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A Handcrafted Retreat: The Fulton Bedroom Collection

The Fulton Collection combines handcrafted details with the clean lines of Scandinavian-inspired modern design. In keeping with that tradition’s emphasis on linking design and nature, Fulton uses solid white oak, with resawn and hand-stitched leather details.

White oak is one of the most preeminent of hardwoods in North America, owing to its density, strength, and water-resistance. All pieces in the Fulton Collection combine white oak and maple (used for its durability, light tone and sleek surface) and bring a subtle warmth to a strikingly modern design.

The Fulton Bed

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Fulton Queen Bed

Handcrafted of white oak with a hardwood maple slat system (eliminating the need for a box spring), the Fulton Bed pairs high-level craftsmanship with modern design. As the designer says:

“Working with solid White Oak gives Fulton a more relaxed, less formal feeling which is carried even further with the use of re-sawn planks on headboards and doors, translating the texture of saw marks into a decorative element while expressing the production process as part of the design.

The resawn texture on the head and footboards adds an interesting detail to the bed, and the inset panels help make it a design standout. It features a natural stain with a clear, low-sheen lacquer finish that helps seal and protect the surface, while retaining the natural grain texture.

Fulton Bed Resawn Headboard

The Fulton Nightstand

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Fulton Nightstand

The Fulton Nightstand is designed beautifully and made of long-lasting hardwood, but its true genius lies in the details. Crafted of white oak, with solid maple drawers like the rest of the Fulton Collection, the nightstand features hand-stitched full grain leather drawer pulls, an ingeniously designed hidden pullout shelf to expand your surface space, and air vent cut-outs in the back allow for easy charging of electronics. A built-in coin tray and soft close drawer system are the finishing touches on this masterpiece of modern craftsmanship.

What Is Full Grain Leather?

Full grain leather is the highest quality grade of leather. It comes from the top layer of the hide just below the hair and includes all of the natural grain. The thickness makes it require a higher degree of skill to work with. It also makes it the longest lasting, as its strong fibers give it immense durability, and instead of wearing out over time, it develops an aged patina that makes it more beautiful over time.

The Fulton Chest + Dresser

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Fulton 9-Drawer Dresser and 5-Drawer Chest

Distinguished by handcrafted details and crisp modern lines, the Fulton Dresser features solid maple drawers with a dovetail joint, hand-stitched full grain leather drawer pulls, and a built-in coin tray. Framed in white oak with a soft close drawer system, its smart and timeless design provides the perfect note of warmth to any bedroom.

What is a Dovetail Joint?

The dovetail joint has been used in woodworking for millennia. Two pieces of wood are cut in trapezoidal shapes to interlock with each other. It requires skilled craftsmanship and eliminates the need for mechanical fasteners like bolts or screws. All drawers in the Fulton Collection feature dovetail joinery in solid maple drawers.

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The leather pulls add another crafted element and a warmth to the design.

We’re delighted to add these stunning pieces to the Unison collection. Built to last, their timeless design and superior craftsmanship make them an ideal choice for any modern home.

Shop the Fulton Bedroom.

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Brand Spotlight: SEED Design

This season we’re so excited to expand our collection of lighting from SEED Design. We caught up with Evelyn Lee from SEED to talk design, company history + of course, the importance of lighting in a space. Here’s Evelyn:

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Bellevue Black Pendant Lamp + Canopy, $250

1. Your designs really value simplicity, yet remain very distinct and contemporary, can you talk about some of the design influences?

We are proud of our very talented and awe-inspiring SEED design team.  Our designers draw inspirations from all over the place.  But regardless of the wide array of influences there remains consistency amongst all of our lines. SEED products are always simple and practical, yet they are still interesting and refined to the very last detail.

