistant, water repellant and mildew resistant making it the perfect solution for outdoor living. This collection gives designers and home owners alike the freedom to decorate without compromising style and performance needs. Bella-Dura Studio creates a safe, livable and eco-friendly space for both indoor and out.

Bella-Dura Studio's fiber technology sets a new standard for environmentally-intelligent fabrics. With its inherent properties, these fabrics are manufactured using less energy, do not include added chemicals in the finishing process and do not produce harmful industrial waste. The fibers are manufactured and woven from recycled components and are fully recyclable at the end of their life. These qualities earned Bella-Dura Studio a Silver Cradle-to-Cradle certification from MBDC and Fabricut's Environment Plus designation.

"The stain-resistant qualities and fresh colors of Bella-Dura Studio empower you to decorate anywhere and not worry about sticky fingers," adds Julia Rodriguez, senior stylist for Fabricut.

Fabricut's Bella-Dura Studio is available to the trade only in S. Harris/Fabricut Showrooms and Agents or through interior designers worldwide.

Fabricut’s Brand Evolution

Company Updates Logo and Sample Book Packaging

TULSA, Okla., June 16, 2008 – Fabricut is updating its brand image. For 54 years, Fabricut has been devoted to supplying beautiful fabrics and trimmings to the interior design trade. The company continues to grow and provide the best service and products in the home furnishings marketplace. This season, they introduce a new Fabricut.

“The houndstooth fabric swatch is the visual image of our company,” says David Finer, chief executive officer for Fabricut. “We are updating our brand identity and reinforcing the timeless, classic image of Fabricut.”

Keeping in line with the history and identity of the brand, Fabricut has undergone a face-lift. Since its establishment in 1954, Fabricut has been recognized by the houndstooth check. Over the years as Fabricut’s identity and product line have evolved, so has the logo. Now, a larger houndstooth pattern is incorporated in the fabric swatch and balanced by a classic font to represent the timeless quality and service of Fabricut.

“We wanted to embrace the rich history and maintain the existing logo’s brand equity, while modernizing our image for the future of Fabricut,” said Denise Espinosa, visual communications manager for Fabricut. “With this fresh take on the identity, we have created a strong visual that will be carried throughout Fabricut globally.”

Along with the updated identity, Fabricut saw the opportunity to freshen its product packaging. Beginning with their Color Studio collection, the sample books will also take on a new look. The body of the sample books is now a rich dark brown, easily recognizable in a designer’s library. The new logo can be found on the header, sides and back of the book. The color books are designated by a color bar on the book header and color indicator on the logo swatch. Fabric categories are represented by the color of the book’s cord handle: upholstery in dark brown, multipurpose in taupe and dark brown twist, and drapery books in a light tan cord.

“This new book design enables designers to locate and pull our sample books with more ease,” adds Espinosa.

From this point forward, Fabricut sample books will have this new look. However, the company wants designers to understand its existing Fabricut books are still filled with current, beautiful fabrics.

“This is a Fabricut brand and sample book evolution,” adds Finer. “We are the same brand, fabrics and services – just in a new suit.”
Fabricut is available to the trade in S. Harris/Fabricut showrooms and through interior designers worldwide.

Fabricut Goes Green

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle with Environment Plus
Jennifer Schreiner
Public Relations/Marketing Specialist
Fabricut, S. Harris, Vervain, Trend

TULSA, Okla., April 1, 2008 - Fabricut Inc. is proud to introduce Environment Plus, a corporate initiative and product line created to help sustain the environment. Concerns over the environment have come to the forefront in the production of goods, and Fabricut is doing its part to help care for the environment. Along with their converters, weavers and employees, Fabricut is taking steps to become more eco-friendly.

Environment Plus is a collection of upholstery, drapery and multi-purpose fabrics specifically developed with the environment in mind. In Fabricut's Spring 2008 line, the Environment Plus collection debuts with The Green Project, Sheer Beginnings, Structural Sheers, Crypton - Volume IV, Suede, and Vintage Velvet.

"We have developed attractive, sustainable fabrics to answer the need for eco-friendly products," says David Finer, chief executive officer of Fabricut Inc. "Fabricut is encouraging our employees to recycle their plastic bottles, cans and office paper, and be more mindful of the environment."

