Inspiration – Process – Design we love
We were thrilled to see our Areaware Plywood Playing Cards in a Chicago Tribune piece last month. They were in high demand over the holidays and now they’re now back in stock!
Simplicity. Even the word itself is beautiful – and rich in fresh, bright, and positive connotation.
As a company that embraces and purveys the modern, we live and breathe simplicity. Not only because it appeals to every clean-loving bone in our modern-loving bodies, but because it’s at the core of the design philosophy we represent.
The interior style of a home or public space is not a matter of taste alone. It’s also a reflection of certain beliefs and goals. So modern design is really shaped by and shaping its culture – both now and throughout history.
Understanding the foundations and philosophies of the modern movement can bring greater meaning to your interior spaces – and greater enjoyment to the process of defining your style!
So today, we’re taking a closer look at one core element of modern design: simplicity. We’re thinking about how it evolved, why it’s important, and how we can translate this look into our own interior spaces.
Sounds like a fun excuse to get our thinking caps on.
The beginning of the 20th century was an era of huge social and political change, and these shifts quickly affected the world of interior design. The modern movement embraced new technologies that came with increased industrialization, while recognizing that this major cultural shift would need a new design language.
In response, modern design rejected the lavish excess of the Victorian Eclectic and Edwardian Art Nouveau styles. Pioneering architects and designers fused the traditional craftsmanship of the Arts and Crafts movement with industrialization and mass production, aiming for (among other things) simpler forms, cleaner materials, and a rejection of ornament.
Soon, light, fresh shades replaced heavy, deep color. Intensely patterned wallpapers disappeared in favor of bright, white walls. Clean-lined steel, glass, and concrete arrived on the scene where dark, ornate furnishings and flourishes once reigned supreme. Unnecessary accessories were cast aside, opening interior spaces up for more comfortable living and entertaining.
Form and function began to dance hand-in-hand.
In short, today’s modern style means clean, practical living.
Streamlined and sleek, modern interiors still avoid excessive accessories and ornate decoration. Which leads to a strong focus on function and organization. (Clutter: keep out!)
Polished materials like chrome and glass continue to take center stage, and furniture is defiantly simple, designed for economy of form. The shapes also reflect simplicity at every turn (or lack thereof): clean lines, functional curves, and basic shapes are hallmarks of the modern home.
Color is simple but often bold. Think monochrome walls, neutral furnishings, and bold pops of brave color peppered throughout. And speaking of bold, today’s modern patterns will knock your socks off, fusing geometric tradition with 21st century personality for conversation-sparking looks.
More welcome today than ever, the modern home provides a calm, peaceful, and inviting reprieve from a world that beeps and buzzes with its demand for an ever-faster life.
Making simple beautiful isn’t as hard as it might sound.
The first trick is to keep simplicity top-of-mind with every design decision you make. When choosing a piece, ask yourself about its function. When selecting an accessory, think about how it will be incorporated into your space. (Correct answer: seamlessly.)
Remember these simple-modern basics:
Your goal is a space that feels completely clutter free. A room built on a clean foundation and punctuated with only the most meaningful and truly-you pops of color, pattern, or punch. Think standout shades, bold geometric forms, or remarkable artwork.
And remember that these pops of personality are easy (and fun) to rotate thanks to your simply modern foundation. Your clean backdrop means that taking a room from holiday time to springtime can be as simple as changing out a few throw pillows, rotating a featured piece of wall art, and inviting a gorgeous new plant in for the season.
We’d love to see what modern simplicity means to you. Join the conversation by sharing your own pics with us on Facebook or Instagram.
To get things kicked off this year Robert wanted to add a spark of light to our Spring Collection so he chose the invigorating color coral. We’ve never had a big range of orange tones here at Unison, but this season it just seemed right (along with the introduction of peach too). Combined with blue, this new hue plays really well. Dive right in!
The style watch team at Apartment Therapy thinks coral red is tops as well for 2015. It’s one of their “9 Biggest Style Trends for 2015”.
Do you like this color? Let us know, love it or hate it, in comments section below.
