Weitzner
Lori Weitzner entered the arts program at Syracuse University as an aspiring painter, a path she had dreamed of since early childhood. She credits a professor at the school with redirecting her away from fine arts and toward textiles, where, to her surprise, she discovered the beauty and complexity of working with the materials that embellish our everyday lives and elevate our spirits.
“Fabrics and wallcoverings are the soul of a space”
With the time-old tools of colour, texture, and pattern, Weitzner ltd was formed, creating materials that engage the senses and evoke curiosity, calm, and beauty.
The Weitzner studio, known as the “white box sanctuary” is located in downtown Manhattan. In this light and bright studio, the Weitzner design team transform inspiration into materials that challenge our perceptions of what a product can be. They are all artists, with almost every design originating from hand.
Every product begins with an inspiration. A glimmer of an idea might come from a museum exhibition, a book in Weitzner’s beautiful library, a store window on Madison Ave, or the sleeve of a well-loved coat. Every season, Weitzner venture outside the city on a field trip to take in fresh sites and commune with nature. From their travels, they share pictures, artifacts and musings that open their minds to new possibilities.
Back at their white box sanctuary, the team are allowed the unique opportunity to explore these ideas in material form. This could mean spending a day drawing, painting, making stencils or collaging torn paper. Someone might fire up their sewing machine or turn the kitchen into a darkroom to make prints. These explorations become the start of a product - the potential is truly endless.
From these initial workings Weitzner then collaborate with sources large and small from all over the world, from a historic mill in Italy to a grassroots operation in the mountains of Nepal. Weitzner think macro and micro, delving into the details of colour, material and construction. Balancing practical elements with aesthetic concerns, they bring products to market that are beautiful, functional, and imbued with a sense of soul.
In this brand focus we will delve a little deeper into the wonderful world of Weitzner Fabrics. Alongside their signature fabric designs Weitzner broaden design capabilities with unique perspectives such as handmade, Perform and Indoor + Outdoor.
Handmade
Committed to preserving the time-honored techniques and artistry of those who make a product by hand. With every intention that these skills will not merely survive, but thrive, Weitzner work with artisans around the world to provide a contemporary marketplace for their soulful products.
Origami
Valentina
Perform
A category devoted to products that incorporate special materials, finishes, and constructions to exceed standards of durability and performance while maintaining Weitzner’s signature aesthetic and commitment to luxury, beauty, and innovation.
Indoor + Outdoor
Designed to enhance interior and exterior spaces alike. Weitzner bring their keen eye for colour, pattern, and texture to fabrics that will endure the elements and offer timeless sophistication to any environment.
Windsor / Richmond / Veranda
Pinwheel
Environmental
To help their clients make informed environmental choices, Weitzner has identified products in their line that may contribute toward LEED credits.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building standards have become increasingly important as guidelines for designers and architects since their inception in 1998 by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Certification is awarded to buildings based on the overall materials and practices used in the project.
Under the LEED Commercial Interiors (CI) rating system, textiles and wallcoverings fall into the Materials and Resources (MR) credit category.
ALTFIELD APPROVED - THE WEITZNER FABRICS EDITION
staff favourites
William, our MD, loves: Simone
“I like the layered textures; it has a very metropolitan almost sculptural surface”
Rodell, our Showroom Manager, loves: Channels
“Pleated wool - graphic and structured. It’s beautiful upholstered or as cushions”
Lorenzo, our Sales Executive, loves: Memory
“I love the simplicity of the raised quilted texture on a heavy-duty velvet, Block Island is the best colour!”.
Elissa, our Sales Executive, loves: Peregrine
“The fil coupe technique gives the fabric incredible movement that’s ideal for drapery. Its double width makes it perfect for a bed throw too”
Fi, our Sales Executive, loves: Hana
“I love the movement and texture created by the digital print on a luxurious velvet… timeless and will add depth to both a contemporary or classic design”
Michelle, our Sales Manager, loves: Adelaide
“I love the movement in this embroidery created by the subtle shifts in colour”
Katherine, our PR & Marketing Executive, loves: Trapeze
“I love the pattern and texture created by the raised structure of this fabric”
Emma, our PR & Marketing Manager, loves: Gainsborough
“A beautiful wool/linen blend, I love the soft muted colour giving an antiqued feel.”
Ode to colour
For a bit of quarantine entertainment why to take Ode to Colour Analysis: Created by Lori Weitzner these eighteen engaging questions will guide you to the colour world or worlds that will best suit your home and work interiors and enhance the way you live.
