This is the book the interior design world has been waiting for! Since 1929 Scalamandré has been weaving its own exquisite silks, wools, linens and cottons as well as laboriously hand making elaborate and ornate passementerie (trims, cordings, tiebacks and fringes) for some of the finest interiors in the country. Scalamandré has also had the unique role of being the major manufacturer of historical fabrics in the United States, and over the years has woven historically accurate textiles for restorations ranging from the Red Room of the White House to William Morris' home Kelmscott in England. At last, the story of this leading design and manufacturing house is told, and is introduced by personal reminiscences by Adriana Scalamandre (no accent on her name) Bitter, chairman of the board. Visiting high-end homes across the country, designed by a fifteen different professionals, we see the lush, colorful furnishings, draperies, wall coverings and decorative moods that Scalamandré textiles produce. Ranging from Traditional, English Regency Contemporary, Neoclassical and Aesthetic and Cottage styles to Bungalow, Country French and Louis XV elegance, these rooms are rich with color and personality, always touting refinement and elegance. Designers include: Michael Simon, Joan Kruse Rogers, Cass Daley, Melinda Gray, Kent Kiesey, John Rolland, Nancy Serafini, Meredith Moriarti, Carol Knott, Betsy Best, Robert Bitter, and JZ Knight. Three historic homes are featured as well. Brian D. Coleman, M.D., is a practicing psychiatrist in Seattle, Washington. Brian is a graduate of Stanford University and Chicago Medical School. Also an old house enthusiast, Brian has grown his love for historic restoration into an active second career. He is the author of Classic Cottages (see page 00) and has published two books about his home ("Vintage Victorian Textiles", 2001, Schiffer Publishing; "The Victorian Dining Room", 2002, Schiffer Publishing). Brian divides his time between New York, where he maintains an apartment, and Seattle where he lives in a unique Victorian. Dan Mayers is a New York-based photographer whose work appears regularly in Country Decorating magazine's Cottage Style, Country Collectibles and Country Victorian as well as Old House Interiors. His work has been included in such books as the Ultimate Kitchen and has been exhibited both nationally and internationally. In the world of textiles, the name Scalamandre stands out as one of the premier manufacturers of fine fabrics and trimmings in the United States. Since 1929, Scalamandre has been weaving its own exquisite silks, wools, linens and cottons, as well as laboriously hand making elaborate passementerie (ornate trims, cordings, tiebacks and fringes) for some of the finest interiors in the country. Over the years, Scalamandre has recreated historical textiles for restorations ranging from the Red Room of the White House to William Morris's home in England. Herein is the story of this leading design and manufacturing house, introduced by personal reminiscences of Adriana Scalamandre Bitter, chairman of the board. In this first book on Scalamandre is a sampling of exclusive rooms created by today's interior designers using Scalamandre textiles in creative blendings, custom colorways, and sometimes combined with other just-right textiles from top fabric manufacturers. The upholstered furniture is lush, the draperies luxurious, and the custom-colored combinations stunning. An entire section on details features fitted-out lamps, fringed and tasseled ottomans, hand-embroidered valances and many more special treatments centering on the finest textiles available anywhere. From formal French-style interiors to more relaxed country décor, designers pull favorite pieces and colors together to achieve home décor that exudes personality and exemplifies elegance for any taste, whether it be a masculine library or a very feminine bedroom, or sleeping quarters for the family's pedigreed friends. Tour some of the most exclusive and well-appointed homes in America, and experience the lavish and colorful world of Scalamandre. image only Brian D. Coleman, MD, divides his time between Seattle and New York. His articles have appeared in magazines ranging from Old House Journal, where he is the West Coast editor; to Period Living in the U.K. Brian is the author of seven books on the decorative arts, including the recent titles Farrow & Ball and Cottages. Photographer Dan Mayers was the exclusive photographer for several books-Scalamandré, Extraordinary Interiors, Details, and most recently, Dog Palaces. Dan's work appears regularly in Harris Publications Decorating Magazines as well and Old House Interiors and La Vie Claire. Louis XV Elegance Philadelphia Simon designed this fashionable apartment on Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia in 1991. The entire apartment was gutted and the owners moved into a hotel for eight months during the project. The procession through