Author: Unison

The right bedding sets the tone for a good night’s rest and helps define the bedroom as a welcoming, relaxing haven. It’s not just the quality of the textiles that matters, however. It’s just as important to find a design with lasting resonance.

Our Reed, Regatta and Cabana patterns were developed with these goals in mind. Created by Unison co-founders Robert and Alicia Segal, the designs bring a modern touch to the bedroom while maintaining a timeless quality. We’ve paired them with beautifully made textiles that look as good as they feel. The resulting bedding pieces emphasize color and innovative print design while helping you sleep comfortably each night.

Reed: Inspired by Nature
The Reed print first debuted in 2007, offering a contrast to the minimal designs available in our collection at the time. It wasn’t until its release as bedding in 2009 that Reed was visible at full scale, creating an even greater impact with its distinctive design.
Based on a photograph taken by our co-founder Alicia, the Reed bedding pattern is derived directly from nature. Standing at the edge of a pond, she captured an image of reeds protruding from the water’s surface. This created a striking visual with both the reeds and their reflections.

To process the photograph, it was first filtered into a simple black-and-white image and then translated into a large-scale design. This created a striking graphic effect in which the natural elements appeared almost like brushwork.

Featuring an abstract quality created by organic and linear shapes, the image is bursting with movement and vibrancy. The resulting design was then digitally printed on 100% cotton percale to maintain the impactful large-scale presentation of the pattern with exceptional clarity of the intricate, photo-inspired details. We’ve released Reed in two soft, soothing tones found in nature — a warm, light tan (Driftwood) and cool sky blue (Surf) — to contribute to a peaceful bedroom retreat.

Regatta + Cabana: Seaside Stripes
If a classic tailored pattern is preferred for your bedding, our Regatta and Cabana prints serve as the ideal solution. At Unison, we’ve always appreciated the simplicity of stripes. As we’ve explored different variations on this timeless pattern, we tapped into classic nautical designs to redevelop our Regatta and Cabana patterns which were originally introduced to the collection in 2011 and 2016 respectively.

As the name suggests, Regatta mimics traditional sailor shirt stripes. The thin lines stretch horizontally across sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases to create a crisp, tidy design. Rather than the classic navy and white color combination, we’ve paired light tan and blue tones with a cream-white base for a softer effect.

The Cabana print serves as a coastline complement to the seafaring Regatta print. The beach resort-inspired design features thick, bold stripes, bringing to mind the types of patterns you might see along the shore or at the pool. The sandy tan and sky-blue tones infuse this print with a sense of seaside relaxation. Both options have been rotary printed to highlight the crisp lines and vibrant color.

Mix-and-Match Bedding Patterns
Our pillowcases, sheets and duvet covers with these signature designs feature high-quality fabrics designed to enhance your sleep experience. The textiles are made in Portugal from Oeko-Tex® certified 100% cotton percale with a substantial 220-thread count. This material has a smooth, crisp feel and exceptional breathability for year-round comfort.

With coordinating colorways across all three patterns, Reed, Regatta and Cabana can be mixed and matched to create your own custom bedding set. This includes Reed duvet covers and pillows, Regatta sheet sets and pillowcases and Cabana pillowcases. For added versatility in bedroom styling, choose our reversible duvet cover featuring Cabana on one side and Regatta on the other. Explore our signature collections to find the best pieces to complement your space.

Shop Our Exclusive Patterns

 

 

With its clean, linear design elements, the Corsa Collection brings a balanced, minimalist aesthetic to the bedroom. Striking in their simplicity, the Corsa Bed, Chests and Dresser are designed for both beauty and functionality. An exceptional level of craftsmanship goes into each piece, and sustainability is prioritized through every step of the manufacturing process. Created by designer Blake Tovin, the Corsa Collection features some of our most popular bedroom furniture.

Decades of Design Experience

Blake Tovin began his career as a designer after graduating from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia in 1982. For over four decades, he’s honed his skills in creating high-quality furniture.

