We have loved Anna's work for awhile and we were thrilled that she wanted to create a story with us around our linens. She has such a wonderful eye, a love for natural light, places with a historic soul, natural materials and interior design, we knew she would work her magic on them.
Where is home and how long have you lived there?
I live in an old townhouse in a village surrounded by vineyards in the South of France not far from Montpellier and the Mediterranean sea, with my boyfriend, our 11 year old son and our two Maine Coon cats. We moved here from Sweden in the middle of the pandemic 2020.
What brought you there from Sweden?
I have dreamt about the life in the South of France since I was a kid and saw the movie "My Father's Glory". I met my French boyfriend soon 17 years ago and after many years in Stockholm together we decided to change our life with less stress and a warmer climate. We haven't regretted our decision one day since then.
Have you always felt a need to create in your life? When did you first find your passion for taking photos? What is your creative process.
I grew up in a creative home with artist parents so it has always been natural for me to create. I found my passion in photography when I was 14. My dad built a darkroom in our laundry room. I started to experiment and fell in love with photography.
If you had to name three things that have shaped your method of creative expression, what would they be?
I guess my childhood shaped me a lot. To grow up in the Swedish countryside with artist parents who believed in me and pushed me to be a photographer.
Then I believe my interest in interior comes from the fact that I'm Swedish. We spend so much time at home during the cold months. We want to create a cosy nest in which we feel good and which is welcoming for family and friends. The fact that I work from home makes it even more important. I need to feel good at home and to have a creative and cosy environment around me.
Since we moved to France I feel inspired most of the time. By the light, by the countryside and by all beautiful old buildings. So I feel that these things shaped my creative expression pretty much.
Where do you look for inspiration?
In music and old movies, in the life around us and in the work of female artists.
Do you have any rituals that you never fail to begin and end the day with?
Cuddling with our cats and listen to music.
You are an avid traveler, what's your favorite trip/place and what's the trip you are dreaming of?
I loved the travel to Sicily last year with my best friend and colleague Mari Strenghielm. I have dreamt of visiting Sicily since many years. We found an amazing artist that we visited and shot his home for our upcoming book "Creative Homes". I love Italy and definitely want to go back to Sicily soon. I will never forget my trip to Mexico City a few years ago. I travelled alone for a shoot but it was during covid so I had to spend 10 days alone in this big city. I visited the house of Frida Kahlo and the beautiful area around where she lived and that was one of my favorite days ever. But my absolute favorite trip was a three weeks long road trip with my boys between Austin, Tx to LA, California some years ago.
I dream to travel to Tulum in Mexico one day with my family.
What are your comforts when you are away from home?
I most of the time bring a speaker so I always have music in the hotel room.
What are you currently listening to?
I've always been into female bands and artists and for the moment I listen a lot to the British indie rock band Porridge Radio. I'm hopefully gonna see them in Paris in April.
Describe your perfect day.
I love to visit the local flea market in a nearby village on Saturdays and then to meet up friends for a wine lunch in the sun. Or a road trip with my family where we stop in small villages and wandering around old alleys and having a picnic with a nice view. Or just spend the whole day on our terrace when it's warm.
What advice would you give your younger self? And what is the best piece of advice you’ve received and would like to impart with us?
I would tell myself to not worry and stress too much. It destroys you and will help nobody. Someone told me once to never become someone else when I moved to Stockholm from the countryside. I always have that in mind. What ever you do and wherever you live or how much you'll ever succeed, always be you and stay true to yourself.
Products shown: Patchwork pillow case, Multi Patchwork pillow case, Desert Rose Duvet Cover, Desert Rose pillow case, Desert Rose Robe, Desert Rose Audre top
Monique and I have done a number of collaborations, and we loved her suggestion of shooting some new pieces in her beautiful new organic space, here she tells us more.
We created this story in Amesbury MA, where my partner, Caleb and I, are living. It's a small town on the Northshore. We photographed in the building that we have been renovating for the past year and a half. We live on the second floor, and have been finishing the ground floor the past few months. It will be a showroom space where we can welcome our community for art shows and other gatherings. The space is called F.B. Keene, which was the name of the hardware store the building once housed.
If you had to name three things that have shaped your method of creative expression, what would they be?
The number one thing that shapes my creative expression is how I consider poetry as a living act. I look for things in my daily routine that could be a poem; this includes making up our guest bed when friends are in town and placing fresh cut flowers on the bedside table, cutting vegetables for a salad with intention, listening to a jazz cd while i drive out to the beach, mending a pair of jeans by hand stitching, anything that transports the mundane into the magical realm. Seeing poetry in new mediums helps me to keep my creative expression fresh in my work.
What is inspiring you right now?
