ROCK SOLID
Designed by Ronel Jordaan in Johannesburg, South Africa, these hand-dyed, -carded and -felted wool pieces are made by women in a job-creation program. Available through The Wooly Thread, (425) 241-7489.
Trend Watch
Felt Fancy
Felt gives us the warm fuzzies. Designers are finding unexpected ways to use the cozy material, often with sustainability in mind. Some of the designs—such as those by Ronel Jordaan—don’t even appear, at first, to be felt. Jordaan works in natural forms; what seem to be rocks are actually felted wool

Comfortable, natural and a pleasure to touch (or to sink one’s feet into), wool is wonderful—especially when it’s felted. In the Pacific Northwest, where the Scandinavian aesthetic is a popular inspiration, wool-covered furnishings have the warmth and familiarity of our favorite friends. What’s more, wool’s versatile, easygoing personality suits our penchant for mixing things up. But for all that we already know and love about this fabulous fiber, the newest designs bring delightful surprises too. From unexpected laser- and hand-cut techniques to sublimely sculpted and chunky handmade forms, this season’s wool and felted-wool furnishings and accessories are taking shape through methods traditional, cutting edge and—more frequently—sustainable. Whether it’s fine merino on a sleek Italian lounger or the handmade charm of a crafty cushion, we can’t resist the cozy, spirit-lifting style of a fabric so warmly—and instantly—felt.



Rug, City Rug in taupe felt, 6.5 feet by 9.5 feet, $1,980 at Seva Home, 900 Lenora St., (206) 323-9920. Basket, Burlington Basket, $53 at City Home Store, 517 E. Pike St., (206) 324-HOME. Chair, Aston Chair by Arper in wool felt, $2,393 at Inform Interiors, 1220 Western Ave., (206) 622-1608. Lampshades, Felt butterfly pendant shades, $98 each at Camelion Design, 5330 Ballard Ave. N.W., (206) 783-7125. Pillows, Flora (on chair) $75, Grid $55, Mariposa $125 and New Beginning $105 at FeltedStyle.com, (425) 890-9759. Throw, Baby alpaca throw, $217 at Tableau, 2220 N.W. Market St., (206) 782-5846. Sofa, Round-d sofa in carmine dark organic wool, $4,580 at Greener Lifestyles, 5317 Ballard Ave. N.W., (206) 545-4405. Paintings, “Spider” series, mixed media on recycled drawers by Tom Albers, $980 each at La Familia Gallery, 117 Prefontaine Place, (206) 903-0627. Blown glass, Large “Halo” bubble bowl, $320 at Viscosity Studio & Gallery, 5720 Rainier Ave. S., (206) 760-1762. Table, Hago Nesting Coffee Table (set of two) in wenge-stained cherry, $2,190 at Seva Home. White stoneware, “Ovo” raku-fired stone eggs by Martim Santa Rita, $60 each at Bitters Co., 513 N. 36th St., (206) 632-0886. Phone, Rewired 1970s vintage phone, $270 at re-soul, 5319 Ballard Ave. N.W., (206) 789-7312.



TAKE A SEAT
Felt stools in Scandinavian wool by Gulassa, available to the trade through Terris Draheim, Seattle Design Center, Ste. P-288, (206) 763-4100.

COOPERATIVE CRAFTS
This handmade felt Kyrgyz rug was created by a Central Asian women’s cooperative. Prices start at $475 for 4 feet by 6 feet at Earthues, 5129 Ballard Ave. N.W., (206) 789-1065.