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Canal Black Floor Lamp, $280

2. What’s the history of SEED Design?

SEED Design was found in 1991, by an innovative and tenacious designer, Meiric. With just a few sketches on hand, he was certain he had what it took to create an entire lighting line that would be superb in construction, striking in aesthetics, and pioneering in concept. By 1992, his first lamp, UFO made its debut in Europe. Trailing just a few years behind, JOJO, a height adjustable pendant followed in its footsteps. By 1997 Meiric decided that he couldn’t just design and sell, he had set up his own factory so that he could better guarantee the quality and ensure the end product exceeded every expectation. 

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Stead Black Table Lamp, $220

3. Can you talk about the importance of lighting when decorating a space?

The lighting is like a finishing touch to any canvas, it’s the final piece of jewelry a women can put on after she’s all dressed up and ready to go.  The lighting doesn’t need to be an attention grabber, where it is the first thing you see when you enter a grandiose lobby, or the first thing you spot when you walk into a restaurant.  But the lighting can set the tone or mood in a very subtle way.  A wall sconce can set the ambience in a dimly lit hallway. 

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Lasalle Black Table Lamp, $460 + Lasalle Black Floor Lamp, $580

The lighting can make a space much more practical and usable.  A small niche in your house, paired with an adjustable pendant can convert that corner space into a reading corner, ready for you to cozy up with your next great read.  A Table Lamp that has a USB port allows you to keep your phone charging without having to take up yet another plug.  Lighting can not only beautify spaces, and enhance what is already there, it can serve practical purposes as well.

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Canal White Table Lamp, $170

4. Are there any exciting plans for the future at SEED?

From commercial spaces to residential projects, to the big screen, we are spotting more and more Seed products pop up. With the tremendous amount of success, we look forward to what the future may hold for us.

Thanks Evelyn! Check out more lighting here.

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Dorm Essentials: Bedding + Bath

We’re back with more dorm essentials to get your space geared up and ready for the upcoming semester! This time, we’ve got our picks for Bed + Bath Essentials. Read on to see our faves and outfit your space in style!

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Stitch Black + White Towels, $6-$38

We’ve turned one of customer favorites, Stitch into towels! They’re thick, plush and super luxurious, yet adapt well to any design scheme. Black on one side and white on the other, they’ll infuse your space with a modern look. Get the complete look with our Stitch Black + White Bedding + Stitch Shower Curtain.

 

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Grid Black Bedding, $32-$160.

Bring a little order to dreamland and keep your bedroom in line with a look that brings clean-chic style to any sleeping space. Another customer favorite + Unison classic, this large-scale, monochromatic grid pattern makes for a look that’s hip and bold for any and every bedroom.

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Stitch Black + White Bedding, $32-$148

What’s black, white and dashed all over? Our modern bedding, which elevates a classic contrast to a new level of comfort. The cotton duvet cover is reversible, so you can flip from white to black and back again.

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Linen Bedding, $48-$220

Add some luxe and lightness to your space with our Line Colorblock Bedding. One side of the duvet has bands of powder blue, navy, and indigo with a flip side of flat navy. Crafted from fine Portugal cotton with button closures, it’s also the definition of comfort.

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Milano Gray Towels, $6-$38 + Sailor Pewter Shower Curtain, $58

Get a so fresh + so clean look with Milano + Sailor bath essentials. Nautical goes neutral. Plush cotton striped towels add dimension to your bath. The Milano towels are reversible and asymmetrical with a hanging loop.

Shop more bedding + bath.

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Back To School Office + Storage Ideas

As summer starts to come to a close, it’s time to shift focus towards the upcoming school year. How do you make your space stand out in the sea of dorm accessories? It’s all about clean lines, simplicity and great functionality–especially when space is limited. We especially love a good stackable basket!

We’ve put together a selection of our favorite storage solutions and office accessories to outfit your dorm or apartment + start the year off right. Read on to see our faves, and stay tuned for our next post, Dorm Essentials: Bed + Bath.

