Brit Kleinman of AVO

My name is... Brit Kleinman.

My company is... AVO.

I am the... Founder and Creative Director.

I make/design/create... Handpainted leather goods.  My flagship product is the full hide painted rug but I also make pillows and clutches. I like to fully explore one material and see what I can create with it,  and right now that material is handprinted leather.  I was first inspired by a trip to New Mexico where I experienced the hide painting by Native Plains Indians and their handprinted bags known as parfleche.  I then looked at a lot of different cultures that had this technique and I decided to modernize it.

Something you need to know about me is... I like to get my hands dirty.   Although I previously worked in the design field in different capacities, I wanted to work with my hands again.  I wanted to make things.  I think I function best as a designer when I actually touch the materials.

You first knew you were a creative type when... It seems like I always knew it. Certainly, from a very young age.  I come from a creative family and as a child I spent endless amounts of time in art classes and doing crafts.  Creativity is in my blood.

Here is how the company came to be... It all started with a college trip to Gautemala in 2006. While visiting and working with the textile artists in the Chichicastenango market, I was struck by the fact that design and culture were one and the same.  The name "AVO" comes from a vivid memory I have of a man carrying a huge sack of avocados in a string bag in that market. While that might seem mundane, it made me realize that different cultures used products and materials in their own unique way and fostered my anthropological way of thinking about design. I want to know what the back story behind all of my designs even if it isn't apparent to others.

My absolute favorite thing I sell right now is... My full hide rugs and I love the rugs and pillows I am doing in indigo resist patterns.

Here is a sneak peek of something I am working on right now... I am playing with leather tiles for interior spaces.  I see them as wall tiles, perhaps as a wainscot.

I am most proud of... Finally taking that first leap to start my own business, after years of thinking about it.

I really detest... Bookkeeping!

I could never have done it without this person... Definitely my Mom, Sherry Kleinman, who herself is a textile artist. She first showed me that a creative passion could have a large role in your life.  Also my husband because he is so supportive of my passions and taking the risk to start my own business."

I constantly read these for inspiration... I don't read! I just look at the pictures.

That said, I do like to leaf through Damn Design Magazine and Surface Magazine, and I sometimes go down the rabbit hole of the interwebs.  I have two books, Patricia Rieff Anawalt's The Worldwide History of Dress, and Jean-Philippe and Dominque Lenclos' Colors of the World that are staples in my library, but I am a visual person. In fact I don't measure when I create my product, I just eyeball it.  

I would like to share the limelight with... My longtime art mentor David Limrite, who is a fabulous artist in his own right and always pushes his students to enjoy the process of creating. 

IMAGE CREDITS // PIctures of Brit's mom and her art from Brit.  Pictures of David Limrite and his art from Outside the Lines blog. All other images by Lynn Byrne, all rights retained.

EDITOR CREDIT // This post was developed and written by guest editor Lynn Byrne.

LuRu Home

Hi. Our names are... Claire Russo & Liza Serratore

Our company is... LuRu Home

We're the... Claire: I’m the New York half; Liza: I’m the Shanghai half

We make/design/create... LuRu Home crafts traditionally-dyed textiles that are relevant to a contemporary way of living. For the past three years, we’ve worked with indigo hand-dyed cottons printed outside of Shanghai, China. Nankeen soy-paste resist dyeing is a 3,000 year-old technique which remains, today, sustainably produced by hand. It’s our mission to support the artisans who print our fabrics by bringing patronage back to their craft through our line of textiles and accessories for the home. A fondness for Chinese motifs underpins our work as our collection evolves.

Copyright 2014 | Talent - Chad Ingraham | Music - Onra

Something you need to know about us is... Claire: I collect miniature things (tiny lucky-cricket cages, petite cooking utensils, baby porcelain bowls....); Liza: I love insects and oriental carpets 

Here’s how this company came to be... Old friends who ended up in Asia, we convened in Shanghai in the fall of 2010. Shanghai truly is the Paris of the East, a city of 22 million where traditional culture, art-deco internationalism and modern commerce collide. Nankeen indigo fabric was a diamond in that rough, and we found our niche updating traditional Chinese design.

