Floral is back! And just when I've minimalized the manor, too. Did you know that Liberty of London has teamed up with Target? Yep. You can find fabulous Liberty prints on all kinds of affordable, great quality goodies; kitchen ware, pillows, clothing, umbrellas with cute matching wellies, and even flowery retro style bikes. While I'm not really an ultra floral kind of girl, I do love the occasional lovely vintage print mixed in with my eclectic magpie mix.
Arthur Liberty opened a shop in 1875, in London's Regent Street, selling ornaments, fabric, and objets d'art from Japan and the East. Within 18 months, Arthur Liberty paid back the loan acquired from his father-in-law, and purchased the second half of 218 Regent Street. The store soon became the most fashionable place to shop in London, with it's iconic fabrics used for both clothing and furnishings. Liberty's exotic clientele included famous members of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. They are still best known for their prints and their archives hold over 43,000 designs. Oh-kay, gotta go see what's cookin' at Tar-zhay...
Arthur Liberty opened a shop in 1875, in London's Regent Street, selling ornaments, fabric, and objets d'art from Japan and the East. Within 18 months, Arthur Liberty paid back the loan acquired from his father-in-law, and purchased the second half of 218 Regent Street. The store soon became the most fashionable place to shop in London, with it's iconic fabrics used for both clothing and furnishings. Liberty's exotic clientele included famous members of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. They are still best known for their prints and their archives hold over 43,000 designs. Oh-kay, gotta go see what's cookin' at Tar-zhay...
very cool. i do love all the bright colors...to match the mood of the flowers in spring. have a wonderful day willow.
ReplyDeleteYou can't go wrong with a Liberty print... so long as you don't overdo it!
ReplyDeleteOff to Target I skip ....
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see that the floral look is back! Did not know that Tar-zhay was carrying it! Thanks for the great information!
ReplyDeleteOh how I wish I lived closer to a city or even a larger town that has a Target.
ReplyDeleteTar-zhay for me today too!
ReplyDeleteI fell for the umbrella on my last visit- very pink and flowery and perfect for chasing the grey away.
ReplyDeleteGood fun taking a tour around Target! I always find something I NEED in Housewares!
ReplyDeleteOur Target sold out of the Liberty line in days. I didn't get over there fast enough. Good Luck to all of you. I love flowers.
ReplyDeletestay out of those stores--there is a big bulls-eye stuck on them, and one day the aliens will zap them all...
ReplyDeleteThe pretty stacks of fabric rolls in stores are so appealing. It almost makes me want to start sewing again but I wait for the impulse to go away.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy floral design is making a comeback,I feel it compliments the spring and summer time so well.
ReplyDeleteLiberty's used to be my second home, way back when I lived in London. It's also just by Carnaby Street (if that means anything?).
ReplyDeleteWonderful shop; wonderful history. If you ever find anything in a junk shop marked LIBERTY underneath; buy it. It's worth MONEY.
Bisou, Cro.
p.s. Can I have the phone number of the girl in the boat!
ReplyDeleteOh, gosh, when I need or want something brand new, Target is the BEST source of affordable fabulousness. Liberty is just another example of how good it is.
ReplyDeleteLove love love your post today... it's just lovely!!
ReplyDeleteThanx for your kind comment!!
Agneta ;) the swe.....
LIberty lawns are wonderful fabrics to sew with. The real deal is terribly spendy, but yay for Tar-zhay for bringing those designs to the mass market! The London store is a wonderful emporium of loveliness! I have a tea-cozy that's made of quilted fabric that features the facade of the building!
ReplyDeleteI loved shopping at Liberty when I was in London. Target, here I come!
ReplyDeleteThat´s lovely!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love them. I have already purchased a lamp shade, ties for my husband and file folders. I'd love the bike too only a long gravel road to the main road is too much effort for me.
ReplyDeleteI knew I should have kept those 1975 summer dresses!!!!!
ReplyDeleteTarget is a great place--gotta' love it. And Liberty fabrics are always pretty. I used to have all white couch slipcovers, but I'd make pillows in all different colors and combinations, and change the mood of a room with pillow covers and different drapes, etc. I get tired of it all one way, but now that I'm gone and off to work every day, and I don't see it all as much every day, I don't get as bored as quickly as I used to so I don't seem to change it all as often these days.
ReplyDeleteGreat fabrics for quilting -- I wonder if Target has fabrics?
ReplyDeleteI wonder what Arthur would think about being in Target's.!!! Not big into florals myself, but one of many jobs I had was PR consultant for a luxury condo place in Plymouth, Ma. They had a connection to Laura Ashley, queen of florals, and had a huge condo set up with her fabrics etc furniture etc in it. Her "people" came and did the whole thing, it had to be their way. I cant recall now if she came to visit. What a trip that job was.
