Carla Stolper

Hi. my name is… Carla Stolper

My company is… CFMichaels

I’m the… Owner, CEO, Scout, Designer, Editor, Photographer

I make/design/create… CFMichaels is a new online boutique offering a curated collection of vintage textiles, art and storied home accessories. We’re on the ground, based in Thailand, hand sourcing unique and beautiful pieces and the authentic works of generational artisans across SE Asia. Our inventory consists primarily of one-of-a-kind items so will continually evolve.  Services may soon add to the mix.

Through the blog, we plan to contextualize the products we offer by pairing them with design trade favorites, and by showcasing this corner of the world and our good-life finds from a design and travel perspective.

Something you need to know about me is... I grew up with music in the house most every day, would most likely take music over a book to a deserted island. I take my playlists very seriously. To some of my guests’ delight and others’ chagrin, I have a tendency to break out the disco. Sometimes the setting is inappropriate and I have to fight the urge, even when I’m convinced more dancing less talking is the way to go.

Here’s how this company came to be... Essentially I decided that I couldn’t move around the world again without building something from this unique opportunity I have.  I wanted to somehow leverage my years of global living and travel and combine that with my longtime love of interiors and the hunt for beautiful things.  It didn’t take long after arriving in SE Asia to see that the region is rich in remarkable things - it was the right place and the right time.  So with that, a design sense, and both travel and the “art of acquisition” second nature, I needed a portable venue.  Letting go of the notion that I could create a website on my own and hiring professionals to develop an e-commerce site really transformed the process and the momentum.  Although we’re infants, I love what we’ve introduced and I’m excited to see how we evolve.

My absolute favorite thing we sell right now is… I love the patina and leopard-like pattern of this Nepalese singing bowl.  And the long history and noted benefits of these bowls is so intriguing.  They’re made of seven metals representing seven planets, and, as the story goes, their sound and shape connect to the chakras in the body.  But it’s also just a great looking piece. I also think the vintage Javanese children’s tops are so fun – I love the global vibe they’d add to a nursery or playroom and the stories you could share and imagine.

Here’s a sneak peek of something we’re working on now… Traveling across Thailand and other countries here in SE Asia I always have one eye on textiles.  I’m currently slicing and dicing and combining the pieces I’ve amassed to create some “CFMichaels exclusives.”  It’s an exciting endeavor with loads of creative potential.  Stay tuned.

I’m most proud of… That I’ve seen it through and can now see something tangible after years of daydreaming. I just want to enjoy it and every opportunity that hopefully unfolds.

I really detest…The business of business.  I’m a slight overachiever in the organization department, but spreadsheets and numbers and overall admin send me reeling.

I could never have done it without this person... Hands down my husband. There are some people in this world who just seem to get it, on every level. He’s the smartest, most supportive and selfless person I know. He’s both indulged my whims and shown me the way more times than I can count.  Although I may be quick to profess I had the fortitude to do it all on my own, not so.

I consistently read these for inspiration… Cloth & Kind (...why thanks, Carla! xx K&T), Quintessence, and I still love a hardcopy - Elle Décor, Arch Digest, House Beautiful,Veranda, T&C, my library of design books and new ones that come on the scene.

It’s a departure from design, but I have to add biographies.  I’m really motivated by stories of people who have an unimaginable capacity for endurance and will to persevere when faced with extreme challenges or adverse conditions or the gravity of a situation. They provide such perspective and a “whew!” moment of clarity, not to mention a profound appreciation for things.

I would like to share the limelight with… Ellie Edelhoff is an American photographer living here in Thailand whose work deserves recognition on a larger stage.  She has such a gifted and creative eye and captures such arresting truths about people and the spirit of places in her images, which span India, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and SE Asia.  We’re happy to say CFMichaels offers a couple favorites in our introductory collection, but you can also purchase and see the full range of her work at ellieedelhoff.smugmug.com.

IMAGE CREDITS | All images provided by Carla Stolper of CF Michaels expect the last, which is photography by Ellie Edelhoff.

