It was 10 years ago this May that Unison first sprung to life with our first bedding and pillow collections. It was the start of what clearly became an everlasting passion for creating minimal and modern home textiles.
As Unison has grown, we’ve been so fortunate to share our vision of modern design with several Chicago artists and designers who we consider as friends. Along with the talents of our amazing staff, their dedication, skill and drive had made Unison what is today and for years to come.
It’s going to be a special year. We’re celebrating it with new product offerings, promotions and plenty of reflections on where our interest lies: timeless modern design made consciously and with heart.
We are so grateful for all our customers and fans who have supported us over this decade and also to those that are just coming to know us.
It’s hard to play favorites when there are so many awesome home products. In fact, picking our top loves can actually be pretty mind-boggling. (Trust us, it’s not a bad problem to have!) But given the task, Unison employees each chose two fall products from our catalog that they are really crushing on.
Discover their favorites here — and get to know a little more about the people in our office that love sharing modern home designs with you!
Terra.Cotto Cookware
This line up is very exciting for me. I picked it out from the huge range of cookware shown at the Housewares Show and I’m so glad I did. I love the clean shapes and natural colors. The design reminds me of ancient cookware to Scandinavian simplistic forms. Their functions are exceptional: stovetop, oven to table and are exceptionally lightweight for ‘casserole’ standards due to their pure clay material. Also the interior is a beautifully glazed dark brown which contrasts well with the matte exterior. We use the littlest one, the Zafferno at home for cous cous dishes. Bonus, they all come with their own mini recipe book from the manufacturer.
These have been on my wish list for a while! I have a thing for black – even though I love bold colors too. Black tools in the kitchen just make sense to me – along with my Epicuran slate boards too. These are super flat which makes them store nicely and they go in the dishwasher too even though they are wood and resin, and will never warp or crack. They are made in Minnesota at Epicurean factory – from the scrap of their cutting board production. I can really appreciate this being in fabric manufacturing – we use the scrap from our table linen production to make oven mitts and pot holders.
I love the simple design of these canisters. They not only keep food items fresh with the silicone seal, they are a great design to display on and accessorize your kitchen counter. I love the warm color varieties they come in as well!
Owning two of the Falcon White mugs with the blue rim, I know that I like Falcon enamelware for more than its looks. The durability of the stainless steel is ideal for a mug because it makes it practically unbreakable, yet with the porcelain coating the mug has less of an industrial look. Also, these mugs are great for both hot and cold drinks because of its insulating material. Falcon mugs are also perfect for camping! I really like our new all-black mugs because the coating on the outside contrasts with the inside. I would really love to see them with my white mugs as a variable set!
My living room futon has a natural canvas cover so when I’m searching for throw pillows I look for a jazzy pattern that will stand out. The Tango knit pillow is exactly that! I also love seeing a geometric pattern in knit instead of print because it alters the shapes to become more organic and slightly jagged which contrasts with the pattern itself.
I am a big fan of using blankets as an alternative to a duvet. It is a wonderful way to transition between the cool to cooler nights. The colors of this blanket provide a great neutral that works with so many colors and patterns too!
The color block pillow in graphite is a great addition to the Unison pillow collection. It mixes in beautifully with our Harvest Denim pillows, Sailor Black or Sailor Charcoal pillows…the possibilities are endless!
I love this sleek pitcher because it has a clean design & is super lightweight so you can fill it to the brim with your favorite beverage. And since it is made from the same quality glass as chemistry labs (borosilicate glass) you can use it for both hot and color beverages. I can’t wait to serve up some warm apple cider with it this Fall!
Maybe I am biased since I grew up using Hellerware but to me nothing beats Massimo Vignelli’s classic no frills design. I think the design aesthetic still feels modern and relevant even 50 years later!
Trapper Wool Blanket
I just love this blanket! Its timeless design and wooly texture lends a rustic elegance to any space, which I like in the cooler months.
Biobu Kids Dinnerware
Well, since I have a baby on the way, I’m partial to designs that are petite and whimsical these days! But it’s not just the peppy colors and smooth, organic shapes of this dinnerware that attracts me – I love that the plates, cups, and flatware are all made from bamboo fiber and natural plant materials.
Fall means beautiful change outside. It’s also a great time to switch things up indoors. When we put together our Fall collection, we noticed some distinctive home decor trends and got so excited by the possibilities. Read on to discover them and don’t forget to check out the NEW section of unisonhome.com to to shop it all.
Trend #1: Monochromatic Black & White
All black. All white. All alluring. Stark blacks and whites make a strong graphic statement. At the same time, they can also be demure as a backdrop. Why? The reduced palette lets form and pattern reign as focal points.
What is thought of as routine is now being instantly elevated by handmade touches. Think of a breakfast table, adorned with a classic gingham placemats. You can bump it up with gold flatware, and add artisan-crafted ceramic cheese stones and hand-crocheted potholders for a fresh, inspiring mix.