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Tower Black Storage Bins, $35 + Milano Gray Bath Towels, $38

Modern metal storage bins by Yamazaki will make you forget wooden crates ever existed. Yep, this is organization for the modern age, with points for durability and style.

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Moller White Letter Tray, $40

Straight-and-clean powder coated metal curves into open corners for a fresh, edgy desktop look. In bright white, it’s simple style delivered.

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Poppin White Desk Accessories, $6-$14

Poppin’s motto is “work happy” and how can you not with these super modern desk accessories?! Available in white, black + graphite you might just want to stay and work at your desk a little longer.

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Black Band Waste Basket, $30

This gorgeous handmade wastebasket is made in Mexico from braided palm leaves. A beautiful neutral to go with any setting, any time. Plus, it can double as a planter to add some green to your space!

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Tower Black Laundry Hamper, $60

Nothing says un-stylish like a messy pile of dirty laundry. This clean, simple tower basket is a workhorse hamper that absorbs messes – and looks good doing it. Fresh and clean. This hamper folds flat for easy storage, and the handles can be used to carry your load easily to the nearby laundromat.

Get more storage solutions here.

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We’re Lovin’ Linen

What’s lightweight, luxurious, cool + casual all at once? You guessed it, one of our new favorite fabrics, linen! Linen is an all natural material, made through an extensive manufacturing process using the fibers of the flax plant.

We’ve expanded our linen collection to include throw pillows, bedding and most recently lovely table linens. What do we love about linen? Made in Portugal, our high quality linen is not only super durable, but gets softer with every wash.

It’s a super versatile fabric that you can dress up or down, whether you’re setting the table for a no fuss dinner al fresco, or styling a dramatic master bedroom. We especially love styling linen with metallic and more hard edged accessories to get a great pairing of organic + geometric elements.

Read on to see our favorite linen picks!

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Sashi Geo Indigo Throw Pillow, $70

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Linen Colorblock Duvet Cover, $190-$220 + Brushed Black Vase, $50 + Tri Black Side Table, $70

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Linen Powder Blue Shams, $48-$52 + Linen Navy Shams, $48-$52

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Linen Graphite Tablecloth, $112 + Grace Dinnerware, $36 + Galvin Copper Serve Set, $150

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Linen Aqua Napkins, $8

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Brand Spotlight: Sika Design

Another brand we’re so pleased to welcome into our collection this season is Scandinavia’s oldest producer of wicker + rattan furniture, Sika Design. Sika Møbler (meaning furniture in Danish) was founded by Ankjær Andreasen in 1942, and is now run by the family’s third generation, Louise Andreasen today.

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Sika furniture is still handcrafted with the same tradition of quality and comfort as when it began 70 years ago.

We love the versatility of Sika’s designs not only for their modern + timeless aesthetic, but for the quality and durability of their materials that make their products virtually maintenance free. Since the beginning, the Far East has been essential to the production of Sika furniture, and today the company manufactures their products in their own Indonesian factory.

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Rattan is the primary material used in their designs and is natural as well as sustainable. The exterior weave of their rattan is made of dyed and hardwearing polythylene, make it able to withstand demanding weather conditions.

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Woven on top of aluminum, the structure of fibers provides great comfort and flexibility, and another bonus feature is most of their seating is stackable too making it easy to store. (Shop the Havana Sofa + Outdoor Pillows)

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Rattan exists naturally in the rainforests of Indonesia, and has been known to grow up to 100 meters long. It grows without disturbing the existing balance and structure of the rainforest and is strong, lightweight and very durable. (above: Portrait of one of Sika’s early designers, Franco Albini).