Poggenpohl Perfection

Oh, how we marvel at the smallest of design details. The truth is, the greatest things about design often lie in the seemingly smallest of details and, for us, it is those very details that separate the average from the extraordinary. So when we had the opportunity to spend some time talking with Neil Bailey, US President and CEO of Poggenpohl, one of the sponsors of our recent BlogTourLA trip, it's no wonder we found ourselves hanging on his every word about what differentiates this brand from others. Hint, hint... the perfection is all in the details.

Here are just a few of the things that impressed us most...

1 | The +MOTION mechanism requires only the slightest of touches to open and close drawers, both quickly & quietly. We couldn't stop playing with this feature. You barely have to graze the cabinet and it intuitively opens and closes as if at your command. You feel like a magician!

2 | Interior drawer unit lights switch on automatically when the drawer is opened. What a bright idea!

3 | A ladder for accessing high storage can be hidden behind a cabinet plinth. We love a cleverly stored lift!

4 | Drawer runners are positioned beneath the drawers themselves, enabling more storage within the drawer... and the options available to customize the inside of drawers are mind-boggling--in the best possible way. Organized at last!

We each left the Poggenpohl showroom craving one version or another of an ultra modern, uberly well-designed kitchen from this European master of luxury cabinetry. What about you? Would you ever put a sleek, modern kitchen in your home? Which details are most important to you in your own kitchen?

Katharine Kidd

Hi. my name is… Katharine Kidd Shippey

My company is… Katharine Kidd

I’m the… Designer

I make/design/create… I design a women's ready-to-wear collection, including cocktail dresses and day to night separates.

Something you need to know about me is… I grew up believing that it was important to give back and do something that helped other people.  Both my father and my grandmother were big community organizers.  It was this feeling of giving back that lead me to get a masters in Special Education.  But I had always loved fashion and in my 30s I shifted my lens toward this direction. I began to see that if you do something you love, you’re also serving others; you’re developing relationships and building trust. You realize quickly you can’t do it alone.

Also, I love to write.  I am now working on my second book (fiction). It is just something I enjoy doing, not something I am necessarily talented at, but it just helps me process life and stay grounded. It’s a great mental escape!

Here’s how this company came to be… About 5 years ago, I apprenticed under a veteran couturier in Santa Barbara.  She taught me the foundations of fashion design beginning with fashion illustration and proceeding through the various steps of creating a garment: draping, pattern making and sewing. I worked in this way for a few years, designing one-of-a-kind pieces, experimenting with fabrics and detailing. An interior designer stumbled upon the scene (I was draping these mannequins in my house) and told a friend in New York in the fashion industry and ultimately he came to Santa Barbara and helped launch the line.

My absolute favorite thing we sell right now is… With the fall collection we’ve introduced a custom print and I’m crazy about it, especially on the multi-paneled Alina dress (below). The Charlotte blouse with pleated cap sleeves in this same rose print has been our top seller. There is a pleated coat that is also very special!

Here’s a sneak peek of something we’re working on now… We have modified our print from fall by altering the color palette, as well as added another one that evolved from sketching the outline of our rose print. Creating custom prints is like making art and is one of the best ways to guarantee that your designs are unique.

I’m most proud of… I am really proud that we are self-financed, and that along with my husband, we have started this from the ground up.  It has been challenging to be responsible for so many other aspects of brand growth outside of the designing but we have a great team who are loyal and hard working.

I really detest… A real challenge is when you put a lot of time into a design and for whatever reason it just does not work out, and you have to end up letting it go.  It can be really disappointing and feel like a "failure", but I have now found editing easier knowing these pieces may be reinvented by using a different fabric or changing a small detail and end up feeling right.

I could never have done it without this person… I absolutely could not have done this without my husband, Crawford.  He is the company President and CEO and handles most of the business but he has also given me emotional support when it comes to the challenges that arise during the creative process.

I consistently read these for inspiration… Favorite blogs - Man Repeller,Fashionista, The Coveteur. I have subscriptions to all the main fashion magazines and also take monthly trips to the magazine stand to peruse editions from around the world. I still like the joy of turning down the pages in a magazine.

