Unique-Holiday-Gift-Guide-Feature-Image---Candles-on-a-Mantle

A Very Personal Gift Guide: 13 Unique Ideas

December 11, 2014December 11, 2014Libby CortezDesigner's Eye

As the founders and chief designers at Unison, we’re particularly selective about the gifts we give this time of year. Because every choice we make is a reflection on who we are, what our company stands for, and how we see our friends and loved ones.

That’s true for all of us, isn’t it?

Selecting gifts can be one of the most rewarding or frustrating activities of the holiday season. So, to help tip your shopping scales toward the enjoyment category, we’re sharing some of our personal favorites – and some of our customers’ too. Each gift on this list is unique, memorable, and full of warmth.

Happy holidays, from the Unison family to yours,
Alicia & Robert

Alicia’s Favorites

1. Object Boxes with Shikama x Unison Jewelry

Unison had the pleasure of working with local Chicago jewelry designer Sarah Shikama as she designed this line of beautiful and affordable handmade jewelry. Alicia adores the Bauhaus Necklace and can often be seen wearing her own around the Unison offices. But her personal favorite is the cuff.

Each piece in the collection is a beautiful memory from a very fun collaboration: Sarah selected the Aerial fabric and hand marbled her striking bangles to go with it. And the Object Boxes are a perfect match with such standout jewelry; the smallest box is the perfect gift wrap for a special bangle.

2. Ecoustik Docks

Everyone has a gadget-obsessed teenager somewhere in the family. They love their iDevices, and they love their music, but that endless stream of iTunes gift cards just falls flat after year #4. Enter the Ecoustik Walnut Dock, a beautiful docking station that amplifies sound from their iPhone, iPad, or iPad Mini. Pretty enough to leave on the counter, cool enough to make a teen proud.

3. Lumberjack Candle Holders

Simple enough to be elegant, yet whimsical enough to be as memorable as a candlelight dinner, these Lumberjack Candle Holders might appear delicate, but they’re actually weighted at the bottom to stabilize. It’s the perfect gift for any practical design lover in your life.

4. Dots Red Table Linens and Kitchen Linens

Feeling overwhelmed by the endless stream of holiday parties on your calendar this year? While we’re happy to hear of your popularity, we understand the downside: finding inspiration for so many hostess gifts can exhaust even the most creative of minds. Here’s one that works for all: a super fun set of table linens that is bound to spice up what she’s already got going on, no matter her taste.

Robert’s Favorites

5.Falcon Teapots and Mugs

Your aunt-who-is-hosting-all-the-shenanigans deserves a good excuse to kick her feet up. This adorable, unbreakable Red Falcon Teapot and Mugs are the perfect answer. In bold red, this set is as festive as Santa’s milk & cookies.

6. Kamil and Noel Mugs

Need a gift for that sibling who’s all about the coffee, and another for the one who’s all about the wine? With the Kamil Glass Mug and the Noel Double Wall Glass, you’ll have both covered in separate-but-equal sophisticated style.

Customer Favorites

7. Harvest Navy Napkins

The harvest print is so earthy and warm and bold and fun, our customers just can’t get enough of it. Plant these napkins under the tree for your earthy, warm, bold, and fun wife, whose idea of accessorizing is more about what’s on the table than about what’s dangling from her ears. (We can totally relate.)

8. Harvest Knit Blankets + Pillows

Throw your friends a snuggly blanket and pillow any day of the week, and they’ll be thanking their Holiday stars for you. Knitted in our whimsical Harvest pattern, these gifts are sure to delight anyone on your list.

9. Bird Ornaments

We can’t take all the credit for this year’s whimsical bird ornaments, since our readers chose the pattern from many gorgeous options. Eye-catching, colorful, and made from scrap fabrics in Chicago, these perfect little ornaments are the gift you give your tree. And your mom’s tree. And your sister’s tree. And your neighbor’s tree. And your neighbor’s sister’s mom’s tree…

10. Haus Scented Candles

Everyone brings a bottle of wine, and we love them for it. But if you want to be the standout guest of the night, you’ll need to light things up a bit. Enter these Haus Scented Candles. Choose from a Log Haus, Mountain Haus, or Garden House scent, and they’ll be remembering you fondly every time they light this lovely gift.

