I would consider that a Jacobean floral. To me, it's a classic.

It reads beautiful to me!

I like the print, but I think it could go either way depending on what you do with it and what you put with it. If these are to be curtains, then don't pull out the lighter blues/greens as a solid color for the sofa, walls or other large pieces in the room. Focus on the neutrals and it will be more current.

dixiedo-

It doesn't read 70's at all to me, it's very classic and safe, it's not going to look like it came from one specific decade IMO. I've never heard of Helen Roper, so I can't comment on that.

Good luck-

sandyponder

It looks dated to me but who cares if you like it?
I grew up with that fabric all over the place and don't care to revisit it :-)

To me, a current Jacobean look would have a more hand block look to it and a textural fabric, like linen with slubs.

The colors are late 70s. The pattern is mid 90s. The combo, if used correctly, should be quite nice. Mrs. Roper should be so lucky.

LOL @ Sandy Ponder: Helen Roper was a character on Threes Company =)

Here is a picture that the colors are truer to life (I wanted to post the pic with the ruler first so you could see the scale ):

I plan on doing the walls in SW Sawdust, a greenish-brown neutral. I really dig the largeness of the graphics =) The rest of the furniture is neutral (brown chenille right now, but its 10+ years old and will be replaced soon)

I don't think it's dated, I think it's very beautiful.

It looks like traditional style to me, and something you could live with for a long time. I am familiar with the sawdust color - I was going to paint my kitchen cabinets in that color but decided to go lighter. It looks like it would go nicely and pop againest the sawdust. Kind of an earthy vibe - and I mean that in the best way - I think of that as a comfortable look that is nature inspired.

I think it's very classic. Classic never goes out of date ...

I don't think any pattern looks dated. It's the way it is used. If you accentuate this with crisp whites, deep chocolates and accents of the blues and greens it will look very current. It's a beautiful soothing pattern. I'd focus on bringing in a lot of Nature based things to go with it.

Not Helen Roper

LOVE IT Palimpsest =) I actually dressed up as Helen Roper this past Halloween! Love her, but don't necessarily want to be her in 2011 ;o)

Thanks everyone... I think I Am going for it!!

@ Katrina Ellen and Tugsmomma: That is the precise vibe I am trying to create. Very earthy, calm, yet bold enough to get noticed, KWIM??

Ditto Pam...timeless. :)

As others have said, a classic jacobean floral that will NEVER equate with Helen Roper! Lovely colors.

I love it...my only concern for you is the application you'll be using it for. If the print is that big, it may be too big for just a valance. If you're going to use it for drapes, I think it would work beautifully.

Lukki: I will be using for for valances, but also, in the adjacent family room, for 8 110" drapes. I think it will work???!!!

DH is down with it, but I am still waiting for one more fabric sample- going in a completely different direction of monochromatic wall/drapes, neutral furniture, and accents with accessories/art.

Yeah, I would think so if you have it in a couple of different spots. The pattern on the fabric I want to use in our kitchen/dining room is larger as well. My mom is an amazing seamstress so I sent a picture of it to her for feedback. Her comment was perfect for larger treatments, pattern may be too big for valance, so that's why I brought it up.

@ Lukki: That makes perfect sense (and I'm sure your Mom knows her stuff!!)! Still sitting on the fence, waiting for the other sample to arrive.... The fact that we are thinking of listing our house next year isn't helping matters, I think the people in my area play it too "safe" to fall for my crazy drapes LOL! Maybe I need to save them for the "new" place??

I just bought (for me) a very expensive area rug in those same colours for our sitting area off of the kitchen. The pattern is a little bigger and a little more spread out.
It had better not be outdated or Mrs. Roper. (Do you remember her voice? - classic - what a character.)

The rest of the area is neutral.

VERY classic! I looked up the jacobean that clt, bumblebeez, and les referred to and (maybe some of you already know this)it refers to the period of the reign of James I of England- 1603-1625.

Just thought you might think that was interesting- and I think it's very beautiful, btw

Oh boy Dixie, if you're moving and you love this fabric, I don't understand why you wouldn't save it. A year is not that long to wait.