The colors of Luis Barragan homes, growing food and flowers, candle stick holders that Caleb makes on his lathe, and Monty Don.
Are you a morning or evening person?
Right now it's all about the evening. Just having passed the summer solstice, I have been spending long evenings in the garden and watching the sunset from my allotment. My friend Alice encouraged me to start gardening this year and I’m hooked. Sometimes Caleb & I will just have ice cream for dinner when I get back from the garden.
Do you have any rituals that you never fail to begin and end the day with?
Lately I go to bed thinking about the next morning’s whole milk cappuccino that I have been making at home. I love ending the day with a bath, even in the summer. I love the feeling of swimming in the ocean in the evening and going home and taking a bath while I read.
What are you looking forward to do this year? Travel within the US or international?
Caleb & I are traveling to Nova Scotia this summer for a wedding, & have opted to take a sprinter camper van up and extend our trip to stop along different sites on the way. We are looking forward to hiking, swimming in the ocean, and eating seafood in mid coast Maine and Canada.
What are you currently reading and listening to?
Listening to Sinead O’connor & Patsy Cline CD’s in my car from our local record shop, Mel’s. I’ve been reading the creative act: a way of being by Rick Rubin. It's short chapters lend itself to morning reading and often spark reflection on my own creative process.
How do you stay grounded?
The most effective way for me to stay grounded is to spend as many minutes of the day outside as possible!
Do you have a favorite recipe that remains a constant in your repertoire? If so, please share it with us here.
Caleb started making Panzanella salad for me when we first started dating and we have been eating it ever since. We get our sourdough bread locally, and use different herbs and vegetables alongside the tomatoes (which are starting to peek out from my garden!). It's a dish that is meant to be made with whatever is in season and have fun with it (add stone fruits or cheese and any combination of herbs you desire) the leftovers hold well in the fridge and make a great breakfast!
Here is Calebs recipe:
Tear bite sized pieces of sourdough bread (a bit stale is best). Toss with olive oil and salt
Bake at 350 for 10 minutes or until a nice golden brown.
2 large tomatoes (Save all the juices!), 1 large cucumber, 1 bulb sliced fennel all cut into bite sized pieces and added to large bowl
Chopped Herbs! We like dill, parsley, chives
Add the bread to the bowl
Drizzle of olive oil, pinches of salt, drizzle of balsamic reduction and lemon juice all to taste.
Can you tell us what your favorite Two Dawson item is and why?
My go to is the Rita pant in chalk. I love them for lounging in the morning with my coffee, as well as wearing them to the beach, and even dress them up to eat out in the summer. They are so comfortable, the perfect shape, and can be worn so many ways. I also always have the Meetra top in my suitcase for travel, its a perfect layering piece.
Items featured: Desert Rose Quilt, Chalk Quilt, Ochre Duvet, Ochre Pillow Cases, Sylvia Dress Soft Moss, Classic PJ Top Chalk, Euro Embroidered Pillow Case White, Euro Embroidered Pillow Case Chalk, Fitted Sheet Soft Moss, Soft Moss Pillow Case, Rupi Boxer Shorts Desert Rose, Sea Salt Pillow Cases, Soft Moss Duvet Cover.
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Kate and Britt are a couple of our favorite creatives, a photographer and interior and prop stylist, with endless passion for their work.
With Kate's magic touch with light, (her visual story telling developed through her previous years as a prop stylist and set designer) and Britt's stunning countryside retreat in northern Connecticut we couldn't be more inspired by the beautiful linen and floral story they created with our linen.
When and how did you meet?
Britt: instagram!
Kate: haha, yep, met on the internet like everyone else these days!
Where is Home?
Brooklyn and Litchfield county for Britt and Westchester county for Kate.
You are both creatives, can you elaborate, and how one creative area feeds the other.
Kate: I spent over a decade as a prop and interior stylist before making the pivot to being directly behind the camera. I honestly can’t imagine any other “job” for myself—I love the creative hive mind that happens on set, but also how an idea grows and improves once everyone’s working together. The collaborative element of it all is really what gets me so good.
Britt: The collaboration between photographer and stylist is so important and we're great creative partners! probably has a lot to do with the libra energy we both bring :) (see below)
The images are beautiful, what was your inspiration and where do you generally look for inspiration?
Britt: We paired two dawson linens with seasonal early summer florals (many of which were foraged roadside and around Britt's CT house)
Kate: all Britt’s idea! She pulled it all together so beautifully.
What are you most passionate about?
Kate: My family, my friends, light; but always my relationship with all those things. how they can all influence each other and myself; how bettering my relationship with them makes me learn and grow.
Britt: Creating beauty, not just as part of my job but also for my family and friends. travel and finding beautiful inspiration, and my golden retriever Kona :)
You created this story at your home, Britt, in Connecticut, what was the inspiration for the home?
