As a family-run company with a penchant for well-made, thoughtfully designed items, we were easily drawn to the story of Mourne Textiles. Founded over 50 years ago by Norwegian textile designer Gerd Hay-Edie in the foothills of the Mourne Mountains of Northern Ireland, the company is still owned and operated by her family and produces her original designs.
Karen Hay-Edie and Mario Sierra; Photo from Mourne Textiles
An iconic textile designer and pioneer of weaving techniques, Gerd Hay-Edie made a lasting impact on the world of weaving. Her original designs, combined with her collaborations with Robin Day, Hille and Conran, made her a staple of mid-century British design. She set up her County Down workshop and design studio in 1954, where operations continue to this day. Her daughter, Karen Hay-Edie, is a Master Weaver and her grandson, Mario Sierra, helms the company.
Photo from Mourne Textiles
Mourne Textiles connects traditional hand-loom techniques and designs of the past with modern influences. In fact, most of the looms they use were imported by their matriarch in the 1950s and the internal layout of the mill hasn’t been altered from its original state. Their work today builds upon the legacy of Hay-Edie, crafting her original designs side-by-side with new ventures in carpets, curtains, blankets and other household textiles.
With their emphasis on heritage, it comes as no surprise that they remain committed to craftsmanship and their team of local weavers. Mourne works with QEST (Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust) to offer apprenticeship grants to learn the vital, time-honored skills of weaving, ensuring that these beautiful traditions will live on.
We are honored to offer a selection of Mourne Textiles’ iconic designs to the Unison community. Originally designed by Hay-Edie in 1951, the Check Placemats are as appreciated today as they were decades ago. Woven from a blend of linen, wool and nylon, the multiple yarn colors give the placemats a distinctive texture and depth. Available as sets of four in several colorways.
The Tweed blanket collection is made from 100% pure Merino Donegal yarn, each one a combination that creates a unique color and texture. Breathable, yet cozy, they add warmth and detail to your living spaces. And with respect to the local weavers who make them, they reflect pure craftsmanship right down to every purled fringe edge.
This collection also features a signature take on the classic herringbone pattern that translates seamlessly as a modern interior fabric. High-quality yarns in varying thicknesses give each throw a distinctive texture and a soft, snug feel. The woody autumnal Bordeaux Poppy and Rust Bracken tones of the Mourne Mountains have inspired these blankets, which contrast with the lighter yarns that extend into a natural fringe at the edges. The deep indigo of the Blue Woad colorway offers a statement of color in whichever room its featured.
As the year winds down, we’re reflecting on all the ways we’ve commemorated our 15th Anniversary with the Unison community. One of our favorite celebrations was collaborating with past and present Unison partners to create limited edition products for our customers. These pieces perfectly encapsulate where our interest lies: timeless modern design made consciously and with heart.
Andrew Molleur is a ceramicist and designer living and working in Kingston, NY. His Hudson Valley studio sits amongst a growing creative community and operates as a versatile workshop, giving him the creative freedom and physical support to seamlessly move between projects and materials. He draws on influences from architecture and design, combining clean lines, geometric fragments and textural experiences to construct his distinct aesthetic. The results are one-of-a-kind pieces, each engaging the beholder in a visual and tactile intimacy.
A Unison partner since 2018, we approached Andrew about creating a custom colorway of our favorite Zig Zag Low Bowl in honor of our 15th Anniversary. The outcome: a Sage colorway that works harmoniously with our existing White and Brick options. Hand slip-cast from porcelain, it’s a sculptural work of art with an intriguing design that draws the eye in. Its unique shape and size make this geometric bowl a welcome addition to any space, bringing subtle sophistication and visual interest to the table.
Debbie Carlos is a photographer and ceramicist based in Michigan. We first collaborated with Debbie in 2017, featuring her captivating photography in our Fall catalog, and we’re honored to include her once again with these special edition Ilog Bowls. Her ceramic work is inspired by land and architecture, experimenting with shape, size and materials to create unexpected and beautiful functional and sculptural objects.
