Are your walls crying out for a little color? A blank wall is a huge opportunity to transform your space. Before you get out that hammer and nails and start decorating, keep a few tips in mind from Unison co-founder Alicia Rosauer.
Think Big
Don’t be afraid to go bold! Our Whale and Neon Heart posters have been customer favorites since we launched them. They are simple, large and a statement in a space. Plus, they work well in a salon-style arrangement (many pieces grouped together, almost collage-like) and act as the strong anchor point.
Choose Colors Wisely
It’s tempting to be a color matcher and find pieces that will work with what’s already going in the room. But really, it’s not about total color matching. Instead, it’s about finding that one alluring color in your room — it could be the color of your window treatments or even the color of those pillows on your couch — and finding a piece that resonates with it. That’s the way to pull everything together without going over the top.
Play With Proportion
Art should cover 2/3 or 3/4 of the wall. If you’re working with smaller pieces and have a narrow wall space to fill, the 2/3 is best.
Hang Strategically
A good rule of thumb is to hang art 62″ from the floor (measured from the middle of the piece). This seems to work for anything — with the exception of really large pieces!
Do you have any tips for choosing and hanging artwork? Share them with us in the Comments!
We often work with artists we admire and, together, imagine new essentials for modern living. One of our favorite collaborators is Alex Fuller, a Creative Director who just relocated from Chicago to Charleston. Alex’s sensibility is fascinating — he’s drawn to shapes and colors because he thinks of them as “the fundamental building blocks of our universal language.” This leaves us endlessly intrigued and we couldn’t wait to see how he integrated these design elements into his new home.
Alex gave us a sneak peek while we snapped some photos of him at home with his wife, Jessa, and dog. Says the designer of their decor style, “We quickly fall into the Mid-Century Modern camp. Eames, Modernica, Blu Dot … all the hits. When people come to our house in Charleston they feel like they’re in East L.A. I can see it, it’s got that Cali Mod flavor. Not to mention we have a lot of plants and tropical foliage around.”
You’ll also see evidence of Alex’s early projects with Unison scattered throughout his new Charleston home. As a bit of background, we first teamed up with him few years ago when we had Spudnik Press make reproductions of his “Geometry” print — a study in strong lines, sweeping curves and bright, colorful punch. At the time, Alex was a creative at Ogilvy Mather and a founder of The Post Family. He moved on to Leo Burnett as a Creative Director and, around the same time, we expanded the Geometry print to throw pillows. Later, the pattern was modified to be a bit smaller and given new life as a framed lithograph, printed bedding, ottomans, bags and kitchen linens.
“We seek a balance of beautiful, tried and true design; and the warmth and personality of art, plants, music, books and sculptural objects,” says Alex. “I wish I could live in a minimalist Japanese home made from plywood but I love being surrounded by things with stories, collections with ideas. You know … a little texture, a little noise.”
Because of Alex’s knack for giving rhythm and order an inventive, modern kick, we naturally turned to him when we began thinking about creating an alphabet print. With Alex’s modern Bauhaus take on the ABCs, Alphablocks was born. This pattern graces bedding, artwork, canvas bins and even poufs (which Alex and Jessa’s dog uses it as a soft perch!).
Inspired by the Memphis design rebirth, we asked Alex to develop some other ideas. We’ve launched his Tango pattern, a zigzag-laden geometric graphic on black, as a knit blanket and pillow (seen in these photos). Other ideas are in the works and will launch in spring.
This designer has so many ideas and always amazes us with his consistency. We love the outcome of his designs on fabrics and paper … and might even try shirts out in 2016. Alex is wearing one in these photos.
We hope these photos leave you inspired. Thanks for inviting us into your new home, Alex and Jessa!
It’s hard to play favorites when there are so many awesome home products. In fact, picking our top loves can actually be pretty mind-boggling. (Trust us, it’s not a bad problem to have!) But given the task, Unison employees each chose two fall products from our catalog that they are really crushing on.
Discover their favorites here — and get to know a little more about the people in our office that love sharing modern home designs with you!
Terra.Cotto Cookware
This line up is very exciting for me. I picked it out from the huge range of cookware shown at the Housewares Show and I’m so glad I did. I love the clean shapes and natural colors. The design reminds me of ancient cookware to Scandinavian simplistic forms. Their functions are exceptional: stovetop, oven to table and are exceptionally lightweight for ‘casserole’ standards due to their pure clay material. Also the interior is a beautifully glazed dark brown which contrasts well with the matte exterior. We use the littlest one, the Zafferno at home for cous cous dishes. Bonus, they all come with their own mini recipe book from the manufacturer.