Britt: It's a farmhouse built in 1880 and has small rooms and small windows and can be on the darker side, but also makes for moments of magical light!
Kate: God, it’s so beautiful. Britt really made it incredible.
Three words to describe yourself.
Kate: perfectionist, night-owl, libra
Britt: also libra :) creative, dependable
Brittany about Kate: kind, fun, creative
Kate about Brittany: visionary, collaborative, generous
What advice would you give your younger self? And what is the best piece of advice you’ve received and would like to impart with us?
Britt: be patient
Kate: always say yes. you never know who you’ll meet, what you’ll see, or what can become of it.
What are you dreaming of?
Kate: equal rights for all and serious, meaningful gun reform. and a nice little week away with my family.
Can you tell us what your favorite Two Dawson item is and why?
Britt: your linen bed covers. They are lightweight and so nice for summer (and can double as a tablecloth for outdoor dinners!)
Kate: honestly, i love what isn’t there, the flat sheet for your bed! it was rather revelatory to me to not include it, but so totally unnecessary to have it—and it makes laundry day so much easier!
Product shown: Two Tone Duvet Cover, Cloudy Grey Pillow Cases, Chalk Pillow Cases, Chalk Fitted Sheet, Cloud Grey Fitted Sheet, Khaki Duvet Cover.
Our friend Thayer Allyson Gowdy shot the captivating Christine Williams at her sun-soaked sanctuary in Ojai. This creative duo love to collaborate together, both highlighting a vision of the light and beauty in the world. It comes as no surprise that photographer Thayer recently ventured into the territory of design, with her keen eye for composition, elegance and simplicity. With the initial goal of moving to Portugal, The mountainous valley of Ojai, California had to win her over. Thayer describes the landscape around her home as surrounded by warm rocks, golden grass, lemon and tangerine groves. It’s safe to say, Thayer managed to bring the best elements of Portugal to her California haven.
Pillow Case in Desert Rose, Bed Cover in Sand, Fitted Sheet in Chalk
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Stylist and creative Elizabeth Maclennan collaborated with photographer Gieves Anderson to produce some of the most beautiful sun-soaked images in the vibrant oasis that is Todos Santos, Baja Mexico. The photos evoke a visceral sense of a languorous summer day, alive with the colors, textures and easy essence of Mexico.
What drew you to Todos Santos? How has that landscape changed the way you live?
It was a place that showed up in my dream life before I actually found my way here. As soon as I arrived I knew it was somewhere that I was meant to be. It's a desert town tucked into a lush green oasis between the mountains and the ocean. At first, it was the landscape and the light and something ineffable about the energy of this place that took me. Although I wasn't completely conscious of it at the time, I was also yearning for more balance in my life and a return to a simpler way of living. Now it's all of those things, plus the community. There are so many wildly creative people living here who are making the most incredible things simply because it feeds them. It made me look at my relationship to my own creativy in a new way. It was a revelation and inspiration for me to see people who were living and creating in a way that was determined by nothing outside of themselves. I desired that freedom for myself and I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and took the leap.
Living in a tiny desert town has changed the way I live on many levels but I think the biggest thing that I've learned-- FINALLY-- is to go with the flow and be present with what is. Time moves differently in Baja and, as beautiful as it is, there are a lot of challenges in this place. Trying to force things won't get you far down here. When you let go of the thing that isn't working, that's when whole new roads open for you and take you somewhere way better than wherever you thought you wanted to go-- literally and figuratively. I've learned to trust and surrender to the current. It's brought unimaginable gifts and magic my way.
How do you balance your time between Brooklyn and Todos Santos?
I'm still finding a balance. When I moved to Todos Santos my intention was to be between places. But then COVID happened and I was living in Todos Santos full time through the early days of the pandemic. Really, it was perfect timing because it gave me an opportunity to fully root into the lifestyle and community here. Over the last year, as things have opened and work has picked up, I've begun to travel back and forth quite a bit. It's been wonderful because I love this tiny little town of mine but my roots, family, work, and so many friends are in New York. I still have a whole life there. In a practical sense, it's my career that determines the balance. Having the ability to be between places was the initial vision I held for myself and I feel really grateful that I'm able to live my life in two places that inspire and nourish me.
What is your creative process like? Where do you draw inspiration?
It usually starts as something ephemeral that I'm wanting to express-- a mood or a vibe. I will then start gathering more concrete inspiration to give it form-- everything from photos and music to movies, books, artwork, poems, etc. I immerse myself in these inspirations and let them really seep in so that I have a visual vocabulary to pull from. Then I do a big edit to create a cohesive mood board in order to communicate what I'm thinking to others-- clients and collaborators. When the vision feels whole, I start collecting all the elements I need for the project-- objects, people, locations-- in an organic way. I really have to challenge myself to stay open and not get too attached to early ideas about the project because sometimes that thing that pops to mind that seems odd but that you just can't let go of-- there's a reason for that! For me, allowing the entire process to be somewhat organic is where the magic happens.
