Podcast, Episode 81: fabric expert Scott Kravet

Scott Kravet is referred to as ‘the Indiana Jones of the Fabric World.’ As the Executive Creative Director of Kravet Fabrics, it is his job to travel the world and find the best textiles to make the dreams of others come true. Today, he joins the show to talk about his family business and passion for fabrics, what he puts in his own personal house, fabric care, and trends in the fabric world.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

• How Scott and his team travel all over the world to source out the best textiles.
• The wide array of textiles Scott works with in the material, design and time period.
• The different lines that are in the Kravet line, and how the designer collaborations came to be.
• The family story of their passion for fabrics and the vision for generations to come.
• Scott’s role of overseeing a team of 45 people at Kravet.
• How Scott feels about digital printing, the pros and the cons, and how it has improved over the years.
• A glimpse into the process of knowing how the colors will react to get the effect you want.
• A better understanding of getting what you pay for in fabric.
• The artwork, textiles, fabrics and colors Scott uses in his own personal home.
• The digital catalog system Scott works with to keep track of hundreds of designs in their projects.
• Where Kravet’s mills are all over the world.
• Important insider information about rub tests and a performance finish.
• What things we should look for in a fabric, including the option of slipcovers.
• What styles and colors Scott sees trending in the fabric world, and which are fading out.
• The elements of scale, color and motif when working with an antique fabric.

Decorating Dilemmas:

Hi, ladies! Thank you for your advice regarding my last question. I like the idea of a roman shade for that window to help mask it’s small size. I have another question if that’s ok. It’s two fold regarding my ceiling:

1. The ceiling is currently a very dark grey with a lot of brown undertone. I don’t necessarily mind it, but have been wondering if another color would be better. I can’t decide whether to go lighter with the color or stay dark. What color should it be? I thought about a slightly lighter shade than what I used for the back of the bookshelf, but thought perhaps bringing in another pallet, something besides the grey and blue green, might be more interesting? (Side note…I would so love to have closed storage rather than shelves as I homeschool and therefore can’t have only pretty things on the shelves.)
2. The previous owners put in track lighting on both sides of the room and it’s not a good look. I can’t decide how to replace them. Do I replace it with recessed lighting? I don’t feel like I can use a light fixture as it’s on both sides of the room and it would seem off to have 2? I would love to replace our ceiling fan with a beautiful light fixture, but it gets rather toasty in the summer here and my husband would like it to stay. I’ve attached updated pictures of the room as well and would welcome feedback about anything in it really.

Thanks for the podcast. I truly enjoy listening as I go about my day. (A few things to note: the boob light is set to be replaced and the frames around the TV still have the picture they came with sitting in them. My husband and sister are artists and I’m waiting on them to finish the pieces that will eventually be displayed.)

Thanks,

Jacquelyn

Scott and the ladies agree that you can add some nice LED lighting and recessed lighting to brighten things up. Also, you can also add some cabinet doors with hinges on the bookshelf. We like keeping our lights and fans separate, and if you do paint the ceiling, be sure to paint them the same color as the beams. Check out the Carter fan for some inspiration.

Show Notes:

• Caroline’s Buff Beauty rose
• Karen’s Diedra banquette
• Kravet
• Kelly Wearstler for Kravet
• Crypton
• Kravet Fabrics 

Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.

Happy Decorating!

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