These have been on my wish list for a while! I have a thing for black – even though I love bold colors too. Black tools in the kitchen just make sense to me – along with my Epicuran slate boards too. These are super flat which makes them store nicely and they go in the dishwasher too even though they are wood and resin, and will never warp or crack. They are made in Minnesota at Epicurean factory – from the scrap of their cutting board production. I can really appreciate this being in fabric manufacturing – we use the scrap from our table linen production to make oven mitts and pot holders.
I love the simple design of these canisters. They not only keep food items fresh with the silicone seal, they are a great design to display on and accessorize your kitchen counter. I love the warm color varieties they come in as well!
Owning two of the Falcon White mugs with the blue rim, I know that I like Falcon enamelware for more than its looks. The durability of the stainless steel is ideal for a mug because it makes it practically unbreakable, yet with the porcelain coating the mug has less of an industrial look. Also, these mugs are great for both hot and cold drinks because of its insulating material. Falcon mugs are also perfect for camping! I really like our new all-black mugs because the coating on the outside contrasts with the inside. I would really love to see them with my white mugs as a variable set!
My living room futon has a natural canvas cover so when I’m searching for throw pillows I look for a jazzy pattern that will stand out. The Tango knit pillow is exactly that! I also love seeing a geometric pattern in knit instead of print because it alters the shapes to become more organic and slightly jagged which contrasts with the pattern itself.
I am a big fan of using blankets as an alternative to a duvet. It is a wonderful way to transition between the cool to cooler nights. The colors of this blanket provide a great neutral that works with so many colors and patterns too!
The color block pillow in graphite is a great addition to the Unison pillow collection. It mixes in beautifully with our Harvest Denim pillows, Sailor Black or Sailor Charcoal pillows…the possibilities are endless!
I love this sleek pitcher because it has a clean design & is super lightweight so you can fill it to the brim with your favorite beverage. And since it is made from the same quality glass as chemistry labs (borosilicate glass) you can use it for both hot and color beverages. I can’t wait to serve up some warm apple cider with it this Fall!
Maybe I am biased since I grew up using Hellerware but to me nothing beats Massimo Vignelli’s classic no frills design. I think the design aesthetic still feels modern and relevant even 50 years later!
Trapper Wool Blanket
I just love this blanket! Its timeless design and wooly texture lends a rustic elegance to any space, which I like in the cooler months.
Biobu Kids Dinnerware
Well, since I have a baby on the way, I’m partial to designs that are petite and whimsical these days! But it’s not just the peppy colors and smooth, organic shapes of this dinnerware that attracts me – I love that the plates, cups, and flatware are all made from bamboo fiber and natural plant materials.
Fall means beautiful change outside. It’s also a great time to switch things up indoors. When we put together our Fall collection, we noticed some distinctive home decor trends and got so excited by the possibilities. Read on to discover them and don’t forget to check out the NEW section of unisonhome.com to to shop it all.
Trend #1: Monochromatic Black & White
All black. All white. All alluring. Stark blacks and whites make a strong graphic statement. At the same time, they can also be demure as a backdrop. Why? The reduced palette lets form and pattern reign as focal points.
What is thought of as routine is now being instantly elevated by handmade touches. Think of a breakfast table, adorned with a classic gingham placemats. You can bump it up with gold flatware, and add artisan-crafted ceramic cheese stones and hand-crocheted potholders for a fresh, inspiring mix.
Trend #3: Perfect Pleats
What may seem simple — a small pleat or ribbed detail — really makes a design. The column-like structure is clean and adds textural interest. Pleats are emerging as a new home decor must, and we imagine in the fashion world they won’t be far behind.
Natural materials like linen, copper, brass, marble and terracotta are being applied in new forms that have remarkable simplicity and integrity. For example, the familiar casserole dish is made from terra cotta — the ultimate in rustic — yet has clean lines and geometric details that make it a modern standout.
“When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at last, “what’s the first thing
you say to yourself?”
“What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?”
“I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully. “It’s the same thing,” he said.
– A.A. Milne
We’ve all heard the adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. A healthy, well-balanced breakfast supports energy, concentration, and healthy weight maintenance.
But we think it’s important for another reason, too: It’s a new beginning. A fresh start. The kickoff to a bright day of yet-unknown surprises and delights. At breakfast, anything is possible.
