Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1405910
ART + DECORATION T h e n a m e A l f r e d Shaheen may not ring a bell, but his Hawaiian shirts are among the most recognizable in the world. Shaheen, who lived in pre-statehood Hawaii, adapted native designs from Hawaii, the South Pacific, and Asia onto textiles, which he turned into aloha wear. His aloha shirts were produced during the '50s and '60s and became hugely popular; it's hard to imagine an Elvis beach movie without the star wearing some version of the shirt. Shaheen's originals are now highly collectible and the subject of museum exhibitions. In 2012, the U.S. Postal Service even issued four postage stamps depicting his famous shirts. Now Dallas designer Brenda Houston has bought the licensing rights to Shaheen's designs, which she's interpreted into 13 wallcoverings. Printed on grasscloth, linen, E arlier this year, Kelly Hardage retired from Culp Associates, just one year shy of the showroom's 50th anniversary. Known as one of the nicest guys in the industry, he helped open the multi-line showroom in Dallas in 1972 with founder Walter Lee Culp — a Houston showroom opened in 1974 — and after a hiatus that included architecture school, Hardage returned in 1992 as president of the company. He purchased Culp in 2004. Hardage's departure is the end of an era, but it's also the start of something exciting. His longtime friend, interior designer Karen Rogers-Still — the granddaughter of Mary Kay Ash — purchased his shares in Culp, and as CEO she runs the business with Cammie Marrs and Jessica Salmons, both vice presidents and partners in Culp. "We have some exciting plans to move Culp forward," Rogers-Still says. New rug lines have been added in Dallas and Houston, such as Retorra, which offers artisanal quality at a reasonable price and faster turnaround time. Accessories are always in big demand for finishing interiors projects, so they're working with vendors including Gregorius Pineo and Dennis & Leen to beef up a varied supply. The recent addition of textile brands (Italy's Dedar, New A NEW ERA York's Zak+Fox) has brought in new clientele, says Marrs. They'll continue to nurture longstanding brands, including de Gournay wallpapers and Colefax & Fowler fabrics and wallpapers, both in London, and venerated New York textile brand Clarence House, which has been with Culp since it opened. Culp Associates, Decorative Center Houston, 5120 Woodway Dr., culpassociates. com. RS HAWAIIAN PUNCH Alfred Sheehan Chrysanthemum wallcovering Retorra rugs at Culp Chrysanthemum Birds of Paradise and woven linen, they come in Shaheen's original colors, along with updated hues. Alfred Shaheen Wallcovering Collections, from $102 per roll, four yard minimum, at brendahouston.com. RS Alfred Sheehan 84