 

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Designed in 1951, the  Franco Albini Rattan Ottoman is named after its creator, an Italian neo-rationalist architect + designer, who was renowned for merging wooden minimalistic furniture design with more traditional Italian craftsmanship. (Shop the Franco Albini Rattan Ottoman)

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Teak wood is another key material that Sika incorporates into their designs. Sika uses reclaimed Teak, salvaged from old houses, fishermen’s boats or railroad supports. After a few weeks of outdoor use, the teak will develop of silvery grey patina. (Shop the Trestle Table)

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With a profile reminiscent of 1930s Parisian café culture, these handcrafted and stackable chairs are as comfortable as they are strong in style and construction. When woven, this material provides flexible comfort and strong structure, along with temperature and UV resistance that renders the chairs ideal for outdoor use in many climates. (Shop The Boulevard Collection)

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One part standout style, one part cuddle-up cozy, the Canopy Rattan Hanging Chair brings a wonderful, 50-year-old design back into production. As if the inviting profile weren’t reason enough to bring this piece home, consider the incredible benefits of the material: rattan is sustainable, lightweight, durable, suitable for outdoor use, and relatively flexible, making it the perfect choice for a chair that can hang out anywhere. (Shop the Canopy Rattan Hanging Chair)

Check out more furniture from Sika here.

 

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How It’s Made: Hedge House Furniture

We recently caught up with brother and sister duo Phil and Katlyn Mast, owners of Hedge House Furniture, and makers of our new bed frames to talk about their process, midwestern craftsmanship + how they make it all work.

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You both started in different industries — Phil in TV and you, Katlyn in Health. Why make the leap to sustainable furniture?

Phil: I’ve always had an interest in anything design related. I went to school for graphic design. In 2009 I moved from Austin, TX to Goshen, IN and realized the potential for a furniture business. This area is known for RV manufacturing but it’s also somewhat surprisingly recognized as a hub for high end furniture manufacturing.

Katlyn: After I graduated from college, furniture sales were beginning to pick up for Phil. It was just reaching the point where he needed help managing production and logistics. It was really exciting seeing what he had started begin to grow, and I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of.

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What is it about Midwest craftsmanship that you admire?

Phil: People tend to associate the Midwest with hard work, and a culture that produces high quality goods. We’ve found that to be the case. We’re lucky to work with such skilled craftsmen who are passionate about what they do. This area naturally lends itself to manufacturing – from having more affordable spaces, to craftsmen experienced in the context of an industrial environment. This has allowed supporting fields like woodworking, welding, and upholstery to thrive.

It took several years, but we were eventually able to find a few woodworking shops that were small enough to take on custom designs, and big enough to handle volume if needed.

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You use traditional materials to make designs that are very modern — what does “modern” design mean to you and what do you consider the tenants of good modern design to be?

Phil: I lean toward minimalism, but also design pieces to fit a variety of styles. Modern design is a large umbrella. I’m drawn toward proportions and shapes that are straight forward, clean, as well as dramatic, sculptural lines that make a statement. When working on a new piece, there are several design evolutions. To fit our aesthetic, I start with an idea and subtract everything that isn’t necessary.

What’s a typical day like for you?

Phil: I start my day by referencing a list that’s compiled from previous days and the night before. Being a small business, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done. I’m either in the studio at a desk, or in the wood shop with builders reviewing orders and prototyping new designs.

Katlyn: I head to our studio downtown Goshen. Mornings start with emails and reviewing what’s happening throughout the day. I make sure everyone on our team has what they need before digging into my list. Phil and I both cover a wide range of responsibilities so the day never feels long. I might be meeting with our next door neighbor about website revisions, working with our project manager, or talking to photographers and home interior companies that we’re partnering with.

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How involved are you in the production process?

Phil: It depends on the project. Production for existing designs is streamlined and I’ll pop in only to see what’s happening and look at the furniture being made. When we’re customizing designs or designing new, I start with drawings, and then work on components of the piece with the builder and see it throughout the construction process.

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Katlyn: We work with such a large number of shops that specialize in different areas. We have woodworkers and metal shops as far out as Chicago. Depending on the piece, there can be up to five or six shops building components for one piece of furniture.

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You have returned from Chicago to the area where you were brought up. What spurred the move, and what do you love about your Indiana lifestyle?