Our absolute favorite thing we sell right now is... Claire: Our Dot Dot Dot yardage, where East really meets West. The dots were extracted from a more elaborate, traditional Chinese pattern, and reconfigured in the most playful of all Western motifs; Liza: Flower dinner napkins; growing up with a chef-dad, this is where my worlds collide. The juxtaposition between our graphic, bohemian Flower print and the formality of a cloth napkin is a bold treat. 

Here’s a sneak peek of something we’re working on now... And that is launching TODAY! Several years, and many cups of green tea later, we’re launching a color yardage line to bring our Nankeen fabric and Chinese design aesthetic to a wider audience. We’ll be screen-printing our yardage by hand using water-based dyes here in the US. 

We’re most proud of... Learning first-hand how East meets West. Whether speaking (choppy) Mandarin with our artisans, or presenting our products to interior designers in New York City, we’ve created cross-cultural links for LuRu Home’s friends the globe over. 

“Who says you can’t have your mooncake and eat it too?”

— Claire + Liza, LuRu Home

We really detest... The the assumption that Made in China is bad. Our authentic Nankeen textiles are Proudly Made in China by hands which have printed it for generations. Our new yardage line will be Proudly Made in America. Who said you can’t have your mooncake and eat it too?

We could never have done it without this person... Liza: Our team on the ground in China. They’re my family here, picking me up at the airport when I arrive, inviting me to their own family celebrations, and cooking Dragon Boat Festival treats for me.

We consistently read these for inspiration... Claire: House Beautiful, National Geographic, Popular Mechanics, Architectural Digest, Tokyo Jinja; Liza: Here in Wild Wild East, most of my reading is digital due to distance; snail mail takes six weeks and hard copy subscriptions cost a fortune. I can't get enough of Of a Kind's 10 Things weekly email, which is full of quirky and helpful links that remind me of home. I really enjoy Stanford's Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders podcast. There's no end to inspiration in Shanghai itself. Between its Art Deco abundance, markets galore, and street food on most corners, I'm a happy camper. Sometimes it is good to be a bit isolated from design trends, as you have space to let your own ideas brew. 

We would like to share the limelight with... Amanda Pickens. She was our first pal in Shanghai, a creative force who supported LuRu's dreams, and an incredible graphic designer and photographer in her own right.

---

Steve McKenzie

Hi. My name is… Steve McKenzie

My company is... steve mckenzie’s

I’m the… Principal Designer

I make/design/create… First and foremost, I am an artist. Before I start on large paintings, I do studies in walnut ink to help me zero in on what it is I’m trying to achieve. The brushstrokes of these walnut ink studies are also the basis of my fabric collection. My textiles have also given me an opportunity to design an upholstery collection and a bag collection. In addition to these collections, steve mckenzie’s is also a full service interior design firm operating out of our Atlanta showroom.

Something you need to know about me is… I love to cook especially for a large group. I will attempt about any dish. One of my specialties is homemade wings. When our son was playing high school lacrosse, he would regularly show up late night with about a dozen friends looking for their fourth meal. I was happy to jump into action and make a batch of spicy wings.

Here’s how this company came to be… In January 2012, after working corporate jobs for 30 years, my wife, Jill, and I made the leap to exit that arena and begin making plans for steve mckenzie’s. I always wanted to design a fabric collection and it was time. First came the fabric, which naturally became ingrained with our love of interiors and entertaining, and next thing you know, there we are with a showroom! Everything that’s followed has been born from the creative freedom you enjoy (most of the time!) when running your own business.

