Megan Stroech – Unison

Q+A With #ArtInUnison Contest Winner, Kelsey deLisser

August 30, 2017August 28, 2017Megan StroechFeatured In

This summer we asked students at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) to submit their pattern designs for consideration in our #ArtInUnison contest. The winning design would be made into wallpaper for our Fall 2017 collection. We narrowed the entries down to three and asked you to vote on your favorite, and you picked Kelsey deLisser’s Diamond Graphite Design.

We caught up with Kelsey to ask her a bit about her own studio practice, and what her inspiration was behind her wallpaper design:

1. How did you learn about the #ArtInUnison contest?

A friend of mine heard about it in class and knew how obsessed I was with wallpaper and got a flyer for me. I was super excited to hear about this opportunity because it felt so tailored to me and what I love to do.

2. What influenced your design and color palette for your wallpaper submission?

This pattern strays from what I normally design. For this contest I decided to make a graphic tiled repeat. I tried all different shapes, sizes and line thickness until I found something that felt right. The color palette I chose came from me trying to get this luxurious look of gloss ink on matte paper digitally rendered.

3. Your current focus as an SAIC student is in Fiber & Material Studies, with an emphasis on Screen Printing, what is your personal studio practice like? Is your work similar to the design you submitted for the contest?

My personal studio practice is primarily hand screen printed fabric. I grew up in Miami, FL where greenery was a big aspect and became a theme I like to work with. With my major I have access to a lot of customization and get to play with my patterns a lot more. I get to play with color by dying my own fabric and mixing my own inks.

4. Has your internship at Relativity Textiles influenced your work at all?

Interning and then working at Relativity has defiantly influenced my work. Ive spent a year working with these luxurious metallics and gloss colorways that, when you see in person are just so satisfying that I tend to try similar colorways in my work.

Especially with this pattern I was trying to emulate this glossy feeling that I get when I install our gloss colorway into a space. It’s funny because I find that after so long of working on these patterns at Relativity I often find my doodle sessions turn into just variations on patterns I have worked on previously. So I definitely think Relativity Textiles has made an impact on my work.

5. What are your plans for the coming year, and what do you see yourself doing post graduation?

For the coming year I will be back in the studio at school producing as much fabric as I can in our silkscreen studio before I graduate. I will also be working for Relativity Textiles part-time and freelancing designs for a company called Polychrome. After graduation I really just want to design textiles for the home. I have an infatuation with pattern and I love the way it feels to fill a space with your ideas.

Thanks Kelsey! Stay tuned for more #ArtInUnison blog posts this fall!

Brand Spotlight: SEED Design

August 18, 2017August 17, 2017Megan StroechDesigner's Eye, Featured In, Making Modern, People

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Our Favorite #PetsInUnison

July 27, 2017Megan StroechGet Inspired, People

We love when our customers share how they style our products in their homes, especially when there’s a cute pet to go along with it. That’s why we felt it made sense to add our own unique hashtag for the occasion #PetsInUnison. In this post we’ll highlight some of our favorite furry friends living with Unison.

Thanks to all our great customers + their pets! Keep the posts comin’!

This pup blends right in to our classic Stitch Black + White Bedding. photo @samteich

This cutie is all snuggled up in Grid Black Bedding, and couldn’t be more comfy! photo @taylorntobin

This fluffy guy is Kevin, owned by one of favorite artists + Unison collaborators, Stephen Eichhorn. It’s fitting that he’s laying on Stephen’s design, our Orchid Blue Duvet. Check out more of Stephen’s designs here. photo @stepheneichhorn

Last but certainly not least, is the beloved Jazz owned by former Unison Production Assistant Kim Morski. Jazz is fun-loving + a fan of all things Unison! Jazz is looking especially great next to the Shapes Royal Tote. photo @kimmorski

Dorm Essentials: Bedding + Bath

July 27, 2017July 27, 2017Megan StroechDesigner's Eye, Get Inspired

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Back To School Office + Storage Ideas

July 24, 2017Megan StroechDesigner's Eye, Get Inspired

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

We’re Lovin’ Linen

July 10, 2017Megan StroechDesigner's Eye, Get Inspired

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!

Sashi Geo Indigo Throw Pillow, $70

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

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

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

Linen Aqua Napkins, $8

Put Pastels In Play This Wedding Season

July 5, 2017July 6, 2017Megan StroechGet Inspired

Prime wedding season is in full swing! Whether you’re the guest with gifts to get or putting together your own registry for the big day, we’ve got some great options.

This summer we’ve been all about pairing pastel prints with our Unison classics to create a look that’s not only fresh, but super elegant. Our Squiggles Table Linens get a facelift with the addition of classic Heller White Dinnerware and Eve Chrome Flatware that works with almost anyone’s style.

Add some blooms and your table is set! The Gather Frosted + Clear Vases, are a great looking and affordable option for a wedding or gift registry. Or, spread the pastel love throughout their space with the Squiggles Colorblock Throw Pillow.

Look for more registry ideas or create your own here.