I would like to share the limelight with… Monika Knutsson. We carry her Gilded Lace jewelry in our store.  Monika started her career in Paris working for Isabel Marrant.  She has a true artistic vision with her brand. She takes vintage lace and dips it in gold, and silver. Each piece is hand made and there is a story that goes with each lace that is used.  She is also a great person.

Clay McLaurin

Hi. I’m… Clay McLaurin Todd Piercy

Our company is… Clay McLaurin Studio

We’re the… Clay: Creative Talent Todd : Numbers Genius

We make/design/create… Clay McLaurin Studio is a line of printed textiles for interiors.  Each pattern is painted by hand then printed onto beautiful Belgian linen or 100% cotton fabrics.  The collection is inspired by our travels and love of nature whether it be an object found on the coast of Maine or a textile technique learned while visiting Japan, to the tranquil hillsides of Spain.

Something you need to know about me is… Clay: I am a nature admirer.  I love taking walks through gardens, exploring woods or hiking a mountain.  I am constantly mesmerized by the beauty of our natural world.

Todd: I’m a closeted mixologist. When I'm home and find time behind our bar, I transform into this Mad Scientist of molecular libations. The drink of the moment?  The 316: The Botanist Gin, Lime, Absinthe and a good quality tonic.

Here’s how this company came to be… Clay:  Todd and I both have southern roots so when we moved from our NYC digs back to the South we realized this was a perfect opportunity to start the collection.  Ever since I studied fabric design at the University of Georgia. I've always wanted to own my own textile line.  Over the years, I've been collecting ideas and information from various jobs I've had until one day I realized I'm not getting any younger.  Both Todd and I bit the bullet, and we haven't looked back.

My absolute favorite thing we sell right now is… Clay:  This is a hard one as everything still feels so new, but if I had to choose, I would choose one of the patterns that surprised me most, Wave in Tahoe.  For many months I saw a small 8"x8" piece of this fabric.  Recently I was able to view 3 yards of it, and I was blown away by the movement, scale and color - something I didn't notice when looking at such a small swatch.  It's been a lot of fun to see the yardage for each fabric.

Todd: I am really surprised the impact Medallion has when it is printed in yardage. On a trip to visit our sewer, he had 5 yards in Peony rolled out on the table. That was the first time I saw this design, and it was a moment I won’t forget.

Here’s a sneak peek of something we’re working on now… Clay: We're currently working on a custom design for a client and we're calling it Weeping Willow.  We'll be adding it to our line soon.  We named it Weeping Willow as it brought back a childhood memory of mine.  When I was about eight, I "married" a friend of mine under the neighbors weeping willow tree!

I’m most proud of… Clay: The fact that we're doing this together and making it happen!  It's been a long time coming… Todd: Watching our ideas and thoughts come to life.

I really detest… Clay: Stapling tags to memos! Todd: Wasting fabric! What do you do with 3" strips of beautiful textiles?

I could never have done it without this person… Clay:  I have to say my grandmother, Mama Lena (as her grandchildren called her).  To others, her name was Elena.  She's had a huge influence on my childhood.  She taught me to appreciate nature.  I learned to garden from her.  She had a keen eye, was a master gardener and award winning floral arranger.  I look back at some of her arrangements and stare in awe.  She instilled in me quality in good design.  Elena, a large floral pattern, is named in her honor.

Todd: Hearing Clay speak about his dream for several years motivated me to spearhead this to reality. What comes out of his creative brain cells? Well…it’s pretty amazing.

I consistently read these for inspiration… Clay: The World of Interiors,Remodelista, Lonny, Cloth & Kind, The Sartorialist, John Derian, Hugo Guinness, Susan Hable's watercolors, Elle Decoration, Ellsworth Kelly Plant Drawings, 101 cookbooks

Todd: The New Yorker, Man of the World, Esquire, Bearings Guide, The Drunken Botanist, GOOD Magazine, Anchor Division, NY Times Mag

I would like to share the limelight with… Clay:  Jane Sisco, creator of beautiful, bold, dynamic screen-printed fabric for the apparel market.  She's always been an inspiration and friend who will listen.