So let’s dress up this all-important meal with the most dashing of accoutrements:
Graphite Goodness
Anchor the family’s wake-up meal with a strong foundation of black-on-white gingham. In placemat form, this pattern happily travels from countertop to tabletop to breakfast-in-bed tray. And its monochromatic mood welcomes bright pops of color with ease. It’s a versatile and striking addition to your table linen library.
List This
You can chalk it up to our drive for achievement, but we love a good list (and a good-looking one to boot). Enter our chalk-dipped acacia boards, beloved for bringing usefulness and gorgeousness into lockstep. Pile one side high with breakfast goodies like Rare Bird Preserves and Scone City treats, and use the other end to map out your day’s to-do list or your morning menu. Talk about a great start.
Practically Pretty
Here’s a great way to reflect the clear slate of a new morning: pour your juice into a clean-lined Gigogne tumbler. Particularly if you’re a bit butter-fingered before your first cup of coffee, you’ll be ever-so grateful for the virtual indescructiblity of tempered glass. Isn’t it just like the French to bring pretty and practical together with such elegant nonchalance?
KISS the Day Hello
As lovers of all things modern, we can’t help but embrace the KISS principle. No, it’s not about a morning smooch (although we’re big fans of that, too). It’s about how smart it is to keep things simple. And it’s this kind of thinking that keeps us coming back to our favorite Teema White Dinnerware meal after meal. Let it fly solo or pair it with other colors and patterns. It can hold its own any morning of the week.
Last week we gave you the heads up about our styling adventures with blogger Kyla Herbes from House of Hipsters. We are excited to show you what came of it!
Remember, Kyla wanted help working pillows into her room, so we sent our Visual Merchandising Manager Lisa Boudreau out to her home to explore the possibilities. Kyla’s living space — which she shares with her husband and two small children — is a sea of neutral colors, interesting textures and original furnishings. Lisa saw the potential, and worked with Kyla to pick out pillows from Unison’s fall collection and group them in just the right places.
From left to right: Sailor Charcoal Throw Pillow, Dots Black Throw Pillow, Harvest Black Throw Pillow
For Kyla, working with Unison was a natural fit. “I focus on mid-century modern. However, I don’t like my house to look like it walked off the set of The Brady Bunch,” she says. “This can be a fine line to walk. The home decor found at Unison is easily integrated into my style. It brings my 1960s-’70s vibe into the present. The black, white, ultra-modern with a bold hue here and there … it comes alive.”
Lisa agrees, saying, “Kyla has a great understanding of design and how to interpret current trends in a way that is unique to her and the architecture of her home.”
Read on for a Q&A with Kyla (and get tips from Lisa, along the way) to find out more about their styling adventure.
Unison: Let’s talk pillows. Why do you think they’re important home accessories?
Kyla: Pillows can transform a room. They’re a great way to interject you favorite color, pattern and, here we go again with that infamous word, personality. Look at your sofa and imagine it without pillows. Now imagine it with bright hot pink and turquoise floral pillows. Now picture them navy blue with white anchors. Now change that to stripes or polka dots or your most favorite color or better yet, your least favorite pattern. Pillows just give your room that extra pop of pizzazz. They can make your room look effortlessly chic. It’s like your space is the hot guy in high school, and he comes and picks you up in a red Camero. Now, if he showed up in a beat up, rusted out Pinto, you’d still think he was hot, but the Camero adds a bit of extra excitement.
Lisa: “I really do believe in the power of pillows. They quickly and easily transform a space and convey a mood. Adding warm or cool tones will instantly effect a space overall. They can also serve as a unifying element in the over arching design of the space. In Kyla’s room I styled a sofa with three different groupings of pillows. Each group worked great within the design framework already established by Kyla and complemented the space. However, the final group selected visibly lifted the space making it lighter, brighter and reinforced Kyla’s vision.
Unison: What have you learned are key pillow styling tips?
Kyla: Edit your color palette and patterns. Too many and it just gets too crazy. You don’t need them growing jazz hands, screaming, “Look at me! Look at me!” Don’t be afraid to take a couple back home and return what doesn’t work for you. I suffer from this disease, which is how I wound up with pillow problems. Pillows can look completely different when you get them into the space. Oh, and don’t forget to throw in a solid or two to break things up.