Trend #3: Perfect Pleats
What may seem simple — a small pleat or ribbed detail — really makes a design. The column-like structure is clean and adds textural interest. Pleats are emerging as a new home decor must, and we imagine in the fashion world they won’t be far behind.
Natural materials like linen, copper, brass, marble and terracotta are being applied in new forms that have remarkable simplicity and integrity. For example, the familiar casserole dish is made from terra cotta — the ultimate in rustic — yet has clean lines and geometric details that make it a modern standout.
We know you’re not quite ready for sweater weather. But our fall video, just shot by John Sturdy in rural Indiana, may just change your mind.
In it, we set the scene (and table) for a very warm and festive season. It’s a hint at what’s to come from our fall collection, which will soon be up on our site and in our new catalog.
Our video softly salutes the time of year made for savoring the crisp outdoors and coming home to inspirational and oh-so livable modern design. Of course you’ll get a look at some of our latest products — from tall, sculptural candles to shimmering brushed-gold flatware.
So put on your wool slippers, reach for a cozy blanket and watch this short but memorable slice of modern life.
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Last month we were fortunate enough to work with Filigree Suppers founders Brita Olsen and Elise Metzger on a fruit themed dinner party. Read more about their dinner parties and the purpose behind these ultra-mod get-togethers on Gapers Block.
Photo credit: Brad Snyder and Eva Deitch (via Gapers Block)
Ever thought you’d use charcoal to wash your face? We didn’t, either. But then we discovered Binchotan. It’s a traditional Japanese charcoal that, when ground into a super-fine powder, can be used in a soap to exfoliate skin and absorb impurities. We tried it. We loved it. And now we can’t get enough of it.
We think you’ll soon feel the same way. It’s easy enough to get introduced to Binchotan and its benefits. It appears in a bunch of personal care products, from toothbrushes to washcloths, which we sell online and in our Chicago boutique. Here are some you can snap up now.
Binchotan Charcoal Facial Soap is the little beauty secret that could. It combines Binchotan charcoal powder and natural extracts in a glycerin soap. Not only does it restore the skin by exfoliating, moisturizing and absorbing impurities, but it smells great and lasts a long time. Our co-founder Alicia swears by it!
Binchotan Charcoal Facial Soap
For your teeth:
Binchotan Charcoal Toothbrushes are TLC for your pearly whites. Binchotan charcoal is blended into each bristle to stop harmful bacteria from growing. It also prevents bad breath, deodorizes and removes plaque. We don’t recommend it for sensitive gums, but think it’s great for travel.
Binchotan Charcoal Toothbrushes
For your face:
Binchotan Charcoal Washcloths could be called the triathlete of towels. They have ultra-find Binchotan charcoal powder woven into its fibers for high performance. You’ll love its exfoliating power and anti-bacterial qualities that keep it mildew free. While it’s big enough for the whole body, we like to fold it to use on our face.
Binchotan Charcoal Washcloth
For your hands and feet:
Binchotan Charcoal Pumice Stones gently exfoliate and smooth rough skin on feet, hands, elbows and knees. Use them on wet or damp skin and after each use, rinse them in warm water and air-dry in the shade. Your dermis will thank you!
Binchotan Pumice Stone
We hope you can discover the benefits of this very cool but little known ingredient soon! If you’ve tried Binchotan charcoal on your skin, let us know how you liked it in the Comments below!
It’s clay time! As you know, we support handmade craftsmanship and have a soft spot for ceramics. Right now, we’re really digging the artisan style of Mazama, a collective of stoneware designers based in the Pacific Northwest.
Mazama’s drinkware (which we sell in our Unison boutique and online) is made through an interesting process. They start by developing sketches, which are refined into technical drawings. From those, laser-cut profile templates are made and used to measure the vessels they throw. It all leads to quality and consistency. But because these pieces are made by hand, there are always subtle differences that add to their charm and character.
At Unison, you can snap up the Mazama sake set and mugs. Both are sure to give your beverages the attention they deserve by flaunting artful forms and unglazed, tapered bases (for stability and stack-ability!).
We’re loving the buzz around this quality artisan brand. Check them out in our shop and add them to your must list for summer entertaining.
Our bedding was made for you and your animal companions — here’s how!
Nothing beats a good catnap — especially if it’s in Unison bedding. But seriously … cats, dogs and other furry friends really have found themselves at home atop our soft, Portugal-cotton sheets lately. And it’s inspired us to slow down, cozy up and enjoy life at a more leisurely pace — just like our animal companions.
Pets love to snuggle in the same places we do. We like to call them #PetsInUnison! Just check out these great snaps from Instagram of animals kicking back on beds adorned with Unison’s signature graphic pop. We hope these four-legged friends inspire you to relax more in comfort and style.
