Accessories
Global Textile Icons: Batik
Once worn by Indonesian royalty, this bold-pattern textile now adds a lively, elegant touch to interior designs around the world
Beloved for their bold patterns by tastemakers like Diane von Furstenberg, Jonathan Adler and Nate Berkus (and seen all over their spring decor collections), batik fabrics share the ethnic textile trifecta with ikats and suzanis. Batik originated in Java, Indonesia, spreading and morphing in design as it reached other countries like India, Malaysia, China and parts of Africa. Although the designs and application techniques have changed and modernized to incorporate block-printed batiks for mass production, the wax-resist method of creating batik fabric has more or less stayed the same: Melted wax is painted onto fabric, after which the fabric is dyed, with the parts covered in wax resisting the dyes.
Due to Indonesia's major role in global tourism and the popularity of ethnic textiles in the design world, various iterations of batik fabric have made their way into North America, adding unmistakable splashes of pattern, texture and color to home interiors.
Due to Indonesia's major role in global tourism and the popularity of ethnic textiles in the design world, various iterations of batik fabric have made their way into North America, adding unmistakable splashes of pattern, texture and color to home interiors.
Traditional Bed Pillows
Diane von Furstenberg's gorgeous batik floral beddings are fit for royalty — and history backs that up. The first batik wearers were members of Indonesian royalty and the aristocracy; designs not only revealed one's social class, but regional provenance too.
If you'd like to update your bedroom with a few spring pieces, invest in luxurious batik-inspired bedding, which takes a room from winter blah to spring beautiful in minutes. Although not as intricate or delicate as Indonesian hand-drawn batik, this John Robshaw block-printed set inspired by his travels in India shows how your bedding can be a colorful, painterly canvas.
Concentric Dots Napkins
"Batik" is thought to be a derivative of the Malay word ambatik, meaning "a cloth with little dots." These napkins are a literal interpretation.
Tip: The dotted concentric pattern on these table napkins is too gorgeous to hide with a napkin ring or an intricate fold. Leave each napkin as shown: flat on the surface and folded in half for a background that makes the simplest silverware look elegant.
Tip: The dotted concentric pattern on these table napkins is too gorgeous to hide with a napkin ring or an intricate fold. Leave each napkin as shown: flat on the surface and folded in half for a background that makes the simplest silverware look elegant.
This home office and gym doesn't want its precious wall space cluttered with art, so a batik installation takes to the ceiling.
Here, batik floor-to-ceiling panels add character and global charm to a cool contemporary bedroom. The panels don't overwhelm the room, since the fabrics are in the same color family as the rest of the space.
If you've purchased a fragile or expensive piece of batik that you'd like to protect, don't use it as a cushion cover — display it as art. Here, a modern vintage living room vignette instantly goes global with batik throws and a framed batik elephant.
Batik Printed Pillows
Add a whimsical touch to a staid room by throwing together a few batik-covered cushions in complementary colors and repeating designs.
The more neutral and plain the sofa, the more fun you can have mixing cushion patterns. Just throw a few together and be done with it.
The more neutral and plain the sofa, the more fun you can have mixing cushion patterns. Just throw a few together and be done with it.
"Batik blue" gets its name from the oldest color used in traditional batik making; the color was made from the leaves of the indigo plant.
These batik blue pillows would add an elegant and soothing touch to a dreamy white bedroom; they would also look great in a room inspired by the sea.
These batik blue pillows would add an elegant and soothing touch to a dreamy white bedroom; they would also look great in a room inspired by the sea.
Batik upholstery on a wingback chair is a match made in design heaven. The regal quality, history and sheer surface area of the wingback effortlessly draws out the intricate patterns of the batik fabric.
Nate Berkus Batik Fabric Tray
In the market for a bold, on-trend catchall or tray that's not in the neon family? Opt for this rich, eye-catching mauve batik tray, which can corral items in the entryway or hold a journal and a few delicate pieces on your bedside table.
Jonathan Adler Batik Zebra Dinner Plate
A perfect match for the fearless host, Jonathan Adler's batik-inspired dinner plate would look equally great in a Palm Beach or Southern California home.