Debbie handcrafted each of these distinctive serve bowls at her studio in Michigan. In Tagalog, “ilog” (pronounced ee-lohg) means river. The artistry of this bowl, with the glaze flowing over the side, takes inspiration from a rushing river. Each bowl is one-of-a-kind thanks to the unique hand glazing method. They are available in two unique color combinations: oatmeal and terracotta and cobalt and tan.
One We Made Earlier consists of husband and wife duo, Emma and Rob Orchardson. Together they create contemporary accessories in their London studio, cutting and finishing everything by hand. Their work emerges from playful experimentation, combining different forms, surfaces and textures to create striking geometric designs. They aim to create accessories that you will love to wear, or simply hang on your wall as beautiful objects.
Having worked with them years ago, Unison is thrilled to have them bring a few of their creations to our collection once again. Each of the Marianne, Ito and Josef necklaces features a rope cord that can easily adjust in length by moving the wooden ball at the back. With brass tubes, resin beads and hand-cast jesmonite and Corian® block shapes, these necklaces leave an impression, whether worn or displayed.
The Larch pattern has a strong connection to Unison’s foundation, as the print was originally launched with our debut textile collection in 2006. The inspiration behind the print came from a photograph of a tamarack larch tree originally taken by Unison co-founder Alicia Segal at their family country home. Co-founders Robert and Alicia were drawn to the tree’s unique texture and silhouette, as well as how the colors of the tree shifted through the seasons. Through unique compositional choices and a shift in scale, the image was abstracted and translated into a repeat pattern. The unrestrained character and texture of the silhouetted pattern offered a strong natural element to Unison’s first collection and went on to be printed on a myriad of products – including table linens, bedding, blankets, shower curtains and even wrapping paper.
Now for our anniversary, we’re bringing Larch back not as a printed textile, but as a part of our signature knit throw blanket collection. Machine washable and made in the USA, these cozy blankets are made from recycled cotton and polyester in a double-knit weave. Their weighty feel is perfect for curling up on the sofa with a good book, while the tan and golden colors effortlessly complement any room’s color scheme.
We’re proud to introduce the work of one of our partners, British designer Aaron Probyn. Working out of New York City and London, Aaron is an industrial designer who shares Unison’s passion for sustainably produced, high-quality and timelessly designed pieces.
A Product and Furniture Design graduate of London’s Kingston University, Aaron first established a presence within the design industry by creating award-winning products while working for a roster of respected brands, including Habitat, Studio Conran, Tom Dixon, Plain English and Jedco Product Design.
Then in 2012, he founded his eponymous design studio and began consulting for a wide range of global companies. From directing the initial concept to final production sign-off, he creates ranges that are commercially successful year after year. Experienced across a variety of products and manufacturing processes, from small batch runs to high-volume automated production, Aaron brings an in-depth knowledge and instinctive approach to each and every brief.
His journey as a designer reached new heights in 2020 when he launched his line of own-brand products. By collaborating with carefully selected manufacturers and sourcing ethically produced materials, he’s committed to making good design accessible to the many, not just the few.
Unison is honored to be selected by Aaron as the exclusive U.S. retailer for his debut collection. With his cohesive range of beautifully designed products, Aaron puts simple shapes and forms front and center, inspiring a love of clean-lined, engaging design. Each product has a unique, tactile quality with clear intention: to be used and enjoyed over an entire lifetime.
The Heath Maple Wood Boards were made with both entertaining and food preparation in mind. The boards’ name comes from Hampstead Heath near North London, where Aaron was raised. Crafted from FSC-certified maple and treated with a food-safe mineral oil, the hardwood material was chosen for its resistance to moisture and ability to withstand knife cuts. The slim brushed brass handles add an unexpected accent and make them easy for serving or hanging up when not in use.
The Geometry Brass Trivets Set Of 3 are smartly designed and striking. Use them nested as a set for one dish or individually for three dishes, keeping table surfaces safe from heat and condensation. The brushed brass finish and graphic shapes make a bright and bold centerpiece for your table. Plus, the slim profiles along with the ability to nest within each other make them easy to store.
The Zofia Salad Servers are meant to be your go-to servers for both everyday and special occasion uses. Made of 18/10 stainless steel with a PVD coating, they’re as useful as they are eye-catching. The generous proportions, well-weighted feel and choice of three finishes make them a functional and beautiful addition to your table or a unique and thoughtful host gift.
