We often work with artists we admire and, together, imagine new essentials for modern living. One of our favorite collaborators is Alex Fuller, a Creative Director who just relocated from Chicago to Charleston. Alex’s sensibility is fascinating — he’s drawn to shapes and colors because he thinks of them as “the fundamental building blocks of our universal language.” This leaves us endlessly intrigued and we couldn’t wait to see how he integrated these design elements into his new home.
Alex gave us a sneak peek while we snapped some photos of him at home with his wife, Jessa, and dog. Says the designer of their decor style, “We quickly fall into the Mid-Century Modern camp. Eames, Modernica, Blu Dot … all the hits. When people come to our house in Charleston they feel like they’re in East L.A. I can see it, it’s got that Cali Mod flavor. Not to mention we have a lot of plants and tropical foliage around.”
You’ll also see evidence of Alex’s early projects with Unison scattered throughout his new Charleston home. As a bit of background, we first teamed up with him few years ago when we had Spudnik Press make reproductions of his “Geometry” print — a study in strong lines, sweeping curves and bright, colorful punch. At the time, Alex was a creative at Ogilvy Mather and a founder of The Post Family. He moved on to Leo Burnett as a Creative Director and, around the same time, we expanded the Geometry print to throw pillows. Later, the pattern was modified to be a bit smaller and given new life as a framed lithograph, printed bedding, ottomans, bags and kitchen linens.
“We seek a balance of beautiful, tried and true design; and the warmth and personality of art, plants, music, books and sculptural objects,” says Alex. “I wish I could live in a minimalist Japanese home made from plywood but I love being surrounded by things with stories, collections with ideas. You know … a little texture, a little noise.”
Because of Alex’s knack for giving rhythm and order an inventive, modern kick, we naturally turned to him when we began thinking about creating an alphabet print. With Alex’s modern Bauhaus take on the ABCs, Alphablocks was born. This pattern graces bedding, artwork, canvas bins and even poufs (which Alex and Jessa’s dog uses it as a soft perch!).
Inspired by the Memphis design rebirth, we asked Alex to develop some other ideas. We’ve launched his Tango pattern, a zigzag-laden geometric graphic on black, as a knit blanket and pillow (seen in these photos). Other ideas are in the works and will launch in spring.
This designer has so many ideas and always amazes us with his consistency. We love the outcome of his designs on fabrics and paper … and might even try shirts out in 2016. Alex is wearing one in these photos.
We hope these photos leave you inspired. Thanks for inviting us into your new home, Alex and Jessa!
Photography credit: Olivia Rae James