Todd: Bungalow Classic in Atlanta. Randy and Courtney Tilinski, the owners of a boutique furniture company, have an eye for well-designed and handcrafted furniture.  They are creative, calm, and the most productive duo I have met.

IMAGE CREDITS | All images courtesy of Clay McLaurin Studio except for the Bungalow Classic image which came from their website.

Shay Carrillo // NPG

Hi. My name is… Shay Carrillo.

My company is… non-perishable goods.

I’m the… Owner/designer.

I make/design/create… Home and tabletop accessories, and accessories for child and woman.

Something you need to know about me is… This is a tough one as I am a culmination of so many things - my life/past experiences, my family, love for color/texture/handwork, I guess the list goes on!

Here’s how this company came to be… npg was born from the need to create napkins for my kids’ lunches for school.  Wanting to eliminate the everyday use of paper, I made up some simple linen napkins with finished edges… they became everyday napkins, today our top seller!  Over time I began creating and adding to the mix.

My absolute favorite thing we sell right now is… Clutches!  They are made with vintage textiles and leather, I feel they are an incredibly sophisticated yet rustic product.

Here’s a sneak peek of something we’re working on now… We will be excited to share some new products that we are developing using vintage kanthas.

I’m most proud of… I am truly proud of working along side many amazing people and particularly many amazing women, many of them mothers. Firstly, my right hand lady, Elizabeth Baena, whom I truly could not run my business without. We collaborate so well together and together are taking NPG to a new place that is super exciting. Elizabeth and I share a passionate love for handmade vintage textiles and this is our place of connection. She also brings all of her past design & production experience to npg- she is invaluable. I am also incredibly proud that we keep our larger production local with the help of Spooltown. Local photographer Leah Verwey currently shoots all of our photography.

I really detest… Trying to balance owning a small business, being a mom, and a good partner are all challenging… but I can’t say I detest any of it!

I could never have done it without this person… I couldn’t have done this without the tremendous support of my husband & family.

I consistently read these for inspiration… Pinterest, Instagram, many small independent designers, roost blog, NY Times style magazine. Inspiration comes from a lot of places for me-my children, cooking, travel, interacting with other local designers and artists.

I would like to share the limelight with… There are so many, but one designer that truly inspires me at the moment is Beatrice Venezuela. Her aesthetic and way of living are akin to my own. It is empowering to see others striving to live a beautiful, rich yet simple and heartfelt lifestyle.

Applique from Holland & Sherry

We are total and complete suckers for the littlest of details, which is why we are big old fans of the Holland & Sherry showroom. They carry so many of our favorite to-the-trade lines, plus their own line is divine. Like the exquisite Nara applique shown above - how amazing is this?!

We are also immensely appreciative of the fact that their website (relaunched and improved as of today) shows such incredibly detailed photos of each textile. It's this kind of attention to detail, both in their product and in the care they have taken to put together such a fantastic online resource that differentiates them from the rest and keeps designers like Tami and me coming back over and over again. Oh, and we also just adore our rep in Chicago - Michael Madalinski (hi, Mike!)

Who else out there in the design world is doing a great job at the tiniest of details? There are many, we know, and we'd love to hear your input.

Kari Fisher

Hi. My name is… Kari Fisher.

My company is… Kari Fisher Designs.

I’m the… Founder, Owner, Designer.

I make/design/create… I design & create made-to-order pillows sewn from my own hand-blocked linen. Inspired by my love of textiles and traditional block printing methods, I design each pattern and carve my blocks from my Atlanta studio.  Every pattern is blocked using water-based ink. Presently, there are three linen grounds, 8 patterns, and several ink colors. I also offer 3 different trim options including linen self-flange, color cording, and pom pom tassels. So many options allows for numerous combinations to fit almost anyone’s décor or style.