In the early years of his design journey, Tovin produced handmade pieces for individual clients and galleries, a practice that helped him develop a refined attention to detail. As he began working on a larger scale, he developed a greater understanding of materials and manufacturing processes.

Tovin’s expert knowledge gained over many years of dedicated design work was funneled into the Corsa Collection’s creation. Scandinavian influences are apparent in the simple silhouettes and clean lines. Refined in appearance and perfectly practical in application, these pieces exude an inviting warmth through natural wood tones. Features like gently rounded corners, waterfall edge side panels and sleigh legs contribute to a subtle mid-century modern elegance.

The Corsa Collection is meticulously crafted in Canada by a family-owned and operated company that has been producing high-quality solid wood furniture for over two decades. Their team of skilled craftspeople is highly trained, and each piece of furniture is carefully inspected throughout the manufacturing process.

Time-honored woodworking techniques and advanced machinery are utilized to add durability and beauty to these furniture pieces. Headboards and footboards feature exposed box joints, while chest and dresser drawers are made with English dovetail joints and soft-close mechanisms. To maintain a simple, clean look, all hardware is fully concealed and headboards are made from a solid wood panel.

A Commitment to Sustainability

This furniture collection is made from a combination of North American solid white oak, white oak veneer and solid maple. These materials are harvested from sustainably managed forests where responsible land management and reforestation help preserve delicate ecosystems and ensure high-quality materials are available for generations to come.

The careful sourcing of materials is only the first of many steps aimed at protecting the earth’s resources. As each piece of Corsa furniture is crafted, excess wood is collected and repurposed. Furniture is shipped with eco-friendly packaging materials, including recyclable foam protection made from CFC- and HCFC-free polyethylene plastic and corrugated cardboard boxes crafted with 94% recycled content.

These steps help to reduce the environmental impact of each furniture piece. In addition, the high-quality craftsmanship featured in the timeless Corsa Collection is just as important from a sustainability standpoint. These pieces are built for long-lasting durability, allowing them to be used reliably for decades without the need for replacement.

Explore the full Corsa Collection at Unison to find beautiful, timeless pieces for your home. Sleep soundly on the Corsa Bed, and use the Oak Bedside Chest as a convenient, complementary nightstand. The Corsa 5-Drawer Chest and 6-Drawer Dresser offer sophisticated storage options for clothing and accessories.

Explore the Corsa Bedroom Collection

Our Unison-exclusive knits instantly make a room feel more inviting with their indulgent textures and beautiful colors. At the same time, they’re made to the highest quality standards with sustainable materials. Learn more about our knit throws and pillows, including the unique artisan stories behind some of our favorite collections.

Double-Knit Durability

Our knit throws and pillow covers are made using a technique called “double knitting.” Two layers of fabric are knitted together simultaneously, creating a reversible textile in which both sides feature a smooth, finished feel. Depending on the design, the knit patterns may be identical on both sides or feature different textures and colors.

Because our knit throws and pillows have two layers, they feature a thick, substantial feel. You can expect these pieces to hold their shape well and maintain a polished look without sagging or stretching. 

These knits are also better at retaining heat, so they’re the first ones you’ll reach for when you want a warm, cozy feel. At the same time, the cotton yarns ensure breathability for milder temperatures.

Luxuriously Soft, Surprisingly Sustainable

Made in the USA by a fourth-generation, family-owned company, our knit throws and pillows feature an incredibly soft and smooth feel. That luxurious texture actually comes from Recover™ upcycled cotton and rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate). Made with cotton waste from unused garments and industrial off-cuts, Recover™ drastically reduces the environmental impact of textile production. rPET, a material made from recycled plastic bottles, adds durability and wrinkle resistance.

In addition to their eco-friendly advantages, these materials also help to make our knit pillows and throws more comfortable. Upcycled cotton is pre-washed, so the fibers are already broken in and softer than those of raw cotton.

Artist Collaborations

One of our key values at Unison is collaboration with independent artists and designers, and that’s exactly what we’ve done for our knit blankets and pillows. These knits can be found across several collections with distinctive styles and color palettes.