Heller White Dinnerware, $9-$36 + Squiggles Colorblock Tablecloth, $85 + Napkins, $7.50

Eve Chrome Flatware, $25-$90

Corelle White Dinnerware, $3.75-$12 + Fino Tumblers, $13.50-$15.50

Gather Vases, available in Clear + Frosted, $20-$30

Squiggles Throw Pillow, $44

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7 Overnight Guest Essentials with Cedar & Rush Blog

June 29, 2017Megan StroechGet Inspired, People

It’s summertime! Bring on all the vacays and visits to friends + family. Does your guest room need a little sprucing up? It’s amazing how adding little touches can turn your space into mini oasis.

We partnered with blogger Nicole Regan of Cedar & Rush on her recent post, 7 Overnight Guest Essentials. It’s full of great tips and tricks to turn your guest room into a luxury hotel experience.

Read on below to see all the Unison products she used to transform her space:

Swedish Dream Sea Salt Hand Creme, $13.50 + Swedish Dream Sea Aster Soap, $7.50

Tosca White Basket, $50

Schale Glass Cases, $18-$22

Milano Gray Bath Towels, $6-$38 + Nido Natural Basket, $110

Thanks Nicole! Look for more great things at Cedar & Rush and read her full post here.

Summer Pie with Rustic Tart

June 19, 2017Megan StroechGet Inspired, People, Recipes

We’ve been big fans of Rustic Tart‘s amazing desserts for quite some time now, and when the chance to work with owner Stephanie Lock on a beautiful blueberry tart for summer, we jumped at the chance. Read along to learn more about Rustic Tart’s signature Ready-To-Roll Dough + how easy it is to make your own Blueberry Tart, perfect for all those summer parties.

Just a handful of top-quality ingredients make up Rustic Tart’s Ready-to-Roll Dough, with European-style butter (never shortening) taking center stage. Owner Stephanie Lock puts not only her masterful skill, but also her Midwestern sense into the handcrafted disks, making great pies happen. (Shop Falcon Plates + Eve Chrome Flatware)

BLUEBERRY TART RECIPE:

Rustic Blueberry Tart

Here’s Rustic Tart’s favorite blueberry tart recipe developed just for your Ready-to-Roll™ dough.

Happy rolling—Stephanie

DOUGH:

1 package Rustic Tart Ready-to-Roll™dough, thawed overnight in refrigerator

For finishing dough (optional):

2 tablespoons heavy cream

1 tablespoon coarse sugar (such as turbinado sugar)

FILLING:

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon peel (or more to taste, up to two teaspoons)

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch salt

5 cups fresh blueberries (or 5 cups frozen, unsweetened blueberries)

1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon butter, cut into small pieces

Prepare crust following thawing and rolling instructions (steps 1 through 5) on Ready-to-Roll™dough package. (Shop the Baker’s Stripe Apron)

2. Combine sugar with grated lemon peel in a small bowl; rub together with fingertips to release the lemon oil. Add flour, cinnamon and salt to sugar mixture and combine. (Shop the Falcon Prep Set)

3.Gently toss blueberries with lemon juice in a large bowl; add sugar mixture and combine.

4. Assemble and bake following steps 6 through 8 on Ready-to-Roll™dough package. In step 6, dot filling with butter pieces before folding dough over the filling.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

Thanks for the recipe Stephanie! Check out more recipes + get your own Ready-To-Roll Dough here.

Summer Alfresco Entertaining

June 14, 2017Megan StroechGet Inspired, People, Recipes

The summer season has officially started here in Chicago, and the urge to spend every moment outside is hard to resist. We love the idea of bringing the same modern simplicity in your home and taking it outside, whether it’s a picnic in the park or throwing your own backyard summer soirée.

We’ve put together some great pieces for the occasion that are not only stylish, but super durable too. Even better, we’ve partnered with our favorite neighborhood distillery, Rhine Hall to serve up a great cocktail with all the best flavors of summer including mango, orange + lime. Read on to see our product picks + the full cocktail recipe.

Bistro Ivory 5 Pc Placesetting, $70 + Cubic Placemats, $7

Inspired by the clean-smart style of classic Parisian bistros, this French designed set is sharp, strong, and crisply modern. In warm ivory, it’s an inviting and versatile addition to your outdoor tablescape. Add the Cubic Placemats for a geometric accent that looks great and because it’s made of Textaline, it’s easy to clean and stands up to the elements with ease.

Gallery White Large Tray, $30.99 + Gallery White Small Tray, $15.99

With high walls to prevent spills and integrated handles that are sleek and easy to hold, this glossy tray is ready for entertaining prime time. With a modular design and notched bottom edge, this tray easily stacks without sliding. And its generous size allows smaller Gallery Trays to nest inside. So when you mix and match the perfect collection to fit your serving needs, you’ll know they’ll all play together nicely.

Opal Stemless Acrylic Wine Glass, $7.99 + Cabana Coasters Set of 4, $16.50

Crafted of Tritan, the Opal Stemeless Wine Glasses are virtually impossible to shatter, making them the perfect addition to any backyard-beverage scene. Although, once you’ve enjoyed your first sip from this elegantly shaped and weighted “glass,” you’re sure to find yourself reaching for it everyday, in any season. Cheers!

Now after all that work putting together your summer party plans, you deserve a drink! Mix up some summer refreshment with Rhine Hall’s “Drama in the Bahamas” cocktail, and you’re sure to be the talk of the party.