11.Heller White Dinnerware

Our customers’ favorite dinnerware? The classic Heller White. And it’s no surprise. They stack together and are perfect for everyday use, but they’re also classic and sophisticated enough to make a style statement. Send them to those newlyweds who only registered for plates they’re afraid to use. They’ll love you for it.

12. Eve Brushed Gold Flatware

If holiday shopping is a competition, you probably just took the prize. This ohh- and ahh-worthy flatware is so special, it’s sure to put a smile on the face of anyone who receives it. Including that special someone: you.

13. Metal Napkin Rings

You liked it – and you put a ring on it. We’re so happy you did, because these brushed metal napkin rings are some of our favorite tabletop accessories, too. Perfect for the lovely gal who deserves more than one beautiful ring.

Happy Harvest Time!

November 26, 2014April 17, 2017Libby CortezDesigner's Eye, Get Inspired

This Thanksgiving season, we’ve been hungry for the bounty of great design. So we indulged our appetites with a gorgeous new collaboration with artist and printmaker Hillery Sproatt.

When we asked Hillery to develop a story print of a village scene, she brought warmth and whimsy together in a striking original painting, which we transformed into the contrast-packed Harvest Pattern that’s adorning so many tables this holiday season. An homage to the great abundance of holiday moments, this pattern is brimming with rich personality and organic spirit.

Our recent Harvest Time event celebrated this standout launch, with harvest table linens, throw pillows, and blankets taking center stage – along with Hillery and her mom, who joined in the fun.

Hillery Sproatt with Robert Segal and others — Hillery talks with Unison co-founder Robert Segal and other modern-design lovers during the Harvest Time event.

Hillery's mom joined other shoppers in admiring the gorgeous use of her daughter's Harvest pattern — Hillery’s mom joined other shoppers in admiring the gorgeous use of her daughter’s Harvest pattern

A doll made from scrap fabric rests on a bed — Hillery transformed some of our scrap fabrics into one-of-a-kind dolls, available in-store only for the holidays at $200 each. Just call or stop by!

Mom & daughter pose with their dolls — Hillery and her mom, Deborah, hold the dolls that are named for them.

Rhine Hall offered cocktails during the event, featuring their delicious apple brandy. 'Tis the season! — Rhine Hall offered cocktails during the event, featuring their delicious apple brandy. ‘Tis the season!

Our 5 Thanksgiving Favorites

November 18, 2014April 17, 2017Libby CortezDesigner's Eye, People

In the midst of a very busy Fall season, we’re feeling especially thankful for thankfulness itself – and for the holiday that reminds us to stop and celebrate the many things we have to be grateful for.

This year, we’re toasting our very long thankfulness list in high style, by bringing 5 of our favorite (and newest) items to the table. Take a look:

1. Harvest Tablecloth

Designed in collaboration with Hillery Sproatt, our new Harvest pattern is decadent, engaging, and full of humanity—much like the hours enjoyed around your dinner table. It’s the perfect foundation for a meal focused on celebrating the bounty of our lives.

2. Teema Black Dinnerware

That picture’s making us hungry for more than Jim Rude‘s delicious squash bisque. How about that gorgeous Teema Black Dinnerware, which brings such a stylish sense of sleek to this inviting table setting? This enduring classic, created by Kaj Franck for Iittala in 1952, comes in a set which includes bowls, dinner plates, salad plates, cups, and saucers.

And if you thought gorgeous couldn’t be practical, think again: this glazed porcelain is freezer, oven, microwave, and dishwasher safe.

3. Warm Casseroles

Think cookware can’t make a statement? Think again. These glazed stoneware casseroles are simply standout. And they couldn’t be more thoughtfully designed: with a side spout for pouring a dish’s sauce or gravy after serving, they go from oven (or microwave) to table (then dishwasher) with style and ease.

4. Heima Cast Iron Candle Holder

This is more than a candle holder. It’s a centerpiece. A conversation starter. A sculpture. A gorgeous gift or keeper for your own table.

We like to add white or colored candles, for an extra spark.