My absolute favorite thing we sell right now is… My Walnut Loop on Flax Linen Fabric is a current favorite. As I shared earlier, I paint using walnut ink, and this particular pattern/colorway comes closest to the original brush strokes of those studies. I’ve been painting for years and could always picture what this fabric would look like - this pattern is just like realizing a dream. I smile every time I see it used.

Here’s a sneak peek of something we’re working on now… We are in the midst of finalizing patterns and colors for an outdoor fabric collection, which we’re very excited about. It should be available mid-summer this year. Pictured is one of the patterns based on the stripes of French linens but in my own, unique brushstrokes.

I’m most proud of… We relish in the priceless reactions people have when stepping into our showroom for the first time - they usually get a big smile on their face and say “I love it.” Typically, a conversation ensues about how much they appreciate our use of color and how refreshing it is to see so much of it in one place. As an artist, designer, and retailer, this is when I know we’re doing something right; when someone responds and reacts to the work put out there.

I really detest… The accounting and paperwork can be a real grind for me. I understand how imperative it is, but for me, all I can think about is how I’m not creating something at that time, which is what I love to do most!

I could never have done it without this person… I couldn’t have made this professional – and often times, personal - leap without Jill, my wife of 30 years. She is not only my partner for life she is also my partner in business. Every product I design, every painting I create, she is there to give critical input. I know she always has our best interests at heart and will be honest, even if it can be painful at times. Plus, I would not have time to create if she were not helping run the business and sell our products; she’s amazing!

I consistently read these for inspiration… I get inspiration from so many sources.  I am a visual learner, so any great photography inspires me. My favorite Magazines for inspiration are: Côté Sud, Vogue Living Australia & Wallpaper. I also need my monthly fix of Garden & Gun - I love the way they celebrate the new, modern, southern lifestyle from all dimensions. A favorite blog is Freund von Freunden out of Berlin, their interviews and interiors of creatives from all over the world are fantastic! And, I so appreciate the hour-long mixtapes they have guest DJ’s do - they are always inspiring, especially in the studio. Pinterest and Instagram can also act as fuel for my creative side.

I would like to share the limelight with… I would take great pleasure in sharing the limelight with Verde Home by Laura Walker. Laura is an amazingly talented designer; the custom rugs they offer through their showroom, Verde Home, are truly incredible. They can help you realize your own designs, or you can even customize some of the patterns Laura has designed and end up with your very own beautiful, high quality, unique rug.

IMAGE CREDITS | All images provided by Steve McKenzie except showroom image via Lonny.

Carla Stolper

Hi. my name is… Carla Stolper

My company is… CFMichaels

I’m the… Owner, CEO, Scout, Designer, Editor, Photographer

I make/design/create… CFMichaels is a new online boutique offering a curated collection of vintage textiles, art and storied home accessories. We’re on the ground, based in Thailand, hand sourcing unique and beautiful pieces and the authentic works of generational artisans across SE Asia. Our inventory consists primarily of one-of-a-kind items so will continually evolve.  Services may soon add to the mix.

Through the blog, we plan to contextualize the products we offer by pairing them with design trade favorites, and by showcasing this corner of the world and our good-life finds from a design and travel perspective.

Something you need to know about me is... I grew up with music in the house most every day, would most likely take music over a book to a deserted island. I take my playlists very seriously. To some of my guests’ delight and others’ chagrin, I have a tendency to break out the disco. Sometimes the setting is inappropriate and I have to fight the urge, even when I’m convinced more dancing less talking is the way to go.

Here’s how this company came to be... Essentially I decided that I couldn’t move around the world again without building something from this unique opportunity I have.  I wanted to somehow leverage my years of global living and travel and combine that with my longtime love of interiors and the hunt for beautiful things.  It didn’t take long after arriving in SE Asia to see that the region is rich in remarkable things - it was the right place and the right time.  So with that, a design sense, and both travel and the “art of acquisition” second nature, I needed a portable venue.  Letting go of the notion that I could create a website on my own and hiring professionals to develop an e-commerce site really transformed the process and the momentum.  Although we’re infants, I love what we’ve introduced and I’m excited to see how we evolve.

