Rotary screens at rest can wake up my creative juices.

Designer’s Eye on Portugal: Photo Journal

Posted on Author RobertCategories Designer's Eye

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:

Printing Perfect

Rotary screens at rest can wake up my creative juices.
Rotary screens at rest can wake up my creative juices
Printing the Floats pattern
Printing the Float pattern
Cotton, stored and at-the-ready for printing
Cotton ready for printing
Loving the float pattern in graphite
Loving the Float pattern in graphite
Mounds of quality material, in expert hands for sorting and inspection
Mounds of quality material, in expert hands for sorting and inspection

Towel Tales

And you thought making a Logan towel was easy...
You thought making a Logan towel was easy?
First: Pick a color. Any color. (Hmm. Such symmetry! A grid + dot design might be in our future...)
First, pick a color… any color
It takes 6 hours for 2 people to set up the warp beam!
It takes 6 hours for 2 people to set up the warp beam!
Then the weaving begins.
Then the weaving begins.
During the washing phase, these huge tubs of towels go right into the washer
During the washing phase, these huge tubs of towels go right into the washer
Almost done. Portugal is known for high-quality terry manufacturing. These inspectors sure know what they're doing.
Portugal is known for high-quality terry manufacturing. These inspectors sure know what they’re doing.
Finally ready to ship! Our Logan towels are organic, highly absorbent, & will last many years.
Our Logan towels are organic, highly absorbent, & will last many years…and they’re finally ready to ship!

Crazy for Cutipol…

Cutipol is the premiere flatware factory in Portugal, and we're working with them this year as we start to offer high-quality flatware.
Cutipol is the premiere flatware factory in Portugal. And this year, we’re working with them as we start to offer high-quality flatware.
These knife & spoon patterns look like they might want to get translated to textiles...
These knife & spoon patterns look like they might want to get translated to textile…
True craftsmanship
True craftsmanship
Stamping molds = more pattern inspiration
Stamping molds = more pattern inspiration
Looks like I'll have to get my sketchbook out...
Looks like I’ll have to get my sketchbook out again. Even the machines around here are inspiring.

… and for all of Portugal

Who needs framed art when the side of a building in Cascais is this beautiful?
Who needs framed art when the side of a building in Cascais is this beautiful?
Wouldn't a Logan towel look nice on their line?
Wouldn’t a Logan towel look nice on their line?
You've gotta love Portuguese tile work
You’ve gotta love Portuguese tile work
And a lovely walk back at the end of the day.
A beautiful walk back at the end of the day