5. Harvest Apron, Pot Holder, or Oven Mitts

Many of us travel to another family’s table for Thanksgiving. And our new Harvest pattern – full of character and whimsy – makes the perfect gift for your hardworking host or hostess. Aprons, pot holders, and oven mitts make for wonderful presents, bringing a cornucopia of modern style right to the heart of the home.

Getting Thirsty for Craft Beer with Michael Kiser

October 15, 2014Libby CortezPeople

We’re getting excited about this Thursday’s Perfect Pour event, so we cornered the unquenchable Michael Kiser to help us wet our pre-party whistle.

A beer connoisseur and beverage industry expert, Michael helps breweries of all sizes build their brands – and in the process, he travels widely and chronicles his experiences at Good Beer Hunting, offering us all a front-row seat to the explosion of our nation’s craft beer business.

Michael’s passion is destined to pique your taste buds’ curiosity – whether you’re a beer lover or not. Check it out:

First off, you’re clearly passionate about beer. So much so that it’s contagious—and making us thirsty. So what’s all the fuss about? Why do you love beer so much?
Well, I’m hardly patient zero when it comes to the passion in beer-making. So many brewers have inspired me to see beer in a completely different light than when I was just drinking the stuff.

They get excited about beer just like we do, but they also look at a glass and see a process that mystifies them as much as they wrestle with it to try and pin it down scientifically. What did the yeast do in this batch? Could I change the rate of hop additions? What did it taste like in the barrel in month one versus one year out?

Beer is as much a natural phenomenon as it is a technical process, and that mystery will always draw people with a curious, tinkering mind. It makes brewing feel constantly new and fresh, even when you think you’ve figured it out. I guess that’s why it captured my artistic inclinations, and inspired me to start telling stories and capturing amazing photographs that share this lifestyle in the way that I see it from the inside, now that I work with breweries on a daily basis.

There’s just so much adventure to be had.

Do you see any exciting trends in the world of craft brewing right now? What should we be watching for?
We’ve finally reached the point where old is new again, and that’s exciting for me. For a decade or more, we’ve chased down the hoppiest, strongest beers we can figure out how to make, and it’s been fun.

But now we’re digging into the back catalog of beer history, making goses, a salty, tart wheat beer that essentially went extinct as a German style. Alt biers, honey ales, just beautiful, more subtle beers that had a place in our history. And they have that place again as more and more people get intrigued by beer. That being said, Americans never stop exploring, and right now, it seems like the saison style is our obsession. We’re reinventing the rustic, French, farmhouse style, and we’re getting some unbelievable flavors out of it.

Mmm. Please tell us that you’ll be bringing some such beers to the Unison event.
You bet. One of Chicago’s best brewers, and a bit of a beer historian in a way, is John Laffler and Dave Bleitner from Off Color Brewing. Their first beer in the market last year was a gose called Troublesome. And since then, they’ve gone on to brew a number of subtle palate pleasers that taste unlike anything else on the market today.

I’m going to bring two of their beers that I think exemplify this sophisticated approach: Scurry, a dark, toasty honey ale in the style of a Kottbusser, with a little molasses in the finish. And their newest beer, Ellie, a honey saison made with gin spices. This might be one of the most unique beers I’ve heard of in awhile, with lemon zest, lemon juice, juniper, coriander, chamomile, and rose hips.

I think people are going to love them.

So, what next?
Like I said, beer in America is all about exploration. And just when you think a trend has reached its logical peak, someone adds a new twist. Barrel aging is one of those things.

We think of barrel-aged beers as those big, dark imperial stouts aged in bourbon barrels. Amazing stuff. But now, we’re going in a dozen directions at once with barrels. We’re using wine barrels to impart completely different flavors, either that dry oakiness of a cabernet, or the silky quality of chardonnay. Or liquor barrels like fernet and rum, or whole barrel-aged cocktails like a Manhattan.

It’s a completely different way to think about beer recipes, and as always, we’re getting some amazing flavors from the process.

Votes In, Tree Trimmed

October 8, 2014April 17, 2017Libby CortezGet Inspired, People

Feeling festive all year long? We bet that you were, and we bet right.

