Client: Flora Street Cafe

Overview

This is a large silk, tapestry-like wall hanging commissioned for the largest wall space in the restaurant. It is a 9ft, 9in. x 28ft. (273 square feet) reverse-appliqué quilted piece done in a color palette meant to compliment other color features in the overall design, as well as the upscale Tex-Mex theme.

Goals

This abstract Colorfield textile design was chosen for its rich, iridescent color and contemporary, painterly composition. The vertical, linear patterning of the lustrous silks create a subtle suggestion of a grand theater stage curtain. The overall horizontal configuration of the piece with horizontal swaths of color allude to the southwest landscape. The title refers to the Trinity River which flows through Dallas near the restaurant's location. The textural quality of the fabric gives it a sense of intimacy, like that of a favorite quilt. Altogether, the rich color, texture, and composition, made in this unique process were intended to create a warm, peaceful, comforting, and intimate visual experience. An important benefit of a large scale, deeply textured piece like this is the acoustic dampening it provides in an large architectural space of hard, smooth surfaces.

Process

The artist, designer, art consultant and client collaboratored on the final design, color palette, and placement of this work in the restaurant.

Additional Information

Flora Street Cafe is a semifinalist for a 2017 James Beard Award for Best Restaurant Design.