Made of solid brass, the Eclipse Brushed Brass Candleholders are substantial and stable, while the ringed design creates an illusion of floating above the surface. The simple low shapes add a bright accent to your table or space. Each one looks great on its own, but combined all together they make an impressive statement as a minimal centerpiece.
These cleverly designed Como Marble Candleholders allow for mixing-and-matching, yet still have a cohesive style. Made of solid marble, the clean shape of the candleholder presents an updated look to a traditional material. The ability to use them with either a tealight on one side or a taper candle on the other gives it versatility as a single object, while combining a few of both colors adds contrast, height and dimension.
The Botany Planters’ rounded form is expertly hand slip cast of raw porcelain and has a smooth, matte exterior with a glossy glazed interior. The medium planters’ smart, two-part design features a center bottom hole and saucer, allowing for proper drainage and keeping your surfaces safe from drips, while the small vessel has a center bottom hole and rubber stopper for easy drainage and resealing.
Continuing our celebration of our 15th Anniversary, we’re taking another look at a Unison signature design – the Stitch pattern.
Stitch was initially introduced as a collection of throw pillows in 2010, made in the USA of hand screen-printed fabric. The idea behind the design was to create an all-over solid print with a subtle texture. To achieve this, we placed a simple dash mark against a solid background color, creating a hint of illumination. Each dash was drawn by hand to create slight variations and a natural quality within the fabric.
The simplicity of the pattern allowed for several unique color combinations, which bridged our overall collection that included everything from bold stripes to woven inspired prints. The name “Stitch” emerged from the repetitive stitch-like quality of the dash marks. Over the years, it’s been applied to a variety of textiles and products, like aprons, placemats and even gift wrap.
Stitch expanded into bedding in 2013, where we saw the strength of the pattern as a single color scheme and pushed its graphic contrast with a reversible format. The versatility of reversible bedding allowed the individual to determine which side suited their mood or home environment.
We like the variety this option offers, as well as the aspect of the print being both soft and bold at the same time. The bedding is printed in Portugal on 100% cotton percale fabric and produced to OEKO-TEX® standards. We work with OEKO-TEX®, one of the world’s best known labels for product safety, to ensure that our bedding and bath collections are free of harmful substances — made safely with the environment and your well-being in mind.
In 2017, we turned this customer favorite into a bath collection. Available as a shower curtain, bath towel, hand towel and washcloth, these additions adapt easily to any bathroom and can infuse a modern look into your space. Our towel collection is made of 100% OEKO-TEX® certified cotton and features the same reversible design as our duvet covers.
Then in late 2018, the newest member of the Stitch family – the Stitch Rug – was added to our selection. Crafted in India exclusively for Unison, it mixed cool, blue undertones with bright flecks of citrus colors, bringing a cheery duality to your space.
Since its launch, the Stitch pattern has been a customer favorite and mainstay in Unison’s permanent collection. In combinations of black, white and pewter, you can mix-and-match Stitch with other classic Unison patterns throughout your home for a timeless, modern look.
In celebration of our 15th Anniversary, we take a look back at the history of our original textile collection and the formation of our design values. Unison’s Co-Founder and CEO, Robert Segal shares the personal story and pursuit of textiles which established our brand in 2006.
Our love and pursuit of textiles started from an early age for both Alicia and I. Alicia’s stems from her mother’s side coming from a long line of tailors from France, influencing her appreciation for fine material and fashion design. While mine was the exposure of Marimekko fabric with Crate & Barrel being a part of our family. Seeing how art and graphics applied to fabric and brilliant use of colors could transcend an interior environment and clothing was very inspiring for both of us. With interiors, understanding how bedding, upholstery and tablecloths could enhance and bring warmth into the living environment was especially influential in the growth of Unison.
Fast forward to the mid/late 1990’s, Alicia and I found ourselves pursuing degrees in photography and textiles from the Rhode Island School of Design. This lead to an internship at Marimekko and eventually moving to Finland upon graduation to work for the company. There, we spent almost 5 years working as product designers and stylists/photographers. We immersed ourselves in the brand and learned how to take an idea from sketch to market, while upholding quality production and craftsmanship. Marimekko was a major influence in furthering our education. Being very young, we were fortunate to be in an environment that nurtured our talents.