Kyla’s pillow collection!Kyla’s new, pared down pillow arrangement. Clockwise: Dots White Linen Throw Pillow, Color Block Graphite Throw Pillow, Harvest Black Throw Pillow
Lisa: Take cues from your art and other accessories in the room. Pillows on your couch don’t have to necessarily be in the exact style or period as your art, but can help establish your color theme and ground the room. Pulling out the cool tones from Kyla’s artwork and accent pieces helped to unify the space. With the new pillows you could really feel the beech vibe from her mantle artwork fill the whole space.
Also, don’t be afraid to be bold and combine different prints and patterns, but keep the number of patterns lower to round 3 or 4. Consider color and scale. Take the time to consider complementary colors in your space. Consider the size of the pillows in each group but also the scale of the print.
Unison: We loved this project with you! What did you think of it all?
Kyla: Styling with pillows is truly an art form that is not easy to grasp. Not only do you have the colors and patterns but there is also oversized pillows, square, lumbar. So it’s great when you have experts like Unison to lend a helping hand. {The new fall pillows} worked with what I had and together we really made my room come together … a room where I’ve had a revolving door of pillows for years.
Unison: Do you have any “rules” you follow for designing and decorating your own pad?
Kyla: When something catches my eye, that thing that makes my heart sing, I snap it up! Rule número uno: Never leave it behind. Ever. This rule especially is true when shopping vintage. You grab that sucka and hold on to it for dear life.
Rule #2: Create Pinterest mood boards. This helps me to visually see if everything in the space is jiving before committing. If you can handle the criticism, share it with friends whose style you admire. Take only the suggestions you want. It wasn’t until I started to publicly share my home with complete strangers that I became incredibly motivated and inspired.
Rule #3: Buy items unique to you. Make your home a memorable place to visit. Make it special. Make it unique. It doesn’t have to be trending to be beautiful.
Rule #4: Don’t rush it. Let the pieces find you. Take your time and channel your inner patience. This is the hardest piece of advice to follow myself, but I’ve found that when I don’t settle and look for that one amazing piece to come to me, the space looks incredible. You will eventually find it.
Unison: What are your three favorite things in your home and why?
Kyla: First and foremost, I own a vintage 1960s Model 20 dip-n-dunk photo booth. It’s the best party favor ever and a great memory maker. I purchased it to document my family when my daughter was born.
Second is my collection of vintage mug shots. Yes, they are totally creepy, but incredibly unique. Guests usually gaze at them for quite some time, examining everything from the outfits, to hair, whether they are good looking or not. The first question is usually, “Are these REAL mug shots?” When I first bought them, I started to Google their names. I found a few along with their stories, and they suddenly became incredibly creepy. So that ended abruptly.
Ok, third favorite thing. It’s a toss up. Don’t tell my son, but he just bought this boss 1983 GMC jacked-up pickup truck, and I secretly adore it. Every time I drive it, I giggle like a little kid. I can also easily haul more furniture and decor to my home. The other really isn’t a thing, it’s a space in the house … so this is technically cheating. But I love, love, love my patio. We reno’d it a couple years back, and it finally all came together this summer. Even though we live in a cold weather climate, we’ve been able to use it as an extension of our living area nightly. Being able to enjoy the outdoors, away from technology and TV, well, it’s just an awesome place to hangout and reconnect.
Unison: Mixing things up with budget and style is always fun. What’s one “high” piece of home style you love or might have in your home, and one “low” piece?
Kyla: I’m an advocate of buying a higher end piece of art as an investment piece that grows with you. There’s nothing wrong with buying artwork that is trending, but I think there’s something to say for buying a unique piece that no one else has or a piece that few people have. And I’m not talking a Picasso original. But finding an original piece of work or a limited run is a great way to showcase your personality. My three “mug shot” photos by Lani Lee would be my “high end” piece. Three oversized, black and white portraits shot mug shot style of famous graffiti artists.
My “low end” piece is anything and everything I’ve thrifted or flea’d. I look around my home and everything is special. I think about their stories …where they came from. Right now I’m staring at a mug with the broken handle. It’s filled with used paintbrushes that belonged to an artist. I bought the mug and brushes at her estate sale for $2. They now sit on display in my living room. I’ll bet she would have never imagined that to happen. I also have a piece of hand formed, handmade pottery I snagged at a thrift store for $2.99. A vintage rattan chair I found online for $15. It doesn’t have to be super-expensive to be beautiful and perfect. These pieces may not be for everybody, but they spoke to me.
Thanks so much for sharing your home and incredible style with us, Kyla!