We partnered with Chicago artist Chad Kouri to bring his artwork to life in textile form. The Turin Knit Throw Blanket is based on Kouri’s “Color Grid” series, which features striking color-blocked patterns in rich, vibrant tones.

Kouri finds inspiration in transferring his art to everyday objects. “We shouldn’t feel like artwork can only be seen if we go to a white box,” he explains. “It’s something we should experience every day. Through editioned work or collaborations like this, that becomes more possible and accessible.”

Another Chicago artist, Andrew R. Wright, is the designer behind the unique Dove Knit Throw Blanket. With its soft, neutral tones, it complements almost any interior. But when the blanket is unfolded, Wright’s design stuns with its simplified, graphic shapes and evocative imagery.

As for the blanket’s design, Wright explains that “it came from a series of envelopes that I had been producing for various mailers to Art Directors. The series revolves around making figures fit into a pre-defined shape with extreme simplification while still communicating the fact that they’re figures.”

Of all our knit pieces, the Larch Knit Throw Blanket is undoubtedly the most personal to our history. The pattern is based on a photograph taken by Alicia Segal, who co-founded Unison alongside her husband, Robert. 

Alicia was enjoying a walk at their family farm in Wisconsin when she noticed a tangle of bare tree branches against a pale gray sky. The image was simplified into a silhouette and worked into a repeating pattern, all while maintaining the natural, untamed appearance. 

Over the years, we’ve applied the Larch pattern across throws, pillowcases, duvet covers and even wrapping paper. The Larch Throw is available in two colorways: muted yellow and warm beige.

Bring soft textures and bold patterns into your home with these beautifully crafted knit pieces. Explore our collections of throw blankets and pillows as well as our Unison-exclusive patterns to find the ideal fit for your space.

 

 

Aaron Probyn’s ceramic creations combine beautiful forms with inviting textures. The timeless, functional silhouettes defy seasonal trends, while the tactile surfaces highlight the handcrafted nature of each piece. This British designer is also committed to eco-friendly practices, especially by making the most of the ethically produced materials used to create each piece. Learn more about Probyn’s award-winning design studio and discover his pieces in our collection at Unison.

The Birth of a Studio
Aaron Probyn’s interest in design brought him to Kingston University in London, where he studied product and furniture design. He went on to Habitat UK after graduating, working there for over five years as Design Manager. His role there focused on table top products, which provided him with invaluable experience he’d later apply when creating his own collections.

In 2012, Probyn established his design studio. He began consulting for a number of high-profile clients, including Normann Copenhagen, West Elm, IKEA, Crate & Barrel, Tom Dixon and Conran Studio. His award-winning work as a designer prepared him to launch his own products in 2020. Today, his studio produces an assortment of beautiful pieces under the Aaron Probyn brand, including cutlery, dinnerware, glassware, tabletop accessories and more.

Durable and Sustainable
Probyn’s impactful designs are created with a vision for the future. He believes strongly in the value of well-made objects designed to last for years. His pieces exhibit exceptional quality and timelessness that can be passed down to future generations. This focus on long-lasting durability informs not only his understated designs that stand the test of time, but also the environmentally friendly practices employed in his work.

With a commitment to design that lasts a lifetime, Probyn promotes sustainability in more ways than one. His pieces are not intended to be replaced as seasonal trends come and go, and the materials that go into making them are handled thoughtfully to minimize waste. In addition, Probyn employs a conscious manufacturing process in which products are made in limited quantities and packaging is selected to have as little impact on the environment as possible.

Utilitarian Warmth
At Unison, we’re proud to feature Aaron Probyn’s timeless ceramics. The simple shapes and clean lines create a casual, approachable feel that contributes to a relaxed and inviting home environment. The porcelain material features earthy, warm tones and a texture that’s pleasant to the touch. Sturdy, durable and practical, these pieces are just as functional and accessible as they are beautiful.

Probyn’s popular Colombo Dinnerware Collection has a simple, low-profile silhouette with a softly rounded edge. The unglazed exteriors of the plates and bowls create a delightful contrast with the smooth, glazed interiors. Meals look even more enticing against the dinnerware’s deep, reddish-brown hue, which gives each piece an elegantly earthy effect.