Upon the founding of Unison in 2006, we felt the same commitment to uphold quality production and brand integrity with good design and responsible manufacturing. We strived to produce as much as possible in the United States, as we saw the resurgence of domestic production and preserving textiles manufacturing and jobs. However, there were some higher barriers of entry on the bedding production side and a more complex supply chain to navigate. Thus, we were fortunate to have made solid connections in Portugal to see our designs for our bedding collection be realized through a cohesive manufacturing process. Where our artwork and designs could be, they were applied directly to their process of in-house screen making, screen printing or rotary printing, cut and sew, and quality assurance and packaging.
Additionally, a key part of working in Portugal was the assurance that the factories had been Oeko-Tex® certified. This certification eliminates the use of harmful chemicals within the manufacturing process, providing not only a safer end product for the customers, but safe for the environment, clean run-off water and proper conditions for the workers. We always made it our standard to meet in person with our manufacturing partners to assure the conditions and quality meet our expectations. Vetting out partners in person did take time and travel, but it was worth the effort for the results we strived to obtain. Thus, we conducted preliminary trips to Portugal to find the right partner not only in production standards, but who also believed in us early in our company’s lifecycle. We understood the value in building these relationships and we became better designers by knowing the capabilities, techniques, strengths and weaknesses of the production process.
With our domestic production pursuit, we were able to locate two legacy US printers on the East Coast and utilize their core strengths to print our fabrics. One factory offering hand silk screen printing, while the other using rotary equipment to produce minimal stripe patterns, which were converted into throw pillows and eventually into a table linen collection. In addition, we were able to source our down fill supplier in Michigan. Again, we visited the factories to make sure the quality and mindset were aligned with our vision. Lastly, we partnered with a local Chicago-based sewer to convert the printed fabrics into throw pillows. Our debut collection included patterns that were based on both graphic elements and photography. Our Larch pattern was a tree silhouette in a large-scale repeat that could be paired with minimal designs such as Martin, which had a center stripe in a strategic placement on the pillowcase. Being able to work in person with our sewer, we were able to achieve this technical aspect while still being very efficient with the fabric use.
Featuring these contrasting elements and motifs was an essential part of the Unison design philosophy. We believe that patterns and products should be able to work well together in balance or stand strongly on their own, be gender neutral and above all integrate well into one’s home. The presence of textiles 15 years later within the Unison collection is still very important to us. Not only does it represent our roots, but also signifies how timeless design is crucial in our daily lives. Be it bedding, throw pillows, bath towels or napkins, our belief is that the visual and physical warmth of textiles made with quality and integrity can result in enhancing our lives and homes.
Whether you’re working from home or attending classes online, you deserve a space that works for you. We’ve found pieces with intriguing stories and thoughtful designs that will spark your next great idea. Promote your home office to a space that’s truly clean and inspiring.
Lighting is an essential component of any office. Start with a Workshop Pendant Lamp and you’ll have instant atmosphere. Designed as a workshop lamp for craftspeople, this spun aluminum pendant lamp was designed by Axel Wedel-Madsen in 1951, but it wasn’t put into production until recently with Made by Hand in Denmark. A craftsman himself with a deep understanding of materials, techniques and attention to detail, Wedel-Madsen’s lamp is as relevant today as it was when first designed. Its classic style fits into so many spaces and is a timeless, useful design.
Equally important to lighting is having a solid surface for working. The Whitebird Writing Desk is crafted from solid white oak with black powder coated steel legs. Its slim profile and two push-to-open drawers make it versatile enough to function as a writing desk in small spaces, as a drop spot in entryways or even as a console table behind a sofa.
It pairs naturally with the On & On Black Stacking Chair, designed by Barber & Osgerby for Emeco. Designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby founded their London studio in 1996 and are widely known for their diverse body of work, spanning industrial design, furniture, lighting and site-specific installations. Their emphasis on innovative, experimental design came together with Emeco’s reputation for well-made, sustainable creations to form this new version of a simple and timeless cafe chair. Designed to use as little material as possible, the body is made of recycled PET from plastic bottles and is extremely lightweight, allowing it to be shipped with low carbon emissions.