During our Christmas in July vote this summer, we invited Unison fans everywhere to select which ornament collection we should offer this holiday season. And a merry mob of you cast your votes and sent us stitching.

Thanks to all of you who participated, and don’t forget to use that voters-only promo code to make this year’s holiday shopping a bit more merry and bright.

Now, at long last, the winner is…

So many?! That’s right. Considering the number of people who chimed in and voted, we decided to produce both the #1 & #2 designs.

So when it’s time to shop, you still get to choose: the Soft Bird Ornament Set in red and gray (the berry bright winner) or shades of nature (the fresh & clean runner up). Or both!

Beginning in early November, these sets will be available online or through our catalog for $20. If you’d like to be notified when they arrive, just drop your e-mail into the form below, and we’ll keep you posted.

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Stylin’ Squash Bisque

September 29, 2014Libby CortezGet Inspired, People

When we connected with a new food stylist for our holiday catalog shoot, we all got infected with a bit of early cheer.

The wonderful Jim Rude is anything but rude. A 20-year food-styling veteran, he humbly attributes his success to hard work and a little luck – although we can attest to the fact that a lot of talent has gone into the mix as well.

And, since Jim began his career as a chef, he doesn’t just know how to make food look amazing; he knows how to make it taste divine.

The squash bisque he whipped up for us looked particularly delicious. So we tried it for ourselves – then begged for the recipe.

Good thing for all of us, Jim’s kind enough to share:

Butternut Squash Bisque

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total time: 75 minutes

Serves 6

1 ea. butternut squash, halved lengthwise, seeded

2 Tbsps. EVOO, divided

1 med. onion, diced

1 ea. granny smith apple, peeled, seeded, and chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1 tsp. curry powder

1 Tbsp. honey

3 cups reduced sodium chicken broth

Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Rub cut sides of squash with 1 tablespoon of oil. Place cut side down in a 13″ x 9″ baking dish. Bake for one hour or until squash is soft.

2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan or dutch oven, saute onion, apple, and garlic in remaining tablespoon of oil over medium heat until softened. Add curry powder and cook an additional minute.

3. When squash is tender, scoop flesh out with a spoon, transferring it to the saucepan with the onion/apple mixture. Add the honey and chicken broth. Simmer over medium low heat for 30 minutes or until hot.

4. Puree mixture with a hand blender or regular blender until smooth. Season to taste with salt. Serve in bowls with sprigs of fresh herbs.

“This creamy classic is a great way to kick off the fall season,” Jim explains. “For added flavor, try it with some crumbled biscotti cookies or fried sage leaves on top.”

Check out Rude On Food for more good stuff from Jim.

Creative Things to Do with Fabric Feature

12 Fresh (and Fabulous) Fabric Ideas

September 25, 2014September 25, 2014Libby CortezGet Inspired

We at Unison have had an ongoing love affair with fabric for – well – forever. If you know us at all, you know that much.

So we’re always noting great ideas for getting creative with fabric. And why not? One of the easiest ways to inject new life and style into any look is to bring in some material full of bold color or striking pattern.

Step one: choose your fabric. The options for this are virtually endless. But we’ll help you out by humbly mentioning that our collection of fabric offered by the yard is one great place to start.

Now for what to do with it:

Fold an origami-style tote bag

This is a hip and current look, and there’s no reason you can’t do it yourself in a few relatively easy steps.

Brittany Watson Jepsen has one great how to with lots of photos. (And don’t hesitate to linger. Her blog is chock full of great ideas for using fabric.)

Let the kids go wild

Let’s be honest: you can spend your life savings on a Rembrant, but the framed finger painting that your 5-year-old made in kindergarten is destined to garner more comments.

So why not encourage your little artisans to get creative with your favorite fabrics? Just grab some glue, safety scissors, and a selection of gorgeous material, then see where their imagination takes them. Frame the results for praise-worthy wall art.

Turn scrap fabric into gorgeous twine

Bring new life to your gift wrapping with My Poppet’s great tutorial on making roping from scrap fabric. Tie one on and give it away!

Think fabric for wainscoting

Ever muse about doing something bold with those lovely, framed sections of your dining room? Turns out they’re the perfect place to go crazy with patterned fabric.