Even if I've conceived of the project, I love the part of the process when collaboration begins. Photo work is a coming together of creative offerings, which is something I've always loved about it. My own creative energy and inspiration grow when I'm bouncing off of someone else and it's exciting to find collaborative partners who you harmonize well with, like Gieves.
When did you start collaborating with Gieves?
Gieves and I began collaborating last year on a project for Domino magazine. We photographed our friend Margot Stern's boutique hotel, Avenida Baja, together. I had been an admirer of his work for a while but didn't know him. He's so talented and I was really drawn to his photographs. On a whim, I emailed and asked him to come to Mexico and do the project with me. It was at a time when people still weren't traveling freely. He called to politely explain to me why he couldn't do it but we immediately hit it off on the phone and he decided to come down, after all. I'm so glad he did because we have a really special creative connection.
Tell us a little about your models?
Aya and Alf are artists who live in Todos Santos. Their creativity is hard to label as just one thing-- it's truly multi-dimensional. They make music and visual art, host performances, curate experiences, collect clothing and things, and put together the most amazing outfits. Their house is this wild visual feast full of things they've both made and collected. Together they are in a band called "Daturas" which performs a "pyschedelic variety show". They are a couple as well and their chemistry really comes through in the photos.
Aya is an artist who does so many things-- dance, photography, wardrobe styling, design work, and hand drawn tattoos. Gieves and I met with her before the shoot to talk about the project and she was so excited about it. She had so many ideas for everything-- locations, wardrobe styling, the story. Aya brought so much of her own spirit to the project-- it was really fun to work with her and have that collaborative energy between the three of us.
I always describe Alf as a kind of unicorn-- there is no one like him. The first time I met him was at a friend's house. He was drinking tea and pulling tarot cards and he took us on this capitivating journey through a tarot spread that ended with him predicting a meeting with a beautiful "woman of his dreams" on a beach. Of course, that ended up actually happening to him about two weeks later! That's Alf-- otherworldly! Everything he does is completely original and leaves you sort wide-eyed and amazed. You can't take your eyes off of him. He has a number of projects in the works at any given time. He is visionary and I'm so inspired by his creativity.
Gieves and I were thrilled to have them as collaborators and to work with both them.
What do you do to unwind?
Unwinding for me means having unstructured time and being very simple-- simple things ground me. On a perfect day, I like to loll around my casita, play with my dog Lenu, take a swim, be in nature, read, listen to music, cook, and allow the current of the day to take me where it wants to, unfettered by obligations.
Three words to describe yourself?
thoughtful, perceptive, spirited
What does a day in your life look like?
Because of the nature of my work, I don't have much of a routine, but on a day when I'm between projects and in Todos Santos, it goes something like this:
I take my mornings slow. Once I wake up I spend some time in silence and ground into my body, my spirit, and the day ahead. I like to start my day with lemon water, some coffee, and then some form of movement like yoga. After that, I make a smoothie, answer emails and do some work which can look like a lot of different things-- concepting a new project, prepping for an upcoming shoot, wrapping a job that just completed, etc. I usually have plans with a friend at some point in my day-- either for breakfast, lunch, or an adventure. Sometimes at this point, I'll get "Baja'd" and my day will take a turn I didn't expect-- I'll find myself touring someone's organic farm, helping out with a creative project, stopping by a friend's studio to see what they're up to, or making an impromptu beach trip. But if I do make it home, I'll return to work-- I do actually have a lot on my plate! Around sunset, I take my pup Lenu for a walk in the desert or at the beach. And then I either have a really quiet evening to myself-- I'll make dinner and listen to music-- or I'll do something social with friends like dinner. I always end my evening with a book in bed.
Was styling innate for you or learned?
It was innate. Long before I knew that prop styling was a thing you could do, I would sit in my elementary school classroom and get lost imagining how I could make the bulletin board look better or how I might rearrange the "book area" so that it was cozier. I've always loved creating little worlds in my imagination and so it's a dream to have the opportunity to make them real through my work.
Have you always felt a need to create in your life?
Yes. I'm a believer that creativity can be channeled in infinite ways and I've always had a strong wellspring of creative energy to draw from. I need to make things all the time-- whether it's sets for photos or a big salad for dinner or a birthday card for a friend. I need to move that creative energy through me and out into the world. I'm always looking for new outlets.
Any advice you would give your younger self?