With its sculptural appearance, the Botany Planter is another standout selection from Probyn’s design studio. The rounded form has soft edges, a tactile, unglazed finish and a minimalist design that enhances any greenery’s natural beauty. Functional features make for easy drainage to help plants flourish inside. Available in three sizes, this planter is expertly hand slip cast of Black, Concrete Gray or Terracotta colored porcelain.

Shop The Aaron Probyn Collection

 

 

The Bit Stool is a perfect example of how a utilitarian piece of furniture can be as beautifully designed as any other item in the home. This humble object may seem simple at first glance, but its pixelated surface highlights an eco-friendly production process and one-of-a-kind charm. Designed by Simon Legald for Normann Copenhagen, the Bit Stool demonstrates how design, practicality and sustainability can come together to create exceptional home furnishings.

Danish Roots — with a Greek Twist
The Bit Stool was designed by Simon Legald, a young Danish designer who graduated from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 2012. Created for Normann Copenhagen, this stool represents just one of the many collaborations in Legald’s career thus far. Other notable creations by this young talent include the Porta and Phantom lamps and the Allez chairs. At Unison, we offer the Bit Stool as well as Legald’s trolley-like Block Cart and retro-inspired Analog Magazine Rack in Black and White colorways.

Despite its designer’s Danish origins, the aesthetically pleasing, cylindrical silhouette of the Bit Stool is actually inspired by the pillars and columns in Greek architecture. Those sturdy, stately designs influenced the simple and elegant aesthetic of the Bit Stool. The finished product has an updated, modern feel while still possessing the timeless quality of a sculptural column.

Making Every Bit Count
The Bit Stool’s distinctive, speckled appearance is created by colorful bits of recycled plastic, most of which is sourced from post-industrial waste. The plastic pieces are chopped into smaller fragments before being sorted by color. Once the correct colors are combined to create a Bit Stool in one of its defined colorways, the fragments are poured into one of the stool molds and then cast using a rotational molding technique.

The temperature applied as the stool is molded is a critical part of the production process. In addition to creating an accurate, smooth shape, it allows the recycled plastic to be repurposed for future use. If the mold were to become too hot, the plastic may be damaged to the point where it can’t be recycled again without altering the properties of the material. By maintaining a precise melting point of 120°C, the plastic bits can form a solid shape while still being suitable for repeated reheating, which makes it possible to recycle Bit Stools at the end of their lifecycle.

Besides minimizing the environmental impact of production, the use of recycled plastic fragments makes each Bit Stool utterly unique. No two stools are alike, each with its own pattern formed by the spontaneous alignment of plastic bits during the molding process.

Unlimited Applications
One of the most irresistible things about the Bit Stool is its impressive versatility. Though it’s strong enough to be used as an impromptu seat, the stool’s wide, flat surface also makes it an excellent choice for a nightstand, side table or bath stool. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, the Bit Stool makes a useful plant stand or patio end table as well.

With three colorways available at Unison, it’s easy to find a Bit Stool that coordinates with your space. Choose the Bit Black Stool flecked with white speckles for a bold look, or enjoy a softer and warmer effect with the Bit White Stool’s clear and sienna speckles. To inject vibrant color into your home, go with the Bit White Multi Stool featuring an eye-catching array of white, red, blue, green, yellow, orange and black recycled bits.

 

 

LSA International applies skilled craftsmanship to make glass drinkware, serveware, vases, and other pieces featuring simple, beautiful designs for the modern home. In 2019, they formed a meaningful partnership with the Eden Project to promote sustainable solutions to environmental concerns. For those who value eco-friendly practices and beautiful design, LSA International’s collaboration with the Eden Project offers an inspiring take on home goods.

LSA International’s Commitment to Handmade Quality
Skilled craft is sometimes overlooked in the modern era of speed and convenience. But LSA International has consistently held themselves to a high standard of craftsmanship since Janusz Lubkowski and Tony Saunders co-founded the brand in the 1960s. LSA’s glassblowers have perfected their techniques through years of training, and they work in teams to take each piece through the handmade production process from start to finish.

