Choosing a Textile for your Wall 

When choosing textiles for your home remember you do not need to create an entire look, textiles from other cultures can add colour, pattern, texture and exoticism to a western habitat.

Some of the things to consider when choosing a textile for your wall are the size, colour and pattern of the textile: the style of arrangement, the hanging or framing method and possible damaging exposure of direct sunlight. Textiles can also be used to hide architecture flaws, muffle sound and provide privacy. 

In a minimalist room, a bigger more dramatic textile is usually more successful than smaller pieces; a neutral wall makes the perfect background to display something that is dramatic and eye catching.

When displaying more than one piece, it is best to ensure that they are related visually either by, colour, texture, shape or culture.  

A shorter or smaller piece may be more dramatic when it becomes part of a composition of furnishings that could include a table with a vase of flowers in front of the hanging.

Another way of displaying a selection of smaller textiles is to frame them and hang across a section of the wall, either horizontally, vertically or in a block formation.

Long textiles hang well in stairwells.

Please remember that all textile art is truly unique, there is always variation of weave, colour and design in each piece adding quirkiness and individuality to the room.

Displaying the Wall Hanging in your Home 

There are numerous ways to hang wall textile art the simplest is to use a wooden hanger, directly mounted on the wall. 

For more intricate and detailed pieces where the full length of the piece is desired, the creation of a sleeve which is then attached to the top of the piece so that a hanger or baton can be slide through the sleeve before mounting it to the wall. 

If the full length piece is a light fabric the sleeve could be created by making a small fold at the top of the piece then use a fabric tape to secure the sleeve before slipping the hanger through and attaching it to the wall.  

Another option for smaller pieces is to frame between 2 pieces of plexi-glass before mounting on the wall.  

For the larger more dramatic pieces, mounting on a wooden frame would be the most appropriate display method. This method can also be used for medium pieces possibly with a surrounding wood baton.

Hanoi

Hanoi the capital of Vietnam a fascinating blend of east and west, ‘a city with Parisian grace and Asian pace.’ 
While many of the pieces on these pages a crafted by hill tribes, a mosaic of ethnic minorities inhabiting the mountainous region of Vietnam, the purchase of these items was in the wonderful Old Quarter of Hanoi. 

The Old quarter is steeped in history, artisans and craftsmen have set up shop here for generations, exploring and discovering the treasures of the old quarter was fascinating experience. 
I hope you enjoy these beautiful textiles and include them into your home décor   

Vientiane 

Vientiane the centre of culture, commerce and administration for Laos, is a small French Colonial city characterised by broad leafy boulevards, run down colonial mansions with an array of rustic Wats surrounded by coconut palms with a very laid back pace of life. 

Some of the Laos pieces were acquired at the Talaat Sao or morning market in Vientiane an amazing collection of stalls with a wonderful selection of stalls selling a large range of traditional and contemporary textiles. 

The tradition of textile weaving in Laos has been handed down through the generations, preserving the beautiful and expressive nature of their culture. 

Dali

Dali is situated in the northwest of Yunnan Province in China, it is made up of 25 ethnic minorities who have created a unique cultural heritage amidst the areas picturesque surroundings. 

The ancient city of Dali is a walled city, first built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and is characterised by the distinctive architectural style of the Bai people making it one of the most notable historical and cultural cities of China. 

The pieces were all bought within the walled ancient city from small stalls selling unique pieces from the various local minorities.