It’s been almost a year in the making, but today I can finally share a collection of 44 (!!) patterned fabrics created in collaboration with Robert Kaufman Fabrics! The collection is called Arroyo, and was inspired by the colors and patterns of my life in Los Angeles….
Using Up the Scraps, Part 2 – Mini Quilt Collab
I’ve talked about my commitment to running a environmentally-friendly studio in the past, and I’ve continued to look for ways to improve my no-waste approach to production for Cotton & Flax. I’ve been lucky to find some amazing partners in that effort, including my newest collaborator: Caitlin Topham from Salty Oat!
Caitlin has been creating beautiful wall quilts from Cotton & Flax scraps, and I absolutely love the results. She does a great job of finding the perfect project for even the smallest scraps that I send her.
I love seeing a new piece of art come to life using fabric that would have otherwise been wasted, and her beautiful approach to modern quilting has led to some gorgeous pieces that I’d be proud to display in my home.
Check out the available quilts from our collaboration, and visit the Salty Oat shop to learn more about Caitlin’s work.
Intro to Wholesale for Creative Businesses
I was so thrilled when Craft Industry Alliance invited me to teach an online workshop for their community this month! I presented a hour-long webinar called Ready for Wholesale: Introduction to Wholesale for Creative Small Businesses.
The class features my tips and tricks for selling handmade products to brick and mortar retail shops, and how to grow wholesale clients in a creative business. I love sharing my experiences with fellow creative business owners, and getting the opportunity to teach what I know.
If you’re an artist or maker who wants to sell their work to retail shops, sign up for Craft Industry Alliance, and check out my Intro to Wholesale class! There are tons of webinars on other relevant topics in their archives, but you have to be a member to access them – if you’re looking for a community of makers to connect with, this might be the place for you.
Best Home Decor Books of 2016
I was hoping to share my favorite home decor books from 2016 before the end of the year… but better late than never! These books are just as relevant as ever, and I think you’ll find lots of great decorating tips and interior design inspiration in each of these picks.
Living with Pattern: Color, Texture, and Print at Home by Rebecca Atwood
I love Rebecca Atwood’s painterly prints, and this book was a lovely peek into both her life as a textile designer, as well as a handbook for adding pattern to your home with style and flair. The watercolor illustrations totally charmed me, and I relished seeing photos of her studio and pattern making process.
The real-world examples of homes brimming with pattern were beautiful, and I loved the way she broke down how to decorate with pattern, while still maintaining balance and keeping a room from looking too busy. The DIY projects felt advanced, like upholstery projects and dying fabrics, but I still felt confident that they were achievable — It’s nice change to feel challenged by projects like this, rather than underwhelmed.
Simple Matters: Living with Less and Ending Up with More by Erin Boyle
I pre-ordered this book back in January, because I’ve been a fan of Erin’s blog, Reading My Tea Leaves for quite a while. Her perspective on living minimally, and making thoughtful choices about everything you keep in your home is so valuable. The book is divided into nine chapters, and my favorites were the sections on decluttering, simplifying, and decorating.
Erin’s personal insights on small-space living and conscious consumption were really compelling. We agree that it’s important to adopt sustainable approaches to living, and that those efforts are beneficial to both the environment and our own well being. Her thesis is a powerful one: that “living small” is beneficial and accessible to us all—whether we’re renting a tiny apartment or purchasing a three-story house.
The Finer Things: Timeless Furniture, Textiles, and Details by Christiane Lemieux
This lovely gilded tome is a comprehensive guide to selecting heirloom-quality pieces for your home — the unique, and well made items that imbue enduring style into your home. This desk-worthy reference helps you select, install, and style high-quality decorative elements in your home, from wallpaper, art frames and floors to furniture, fabrics, light fixtures and more.
The World of Charles and Ray Eames edited by Catherine Ince
The more I learn about the Eames’ influence on the world of design, the more I realize the impact they still have on the design world have today. I’m particularly drawn to Ray Eames’ textile designs, and this impressive archive of their work was fun to pore over. The book contains handwritten notes, sketches, and snapshots, as well as beautiful photos of those modern interiors and furniture that we know and love.
What is a trivet, and why do I want one?
One of the products I was excited to debut back in 2014 were the 100% Marino wool felt trivets. The material is so wonderful to work with – thick and luxurious, with super saturated color.
It quickly became apparent, though, that my friends fell into two camps: those who owned and loved a handful of trivets already, and those who immediately asked me, “What is a trivet, exactly?”
Trivets are similar to drink coasters, in that they protect your furniture from heat or condensation. At it’s simplest, a trivet is an object placed between a serving dish and your dining table, protecting the table from water rings or scratches. Trivets have been around for centuries, in both utilitarian and incredibly decorative designs.
I’ve found that trivets can pose as helpful design elements beyond the dining room table. I’ll also use them under a vase of flower or a potted houseplant, protecting my coffee table from scratches. Plus, they come in handy for entertaining – they are just the right size to hold a fresh batch of coffee brewed in my Chemex, or a pitcher of lemonade.
Cotton & Flax felt trivets beautify your table while protecting your table from heat and condensation and preventing scratches. Find our beautifully modern trivets in our online shop!
Featured Stockist: Superior Merchandise Co.
I’m always happy to share new retail shops stocking Cotton & Flax products, and today’s shop is a beauty! Superior Merchandise Co. is part gift shop, part stylish cafe serving specialty coffee, in a beautiful, modern space in Troy, NY.
Superior Merchandise Co. carries our linen tea towels and felt coasters, as well as items from some of my favorite designers: Studio Arhoj, Moglea, and The Greater Goods.
I recently got to chat with owner Felicity Jones about her beautiful retail shop — here’s a snippet from our conversation:
What time of day is your favorite to be in the shop?
I love being in the shop in the morning best – Superior Merchandise Co. in the morning is actually one of my favorite places to be, ever. We have big, turn of the century window boxes that fill our space with incredible light, draping our retail shelves in sunshine. Awash in natural light, some Sam Cooke or Bon Iver playing, sipping on a latte – that’s a pretty magical morning. In these moments I feel very lucky that this is my job. Not only is the lighting/atmosphere the best in the AM hours (and perfect for taking all those instagram pictures), but being able to help get our customers’ days started on the right foot with that first cup of coffee is so satisfying.
How do you hope people will feel when they come in your store?
We like to think that SMCo is great a place to find a bit of focus + mindfulness. Hopefully our guests are put at ease amidst a clean, minimal retail aesthetic, carefully prepared coffees and a friendly greeting.
Why do you love carrying work from independent designers in your shop?
Supporting like-minded
I love indie retail shops like this! They are so much fun to browse as you sip your cold-brew, and pore over the lovely handmade items they stock on their beautifully merchandised shelves. This would be a great place to pick up birthday gifts for friends, or a little treat for yourself.
If you find yourself in downtown Troy, NY, stop by this gem of a shop!