Thousands of plastic bottles are recycled each day to construct a plethora of goods, including fabrics. It takes only fifteen 16-ounce plastic bottles to create enough yarn for one yard of fabric. The Green Project is a collection of upholstery textiles created from recycled plastic bottles. The collection includes an eclectic mix of styles, ranging from small-scales textures and contemporary geometrics to large-scale transitional floral. The palettes highlight fresh, bright colors and classic jewel tones. All patterns in The Green Project are produced from 100 percent recycled post-consumer polyester.

Fabricut is also taking recycling a step further. The Green Project book itself will be manufactured using recycled components. This eco-friendly collection is ideal for any dŽcor and interior designer looking to be a little greener.

Sheer Beginnings is a comprehensive, exclusive collection of basic wide sheers. Offering a long colorline, Sheer Beginnings includes a voile, bastiste, organza and innovative netting. This collection provides a sustainable alternative at the window. The current trend, style and color palette of modern architectural drapery design is found in the Structural Sheers collection. This exclusive collection of 124 inch wide sheers is offered in a variety of stripes and textures.

The patterns, in both Sheer Beginnings and Structural Sheers, are produced using strict environmental guidelines under the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 test certifies that a fabric is free of carcinogenic dyestuffs and allergenic dyestuffs creating a skin friendly pH. The converters and weavers of these fabrics strive for optimization of dye baths and use chlorine-free bleaching techniques.

In the fourth edition of Crypton, designers will not only receive the quality stain, spill, moisture, odor and bacteria resistance they know and trust, but they will now also be able to help sustain the environment. A number of patterns included in Crypton - Volume IV are manufactured from recycled polyester. These patterns will have a special Crypton Green logo designation.

Two category color books help round out the first items in the Environment Plus collection. Suede is an exclusive, 86-color, appropriately-titled and updated book. The colorline in Vintage Velvet is fresh and modern with a hint of shine for added flair. Available in 35 colors, Vintage Velvet is exclusive, extremely durable and inherently flame retardant. Both books pass the Oeko- Tex Standard 100 test, and provide residential and commercial designers with eco-friendly suede and velvet, perfect for any upholstery and drapery application.

"As the demand for eco-friendly products increases in the marketplace, Fabricut pledges to be an innovator in the textile industry," adds Finer. "With the launch of Environment Plus, Fabricut is one step forward in creating sustainable textile products for sustainable lifestyles."

Each book in Environment Plus product line will feature a special logo. The lowercase, green "e" with a white leaf inside the letter can be found in the lower right corner of the book and will help designate the fabrics in the book as sustainable to the environment.

The Environment Plus collection will be available to the trade in the Fabricut Spring 2008 line.

Environment Plus - responsible choices, stylish fabrics

Vignettes Makes Eighth Appearance Popular

Collection Includes Trimmings

TULSA, Okla., April 1, 2008 – Fabricut continues to build upon the success of its annual Vignettes series. In Fabricut’s Spring 2008 line, Vignettes – Volume VIII continues with an eight- book, color-driven program containing over 300 skus, which reflect the current market trends. Interior designers rely on this sophisticated, coordinated package to select prints, silks, embroideries, decorative wovens and trimmings.

“The Vignettes books are merchandised for the ease of decorating,” says David Finer, chief executive officer of Fabricut. “Having a variety of patterns together in one book, you can design an entire room from the upholstery to silk draperies.”

Vignettes – Volume VIII’s color books include: Crimson features clean reds to wines; yellow and gold with a hint of tan are found in Gold; in Granite find browns and the classic black and white combinations; Linen features white, ivory, gray and taupe colors; Mineral includes aqua, seafoam, turquoise and slate blue; mid-tone dirty greens to olive are found in Sage; in Spice find rust to orange based reds and brick; and Sweet Coral includes soft corals, peach and rose.

In addition to the beautiful fabrics, coordinating trimmings are found in the back of each Vignettes book. Each color book contains ten trim items, including a wonderfully tailored pleated tape and 1/2” and 1/4” cords on tape. This complete fabric and trim collection allows for even more choices in home decorating and furnishings.