Global Textile Icons: Batik

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.

"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.

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 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.

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.

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.