Something you need to know about me is… I think what makes me and my business unique is my interior design background. I understand the needs of the designer and the client, how important quality, customization, and ultimately price are to consumers. I’ve worked under amazing designers like Victoria Hagan & Robert Brown. For them quality, classic forms, and honesty in materials have been at forefront of their design aesthetic and their mentoring has definitely influenced my own style & perspective.

Here’s how this company came to be… I’ve always played around with manipulating textiles and have grown up painting. As an interior designer & textile addict I’ve had my hand on most fabrics out there. I’m always playing with new pattern and color combinations, but there were always situations where I couldn’t find the exact pattern or color I was looking for. The turning point was as designer with KMH Interiors. We were designing a chic condo for an Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles show house and were looking for an inexpensive drapery option that had a high-end custom feel. We ended up purchasing some pre-made white linen drapery panels and I designed a simple block that gave us the pattern we wanted. It was like all of the sudden, everything clicked for me. Block printing was the perfect medium for all of the designs floating around in my head.

My absolute favorite thing we sell right now is… I’m really loving how custom & unique my pillows can become with trim embellishments. My favorite right now is the wabi stripe with pom pom tassels…my pom poms have added a totally new dimension to my pillows. I love how through color and embellishment my fabrics can be either subtle & elegant or colorful & funky.

Here’s a sneak peek of something we’re working on now… I’ve been playing around with some hand painting, especially florals. Pillows are in many ways my canvas so I can really experiment with new ideas without sacrificing yards and yards of fabric and they are so easy to change out in one’s decor. Right now my patterns are one color, but I’m experimenting with using a couple different colors and layering patterns.

I’m most proud of… Making the scary leap to start my own business. It’s stressful not knowing what will happen down the road, but I’m so proud of the work I’ve accomplished since going out on my own. I wake up early ready to go and am so excited to bring my ideas to life.

I really detest… Bookeeping is a constant struggle.

I could never have done it without this person… I’m really lucky to have a number of people supporting me & fostering my creativity, but I owe everything to my parents. I grew up painting with my mother who showed me I’m only limited by how far my imagination can take me. She recently took her support to a whole new level when she got her very first tattoo. As a bonding moment with my brother she had me rework my fish “Matsya” print to include my brothers’ and my first initials. A little silly, but that’s why I love her. As creative as my mother is, my father is very business minded and pragmatic. He has been the much appreciated voice in my head making sure I cross my “t”s and dot my “i”s.

I consistently read these for inspiration… I love when I get a chance to curl up with an Elle Decor or House Beautiful, a glass of wine, and a sharpie. I also often go back to my favorite design books like Owen Jones Decorative Ornament or Dorothy Draper’s Decorating is Fun. I’m a very visual person so Pinterest & Instagram are never-ending sources of inspiration.

I would like to share the limelight with… Probably the best upholstery & custom furniture workroom out there is Bjork Studio. If you can dream it, they can make it and better. Not only do they produce great furniture pieces with amazing attention to detail, they are also wonderful people that have been extremely supportive and champions of me & my textiles.

Provenance: Byobu

prov-e-nance \ˈpräv-nən(t)s, ˈprä-və-ˌnän(t)s\noun. the place of origin or earliest known history of something.

Guest edited by Jacqueline Wein, Tokyo Jinja

Perhaps the very essence of Japan can be found in the hand painted screens, called byobu, which have flourished as an art form in Japan since the 8th century. Byobu literally means “wind wall”  which gives a clear sense of their original purpose – to block drafts. Over time, their mobility and flexibility allowed them to be used almost anywhere, to block unsightly objects or repurpose a room, as well as serving as beautiful backdrops for tea ceremony, ikebana and visiting dignitaries. Ornate screens and those using gold and silver leaf helped proclaim the status of their owner. Like much of Japanese artwork, screens originated in China but were slowly but surely domesticated and changed in Japan, with a high point being the introduction of paper hinges, allowing the artist a single large canvas to create an image, rather than completely divided panels.