Yes-- three things come to mind:
- Don't waste time and emotional energy trying to fit yourself and your life into the prescribed structures. Follow the call of your own spirit and your life will blossom in ways you never imagined.
- Sometimes the things that life wants for us are far better than the things we thought we wanted for ourselves. Don't fight the current, let the current take you.
- Don't worry, baby!
Do you have a favorite meal you always return to? Would you like to share?
I'm currently trying to eat a lot less meat but I love a classic roast chicken and it's a favorite of friends and family when I make it! This is loosely based on Ina Garten's recipe. It's great because the veggies roast along with the chicken and catch all of the drippings so when you're done cooking you have a roast chicken and veggies all in one go.
1 whole chicken, insides removed
1 orange or lemon, cut into quarters
1 bundle of rosemary
1 bundle of thyme
1 whole garlic head, cut in half
2 carrots or so
1 yellow onion
sea salt
ground pepper
1-2 tablespoons of butter, melted
kitchen twine (if you want to get fancy)
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F
Peel the carrots and slice them into thick pieces-- about 1.5-2". Cut the onion into 1/2" crescents. Layer on the bottom of the roasting pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add some herbs if you want. Toss.
Wash the chicken inside and out. Pat it dry. Sprinkle the cavity generously with salt and pepper and then stuff it with the citrus, fresh herbs, and garlic. I like to squeeze some of the citrus juice into the cavity as I stuff it-- getting messy when you cook is part of the fun! Lay the chicken on top of the cut veggies. Tie up the legs with kitchen twine and tuck the wings under the body (I have to watch a YouTube video every time I do this part, btw-- no shame!). Brush the top with the melted butter and salt and pepper the outside generously.
Put the bird in the oven and roast for around an hour and a half or so. I always check the temperature with a meat thermometer but another good indication that it's done is when the juices are running clear. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest by tenting it with aluminum foil for about 20 mins. Et voila! A perfectly roasted bird with veggies for your friends and family.
Shop the products: Duvet Cover Earth Rose, Fitted Sheet Sand, Rupi Short Chalk and Kahki, Audre Top Sand, Maya Dress Sand, Linen Robe Desert Rose
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Thayer Allyson Gowdy is a true jack of all trades, working as a potter, photographer and designer. Her work is largely inspired by the sun soaked landscapes and worn architecture of Mallorca, Spain. Its no wonder she has found herself residing in Ojai, California; a quiet, mountainside town that feels as close to the European countryside as California can get.
When not in Ojai at her studio & home named Casa Wilder, she is photographing the west coast vibe, floating in rivers and hiking to waterfalls drenched with sage. All the while with her sidekicks, a scruffy terrier & dorkie; Scout and Wilder.
Thayer shot two beautiful stories for us, here is the first one with her friend Ceara.
Can you describe where it is that you live?
I live in sun drenched Valley of the Moon, a little valley filled with citrus and olive groves.
How do you nurture your creativity?
Friends, music, vacations that I can explore artisans and small villages around the globe.
{Toni Top on Desert Rose} {Rita Pant in Chalk}
What is bringing you joy these days?
Pottery and my dogs.
What is your creative process?
I am a jump into things kind of person but I like quiet and focus when I work. I tend to mood board then I like to jump in and get my hands into it and just make. Whether its images or clay. I tend to take the same approach. I like to have an idea in mind then let the joy and organic moments unfold.
Your pottery is beautiful! And very unique. How do you gather inspiration?
Nature and art. I feel like they are happy wellness pieces. I love function but lately I am enjoying getting into playfulness.
How are you managing two businesses, photography and your pottery?
Coffee and lemon pasta.
{Toni Top in Chalk} {Linen robe in Ochre}
What advice would you give your younger self? And what is the best piece of advice you’ve received and would like to impart with us?
Have more artistic boundaries. Satisfy myself first creatively vs others.
{Classic P J top in Earth Rose}
Favorite thing to cook right now?
Tangy Fruit Salad by Alison Roman
Ingredients
2 oranges, peel and pith removed, thinly sliced
1-1 ½ pounds apples, persimmons, pears and or/ asian pears, thinly sliced
1 lemon, halved
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Aleppo-style pepper, optional
Sumac, optional
Olive oil, for drizzling
Directions
Arrange oranges and sliced apples, persimmons and/or pears on a large serving platter or inside a large shallow bowl.
Squeeze the lemon over the fruit and season with salt and pepper, followed by aleppo-style pepper or sumac, if you have it and feel so compelled. Drizzle with olive oil before serving.
DO AHEAD: I would do this at the last possible minute to prevent fruit from drying out or oxidizing. Sorry!
LEFTOVERS: If you don’t mind slightly softer fruit, it’s fine the next day for breakfast with yogurt/granola/etc.
