Flamestitch or Florentine stitch, not to be confused with zig zag, is believed to be originated in Hungary as Hungarian stitch or embroidery. The design that is as old as you can imagine was first found and created as embroidery, which was called in Italy Bargello Arts Stiching, hence the Bargello chairs. It consists in straight up and down uneven zigzag resembling flames. Back in the 1600’s Anne Fettiplace, wife of Walter Jones, had a bedroom and closet ” The Fettiplace Closset” in the Chastleton House, Oxfordshire covered completely in Flamestitch. Mary Mcdonald anyone? You see how nothing is really new?
Flamestich pattern became huge in the 70’s and it’s the type of pattern that can either be hated or loved, no middle ground here. David Hicks was a fan, as is Mary Mcdonald today.
Splendid Sass
I love flamstitch, Julie! So happy that it is back.
Teresa
xoxo
Bourbon&Pearls
Ah so the typical Missoni pattern is flamestitch? I love learning things like this!
Anna@MyDesignEthos
I think I'm in the middle ground! I love some of these examples, I think Mary McDonald's closet is pretty but I don't like the darker, more complicated versions of the pattern. I love posts like this, I did one of a typical furniture arrangement of the Baroque era http://mydesignethos.blogspot.com/2011/06/style-influences-from-past-baroque-era.html. It's true – nothing new is every really new!
Callie Grayson
I am really loving the flamestitch!
great post, love learning new things!!
xx
callie
under spanish moss
What a beautiful collection of flamestitch pictures and I love the mural on the walls.
Hope your wednesday was wonderful!
XO,
Renee and Angela
The Aestate
Love it. Right on about nothing being really new. Looking through my vintage design books I see it all: sunburst mirrors, faux bamboo, chinoiserie, you name it.
mydeco
Like some of the bright colours, not too overpowering but bold enough to brighten up the room and bring character to the room thanks for posting these!