The handblown glass begins as simple, raw ingredients: sand, ash and lime. These are heated to extreme temperatures in the kiln until they become molten. From there, glassblowers create the basic form, whether it’s a highball glass, tumbler, carafe, wine glass or champagne flute. While the glass is still hot, the piece is finished by hand. This includes scissor cutting — one of the most skilled finishing techniques —which produces a thick, rounded rim.

The Canopy Tumblers Collection
The Canopy Tumblers collection is a wonderful representation of LSA International’s key values, which is a focus on the purpose and the environment in which the products are used. The Canopy Tumblers successfully bring beautiful design to an everyday living staple: the drinking glass.

This simple, classic barware collection has a timeless element while still appearing fresh and modern. The straight-sided shape features a rounded bottom edge, a slightly domed base, and the brand’s signature thick, smooth rim. Available as low 9-ounce tumblers, classic 12-ounce tumblers and tall, narrow 12-ounce highball glasses, these versatile vessels are perfect for sipping juice, water, cocktails and much more.

For this collection, each piece has been hand blown using recycled glass from jars and bottles sourced locally in Poland. The tiny air bubbles and a light green tint which result from this process add unique character to each tumbler.

Making Change with the Eden Project
The Canopy Tumbler collection is a stellar example of LSA International’s quality craftsmanship and beautiful, functional designs. But it’s also part of a bigger mission to build relationships between people and the natural world. This collection was produced through a collaboration with the Eden Project, an organization devoted to protecting the environment, helping people feel more closely connected to nature, and inspiring positive action for the planet.

A great deal of thought was put into this LSA collection to uplift the goals of the Eden Project in a creative and meaningful way. The use of recycled glass helps to address environmental concerns around single-use plastics, water conservation and plant preservation. The domed base of each tumbler mirrors the organization’s innovative biospheres in Cornwall, England which function as the world’s largest greenhouses. As the name suggests, this glassware collection reminds us that we all live under one canopy.

Each sip from LSA International’s Canopy Tumblers is a reminder that nature’s resources are to be cherished and protected. The collection has attracted attention for its handcrafted design and the eco-friendly production process as the winner of the prestigious iF Design Award in 2019 and the Green GOOD DESIGN Award in 2021.

At Unison, we’re proud to promote the mission of the Eden Project with this special collection. LSA International has long been one of our favorite sources of glassware, and this collaboration showcases the ability of good design to highlight worthy causes and bring about change.

Shop The LSA International Collection

 

 

What would a creative, collaborative and sustainable approach to home textiles look like? Dove and Donkey has delivered an answer to this question with their selection of table linens. Headed up by founders Sheila Galligan and Jadine Greenaway, Dove and Donkey focuses on high-quality basics made to delight and inspire. Each of their products is designed in Boston, with a focus on playful textures and colors.

But that’s only the first chapter of the story. In addition, the Dove and Donkey team has developed close collaborations with artisan partners and prioritized sustainability in the production process. These efforts all come together to deliver handcrafted home essentials that are not only beautiful and functional, but also have a lower impact on the environment.

Creative Collaborations
Dove and Donkey’s Boston studio is the hub where every product begins its journey. Galligan is the primary creative force behind each design, always seeking out unique ways to approach common household goods, including blankets, bedding and tabletop accessories.

From there, the Dove and Donkey team turns to their trusted partners. Through collaborations with artisan cooperatives and small factories, each of Galligan’s designs is brought to life. It’s important to note that these collaborations are only formed after rigorous assessments. In addition to performing top-notch work with exceptional attention to detail, each partner must also demonstrate a positive, respectful working environment along with equitable pay practices.

Consciously Crafted
At Dove and Donkey, no aspect of the production process goes overlooked. Sustainability is an important part of their mission, and as a result, this small business goes to great lengths to incorporate eco-friendly practices into the production of their home goods.