Why? For one, you’re working in sections that are surrounded by lots of white space (or gray space or black or…you get the picture). So you needn’t worry about overwhelming the room with too bold a look.

But there’s another big benefit: Fabric is easy to remove (unlike that pesky wallpaper). So if you go big and bold and then need a change by next fall, it’s not the end of the world.

Makeover a chair with fabric scrap

Pull up a chair and start a conversation with this DIY idea from Sincerely, Kinsey. Who’d have thought that a made over wooden chair could have so much personality?

Braid a basket

Didn’t think you were cut out for basket weaving? Maybe you just need to rethink what you’re putting into it.

Not for the casually crafty, Tiffanie Turner’s DIY fabric basket tutorial is as thorough as it is creative. Get to work now, and you could have a gorgeous collection of hostess gifts in hand for the holiday party season.

Cover some cork

In our Chicago store, we often use fabric-covered boards as wall art (and as a great way to feature our extensive line of fabrics).

It couldn’t be easier: just be sure that your cork (or whatever core you choose) is acid-free, cover it with your favorite fabric, and hang. Easy + gorgeous = forever favorite.

Wrap in fabric

If you were thinking of sending us a gift, we’d like it wrapped like this please. Who wouldn’t?

Joy Uyeno has an über easy tutorial on her Frock Files blog – simply easy, simply gorgeous. What could be more modern than that?

Switch a switch plate

Light switch plates are a fun place to inject some spark into a room, because they’re small but often seen (and used) by all who enter.

Plus, it’s not too tough to do this yourself with your favorite bit of fabric. Tidy Mom offers a nice tutorial.

Pick a bouquet of fabric flowers

Sew them in, pin them up, tie them on… Whatever you can think to do with these beautiful fabric flowers, we approve.

This tutorial on Flax & Twine is inspiring and thorough – templates and all. Happy handmade indeed.

Light up your life

Just follow the steps from Six Sisters for a beautiful and cost-effective freshen for any lamp.

Create a fabric flag banner

We could list creative takes on this classic all day, but Pinterest already has the options covered in spades. Check out this Fabric Flag Banner board for endless ideas.

Keep an eye on our Projects with Fabric Pinterest board for more ideas.

Getting Down with Down Inc.

August 27, 2014September 12, 2014Libby CortezMaking Modern

Thank you, Midwest ducks.

The next time you’re snuggling up with a Unison pillow, take a moment to consider all the thoughtful steps that went into the making of that cozy-beautiful accessory. The list of elements and contributors is longer than you might think – and, true to the value system we work by, very carefully curated.

Allow us to introduce you to one of the greats:

The high-quality, sustainably made feather-down insert in every Unison throw pillow comes from a wonderful little company in Michigan, just across the big lake from our Chicago headquarters.

For over 50 years, Down Inc. has remained one of the country’s only vertical manufacturers in this industry. And we’ve had the great pleasure of working with them since 2006.

Down’s proprietary processing guarantees a highly clean and sterile feather-based product.

Their secrets to success? Partnership, sustainability, and a keen eye toward nothing-need-be-wasted resourcefulness. With Maple Leaf Farms – the leading producer of duck products for restaurants and groceries across the United States – as their parent company, Down Inc. has plenty of fluff to go around.

That’s the kind of smart, sustainable business that we like to join up with.

Bringing Modern Home: Our Staff Family Shares their Picks

August 7, 2014August 7, 2014Libby CortezPeople

Unison is a modern home all its own. And like a good family, our staffers are invested in making this place great.

Which is why we have a lot of respect for (ahem) our own opinions. And a lot of fresh perspective on some favorite pieces – how to use them, what inspired them, and why we can’t get enough.

Vote Now for Christmas in July

July 21, 2014Libby CortezFeatured In

It’s a holly jolly July at Unison, where we’re inviting you to help us select the best patterns for this year’s holiday line.

Just vote on your favorite set below, and we’ll do more than produce it this holiday season – we’ll also send you a little thank-you gift: a special, voters-only discount code, to help you crank through this year’s gift list in style.

Merry voting!

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Sign up to get your voters’ discount:
14% off site wide!