Despite its light weight and sustainable materials, the On & On Chair is extremely strong and durable, making it suitable for use both indoors and out. It even features a small hole in the center of the seat to drain rainwater when used outside. If you’re short on space, it’s the perfect chair to accompany your desk during the day, your dining table in the evening and your patio on the weekends. Stack up to seven and tuck them away, ready to be whisked out for guests at a moment’s notice.
The final element to round out your home office: accessories. At Unison, we’re passionate about seeking out the highest quality and most thoughtful designs, even with the smaller details. Founded in 1977 by Oscar Lepre, the stationery brand Ellepi is the perfect example of producing simple, smart designs. Located in the Lombardy region of Italy, their industrial steel products are still power-coated individually, by hand.
In 1984, Lepre designed their signature Klizia 97 Staplers in a shape that references the whale. Each stapler is a work of craftsmanship and is assembled and tested by hand. Very simple to refill, you simply unhook and remove the spring, gently push staples down the track and return the spring to secure the staples. These staplers were part of our previous offering and were brought back in celebration of our 15 Year Anniversary.
Complete the minimal, colorful look with a set of Ellepi’s Steel Bookends, available in a range of six colors. The neat lines of these L-shaped bookends are versatile enough for any room you choose – your home office, living room or bedroom. Place them on a book shelf or use them on top of your desk for a splash of color.
One of the founding principles of Unison is offering objects that are both modern and timeless. The Toyo Tumblers, part of our assortment since 2013, fit the bill. Originally drawn to it for its proportion and simplicity, this glassware collection is versatile in both casual and formal settings. The legendary production quality of the Toyo-Sasaki Glass factory is its enduring mark.
Created in 2002, Toyo-Sasaki Glass is the merging of two historic, accomplished Japanese companies – Toyo Glass Co. and Sasaki Glass Co. Their combined legacy dates back to 1878 during the Meiji Era, helping pioneer Japan’s domestic glassware industry. As the world moved into modern times in the late 1910s and early 1920s, the companies continued to focus on quality and advanced glassmaking technologies.
In 1967, Sasaki Glass Co. created Hard Strong glass – Japan’s first commercialized glass-rim strengthened glassware brand. This “HS” glass is known for its safety, quality and value, making it a top brand in hospitality and foodservice industries. A version called “HS Blue” is applied to our Toyo Stackable Bowls. HS Blue is a toughening treatment that is applied only to the glass edge, which results in a durable and safer glass.
Proceeding as a unified company, Toyo-Sasaki Glass developed an exclusive, innovative soda-lime material called “Fine Clear.” This Fine Clear glass is hard, light and ultra-smooth with a comparable clarity and brightness to crystal, yet the strength and durability of traditional soda-lime glassware. Fine Clear glass can be found in our Toyo Tumblers and Stackable Bowls.
Available in small, medium or large, the clear Toyo Tumblers are sturdy and dishwasher safe. With the range of sizes, they adapt to fit your needs, be it water, orange juice or an evening cocktail. Fill them using our Toyo Clear Pitcher – it’s easy to hold in your hand and serves beverages effortlessly using the efficient pour spout.
Complete your Toyo Collection with the newest member of our line: the Stackable Bowl. Whether you’re enjoying a quick snack or hosting friends and family for a special occasion, this glass bowl is the perfect accompaniment to any meal. Fill one with berries, nuts or chocolate since it’s the perfect vessel to hold your favorite treats. Winner of the Good Design Award in 2010, these sleek, small glass bowls are attractive, stackable and dishwasher safe.
The perfect blend of practicality and legendary craftsmanship, our Toyo glassware is made using the refined techniques of Japanese glass making where each artisan glassmaker has spent a minimum of 15 years perfecting their craft. When you hold each object in your hand, you feel the quality and tradition that’s built into each piece.
Since Fall 2017, Unison has been proud to include placemats from New Market Goods in our assortment, starting with the Ripple placemat, then later introducing the Tira and Ceke placemats. Two friends, Stephen Kennedy and Muntasir Mamun, started the brand with a mission to redefine what it means for a product to be “Made in Bangladesh.” For them, it means blending modern designs with traditional weaving techniques and highlighting positive production practices.