Phil: There’s definitely a different pace to living here. It’s an influencing factor in our business that we both appreciate and struggle with. I love Chicago and the inspiration I get from the of the city. Since moving to Goshen, I’ve found that it’s easier for me to make connections that further the business and work with experts who we can collaborate with.

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Katlyn: In Goshen, there’s more freedom and space to focus on what’s important for Hedge House. It’s easier for us to work and not feel pulled in other directions, but traveling frequently is a must! We both need variety and new places to be motivated and inspired.

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What is your picture of the ideal modern bedroom — Hedge House bed frame, of course. But what are the objects, colors, vibe that surrounds it?

Phil: I love seeing spaces where modern furniture blends in with older buildings. Whether it’s a Victorian house, or a converted industrial space with exposed brick and tall windows. Anything with high ceilings, wide trim, tons of character, and a lived in aesthetic.

Thanks Phil + Katlyn! Check out our full selection of Hedge House Bed Frames here.

 

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Celebrating Earth Day With Prophet Gypsy Robot

In honor of  Earth Day, we recently collaborated with Jamie Tubbs, founder of Chicago-based Prophet Gypsy Robot known for her love of repurposing + reusing materials, to create some limited edition Unison x PGR Woven Wall Hangings using our scrap fabric. We caught up with Jamie and asked her about background, process + what’s next for PGR.  Proceeds from sales will benefit Chicago Artists Coalition, check our her wall hangings here.

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1. What’s your background with textiles and how did you begin Prophet Gypsy Robot?

My mom was a seamstress when I was little and we always had tons of fabric and scraps around. She never bought something she could make, and she rarely couldn’t make something. But the cost of clothing production dropped so much and apparel got so much cheaper to buy than make. She switched careers but never stopped teaching us to make things. Homemade household goods have stayed more comparable to store prices, and when I got my first apartment I got into making things like pillow covers and curtains. 

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2. Where does the name Prophet Gypsy Robot come from?

It’s about my design aesthetic. The Gypsy part refers to color, texture, pattern, maximalism, baubles, beads, fluff and all the things. The Robot part refers to restrained color palettes, clean lines, minimalism, simplicity, deconstructed weaving like the technique “weft over” which shows up a lot in my work and I just learned is an actual legitimate thing weavers do.

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These two aesthetics are always competing for first place in my heart and they seem directly opposed. So my work explores trying to visually communicate both of those at once. The Gypsy and Robot overlap most naturally when it comes to the shared value of repurposing.  

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The Prophet part incorporates another huge part of who I am, someone who likes to declare good things through a megaphone about people and where we are all going together. So, PGR is this little robot like Wall-E who goes around with a flower crown, saving and reusing all the things, preaching a message about how valuable and capable and seen you are, and that when we do our best together we bring life from death. 

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3. What made you start working with repurposed materials specifically?

Reflex. I’ve been thinking about how lower economic classes have an incredible skill for reuse and repurposing that we can leverage and create new streams of income and value that the future needs from us. Something that is just natural to anyone who grew up with less resources will be an important skill going forward because we need to find creative ways to use our resources in a more sustainable way again.

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For the past little bit of history, wealth has meant being able to just throw stuff away and not think about it. The rich of the future will be people who find great value in using our resources in the most sustainable ways possible. That will be a huge part of what makes something beautiful and valuable. Hopefully that happens before we have no choice, which is why I want to show that we can elevate stuff that’s been thrown aside to something that people find truly valuable. 

4. How did you choose the particular Unison scrap fabrics for each weaving? Did the prints determine your weaving patterns?

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When I was looking through all the Unison remnants I was like, “I can’t believe this is my life right now”. That’s my version of living the dream- alone with piles and piles of scrap fabrics ready to be turned into something! I had about 10 directions I wanted to go but the color pallet I stuck with was for the season and what I’m into right now- oranges and pinks and tone-on-tone and florals. I wanted the weaving pattern to be really simple and for the pieces to be about showcasing the colors of the fabrics, so I did one clean, angled line. They look awesome hanging together with all those simple clean angles. 