My absolute favorite thing we sell right now is… I love the patina and leopard-like pattern of this Nepalese singing bowl.  And the long history and noted benefits of these bowls is so intriguing.  They’re made of seven metals representing seven planets, and, as the story goes, their sound and shape connect to the chakras in the body.  But it’s also just a great looking piece. I also think the vintage Javanese children’s tops are so fun – I love the global vibe they’d add to a nursery or playroom and the stories you could share and imagine.

Here’s a sneak peek of something we’re working on now… Traveling across Thailand and other countries here in SE Asia I always have one eye on textiles.  I’m currently slicing and dicing and combining the pieces I’ve amassed to create some “CFMichaels exclusives.”  It’s an exciting endeavor with loads of creative potential.  Stay tuned.

I’m most proud of… That I’ve seen it through and can now see something tangible after years of daydreaming. I just want to enjoy it and every opportunity that hopefully unfolds.

I really detest…The business of business.  I’m a slight overachiever in the organization department, but spreadsheets and numbers and overall admin send me reeling.

I could never have done it without this person... Hands down my husband. There are some people in this world who just seem to get it, on every level. He’s the smartest, most supportive and selfless person I know. He’s both indulged my whims and shown me the way more times than I can count.  Although I may be quick to profess I had the fortitude to do it all on my own, not so.

I consistently read these for inspiration… Cloth & Kind (...why thanks, Carla! xx K&T), Quintessence, and I still love a hardcopy - Elle Décor, Arch Digest, House Beautiful,Veranda, T&C, my library of design books and new ones that come on the scene.

It’s a departure from design, but I have to add biographies.  I’m really motivated by stories of people who have an unimaginable capacity for endurance and will to persevere when faced with extreme challenges or adverse conditions or the gravity of a situation. They provide such perspective and a “whew!” moment of clarity, not to mention a profound appreciation for things.

I would like to share the limelight with… Ellie Edelhoff is an American photographer living here in Thailand whose work deserves recognition on a larger stage.  She has such a gifted and creative eye and captures such arresting truths about people and the spirit of places in her images, which span India, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and SE Asia.  We’re happy to say CFMichaels offers a couple favorites in our introductory collection, but you can also purchase and see the full range of her work at ellieedelhoff.smugmug.com.

IMAGE CREDITS | All images provided by Carla Stolper of CF Michaels expect the last, which is photography by Ellie Edelhoff.

Katharine Kidd

Hi. my name is… Katharine Kidd Shippey

My company is… Katharine Kidd

I’m the… Designer

I make/design/create… I design a women's ready-to-wear collection, including cocktail dresses and day to night separates.

Something you need to know about me is… I grew up believing that it was important to give back and do something that helped other people.  Both my father and my grandmother were big community organizers.  It was this feeling of giving back that lead me to get a masters in Special Education.  But I had always loved fashion and in my 30s I shifted my lens toward this direction. I began to see that if you do something you love, you’re also serving others; you’re developing relationships and building trust. You realize quickly you can’t do it alone.

Also, I love to write.  I am now working on my second book (fiction). It is just something I enjoy doing, not something I am necessarily talented at, but it just helps me process life and stay grounded. It’s a great mental escape!

Here’s how this company came to be… About 5 years ago, I apprenticed under a veteran couturier in Santa Barbara.  She taught me the foundations of fashion design beginning with fashion illustration and proceeding through the various steps of creating a garment: draping, pattern making and sewing. I worked in this way for a few years, designing one-of-a-kind pieces, experimenting with fabrics and detailing. An interior designer stumbled upon the scene (I was draping these mannequins in my house) and told a friend in New York in the fashion industry and ultimately he came to Santa Barbara and helped launch the line.