To learn more about the background of New Market Goods and the incredible stories behind their team and products, we had a conversation with co-founder Stephen Kennedy.
Co-founders (left to right) Aditya Kanak, Sabuj Saddiki and Stephen Kennedy.
Q: What is the overall mission of New Market Goods?
A: Our mission is to help redefine what it means to be “Made in Bangladesh” by marrying contemporary designs with traditionally woven textiles. Bangladesh is the second-biggest producer of clothing in the world, but so little of what comes out of the country is actually tied to the textile or artisan tradition there. On our frequent trips there we’ve been endlessly inspired by the people, textiles, and vibrancy found in every corner. New Market Goods was formed with the goal of better understanding and highlighting positive production practices that can exist.
My friend Muntasir Mamun and I started the brand in partnership with Deshal, a factory founded by three friends—Aditya Kanak, Ishrat Jahan, and Sabuj Saddiki—which has been producing its own line sold locally in Dhaka for over fifteen years. Our relationship with Deshal’s founders extends beyond just partnership for cutting and sewing—they’re also co-owners of NMG. We think this international collaboration creates a shared incentive model; the Bangladesh team trusts us to figure out what’s going to work in the market in the US, and we trust them to push the parts of their craft and their tradition that they’re excited to share.
Making samples at the Deshal factory.
Q: What does Fair Trade mean to New Market Goods and your artisans?
A: For us, “fair trade” goes beyond an absolutely necessary baseline of ensuring living wages, legal age requirements, and safety in the workplace. It’s being on a first-name basis with the men and women who weave, sew, and help design the vibrant products that define our brand. When we started working with Deshal, we sat down with every single factory worker and asked how long they’ve been there, what their hobbies are, what dreams they have.
There’s also definitely a challenge in terms of creating long-term careers. The leadership team at Deshal helps identify people who show potential to become the most talented block-printer or screen printer or patternmaker on their team and really fosters their training—even if it means that they may eventually leave their factory. But worker retention remains one of the best indicators of a positive work environment: the majority of them have been with Deshal for over three years, many over five years. Deshal also provides on-site childcare and pooled resources for healthcare for its employees.
Building these relationships based on respect for each other is our take on radical transparency, instilling a commitment to a positive shared outcome for everyone involved.
Q: Where are the placemats made?
A: Our placemats are made in a village in Bangladesh called Borodiya in the Narsingdi district east of the capital Dhaka. We work with an artisan family there run by Anwar Hossain. His father started their weaving practice fifty years ago with four looms.
Co-founder Ishrat selecting colors for a product.
Q: How are the placemats made? Can you provide any specifics on the tradition and history of the weaving techniques?
A: Our placemats are designed by our team and then woven on handlooms using a specific technique Tatee Anwar calls “Chittaranjan” (“Tatee” is the Bangla designation for a weaver). While the technique is rooted in Bangladeshi culture, its application to tabletop products like placemats and table runners is contemporary—it’s more traditional in Bangladesh to eat on a mat on the floor rather than at a table.
Handwoven mats are still used in Bangladesh by most families for a wide variety of daily uses. Mat weaving could be very simple or complex depending upon the design and material. These materials are mostly natural: jute, cotton, coconut coir, dried leaves of coconut, dates, and straw are among the very common materials that have been in use for hundreds of years in the Ganges Delta.
The large wooden frame loom used in weaving these mats was developed over 100 years ago by an artist named Chittaranjan. Looms are often operated directly in weavers’ own homes. The frame construction allows for a relatively high degree of precision with coarser yarns and apparently has influenced European weaving techniques. While most of the industry has transitioned to automatic, machine-powered looms, Tatee Anwar’s artisans operate their looms entirely by skillful hand.
Q: What do partnerships with companies like Unison Home mean to New Market Goods?
A: I love seeing our products in the Unison Home catalog thanks to our partnership! Because we focus mainly on woven textiles, it’s so cool to see our pieces in the context of a well-curated collection of goods with other material qualities, like the beautiful ceramics, glassware, and wooden furniture that Unison carries.
