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Suzani ![Suzani]()
Modern Suzani Fabrics Based on Antique DesignsBesides that fact that they are cheery and bright, one of the things we love about Suzanis is their history. Originally made throughout Central Asia, they come in a myriad of colors and patterns. Almost every family had at least one trademark suzani for their homes. The Uzbek tradition was to give one of these handwoven textiles to brides as part of their dowry. The designs are thought to represent wishes for health, prosperity and maybe even fertility. They are florals of all types which reflects the agricultural nature of places like Uzbekestan where they were so popular. Even before Suzanis got as sought after by decorators as they are today, Westerners who traveled to Central Asia brought them back after trips and treasured them. Our modern day Suzani textile is made in the USA but it has an antique look.
Red and Blue Suzanis: 54” wide fabric by the yard. Woven cotton fabric.
Blue & Beige, Brown & Terracotta Suzanis: Repeat: V: 27" x H: 27".
100 % Cotton.
Made in USA.
Fabric for upholstery, pillows, drapes, sofas, etc.
See also our ikat fabric.
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|  Suzani Red
| | Suzani Fabric Swatch Red
| | |  Suzani Blue
| | Suzani Fabric Swatch Blue
| | |  Suzani Blue & Beige
| | Suzani Fabric Swatch Blue & Beige
| | |  Suzani Brown
| | Suzani Fabric Swatch Brown
| | |  Suzani Terracotta
| | Suzani Fabric Swatch Terracotta
| | |  Suzani Pillows Blue
| |  Suzani Pillows Red
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Suzani Fabric Inspiration
American heiress Doris Duke (1912 -1993) inspired our suzani fabrics collection. Duke visited the Far East on her honeymoon in 1935 and fell in love with the art, architecture and textiles she saw there. She visited the Taj Mahal and other architectural treasures and their memory influenced her home decor. The trip inspired her to build her seasonal Hawaiian home, Shangri La, in Honolulu which was filled with suzani textiles.
Today Duke's Shangri La is considered one of the most important architectural treasures of Hawaii and it is open to the public for touring. Needless to say, I was thrilled to get a call from the intrepid curators of Shangri La who wanted to use our Suzani fabric to make new drapes at the site. The Shangri La website has wonderful information on suzani. | 
An early 20th century suzani from the Bukhara region, Uzbekistan. Photo: Ann Svenson Perlman | Interestingly, homes in Uzbek where suzanis probably originated, had rather plain outdoor facades but when entered had beautiful courtyards where suzanis were hung to decorate the homes. Clearly Doris Duke loved the element of surprise and privacy in the culture she visted. Here's what Duke said about her bedroom at Shangri La: "... in my bedroom, carved cutout marble jails or screens, which were formerly used by Indian princes to keep their wives from other eyes, have a new purpose: they are not only decorative but a means of security, for they can be locked without shutting off the air, and when not wanted can be pushed back into the wall."
You don't have to be a globetrotting heiress to get inspired or to afford pretty decorative fabrics. Use our suzani in your living room for upholstery fabric for a sofa, curtains, slipcovers or drapes. Or make suzani fabric throw pillows for accent pillows. | 
Detail of a suzani showing embroidery stitches. Photo: Ann Svenson Perlman | Our Suzani are the perfect weight upholstery fabric for your living room, bedroom decor, bathroom decor or even kitchen decor. Suzani fabric makes pillows, drapery, upholstery, slipcovers or whatever your home decor needs into interesting decorative accessories.
In your bedroom, use colorful suzani fabric florals to add a light airy look like Doris had in Hawaii. It's always nice to have floral textiles around. Even in the winter, they make a room bright and inviting. Make some suzani pillows, a fabric duvet or a coverlet for your bed and feel like an heiress in your bedroom. |
Images above are from the Doris Duke susani Collection.
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