My absolute favorite thing we sell right now is… With the fall collection we’ve introduced a custom print and I’m crazy about it, especially on the multi-paneled Alina dress (below). The Charlotte blouse with pleated cap sleeves in this same rose print has been our top seller. There is a pleated coat that is also very special!

Here’s a sneak peek of something we’re working on now… We have modified our print from fall by altering the color palette, as well as added another one that evolved from sketching the outline of our rose print. Creating custom prints is like making art and is one of the best ways to guarantee that your designs are unique.

I’m most proud of… I am really proud that we are self-financed, and that along with my husband, we have started this from the ground up.  It has been challenging to be responsible for so many other aspects of brand growth outside of the designing but we have a great team who are loyal and hard working.

I really detest… A real challenge is when you put a lot of time into a design and for whatever reason it just does not work out, and you have to end up letting it go.  It can be really disappointing and feel like a "failure", but I have now found editing easier knowing these pieces may be reinvented by using a different fabric or changing a small detail and end up feeling right.

I could never have done it without this person… I absolutely could not have done this without my husband, Crawford.  He is the company President and CEO and handles most of the business but he has also given me emotional support when it comes to the challenges that arise during the creative process.

I consistently read these for inspiration… Favorite blogs - Man Repeller,Fashionista, The Coveteur. I have subscriptions to all the main fashion magazines and also take monthly trips to the magazine stand to peruse editions from around the world. I still like the joy of turning down the pages in a magazine.

I would like to share the limelight with… Monika Knutsson. We carry her Gilded Lace jewelry in our store.  Monika started her career in Paris working for Isabel Marrant.  She has a true artistic vision with her brand. She takes vintage lace and dips it in gold, and silver. Each piece is hand made and there is a story that goes with each lace that is used.  She is also a great person.

Clay McLaurin

Hi. I’m… Clay McLaurin Todd Piercy

Our company is… Clay McLaurin Studio

We’re the… Clay: Creative Talent Todd : Numbers Genius

We make/design/create… Clay McLaurin Studio is a line of printed textiles for interiors.  Each pattern is painted by hand then printed onto beautiful Belgian linen or 100% cotton fabrics.  The collection is inspired by our travels and love of nature whether it be an object found on the coast of Maine or a textile technique learned while visiting Japan, to the tranquil hillsides of Spain.

Something you need to know about me is… Clay: I am a nature admirer.  I love taking walks through gardens, exploring woods or hiking a mountain.  I am constantly mesmerized by the beauty of our natural world.

Todd: I’m a closeted mixologist. When I'm home and find time behind our bar, I transform into this Mad Scientist of molecular libations. The drink of the moment?  The 316: The Botanist Gin, Lime, Absinthe and a good quality tonic.

Here’s how this company came to be… Clay:  Todd and I both have southern roots so when we moved from our NYC digs back to the South we realized this was a perfect opportunity to start the collection.  Ever since I studied fabric design at the University of Georgia. I've always wanted to own my own textile line.  Over the years, I've been collecting ideas and information from various jobs I've had until one day I realized I'm not getting any younger.  Both Todd and I bit the bullet, and we haven't looked back.

My absolute favorite thing we sell right now is… Clay:  This is a hard one as everything still feels so new, but if I had to choose, I would choose one of the patterns that surprised me most, Wave in Tahoe.  For many months I saw a small 8"x8" piece of this fabric.  Recently I was able to view 3 yards of it, and I was blown away by the movement, scale and color - something I didn't notice when looking at such a small swatch.  It's been a lot of fun to see the yardage for each fabric.

Todd: I am really surprised the impact Medallion has when it is printed in yardage. On a trip to visit our sewer, he had 5 yards in Peony rolled out on the table. That was the first time I saw this design, and it was a moment I won’t forget.