The New Market Goods co-founders celebrating their 5 Year Anniversary with friends and family.
This partnership is a perfect combination of design aesthetics and company values. Their emphasis on building relationships with the artisans they partner with, in combination with their modern interpretations of traditional weaving techniques, makes working with New Market Goods a natural fit. We love that our customers can purchase New Market Goods placemats knowing they’re getting a quality product that has been thoughtfully designed and crafted by Bangladeshi artisans.
The Windsor-style chair has a storied history, allegedly becoming popular when King George II took refuge from a storm in a peasant’s cottage and, so impressed by its comfort, asked his own artisans to copy the design for Windsor Castle. English settlers introduced the chair to America in the 1700s, bringing them from England because they were lightweight and easy to travel with or move around a room.
They were used both indoors and outdoors with a variety of woods, colors and back styles, though the American version eventually developed without the “splat” central back piece that was common in Britain. These chairs became synonymous with the Founding Fathers and traditional Americana design. The classic style has taken on myriad variations over the years, and this clean-lined, decidedly modern version has become a favorite in many of your homes and in our catalog.
Introduced to Unison in 2017, the Ironica Chair takes inspiration from the original Windsor-inspired design. This was the very first dining chair we introduced into our furniture collection. We admired the chair in 2008 when we photographed it with a table linen collection for the catalog and returned to it for various photoshoots before adding it to our assortment. Attracted to its modern interpretation of a design, we love that it feels at home in both traditional and modern settings.
Available in a range of colors, its striking comb back establishes a strongly geometric silhouette, while its gently curved seat makes a commitment to comfort. The steam-bent, saddle-style seat is a signature feature of the Ironica Chair and its shape allows its occupant to sit easily at a desk, table or gathered around a fireplace for hours on end. Its seven tapered, hand-smoothed spindles and frame are lightweight, yet sturdy, making it a versatile piece of furniture.
Each chair is made with solid beech wood using mortise-and-tenon joinery techniques, which lends strength, durability and the ability to withstand the natural expansion and contraction of wood. The kiln-dried, natural beech wood is finished with a transparent water-based lacquer to keep each chair looking newly-made for years to come.
These chairs are built from PEFC-certified wood, which has been harvested according to the highest ecological, social and ethical standards. Each piece is manufactured to reduce the amount of unusable waste, from the selection of raw materials through product construction and packaging.
That versatility is a key component of what we look for when expanding our collection at Unison. We love the idea that these chairs can hold a permanent position around a dining table or be tucked here and there into living spaces and bedrooms, so you’re prepared for the moment a larger group gathers. It’s also become a tried and true favorite desk chair, creating a professional and comfortable workspace without sacrificing good design. Wherever you decide to put the Ironica Chair, you’ll find it feels right at home.
Evolving a print is a bit like writing a story. It starts with one iteration, and then ventures in different directions, and ends up in shapes and forms you never imagined.Like a good book, we’ve enjoyed the journey of our Sashi Geo print. It originated as a wallpaper pattern, and went on to be applied to duvet covers, sheet sets and pillowcases in both a Gray and Navy.
To fully appreciate this ever-expanding story of Sashi Geo, you have to know the inspiration behind it. For more insight, we asked Unison’s co-founder Robert Segal.
Q: What sparked the idea for Sashi Geo?
A: In dreaming it up, we took cues from Japanese small prints. Historically, they’re singular motifs arranged in tight repetition — and all hand drawn for an organic quality.
Q: Why start with wallpaper?
A: With the wallpaper collection overall, we looked to offer simple geometric patterns in a neutral palette. Sashi Geo in particular is meant to be a quiet design… very much a backdrop offering. Also, we felt that, being handprinted, the wallpaper really emphasizes designs that reflect handwork. The hand-drawn mark is more appealing to the eye with the amount of coverage used in wallpaper.
Q: For application onto bedding, how did the print take a transformative turn?
A: It’s an abbreviation on Japanese Sashiko stitching and geometric structure. As bedding, it feels more a part of the fabric — almost stitched down rather than purely on the surface.
What will the next chapter bring for Sashi Geo? One can only imagine. Meanwhile, explore all the options this print has to offer.
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