We know you’re not quite ready for sweater weather. But our fall video, just shot by John Sturdy in rural Indiana, may just change your mind.
In it, we set the scene (and table) for a very warm and festive season. It’s a hint at what’s to come from our fall collection, which will soon be up on our site and in our new catalog.
Our video softly salutes the time of year made for savoring the crisp outdoors and coming home to inspirational and oh-so livable modern design. Of course you’ll get a look at some of our latest products — from tall, sculptural candles to shimmering brushed-gold flatware.
So put on your wool slippers, reach for a cozy blanket and watch this short but memorable slice of modern life.
Want to receive future Unison catalog? Sign up here!
We always love seeing who visits our store in Chicago and buys from our online shop. We welcome everyone, from starter-home nesters that are developing their decorating style, to renowned artists and designers that we’re lucky enough to collaborate with.
And then there are the fun folks that run amazing design blogs — people like Kyla Herbes from House of Hipsters. The blog is like one sweeping Pinterest mood board of all the home decor-related awesomeness that catches Kyla’s eye. A creative director by day and blogger by night, her design sensibility is vintage with ultra modern and just a touch of bohemian. In other words, we adore it.
So when we saw some of our pillows featured on Kyla’s blog a few months back we thought, Ooh how cool. And then we thought, Wouldn’t it be fun to put Kyla in touch with our styling team and really make some magic?
Happily, Kyla was game. She and Lisa Boudreau, Unison’s Visual Merchandising Manager, hit it off when Kyla visited our store this summer. Their mission was simple: to help Kyla see the fun and possibility in using pillows to perk up a space. Kyla was struggling as to how to create a unique, effortless look with her pillow collection. Lisa helped Kyla using one of her guiding principles: “Always follow your instincts … what inspires you.”
As it happens, Lisa and our store associates are always there to give you a boost of inspiration and advice. Personal styling is a service we offer all of our shoppers and store guests, and it was especially fun to take the journey with Kyla.
So, what came of our collaboration with the House of Hipsters guru? Check in with our blog next week to see what Kyla picked out and get her tips on how to punch up your room — with pillows … and a whole lot more.
Last month we were fortunate enough to work with Filigree Suppers founders Brita Olsen and Elise Metzger on a fruit themed dinner party. Read more about their dinner parties and the purpose behind these ultra-mod get-togethers on Gapers Block.
Photo credit: Brad Snyder and Eva Deitch (via Gapers Block)
Ever thought you’d use charcoal to wash your face? We didn’t, either. But then we discovered Binchotan. It’s a traditional Japanese charcoal that, when ground into a super-fine powder, can be used in a soap to exfoliate skin and absorb impurities. We tried it. We loved it. And now we can’t get enough of it.
We think you’ll soon feel the same way. It’s easy enough to get introduced to Binchotan and its benefits. It appears in a bunch of personal care products, from toothbrushes to washcloths, which we sell online and in our Chicago boutique. Here are some you can snap up now.
Binchotan Charcoal Facial Soap is the little beauty secret that could. It combines Binchotan charcoal powder and natural extracts in a glycerin soap. Not only does it restore the skin by exfoliating, moisturizing and absorbing impurities, but it smells great and lasts a long time. Our co-founder Alicia swears by it!
Binchotan Charcoal Facial Soap
For your teeth:
Binchotan Charcoal Toothbrushes are TLC for your pearly whites. Binchotan charcoal is blended into each bristle to stop harmful bacteria from growing. It also prevents bad breath, deodorizes and removes plaque. We don’t recommend it for sensitive gums, but think it’s great for travel.
Binchotan Charcoal Toothbrushes
For your face:
Binchotan Charcoal Washcloths could be called the triathlete of towels. They have ultra-find Binchotan charcoal powder woven into its fibers for high performance. You’ll love its exfoliating power and anti-bacterial qualities that keep it mildew free. While it’s big enough for the whole body, we like to fold it to use on our face.
Binchotan Charcoal Washcloth
For your hands and feet:
Binchotan Charcoal Pumice Stones gently exfoliate and smooth rough skin on feet, hands, elbows and knees. Use them on wet or damp skin and after each use, rinse them in warm water and air-dry in the shade. Your dermis will thank you!
Binchotan Pumice Stone
We hope you can discover the benefits of this very cool but little known ingredient soon! If you’ve tried Binchotan charcoal on your skin, let us know how you liked it in the Comments below!