This starts with the most basic elements of each design: the materials. The Dove and Donkey team is thoughtful about how the building blocks of their fabrics are sourced, which helps to minimize environmental impact. For example, their cottons are made at a small factory in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the entire process being done by hand in small batches.

The impact of each material is also considered, like their renewable and eco-friendly wool sourced from alpacas. Natural materials, such as plants, berries and roots, are used to dye many of the brand’s hand-knits rather than products with harsh chemicals. Dove and Donkey’s pieces are made to be timeless and long-lasting, which ensures that the textiles hold up well over many years.

Dove and Donkey Table Linens
While the designs for Dove and Donkey’s table linens originated in Boston, they’re handcrafted by one of the brand’s partners in a small town in central Mexico. Alicia Rico Resendiz, who opened her studio 15 years ago after studying sewing and dressmaking, leads a group of 11 female artisans in creating each product. The fabrics are sourced in Mexico before they are cut, sewn and hand-finished by these talented women. Traditional Mexican hand-knotting techniques are applied, adding beautiful texture while emphasizing the incredible craftsmanship that goes into each product.

At Unison, we’re proud to offer a selection of Dove and Donkey table linens which showcase these creative designs, artisan craftsmanship and sustainable practices. The Wicker Placemats and matching napkins feature brightly colored threads in a rattan cane-style pattern that adds luxurious texture.

Coordinating Classico Napkins with a modern, color-block design and short fringed edges make it easy to double down on vibrant tabletop tones. Dove and Donkey Hopsack Napkins offer an elegant alternative with a basket-like pattern designed with subtle, neutral colors. With substantial yet soft fabrics, Dove and Donkey table linens make any table feel more inviting. Explore our collection of placemats and napkins from this brand to find distinctive accents for your meals.

Shop The Dove and Donkey Collection

 

 

Beautiful decor is part of what makes a house a home. At Unison, we believe value originates in good design. From materials to production processes, we support products that balance quality and accessibility. Our focus is on finding partners that design for longevity and prioritize minimizing the impact on limited resources.

These ideas align well with Chilewich, a company specializing in durable vinyl products for the home. Their first products — placemats — helped to enhance the magic of mealtime with beautiful designs while prioritizing convenience and functionality. But that was only the beginning. Chilewich would go on to create a variety of innovative products for the dinner table and beyond, including their popular flooring collections.

The Chilewich Story
In the late 1970s, Sandy Chilewich was living in a factory building in the NoHo neighborhood in Lower Manhattan. One night, she and her friend, art teacher Kathy Moskal, thought to dye some simple cotton shoes from Kathy’s closet. After a bit more experimentation, they ended up forming Hue, a fashion line featuring colorful shoes, tights and accessories. After selling Hue in 1991 and then parting ways with the brand in 1994, Sandy began channeling her creativity into another business endeavor. She found an unexpected inspiration in a proprietary woven vinyl that was surprisingly flexible and soft — and of course, extremely durable.

But how would she use it? Sandy wanted to aim for something essential to the home rather than something meant purely for decor. One day, she had the material sitting on her table, and the idea struck her: placemats. TerraStrand™, the brand’s proprietary woven vinyl, not only looked good on the table but also created a protective, easy-to-clean barrier. In addition, the material could be customized with any color or design, opening up endless creative possibilities.

The idea took off, and the Chilewich brand debuted in 2000. As the brand’s founder and creative director, Sandy continues to design products at the brand’s NYC studio. Her husband, Joe Sultan, serves as CEO and has helped to expand the business into new products and industries, including flooring.

Durable, Eco-Friendly Designs
Made from extruded yarns, Chilewich textiles mimic traditional fabrics but with a sturdier makeup. The brand’s placemats, runners and floor mats are incredibly durable. And because the yarns are washable, it makes for easy clean-up. Most messes can be wiped clean, and issues commonly associated with traditional fabrics — such as fading, fraying and staining — simply aren’t a concern. For busy households, these features make Chilewich products just as practical as they are beautiful.