Our Tiles Lemon Duvet Cover is a freshly squeezed graphic that cats have a soft spot for. (Photo: @taymauch)
Red polka dots are the cat’s meow — just ask this adorable little fellow. (Photo: @cateragan)
Aww … a man and his best friend cuddle up on our Stitch Pewter + White Duvet Covers, with a little extra snuggle power from his newborn. (Photo: @jonellsieren)
How do YOU live with #PetsInUnison? Share and tag your photos with us, @Unisonhome!
Previously, we together dreamed up Aerial, a mesmerizing, earthy graphic based on a collage of canyons. For this summer, we’re going full bloom with Floral Burst, a fresh, bright tablecloth based on one of Stephen’s botanically inspired pieces.
The original Floral Burst collage is actually many colors on a black background, but by inverting all colors it developed into a beautiful range of blues, giving the appearance of flowers floating on water. Producing the tablecloth has been a year in the making to find just the right printer that could retain all colors and textures. Turns out, digital printing was the way to go and finally one of our Portuguese vendors had perfected it on quality fabric that withstood many wash tests.
Floral Burst Tablecloths
It’s the perfect time to get to know this talented artist and discover this project, which has us completely excited. Read our Q&A with Stephen below!
Unison: We loved working with you on Floral Burst. While it took a year to get the printing solidified, the creative process seemed to come about rather organically.
Stephen: Yes, this collaboration was an extension of our previous Aerial work. The floral burst pattern was taken from a relatively small collage that {Unison founders} Robert and Alicia further mediated. That’s been one of the joys of working with Unison – – the re-contextualization of existing work and the fact that we are typically, if not always, on the same page. In fact, the design process is pretty hands off on my end and is more about bouncing product ideas back and forth.
Unison: You often explore nature and organic shapes in your work. Why are you drawn to that theme and forms?
Stephen: I’ve been working on and slowly expanding my use of nature and organic shapes since I started making collage 7-8 years ago. I was initially drawn to the imagery because of its form and structure. Using found imagery and tracking down different collage components has led to other endeavors. For example, I came across orchids (that I’ve used in my studio practice) while hunting for floral imagery.
Unison: This project is different than Aerial (which looked almost like a photo) because it’s more punchy and graphic in nature. How do you think these works differ and what in your creative process made each unique?
Stephen: They are both born from the same formal exploration of manipulating photographic material, but the imagery and the rules I assign to making them drives unique outcomes. Each piece is the result of making simple gestures with collage — the Floral Burst coming from a mirroring of form in response to the kind of cosmic strata of flowers. The Aerial piece came from a more simplistic stacking of pattern, therefore making a new pattern.
Unison: What do you imagine as the ideal setting for the Floral Burst tablecloth?
Stephen: I like the idea of the tablecloth being used in a more informal context — outside at a cookout or in a mellow picnic setting.
Unison: How do you keep busy creatively beyond your collaborations with Unison?
Stephen: I am a working, self-employed artist so I am in the studio most days. Right now my time there is split between commissions (for private collections as well as work for several upcoming magazine features), developing new work and starting to make sculpture again.
Thanks, Stephen! We can’t wait to see what’s next from you. And, heads up to all you Unison shoppers: You can snap up the Floral Burst tablecloth online or in the Unison store.
Check Out our Recap of our Rare Bird Preserves Tasting
We’ve been baking a lot these days. Chalk it up to easy-breezy summer: Longer days give us the extra time we need to whip up pastries, cakes and cookies — and eat them all before bedtime.
We think baked goods pair so well with fresh preserves. As luck would have it, we happen to know one of the savviest purveyors in the Chicago area. Elizabeth Madden, owner of Rare Bird Preserves, makes small batches of fruit preserves by hand in her quiet little kitchen. (But don’t be fooled — they end up in hugely popular mega-retailers like Whole Foods.) And she recently came out to our shop to sample her goods and get everyone excited about summer baking possibilities.
We wanted to share photos that recap this delicious event. Let’s start with those glorious preserves — crafted by and hand jarred by Elizabeth herself. She cracked open so many varieties that our heads were spinning. Lemon blueberry. Peach lavender. And more. She spooned dollops atop scones from Chicago baker Scone City. All we have to say is … match made in heaven.
If you want to re-create the magic in your own kitchen, we’ve got everything to get you equipped.
First, those bowls: Our Falcon Prep Set, made from enamel, takes you straight to egg-beating paradise. Use it to sift flour and mix any number of other things.
If you prefer glass, these mixing bowls will do you right.
Finish the prep work with our rolling pin and pop everything in the oven with our graphic mitts. Voilà — baking bliss!
Thank you, Elizabeth, for doing a tasting in our shop! And, for all you budding bakers out there, we hope these pictures entice you to get going in the kitchen. Have fun and bon appétit!