Here’s a sneak peek of something we’re working on now… Clay: We're currently working on a custom design for a client and we're calling it Weeping Willow.  We'll be adding it to our line soon.  We named it Weeping Willow as it brought back a childhood memory of mine.  When I was about eight, I "married" a friend of mine under the neighbors weeping willow tree!

I’m most proud of… Clay: The fact that we're doing this together and making it happen!  It's been a long time coming… Todd: Watching our ideas and thoughts come to life.

I really detest… Clay: Stapling tags to memos! Todd: Wasting fabric! What do you do with 3" strips of beautiful textiles?

I could never have done it without this person… Clay:  I have to say my grandmother, Mama Lena (as her grandchildren called her).  To others, her name was Elena.  She's had a huge influence on my childhood.  She taught me to appreciate nature.  I learned to garden from her.  She had a keen eye, was a master gardener and award winning floral arranger.  I look back at some of her arrangements and stare in awe.  She instilled in me quality in good design.  Elena, a large floral pattern, is named in her honor.

Todd: Hearing Clay speak about his dream for several years motivated me to spearhead this to reality. What comes out of his creative brain cells? Well…it’s pretty amazing.

I consistently read these for inspiration… Clay: The World of Interiors,Remodelista, Lonny, Cloth & Kind, The Sartorialist, John Derian, Hugo Guinness, Susan Hable's watercolors, Elle Decoration, Ellsworth Kelly Plant Drawings, 101 cookbooks

Todd: The New Yorker, Man of the World, Esquire, Bearings Guide, The Drunken Botanist, GOOD Magazine, Anchor Division, NY Times Mag

I would like to share the limelight with… Clay:  Jane Sisco, creator of beautiful, bold, dynamic screen-printed fabric for the apparel market.  She's always been an inspiration and friend who will listen.

Todd: Bungalow Classic in Atlanta. Randy and Courtney Tilinski, the owners of a boutique furniture company, have an eye for well-designed and handcrafted furniture.  They are creative, calm, and the most productive duo I have met.

IMAGE CREDITS | All images courtesy of Clay McLaurin Studio except for the Bungalow Classic image which came from their website.

Shay Carrillo // NPG

Hi. My name is… Shay Carrillo.

My company is… non-perishable goods.

I’m the… Owner/designer.

I make/design/create… Home and tabletop accessories, and accessories for child and woman.

Something you need to know about me is… This is a tough one as I am a culmination of so many things - my life/past experiences, my family, love for color/texture/handwork, I guess the list goes on!

Here’s how this company came to be… npg was born from the need to create napkins for my kids’ lunches for school.  Wanting to eliminate the everyday use of paper, I made up some simple linen napkins with finished edges… they became everyday napkins, today our top seller!  Over time I began creating and adding to the mix.

My absolute favorite thing we sell right now is… Clutches!  They are made with vintage textiles and leather, I feel they are an incredibly sophisticated yet rustic product.

Here’s a sneak peek of something we’re working on now… We will be excited to share some new products that we are developing using vintage kanthas.

I’m most proud of… I am truly proud of working along side many amazing people and particularly many amazing women, many of them mothers. Firstly, my right hand lady, Elizabeth Baena, whom I truly could not run my business without. We collaborate so well together and together are taking NPG to a new place that is super exciting. Elizabeth and I share a passionate love for handmade vintage textiles and this is our place of connection. She also brings all of her past design & production experience to npg- she is invaluable. I am also incredibly proud that we keep our larger production local with the help of Spooltown. Local photographer Leah Verwey currently shoots all of our photography.

I really detest… Trying to balance owning a small business, being a mom, and a good partner are all challenging… but I can’t say I detest any of it!

I could never have done it without this person… I couldn’t have done this without the tremendous support of my husband & family.

I consistently read these for inspiration… Pinterest, Instagram, many small independent designers, roost blog, NY Times style magazine. Inspiration comes from a lot of places for me-my children, cooking, travel, interacting with other local designers and artists.