By reimagining a use for vinyl, Sandy stumbled upon another noteworthy benefit: sustainability. The material is free of phthalates and heavy metals found in conventional plasticizers, made with a minimum of 18% renewable vegetable content, and certified by both Green Label Plus™ and GreenGuard®. Because the woven vinyl is so durable, it also offers exceptional longevity. Chilewich textiles (which are made entirely in the U.S.) are designed to last not just for years, but for decades — even with daily use. No machine washing is necessary to keep them clean, which further contributes to the brand’s focus on minimizing environmental impacts.

Bringing Depth to Surfaces
The range of practical applications of Chilewich’s materials are impressive, and just as much attention to detail goes into the design of each product. The brand is known for its innovative, multi-tonal patterns and these products bring inviting color and texture to your home while giving each space a more personalized feel.

At Unison, we offer a selection of distinctive Chilewich products for the home. The Signal Twilight Placemat features bold, geometric patterns in deep, rich hues, while the Mesa Marble Placemat mimics the look of textured linen in soft, neutral tan tones. For the floor, durable Chilewich doormats, utility mats and runners are available in two versatile colorways. The Fade collection features a soft gray ombré effect, while the Domino collection is characterized by a higher-contrast cascading stripe pattern in black and white.

Shop The Chilewich Collection

 

 

A high-quality design is one that has lasting resonance. It’s eye-catching yet classic, and it has a unique visual appeal that stands the test of time.

At Unison, we’re proud to have two beautiful patterns that meet these exacting standards: Larch and Porter. Each of these patterns is original to Unison and has a fascinating design story. And though they feature very different looks, they both make wonderful additions to our bedding collection and other Unison designs.

Larch: An Organic Print with a Personal Touch

Of all the modern designs at Unison, none are as personal to our history as the Larch pattern. Its history connects directly to that of Unison’s co-founders Robert and Alicia Segal. In fact, the Larch print is based on a photograph that Alicia took while enjoying a nature walk at the family farm in Wisconsin.

The crisp air of early spring set the stage. New buds hadn’t yet emerged on the branches, which allowed for clear views of each tree’s tangled branches. One particular tree, a Tamarack, caught Alicia’s eye. As a trained photographer, she could see a striking composition with the silhouette of the branches against a pale gray sky.

The photo she captured in that moment would go on to become a Unison classic. But first, the design duo had to determine the best way to utilize this distinctive image. A solarized treatment was considered to retain the photographic quality. However, a simpler approach was deemed a better fit in order to emphasize the organic lines and create a pattern with longevity in mind.

The tree branch silhouette was abstracted and translated into a large-scale design. The image could be easily worked into a repeat pattern without sacrificing its natural, untamed appearance. In addition, the silhouette design allowed for a variety of colorways to reflect how the colors of the tree shifted through the seasons.

Although the Larch print is original to Unison, it has made quite an impact in the design world. At a time when Unison was still quite unknown, it was featured on the cover of the CB2 catalog as Teal bedding through their collaboration. When Unison introduced the Plum colorway as bedding in 2010, it caught the attention of architect Christopher Deam, husband of Dwell Magazine founder Lara Deam. Larch Plum bedding was selected as a design package offered in new Airstream interiors, which Christopher was designing at the time.

Porter: Tailored Stripes for a Dapper Look

The backstory behind our sophisticated Porter print derived from another pattern in Unison’s debut bedding collection: Pinstripe. The Pinstripe print focused on a dark, saturated background in a single color. Bold white stripes stretched across horizontally, creating a high-contrast effect.

Although the Pinstripe print was popular, Alicia and Robert sought to create a design that inverted this color distribution for a softer appearance. The new pattern featured very fine lines in tight repetition across a classic ivory background. At first, a name proved elusive. Taking inspiration from the Pinstripe moniker, the sensibility of shirting and suit fabrics came to mind, along with a nostalgic past of sophisticated urban movement. As such, the name Porter emerged.

The Porter design provides the perfect blend of timeless vintage inspiration and modern simplicity. Although the striped print appears neat and tailored, it doesn’t look formal or stuffy. The lines can be arranged in different orientations for a subtle contrast, like in the vertically striped sheets paired with horizontally striped pillowcases.