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5. What other upcoming projects are you working on?

Too many, which is awesome! I’ve got the One of a Kind Show at the end of this month and after that I’m working with friend and fellow maker Joslyn Villalpando ( of J.Villa Workshops) on a project at her school about repurposing (so excited to make stuff with kids!). I’m going to be offering workshops on the West Side at a store called Creativita once I work out all the details.

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I’m most excited about starting on a series I have in my head using all sorts of working class uniforms, and incorporating techniques from the global working class like boro stitching. “Boro” means “tattered rags” and the technique was created by wives of fishermen who mended their work clothes in such a beautiful way that now it’s a world wide fashion element. 

Thanks Jamie! Shop the Unison x PGR Woven Wall Hangings here.

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Easter Table Styling With Janelle Gonyea

Easter is just around the corner and we asked stylist + designer, Janelle Gonyea to give us her take on spring table styling in all things Unison + her favorite florals. Here’s Janelle:

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For spring tables, I like to keep things light and unfussy. We had a chance to do elaborate and celebratory formal tables in the late fall and winter. Spring feels more like a light-hearted, cozy gathering with great style but minimal extravagance. (Shop Eve Chrome Flatware + Corelle Dinnerware)

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I tend to keep the place settings light, with clear glassware for a cool beverage like juice, mimosas, or spritzers. I lean toward pastel color palettes, or something clean and bright like whites, yellows, and greens. 

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Spring is one of my favorite seasons for flowers. Everything is coming to life, the palettes are in full splendor, and the scents are intoxicating. This is when we see delicate blossoms like muscari and hellebore, bright playful flowers like daffodils and tulips, and pretty beauties with lovely scents like lilacs and hyacinth.

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I think Spring has the widest range of interesting flowers to choose from. While I love to go to my local florists and encourage them to work their magic, there is also something nice about picking up a few small bunches of sweet flowers and having some fun yourself. (Shop Gather Vases)

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For this table, I used a mix of lush blossoms and accompanying texture, to help pull the whole table palette together. I chose flowers to complement the table linen, using pale pinks and grey, with a splash of red. (Shop Brass Finish Bowl)

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I wanted the texture to mimic the speckling of the linen, so I leaned toward fillers with small, delicate pieces, and allowed the bright red ranunculus and pink hyacinth to stand out focused in the middle of the table. (Shop Squiggles Tablecloth + Napkins + Fino Tumblers)

Watch Janelle’s table come to life in this handy GIF:

Thanks for all tips + tricks Janelle, we can’t wait to style our own Easter tables!

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Brand Spotlight: Toyo Sasaki Glassware

Here at Unison we truly value the brands we work with and strive to showcase products that combine equal parts expert design + function. Today we’re spotlighting Japan-based Toyo Sasaki Glassware, a brand we’ve had a lasting relationship with and whose products continue to be a customer favorite.

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The Toyo Tumber Collection is available in 3 sizes with a matching pitcher, and is incredibly versatile. Serve anything from wine to cocktails or refreshing juices in these customer favorites.

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The Toyo Tumblers pair great with the Cubes Drink Rocks from Areaware, cooling down your cocktail without diluting your expertly mixed concoction.

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The Fino Tumblers have a simple-meets-exciting silhouette and are made using a patented glass-strengthening technique called Hard Strong®. This technique is synonymous with safety + durability, making this delicately designed glassware shatterproof and perfect for the dishwasher.

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The Rout Etch Collection fuses a clean-lined modern look with a fluid texture at the base and is available in a double old-fashioned, high ball and ice bucket. It’s a great addition to your home bar cart.

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Cheers to one of our favorite brands! Shop our full line of glassware from Toyo Sasaki here.