Honolulu woman makes tropical vintage bark cloth fabric available online

HONOLULU, Hawaii -- If you�ve decided that your digs look a little drab, read on.

Tropical floral patterns from the 1940s and �50s printed onto bark cloth fabric can make all the difference between an ordinary dwelling and a extraordinary bright, pleasant "retro" home. Decorators around the world, including the continental United States have visited the Website of a Hawaiian woman in an effort to bring back what is possibly the brightest, richest upholstery fabric in American history.

In the otherwise drab, flat period of the post-World War II years, designers turned to vibrant tropical patterns to embellish such colors as "putty", "burnt - orange" and "loden green."

Those pattern-less colors complimented the tone of the era, adding the tropical floral designs made a good contrast. With the return of the home-decor styles of 50 years ago, many designers are again looking to jazz up their schemes.

Nyna Weiser, who�s lived in Hawaii for more than 15 years, has decided to fill the niche. Her site, Barkcloth Hawaii  (www.barkclothhawaii.com) is ideal for either do-it-yourself or professional designer. She�s received testimonials from around the world for her product and service, and recently added upholstery-grade fabrics to the available lineup.

"This fabric was popular during the art-deco era, and had basically become next-to-impossible to find now anywhere," Nyna said. "The art deco hotels in South Beach (Miami) were - and are - full of these vintage patterns, you run into the old fabrics at antique shows but folks are now looking for new barkcloth to work with. There are just a couple of other companies who are offering bark cloth now, but they�re not making many vintage tropical patterns in cotton bark cloth, and their price per yard is astronomical. We see by the response to our site, that the look has become very popular not only in the beach communities but in the upscale markets too."

Reintroducing these vintage floral patterns makes sense for Nyna who grew up in South Miami. Now with the lush beauty of Hawaii as her home, she has the nature of the islands around her as the subject of many of her fabrics. "We introduce new patterns throughout the month, so there is always something new for our visitors to see, we get a lot of repeat customers looking to step up their contemporary vintage decor and folks stop by just to see what's new," explained Nyna.

As an online fifties fabric shop, she understands the importance of being able to see, touch and feel the content of the textiles she sells, she accommodates her customers needs by sending out five free samples to those who ask. With customers as far away as Europe and the Far East, she can�t be everywhere to consult, so she stays in touch via phone and e-mail. "Folks often send us samples of colors they are trying to match up then we send back samples of the vintage motifs that will best match their specific decor. "We get lots of customers from the American Mid-West, New York, Germany, Japan, England and even Switzerland," she said. "Mostly, they�re Baby-Boomers, interior designers, upholstery and architectural firms or seamstresses making things for other people. On the other hand, we�re getting more and more calls and e-mails from the folks who simply recall this fabric from fifty years ago and now want �the vintage look� back in their lives." The fabric was often seen in company with other such "retro" constructs such as rattan, Heywood Wakefield furniture and Aerostream motor homes. The fabric is perfect for the retro decor that is so popular now or ideal for hipsters who want to be just a little out from round.

Texture matters, too. "Originally barkcloth was �nubby� reminding folks of tree bark," says Nyna." which is how it got its name". Our upholstery line feels and looks very authentic, our medium weight barkcloth which folks often use for drapery is not as heavily textured yet has that distinct barkcloth feel to it. All of our fabric is 100% cotton and can be machine laundered, but you may want to dry -clean it to avoid shrinkage."

According to some of the responses Barkcloth Hawaii receives, the fabric is destined for life as curtains, bedspreads, garments, upholstery, handbags and pillows. "Sometimes folks send us pictures of their finished projects, it's fun to see what people are making with it," Nyna said, By reading the comment pages at her website it's obvious her customers are smitten. �Breathtaking,� �gorgeous,� and delightful,� are among the many words used in her customer's feedback.

Nyna is so confident in her business affairs that she�s invited a consumer watchdog to monitor it, and to solicit her clientele for details about their buying experience when they fill out her report card available at Epublic Eye. Recently her site was voted on and given a "Golden Web Award" She gives discount coupons to customers who refer their friends and family and wholesale pricing to anyone who purchases large quantities. Whether you�ve decided to re-dress your digs or just revisit the past, Nyna and Barkcloth Hawaii will be there for you.

"I enclose a little bit of Hawaii in every order," she said," everyone gets a personalized thank-you card and a small gift, we like for them to experience the warmth of the islands, delivered to their door."