Porter has become one of the most iconic and timeless patterns at Unison. This core pattern is incredibly versatile and practical while still bringing a fresh aesthetic to any space. In addition to bedding, it has been featured on aprons, napkins, placemats and tablecloths.

Modern Bedding Designs

Both Larch and Porter have remained relevant in the years since their introduction. They’ve been reimagined in new colorways and can be mixed and matched with other prints to create an eye-catching combination. Today, you’ll find these patterns on a variety of our high-quality bedding products, including duvet covers, throw blankets, pillowcases and sheets.

 

 

“Objects should never shout.”

Uttered in a rare interview, these words concisely sum up the value and purpose of Jasper Morrison’s creations. As a designer, Morrison is best known for his ultra-minimalist approach to everything from furniture and lighting to everyday products.

That isn’t to say that Morrison’s designs are lacking in necessary features and functions. Each piece has been carefully constructed to not only look beautiful, but also to serve a practical purpose. However, it’s his commitment to visual simplicity which allows Morrison’s designs to fit seamlessly into any space.

Morrison’s Design Journey

Born in London, Jasper Morrison became dedicated to a career in design from an early age. After studying at the Kingston Polytechnic Design School and the Royal College of Art in the early 1980s, he opened his Office for Design in London. By that time, he had already developed some remarkably innovative designs, including the imaginative Handlebar Table and his iconic Thinking Man’s Chair.

As he launched new designs from his base in London, Morrison’s design philosophy crystallized further. The Plywood Chair, launched in 1988, has an extremely simplified, almost barebones silhouette. However, the unique seat creates a kind of cushioning effect, proving that a minimalist, “honest” design didn’t necessitate the sacrifice of comfort or usability.

Morrison’s design mission has been described as “to produce everyday objects for everyone’s use, make things lighter not heavier, softer not harder, inclusive rather than exclusive, generate energy, light and space.” In all of his designs, including dinnerware, furniture and even door handles, Morrison strives to achieve an improved version of classic, timeless objects. He doesn’t aim to reinvent them, however. Instead, he works to enhance their form and function by stripping them down to the most basic — and most beautiful — intrinsic qualities.

Timeless Furniture

Besides his independent innovations, Morrison has designed furniture and products for companies like Emeco, Vitra, Flos, Muji and Alessi. Among his most notable designs are the Emeco Alfi Reclaimed Work Chair and the 1 Inch Reclaimed Stacking Chair, each of which offers a fresh, streamlined take on a classic chair style.

The Alfi Reclaimed Work Chair removes the excess bulk seen in many of today’s desk chairs. Optimized for productivity and comfort, the chair exhibits a thin, sleek silhouette. The gentle curves which make it comfortable to sit in for hours at a time are subtle and refined. Although it has most of the bells and whistles that make for a quality, versatile work chair — a durable swivel base, gas shock seat suspension, adjustable seat height and smooth-rolling multi-surface casters — these features have been artfully incorporated for a pared-down appearance.

With the 1 Inch Reclaimed Stacking Chair, Morrison puts his own spin on an iconic design. Inspired by Emeco’s 1006 Navy Chair, it features a similarly simplified silhouette with an eye toward long-lasting durability. Morrison’s chair has a solid back with a softer, more rounded shape. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, the 1 Inch Reclaimed Stacking Chair features a convenient stackable design and comes in classic neutral tones that effortlessly complement its surroundings.

Both of these chairs take a sustainable approach to design that aligns with Morrison’s goal of improving upon well-established product concepts. To create the Alfi Chair, 100% recycled polypropylene is combined with mixed wood fiber, which is then molded to form the smoothly curved seat.

The 1 Inch Reclaimed Stacking Chair is crafted from recycled wood-filled polypropylene (WPP), an eco-friendly material that drastically reduces the environmental impact of furniture production by transforming lumber yard and industrial off-cuts and into a high-quality, ultra-durable composite.

With extreme attention to detail and a refined design, every Jasper Morrison piece is a timeless work of art that doubles as a practical addition to your home.