{Bedcover in sand} {pillow cases in desert rose and ochre}
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Through the use of ancient handwork techniques such as knotting, weaving and twining, Sally England is creating some of the most striking and original works we have seen. Being heavily inspired by nature, it comes as no surprise that Sally resides in the beautiful mountainous landscape of Ojai, California. Her work plays upon the human connection to nature as well as architecture and symbology. Her artistry provokes a sense of wonder and awe as well while paying homage to timeless forms of fabrication.
How did you get into fiber-based art?
Well I've always loved sewing, art, and crafts, ever since I was little. After I graduated college I worked at an art gallery and was doing a lot of sewing and making soft goods, and was trying to figure out what was next for me creatively. I remembered seeing my mom's knot-tying instructional books around the house when I was little, and had the idea of using the same techniques but on a jumbo scale. I was accepted into the MFA program in Portland, Oregon in 2011, and immediately brought my concept to life by making a 6x7 foot knotted piece using industrial 1/2" thick rope. 10 years later and I'm still at it! Constantly evolving and learning along the way..
Sally's bed is dressed in 100% pure linen duvet cover in pond and pillow cases in pond and desert rose and fitted sheet in desert sand
What is your creative process like?
I dream in colors and shapes. I'll get visions for pieces and it's not until I'm actually bringing them to life them that I realize some deeper meaning behind them. I have to be in the right headspace to be able to work repetitively and let my creativity flow. I've learned to be okay with giving myself the time and space to get to that point. A lot of sitting and thinking goes into my work before I actually start production.
What makes you feel most inspired?
I'm inspired by beautiful things and environments and the way they make me feel. I guess a big part of what I do is striving to replicate that feeling for others.
What are you passionate about?
I'm passionate about ideas and the process of bringing them to life, and taking what was 'old' and making it new. I'm also passionate about our planet, nature, and animals (especially cats).
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Discerning, intuitive, calm
Where is home for you?
I am so lucky to call Ojai, California home for the past seven years. Every day I'm in awe of the beauty. I was born and raised in the woods and lakes of Michigan, which is also beautiful but in a different way.
Finish the sentence, A good night's sleep is ...
Sleeping in linen sheets!
What are you dreaming of?
I'm dreaming of taking a trip to the UK in the spring, to visit friends and to get inspired by the rural craft traditions there. I also did genealogy testing recently and want to explore the different counties in England and Scotland where my ancestors were from.
Do you have a favorite recipe, would you like to share?
Yes, I love smokey, earthy flavors, so naturally I love Mezcal. This is a riff on a Mezcal Toronto.
2 ounces Mezcal
1/4 ounce Nonino Amaro
1/4 ounce cinnamon simple syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
2 drops Fernet
Stir and serve on ice with a lemon peel garnish
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Our friend Ashley Sargent Price captured the ephemeral beauty of a breezy desert day while visiting Joshua Tree, California. Ashley is a talented creative director, effortlessly curating beauty wherever she goes. Check out her previous story here (link).
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Cecile Molinié is a Paris based photographer, stylist, art director and all around visual storyteller. Whenever possible Cecile and her family spend their days in the French countryside. This serves as the perfect contrast to the city for them, spending their days off surrounded by nature rather than the city’s bustle. Cecile and her daughter shared the sweetest moments in the countryside with our linens. The images make us crave those lazy, languid late summer days spent soaking in the sun.
Where were the images taken?
I took the images in the beach house near Cap Ferret and some in the countryside near Fontainebleau. I discovered the beach house and the Bassin d’Arcachon 25 years ago and Cap Ferret is still remaining wild and authentic with some little fishermen’s villages like l’Herbe or Le Canon. There are big oyster farms there as the Bassin is full of sand bars with shallow waters and the tides allow the farmers to work on the fields. In Cap Ferret you can cycle around, the Ocean is not far and it is warmer than on the other side of the Bassin which makes it very pleasant. People live close to nature in mostly wooden houses and even if it is full of privileged Parisians or Bordelais, it remains cool and wild.
How has the past year been for you and the family?
The past year has been very strange but when I look back at it it brought a lot of clarity, time to reset and think of what really matters in life. We have spent all the lockdowns with closed school in the countryside which changes everything and the second lockdown in Paris but as schools were opened it was not so hard. It has made me realize how « polluted » we are by the mass consumption society and I want to work mainly for projects with a meaning. For the kids, it has been a time to live together and support each other but also harder for the 2 eldest. Pauline 22, is studying medicine in Paris and she has witnessed the 2nd wave growing from the hospital were she was working in a COVID unit. Timothée who was just starting college has met no one and it was a lonely year. No complaints but strange and hard to only work from home for a 19 year old.
What are you most passionate about?