ReplyDeleteCro, thanks for the tip on vintage Liberty. I'll keep my eyes peeled. The girl in the boat, hey, that's me, don't you recognize me?!
ReplyDeleteVicki, I don't think Target carries fabric, at least ours doesn't.
Suki, Arthur Liberty would be astounded at the audacity of it all!
Thank you Willow for stopping by at my blog the other day!
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the best,
Virginia
And by the way I will see what's cookin' at Tar-zhay...for sure
ReplyDeleteEverything comes back if you wait long enough. (There's hope for me yet...)
ReplyDeleteLiberty (what a great name!) made florals prints in England circa 1800 CE and now, as of today, is peddling his petals where? "Tar-shay"? No way! Really? Did Arthur Liberty know William Morris? (different time frame? I'll google this!) His prints so light and breezy similar to the post-impressionists; in particular Renoir and Monet. Liberty will undoubtly make "monet" in his rebirth of this floral cache is king if not chintz. Not chintzy; rather classy, a tad more classy than Laura Ashley who may have loved Liberty's wares. I personally love to camo into my hygrangeas. How would one plagurize a flower? I guess even Andy Warhol's lone nasturium is up for grabs. Lets all Sashay over to "Tar-zhay" today! Flower Power being a bonus!
ReplyDeleteWillow, I saw the "Tar-zhay" ads for the "Liber-tay" prints!
ReplyDeleteI, have never been a lover of print "anything"..... but, when I lived in England, did spend a lot of time in Liberty's.... the only things I ever bought (and still have) are a set of ivory porcelain candle sticks, embossed with lilac bands and borders with a myriad of tint golden stars, the planets and a crescent moon... from....(let me look)..."The Hop Kilns", Suckely, Worstershire.... I adore them... Hugs,
♥ Robin ♥
The hospital where I trained as a nurse was about 10 mins walk from Liberty's of Regent St. It was the most wonderful place for browsing. Your post brought back happy memories.
ReplyDeleteYep. In February I ordered a turquoise/blue/green paisley comforter & shams for spring/summer (they are here & look great--first new bed-anything in over 10 years!), 2 new tunics (to wear with jeans or black pants, be careful not to mix too much as someone said up north in the comments), & a wallet for a sister.
ReplyDeleteImportant to note in case no one has said: I ordered as soon as stuff was available & it was the Wild West on the Web.
Had to wait a long time; some things were cancelled & I had to reorder. You can find some things in certain stores but I do not have a car & no patience to Metro around DC to look. So: anyone who sees this: go to the Target site, type in what you want & look to see which store has what. Then go right away.
Bonne chance!
Giulia, thanks for the buying tips! Sounds like the Liberty line is ultra popular, but worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteYes, I almost bought my daughters matching Liberty brand dresses @ Target the other week. They are delightful prints!!!!
ReplyDeleteHow fun is that? I need to make a Target run!
ReplyDeleteWaah! Liberty's I know and love, but what's Target?
ReplyDeleteGot go to Target! When I come here I am in for a few surprises, and a lot of education. Yeah!
ReplyDeleteMe and Liberty...we like to admire each other from a distance. Well, I like to admire Liberty from afar, not sure how it feels about me.
ReplyDeleteIt's just so delicate and lovely, but I don't think I can pull it off. However, I did get to Tarzhay, and purchased a funky blue plastic 60s granny-style Liberty wallet! (I know it was a mouthful!)
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ReplyDeleteI do love bright colors, especially large prints, especially that I can match with my eye shadows. Have always done that...reminds me of the Caribbean, or the tropics ( not that I like sweltering in the heat ). I like being there, in the shade, sipping a nice rum!
ReplyDeleteI hate vogues of things and have already seen every teenager in the district floating around in the hippy prints that have come upon us once again. I'm really not mad on floral anything but I do love all the primary colours that are around now.
ReplyDeleteAs for that model in the boat - how wonderful to look like that.
Hello Willow, the American Target is far superior to the Target in Australia. We don't have half the exciting lines that you carry in the States. I love florals. I have florals on my florals - no such thing as too many flowers. The Liberty prints are wonderful. xx
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw Targets Liberty of London line I truly wished I was at a stage in life where I was still accumulating rather than trying to downsize...beautiful!
ReplyDeleteTwo loves in one place! Liberty and Target!
ReplyDeleteThe prints are really pretty and well done, plus the prices!
I got a great hat for summer, my daughter a precious skirt and boxers for my husband.
Liberty prints have their limits, though, and we just can't all wear them all on the same day!
Enjoy!
you almost got a picture of my new old bike.
ReplyDeleteMarc, I want one of these new old bikes, too!
ReplyDeleteEverythign points back to London, doesn;t it? Deep forlorn sighs. Gosh, why did i ever come here?!!! these patterns are so beautiful. i love them. Love Regent Street too, for th at matter.
ReplyDelete