A high-quality design is one that has lasting resonance. It’s eye-catching yet classic, and it has a unique visual appeal that stands the test of time.
At Unison, we’re proud to have two beautiful patterns that meet these exacting standards: Larch and Porter. Each of these patterns is original to Unison and has a fascinating design story. And though they feature very different looks, they both make wonderful additions to our bedding collection and other Unison designs.
Larch: An Organic Print with a Personal Touch
Of all the modern designs at Unison, none are as personal to our history as the Larch pattern. Its history connects directly to that of Unison’s co-founders Robert and Alicia Segal. In fact, the Larch print is based on a photograph that Alicia took while enjoying a nature walk at the family farm in Wisconsin.
The crisp air of early spring set the stage. New buds hadn’t yet emerged on the branches, which allowed for clear views of each tree’s tangled branches. One particular tree, a Tamarack, caught Alicia’s eye. As a trained photographer, she could see a striking composition with the silhouette of the branches against a pale gray sky.
The photo she captured in that moment would go on to become a Unison classic. But first, the design duo had to determine the best way to utilize this distinctive image. A solarized treatment was considered to retain the photographic quality. However, a simpler approach was deemed a better fit in order to emphasize the organic lines and create a pattern with longevity in mind.
The tree branch silhouette was abstracted and translated into a large-scale design. The image could be easily worked into a repeat pattern without sacrificing its natural, untamed appearance. In addition, the silhouette design allowed for a variety of colorways to reflect how the colors of the tree shifted through the seasons.
Although the Larch print is original to Unison, it has made quite an impact in the design world. At a time when Unison was still quite unknown, it was featured on the cover of the CB2 catalog as Teal bedding through their collaboration. When Unison introduced the Plum colorway as bedding in 2010, it caught the attention of architect Christopher Deam, husband of Dwell Magazine founder Lara Deam. Larch Plum bedding was selected as a design package offered in new Airstream interiors, which Christopher was designing at the time.
Porter: Tailored Stripes for a Dapper Look
The backstory behind our sophisticated Porter print derived from another pattern in Unison’s debut bedding collection: Pinstripe. The Pinstripe print focused on a dark, saturated background in a single color. Bold white stripes stretched across horizontally, creating a high-contrast effect.
Although the Pinstripe print was popular, Alicia and Robert sought to create a design that inverted this color distribution for a softer appearance. The new pattern featured very fine lines in tight repetition across a classic ivory background. At first, a name proved elusive. Taking inspiration from the Pinstripe moniker, the sensibility of shirting and suit fabrics came to mind, along with a nostalgic past of sophisticated urban movement. As such, the name Porter emerged.
The Porter design provides the perfect blend of timeless vintage inspiration and modern simplicity. Although the striped print appears neat and tailored, it doesn’t look formal or stuffy. The lines can be arranged in different orientations for a subtle contrast, like in the vertically striped sheets paired with horizontally striped pillowcases.
Porter has become one of the most iconic and timeless patterns at Unison. This core pattern is incredibly versatile and practical while still bringing a fresh aesthetic to any space. In addition to bedding, it has been featured on aprons, napkins, placemats and tablecloths.
Modern Bedding Designs
Both Larch and Porter have remained relevant in the years since their introduction. They’ve been reimagined in new colorways and can be mixed and matched with other prints to create an eye-catching combination. Today, you’ll find these patterns on a variety of our high-quality bedding products, including duvet covers, throw blankets, pillowcases and sheets.