With the ringing in of a new year, Robert & I are making some style resolutions for the coming seasons. 3 resolutions, to be exact. (Why not keep it manageable?)
Each of these style goals for the new year is based on what we’ve learned (or re-learned) last year, and we’d like to share them with all of you – and ask you to share your own with us as well!
When it comes to pattern, our tendency has long been to keep things pretty matchy-matchy. But all that’s changing, thanks not only to how the use of pattern has evolved in our own lives and home, but also to how we’ve seen others buy, combine, and live with Unison products. In the end, we’ve learned that combining and contrasting pattern can be more fun and freeing. So we’re resolving to mix it up more than ever this year.
One key tip for making this work in your own pad: vary the scale of patterns. If you’re picking 3 patterned throw pillows to combine (a great number), go for 1 small scale pattern, 1 medium scale, and 1 large scale. Your patterns will play much more nicely together if they’re not competing on the size front.
We are still white paint fanatics at home, but bringing color backgrounds onto our photo shoots has definitely created some strong vibes for bold wall color. I doubt we would ever do a whole room, but we have resolved to get into the accent wall, wherever fitting.
A single wall in cobalt blue or pale pink can take a room from fine to fabulous. The trick is using quality paint so that the color shows beautifully and will stand the test of time.
Even for a quick breakfast at home, we still set out napkins, the necessary flatware, glassware, and plates. We think it’s of the utmost importance to not only eat together – sharing conversation and face time – but to create a very simple, properly set table when doing so.
If you do this every day, you’ll soon find yourself going a bit further, using place mats or tablecloths and candles at dinner. Bon appétit!
Do you have any style resolutions of your own? We’d love to hear about them in the comments area below.
Happy New Year!
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
We are delighted to see our Sailor Poppy Changer Cover featured in this month’s issue of Pregnancy & Newborn! Selected as part of their Circus theme, under Six Nursery Themes You’ll Love.
I took a quick trip to Portugal recently, where I connected with some of our incredible European manufacturers and checked on production for various items in our fall line.
Visiting the factories first hand, I was reminded of these vendors’ extraordinary printing capabilities, which is essential to the appeal of our product line. But their commitment to quality is equally important – a commitment that applies to both the finished product and the entire production process. Most of our vendors produce entirely in house, so they have superior insight into the manufacturing process and excellent oversight of quality control.
As impressed as I was with them and with the beautiful product they’re turning out for next season, I was also struck – as I always am in my travels – with the beauty that’s hidden in every corner of this big world. Everywhere I look, I see inspiration for pattern, color, texture, and product design.
Take a look:
Want your entertaining to outshine the fireworks this 4th of July? Look no further. In honor of the country’s big day, we’ve collected 4 of our most trusted tabletopping tips.
Please, pull up a chair.
When you’re planning the tablescape, don’t forget that the feast will add a lot of action to your design. So keep it simple.
Try white linens with one amazing centerpiece. Or pepper a single, striking pattern into neutrals. Or, for a bold-yet-simple option, play with patriotic colorblocking – just be sure to stick to strong lines and clean pattern to keep your culinary creations at center stage.
To add a party-ready pop of unexpected fun, take that trusted red, white, and blue palette a step further with a dash of surprising color. Try yellow, green, or something even more outside the box – like magenta.
Welcome to the home of the brave.
There’s one gift our country doesn’t need this birthday: another bag in her landfill. So celebrate in sustainable style by avoiding disposable materials.
Your environmentally-caring conscience will thank you. Not to mention your guests, who will enjoy that corn salad ever so much more with a real fork. Even for big parties, a lovely cotton napkin or metal tumbler is a simple way to show that you know how to celebrate.
If your plans prevent porcelain (or anything breakable), there are many durable and reusable options out there – and many of them are a lot more fun than their garbage-y alternatives.
It wouldn’t be a party without a few spills. But today’s stain-resistant technology will help you laugh off any mess. The options are virtually endless.
Who says great design isn’t practical?
What are your favorite ways to celebrate the 4th of July? We’d love to hear your comments and ideas.