I am most passionate about everything with which I can sublimate my life. Of course via photography, but also setting a nice table, seeing a nice flower, a beautiful piece of linen.
Three words to describe yourself?
If I had to pick only 3 words to describe me : generous, insecure, selfless
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t be scared of failing, keep trying. I am too scared by failure (French education :)
How are you and your daughter alike and how are you different?
My daughters and I share the same vision of life and tastes for clothing and interior design which is very rewarding as you never know if your children will like what you like. It is such a privilege to be in the same mood. I like to cook, they don’t. But more important, they know better than me how to be respected by the others and men and I can tell they are more able to say no and set boundaries to protect themselves. Which is very important.
Linen bed cover Linen pillow cases
What do you love to do together?
We love to walk in Paris or in the countryside, cycle around in the countryside, go to museums and exhibitions, travel together, shop together, listen to podcasts and share books. It is so uplifting to have this little girl’s community. They are old souls like me …
What is your greatest hope for your daughter?
My greatest hope for my eldest daughter who is so accomplished as she is a brilliant med student as well as a super artistic and bohemian young lady is that she could find a way to express all her skills in her life. And to be free and happy.
What's your favorite thing about Paris, and the countryside?
My favorite thing about Paris is that it is full of possibilities and I really like a morning walk, the the air is so fresh, crossing the river Seine and seeing all the beauty of this city. I love the idea that in a whim you can go to a play, an exhibition, or meet a friend in a fabulous place.
In the countryside I like the freedom, the calm, nature and the impression to enter another space time dimension. I have loved to live here 6 months in a row in 2020. I feel connected to this place. I can’t explain. I often think of Howards Ends when I am there.
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Kim Mupangilaï is a true renaissance woman. Whether it be architecture, furniture or graphic design, Kim is a talented visionary of all things design. We’re so excited about her latest venture, A La Mesa, a collection of beautifully curated vintage homeware. She has brought many notable projects to life including The Barn, Spacious and one the cutest most vibrant bars in Brooklyn, Ponyboy. We’re so excited about the shoot she did with her equally talented beau, Gabriel Flores. Not only are these two adorable together but we’re so excited to see them collaborate as visual artists.
Maya Dress, Sand
Where is home for you?
Home for me is not so much a physical space, such as a house but more so a feeling. Home is a feeling of belonging, where my heart feels comfortable with all its surroundings. A space where I feel safe and secure and where I experience emotional warmth and the freedom to express myself, because my ideas and attitudes are in sync with those who I share ‘space’ with.
The images are beautiful, what was your inspiration?
I definitely drew my inspiration from both my partners (Mexican/Spanish/Italian) and my heritage (Dutch/Congolese). I wanted our bedroom to feel familiar in a sense, to feel connected to our ancestry but also to nature. I chose colors and materials that feel grounding and serene so that we would feel at ease and revitalized at the same time when we would spend time in the bedroom.
You are definitely a multidisiplinary creative. How does one creative area feed the others?
I’ve always had a love for interiors, furniture and architecture but I first studied Graphic Design for 4 years to then transition into another 4 years of Interior Architecture. Eight years later I had Bachelors in Graphic Design and a Masters in Interior architecture. I always felt that Graphic Design ought to be complementary to Interior Architecture, as it teaches you about composition, color and material, words that are imperative in architecture and design. For some people both professions could be seen as complete opposites, but in my eyes they benefit each other in the best possible way, especially when presenting design proposals to clients. It’s all about the layout and how everything is positioned, aligned or not aligned and the color palette.
The Object En La Mésá vintage store started with the pandemic. Spending so much time at home and realizing how many beautiful vintage pieces I had collected over the years, made me curious about curating a little vintage online store and so I tried it out and I really enjoyed making people happy with these pieces.
Chalk Linen Duvet, Chalk Linen Fitted Sheet, Chalk Linen Pillow Cases
You have such an amazing eye for design. What influences have shaped your style?
Mostly culture, not only foreign cultures but also my own and my partners. It’s hard to explain but I just understand the language of composition, material and color and so I would say I'm more drawn to certain pieces instead of having one particular style. However, most of my furniture is vintage and I tend to lean the most towards French, Brazilian and Japanese design.
span style="color: #404040;">How does your environment inspire you?
Through the small and grand things in life. It can be as simple as seeing a certain composition created by shadow play on a walk with my partner to traveling to a different country and experiencing a different culture. Overall, I believe most of my inspiration comes from experiences in my daily life and not so much from books or the internet/social media. The beauty of inspiration is that it is everywhere around us and we don’t always have to google it.
You are working together with your partner photographer Gabriel Flores on an upcoming project E N L A M É S Á, can you tell us more ..
