Northeast Ohio residents have been lucky so far. Temperatures have been above normal and snow shovels are rusting from lack of use. We’ve actually had some sunshine too. However, if you’re like me, your soul needs some flowers. Yes, we can create floral bouquets in vases but it’s just not the same as seeing the flowers in the garden. 

I’d like to suggest another alternative to satisfying that longing. Make a trip to the Cleveland Museum of Art, take the escalator up to the second floor, and visit the exhibit entitled Floral Delight: Textiles from Islamic Lands. You will see a series of wall hangings, bed covers, shawls, and tray covers as well as photos of some gardens that probably inspired some of these textiles. The floral patterns are quite intricate and lovely. All of the textiles were too large to photograph in their entirety so I’ve focused on some of the detail but you need to see the whole thing.

Floral wall hanging or bed cover from 1800’s; Bukhara (Uzbekistan)

Embroidered towel and cover from 1800’s; Turkey

Blossoming Round Cover; 1800’s; Turkey

Eternal Garden Dais or Floor Cover; 1700’s; India (Decca)

Long Shawl with Woven Figures and Animals; c.1885; India, Kashmir

Chintz Door Curtain; c.1900; Iran, Isfahar, Qajar period

Take a good look at the color schemes. Some are very simple – red, green, and white or pale blue, pale pink, and cream. Others use a more extensive range of colors.

Privy chamber wall decoration in Topkapi Palace Harem 1705; Istanbul, Turkey

Let me know what you think of the decoration of the privy chamber walls. I thought they were lovely but they made me marvel at the notion of such beautification for this human process. I guess if you have unlimited money, you can do anything anywhere.

Who knows? Perhaps some of these textiles will inspire you to redesign your garden.