I considered writing on other subjects this month, but with my imminent departure from Tokyo, I realized that I had to cover something very near and dear to my heart. Add to that my discovery, at a big antiques fair earlier this month, a divine silver leaf byobu painted with naturalistic pine in the richest of greens and my topic was set.

Of course this beauty came home with me where I cannot stop admiring the finesse of the painter who implied mountains in the background with the merest hint of line. The silver leaf literally seems to glow as if lit from within.

The period between the late 16th to the 17th century is considered the "golden age" of byobu painting, with daimyo and samurai leaders commissioning works of art on a large-scale, designed to decorate their castles and awe their constituents with their wealth and power. Screens from this period often continue to reflect a bold Chinese heritage and make free use of bold brushstrokes and Zen themes.

Prosperity under the Tokugawa shogunate from the early 17th century through the mid-19th century, encouraged painters of various schools to create screens in many different styles – not just for the samurai and aristocratic elites, but for wealthy farmers, artisans and merchants. The Kano school is perhaps the most well-known, being the dominant school style for nearly 400 years. The Kano family itself produced many great artists and many students of the school went on to take the Kano name. The Rinpa school, created in 17th century Kyoto, is one of the other most famous schools, known particularly for the work of brothers Ogata Korin and Ogata Kenzan. I have written about the Ogata Korin iris masterpieces before, and they continue to be some of my favorites.

Other schools include the Tosa school, whose subject matter and techniques derived from ancient Japanese art, as opposed to schools influenced by Chinese art, notably the Kano school. However, by the late 17th century divisions between schools had become less marked as the artists willingness to experiment broadened.

As the breadth of topics widened, so too did screen commissioning and ownership. Most common were pairs of full height 6 panel screens, but other shapes and sizes proliferated with specific names and uses. Topics such as the four seasons, flower studies and detailed works featuring the Tale of Genji and other stories were popular. I particularly enjoy some of the more casual screens showing everyday life - like this pair of tagasode screens - meaning "Whose Sleeves?" a common theme depicting beautiful kimonosdraped across a wooden rack. Generally unsigned, tagasode screens are thought to have been painted by local artists whose ready-made works were sold to buyers off the street, rather than being commissioned.

Today, screens are more likely to be hung on the wall rather than stood on the floor. They lose some of their visual movement that way, but it also enhances the viewers ability to encompass the painting directly. I love the parallel between the silver leaf grids in the screen and the Bennison fabric pattern in this room by Windsor Smith.

Finely detailed story screens like this 17th century byobu depicting the Genki Heike Battle between the Minamoto clan and the Taira clan may have had their heyday in that century, but feel just as relevant today when mixed with an antique Spanish refractory table and patchwork boro in Amy Katoh's riverfront home.

Their detail or simplicity, their ever-changing response to light, their functionality and portability and their ability to work in any style decor, make byobu any decorator's best friend. For more images and information about these Japanese beauties, you can visit my blog Tokyo Jinja and my Byobu Board on Pinterest.

Have you used byobu in your home or a client project? We'd love to hear about it.

IMAGE CREDITS | All byobu screens via The Metropolitan Museum of Art, other credits as noted and linked to in the post above.

Pauline Boyd

Hi. My name is… Pauline Boyd

My company is… Counterpane

I’m the… Maker

I make... Quilts of my own design, all one-of-a-kind, with bits of things I find traveling or old clothes, vintage, or found fabrics.

Something you need to know about me is… When I made my first quilt, around 2004, I had never even used a sewing machine. I had no fabric so I just went around the apartment cutting up stuff - literally the sheets, curtains, clothes. I still try to emulate that spirit nowadays.

Here’s how this company came to be… I had been struggling to work as an actress in New York for over ten years and the idea of letting that go started brewing in me. I took off to join my boyfriend in Asia where he was working, and I just took the time to sew and develop my quilting style. He bought me a foot-pedal table sewing machine and we dragged it home in a tuk tuk. When I got back to the states I started to sell pieces, to supportive family and friends, making them on the kitchen floor.  I made a logo, did my tax registration stuff, did a gallery show in LA, and slowly started to get some press and some stores and I’ve been chugging away since then. I started without any kind of business plan, so that’s a big focus right now - media packets, market research. look book, etc - stuff I was too afraid of before but now its clear I owe it to myself in order to really play ball!