I would like to share the limelight with… There are so many, but one designer that truly inspires me at the moment is Beatrice Venezuela. Her aesthetic and way of living are akin to my own. It is empowering to see others striving to live a beautiful, rich yet simple and heartfelt lifestyle.

Kari Fisher

Hi. My name is… Kari Fisher.

My company is… Kari Fisher Designs.

I’m the… Founder, Owner, Designer.

I make/design/create… I design & create made-to-order pillows sewn from my own hand-blocked linen. Inspired by my love of textiles and traditional block printing methods, I design each pattern and carve my blocks from my Atlanta studio.  Every pattern is blocked using water-based ink. Presently, there are three linen grounds, 8 patterns, and several ink colors. I also offer 3 different trim options including linen self-flange, color cording, and pom pom tassels. So many options allows for numerous combinations to fit almost anyone’s décor or style.

Something you need to know about me is… I think what makes me and my business unique is my interior design background. I understand the needs of the designer and the client, how important quality, customization, and ultimately price are to consumers. I’ve worked under amazing designers like Victoria Hagan & Robert Brown. For them quality, classic forms, and honesty in materials have been at forefront of their design aesthetic and their mentoring has definitely influenced my own style & perspective.

Here’s how this company came to be… I’ve always played around with manipulating textiles and have grown up painting. As an interior designer & textile addict I’ve had my hand on most fabrics out there. I’m always playing with new pattern and color combinations, but there were always situations where I couldn’t find the exact pattern or color I was looking for. The turning point was as designer with KMH Interiors. We were designing a chic condo for an Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles show house and were looking for an inexpensive drapery option that had a high-end custom feel. We ended up purchasing some pre-made white linen drapery panels and I designed a simple block that gave us the pattern we wanted. It was like all of the sudden, everything clicked for me. Block printing was the perfect medium for all of the designs floating around in my head.

My absolute favorite thing we sell right now is… I’m really loving how custom & unique my pillows can become with trim embellishments. My favorite right now is the wabi stripe with pom pom tassels…my pom poms have added a totally new dimension to my pillows. I love how through color and embellishment my fabrics can be either subtle & elegant or colorful & funky.

Here’s a sneak peek of something we’re working on now… I’ve been playing around with some hand painting, especially florals. Pillows are in many ways my canvas so I can really experiment with new ideas without sacrificing yards and yards of fabric and they are so easy to change out in one’s decor. Right now my patterns are one color, but I’m experimenting with using a couple different colors and layering patterns.

I’m most proud of… Making the scary leap to start my own business. It’s stressful not knowing what will happen down the road, but I’m so proud of the work I’ve accomplished since going out on my own. I wake up early ready to go and am so excited to bring my ideas to life.

I really detest… Bookeeping is a constant struggle.

I could never have done it without this person… I’m really lucky to have a number of people supporting me & fostering my creativity, but I owe everything to my parents. I grew up painting with my mother who showed me I’m only limited by how far my imagination can take me. She recently took her support to a whole new level when she got her very first tattoo. As a bonding moment with my brother she had me rework my fish “Matsya” print to include my brothers’ and my first initials. A little silly, but that’s why I love her. As creative as my mother is, my father is very business minded and pragmatic. He has been the much appreciated voice in my head making sure I cross my “t”s and dot my “i”s.

I consistently read these for inspiration… I love when I get a chance to curl up with an Elle Decor or House Beautiful, a glass of wine, and a sharpie. I also often go back to my favorite design books like Owen Jones Decorative Ornament or Dorothy Draper’s Decorating is Fun. I’m a very visual person so Pinterest & Instagram are never-ending sources of inspiration.

I would like to share the limelight with… Probably the best upholstery & custom furniture workroom out there is Bjork Studio. If you can dream it, they can make it and better. Not only do they produce great furniture pieces with amazing attention to detail, they are also wonderful people that have been extremely supportive and champions of me & my textiles.