My absolute favorite thing we sell right now is… Well, I get sentimental about certain quilts sometimes - since each little bit of fabric in them has a story to me. Right now my favorite thing is a quilt (below) that’s in the wonderful store, Beautiful Dreamers, in Brooklyn. Its made from these old silk shirts of my dad’s from Paris and some worn out tribal jackets and indigo from Vietnam and Laos - stuff I foraged for.  It's a real roots piece for me and embodies that essential quilt philosophy on the re-use of things to make other new beautiful things for ourselves. I’m half a mind to call them and get it back everyday, but its in the right place there!

Here’s a sneak peek of something we’re working on now… A lot is happening right now!  I did my first design job with a big company - a quilt and some pillows for the home department at Anthropologie - available early winter. I’ve been recently cold-calling some of my favorite clothing and textile designers and saying hey, I want to make a quilt from your scraps and I am thrilled to have a few collaborations in the pipeline. I’m always playing around with talented friends - doing some pieced accents on clothes, bags and furniture - seeing what is fun and interesting and marketable.

I’m most proud of… My decision to make this a job. With this work, I get to look at what is in front of me everyday, work with my hands and make something. Its a new dream. Its feels like a second chance at creative fulfillment.

I detest… Planning! I have a ridiculous sense of the timing for this work! I guess no one ever said making quilts was quick and easy but I forget the creative time is important too. I think I can finish something a given day and then a month later I’m still arranging the puzzle pieces, stitching, tweaking... I’m learning to factor in the creative process, not just the construction time.

I could never have done it without this person… I had/have major wonderful support from my family - both financially and emotionally. In terms of the nuts and bolts of actually making a company happen, that would be my man, Chris. His practicality and clarity of thought and vision have been imperative to this process, as I can often get lost in future, the past, or just lose track of what the next action at hand is. He also holds the bar really high from a design perspective and I can bounce ideas off of him or he will challenge me with questions about composition or color. Having to be responsible for my decisions helps me really get behind my own work - it helps me feel proud. I’m not ashamed to say he has been a real backbone to this company!

I consistently read these for inspiration… I love Pinterest of course, mouthwatering. Love Fibercopia and CLOTH & KIND for education.  I read some design/fashion blogs - Design Sponge, Design for Mankind, Remodelista, The Sartorialist - the usual suspects. I read them because they are so well curated but it's not really the world I exist in. I like Blondehaus, Weird Friends, Bleach Black - for a balance from the edgier side of the spectrum.  I’ve got piles of books full of quilt history which are fun to drool over. NYT crossword keeps me fresh - I’ll do that when I need to break my brain from a piece I’m working on. I also have some old school reference books which I need sometimes. Since I’m self taught, I have to learn little tricks wherever I can.

I would like to share the limelight with… Other quilters! There are a lot of young people making quilts - which is really inspiring and exciting to me. People like Meg Callahan, Ashley Thayer, Gina RockenWagner, Maura Grace Ambrose  - they are all doing interesting things with a really old practice.

Provenance: Toran

prov-e-nance \ˈpräv-nən(t)s, ˈprä-və-ˌnän(t)s\noun. the place of origin or earliest known history of something.

Guest edited by Jacqueline Wein, Tokyo Jinja IMAGE | Antique Toran via The Textile Museum of Canada

A number of years ago I spied a charming doorway textile at the home of a dear friend. Clearly Indian in origin, it was a rectangular banner with small fabric flaps hanging down and tiny mirrors embedded in the pattern. She told me it was a toran, a hand embroidered and embellished door hanging, traditionally made in Gujarat, on the coast of Northwestern India. My fascination with them grew and over the years I have continued to keep an eye out for them.

The word toran (or torana) itself originally referred to sacred gateways in Indian architecture, with roots in Buddhism and Hinduism, like this pair of 12th century sandstone ones in Vadnagar, Gujarat. It is easy to see the connection between the embroidery of the fabric hangings and the detailed stone carvings, as well as in their function to welcome both the gods and people. Decorative toran also play a role in holidays like Diwali and Holi or at weddings and celebrations as they are believed to be auspicious and lucky. The doorway blesses every person that walks under it, showering them with an abundance of love, prosperity, health and happiness. While the heavily embroidered ones tend to be regional to Gujarat, toran in other forms are popular throughout India. In the south, green mango tree leaves are threaded together and hung across the door. In Northern India, marigold flowers are strung together and used the same way. The small flaps that hang from the fabric versions are meant to represent dangling leaves and flowers.

IMAGES | Torana Arch via Vadnagar, An Ancient City & Marigold Garland via Mitai and Marigolds

Often times toran are used in spaces other than actual doors to represent a passageway. This welcoming example from Sibella Court's Nomad book beckons one to enter and cozy up for a restful nap.

IMAGE | via Nomad: A Global Approach to Interior Style by Sibella Court

The Kutch region of Gujarat is particularly well known for its embroidery techniques, with specific tribes and communities having their own particular style. Shisha, which is the Indian word for little glass or mirror, is the most distinctive technique in which small mirrors decorate the textile, being held in place by a framework of overlaid embroidery stitches.  No glue is used and the mirror is not threaded through or attached in any other way. It was believed that the mirrors had the power to ward off evil spirits by trapping or confusing the evil eye. While many of the other decorative stitches, such as the chain stitch, are universal, shisha work is unique to the Indian subcontinent. It comes as no surprise to me that women are solely responsible for these creations and that motif and patterns are not copied or written down, but instead passed along orally.

IMAGE | Antique Kutch Embroidery Toran from NovaHaat.com

Base fabrics and threadwork include cotton and silk and pieces over 50 years old may also have beadwork in addition to shisha work. Motifs are varied, from very naturalistic animals to very stylized patterns and geometrics. Mismatched patchwork is also part of their charm. Museum collections have toran from the late 19th century, but most of the older pieces available on today's market are mid-20th century. Invariably, the vintage pieces have some damage - in my mind, patina - and there are also many newly made toran available as well, although the details and quality of the silks doesn't match that of the older pieces. The decorative possibilities, in particular for children's rooms, are obvious. They make charming valances or would be perfect fronting a bed canopy.  Some toran are as long as 30 feet and I have seen them draping the edges of party tents as festive adornment.

IMAGE | Antique Kutch Rabari Banjara Toran via EthnicIndianArt

In modern-day interior decor, toran can be used in a quite literal context to embellish the threshold, as in this rituously joyful, over the top Indian themed space that was featured in Marie Claire Maison.

IMAGES | Bollywood Boudoir via Marie Claire Maison & Vintage Toran via IndianBeautifulArt.com

But they are also incredibly sweet when taken completely out of context and used in ways you might not expect like here, hanging over a kitchen nook in floral designer Nicolette Camille's Brooklyn apartment. This toran also defines and elevates what would normally be a rather simple kitchen.

IMAGE | Nicolette Camille's Brooklyn, NY home via Design*Sponge

Perhaps best of all is when toran are part of a truly global design aesthetic. In Maryam Montague's Marrakech master bedroom, featured in Elle Decor, this toran-like textile used as a window valence mixes happily with decorative items from many nations, including France, Mali, and Morocco.

IMAGE | Maryam Montague's Marrakech master bedroom via Elle Decor

Have you used a festive toran as decoration in your home, or do you have something else to share with us on this topic? If so, we'd love to hear all about it. Please leave a comment below or email us at info(at)clothandkind(dot)com.

ABOUT PROVENANCE | Provenance offers a scholarly nod to the history of iconic styles in textile & design and is guest edited by Jacqueline Wein of the blog Tokyo Jinja. Previous Provenance topics include: Kasuri & Kuba Cloth.