It all started with our curiosity towards our own as well as each other's cultures. We were brainstorming on ideas and the word ‘mésá’ came to mind. Coincidentally ‘mésá’ holds the same translation in Spanish as it does in Linguala (a native Congolese language), meaning ‘table’.
Later ‘En La Mésá’ was formed, We wanted ‘At the table’ to reflect a literal, physical feeling of open conversation through story telling of culture and all that it encompasses. The idea behind this concept is to make space for people past and present and the stories they hold through all mediums.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Mindful Intuitive Driven
What's on your bedside table?
Currently still sourcing bedside tables
What advice would you give your younger self? And what is the best piece of advice you’ve received and would like to impart with us?
Advice to give: To be resilient and to not be afraid of failure when you are trying something new or when you are just working towards your dream. There will always be things that don’t meet our expectations along the way. When we see other people “got it right” the first time, it’s most likely preceded by mistakes that we don’t see. Because failure is more certain than success, standing up after a failure is a much more important skill to learn than preventing the failure itself.
Advice received: Be devoted in doing what you love and stay true to yourself. If you have ambition and you know where you want to see yourself in life, there is no giving up. There’s only embracing what is coming towards you, moving through it and growing stronger from each and every single experience within that journey.
What are you dreaming of?
My own furniture pieces (which I hope to release next year)
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Meet the wildly creative pair Ashley Sargent Price and Sarah Clary who came together weaving their fashion and home focusses with our Two Dawson linens. Ashley has held Creative Director roles at brands like J.Crew, Madewell, Abercrombie and Fitch, Goop and Beautycounter. She is the founder of Siteligne, Siteligne draws on the endless world of interior inspiration, to create shopping shortlists, otherwise known as “cheat sheets” as Ashley candidly refers to them, with a focused point of view. Sarah is an established stylist, working with a slew of notable brands as well as closely with friend Jenna Lyons with the HBO max show “Stylish with Jenna Lyons”. She also created the wildly refreshing blog “Laundry Day” in which she shares witty snippets into her life as well as styling tips and tricks of the trade. Needless to say we were over the moon to see what these talented and stylish women would do with Two Dawson!
What was the inspiration for this shoot?
Sarah: Any chance to snuggle with Ashley. But also a great way to get us together and kick off our collaboration.
Ashley: Yes, it's true... any opportunity to snuggle. We've always collaborated closely, and more recently, have been thinking about how to bring our projects, Siteligne and Laundryday, together in a more formal way... the Two Dawson project was perfect for weaving together our fashion and home focusses.
Lucille Dress, Desert Rose Short Sleeve PJ Top, Boxer Shorts, Black
How and when did you meet?
Ashley: We met working at J.Crew and it was kind of love at first sight... Sarah is that kind of person, she charms you immediately and effortlessly. We went with many brands together, including Goop, Loveseen, the Gap and Beautycounter.
Sarah: Ashley made everything happen at J Crew and I as a stylist there. She helped me see my looks come to life visually in a way I had never seen before. I have been inspired by and in awe of her talents for years. Grateful my forcing her into a friendship worked.
You are both multi-disciplinary creatives, can you elaborate, and how one creative area feeds the other?
Ashley: I think it all comes down to telling a story... and we both approach the the creative through the lens of the narrative... and we basically do whatever it takes to bring it to life, from concept to final execution, whether that is a national campaign layered with thousands of consumer touch points, or a smaller creative project that is less "strategic" and more personal. We both have different experience, and different skill sets, so when we come to a project together, we come with more to offer.
Sarah: Wow, I have never been described that way but honestly I think how Ashley described storytelling is true for me too. As a stylist you are always looking for new ways to express the same thing. The longer I am in this business the more I feel confident that I don’t have to actually reinvent the wheel. I just have to tell an authentic story and with that authenticity you find clever ways to show new ideas. Nothing is being forced and your ideas easily feed other ideas and soon you have a story you never thought you would visually tell.
Pillow Cases
What are you most passionate about?
Ashley: Doing creative work with good people who challenge my way of thinking and make me better.
Sarah: Being creative with good people, not just on my own. As a freelancer you often live on an island. Building with brands here and there but mostly you only have yourself to check in with. I don't want to be on an island. I want to explore different ideas with a partner. I want to have others challenge me and therefore be a better creative partner to not just myself. It is way more fun with others.
What does your creative process look like?
Ashley: It's a lot of throwing spaghetti on the wall, and then painstakingly peeling off the "bad" noodles. but the good ones stick!
Sarah: I usually start with a million bad ideas but because I am stubborn I will figure out how to make at least one of them work ;)
You are both avid travelers, have you traveled together, what's your favorite trip/place together and what's the trip each of you are dreaming of now?
Ashley: Sarah what do you think? Mexico? Ireland? I'm currently dreaming of Stockholm.
Sarah: I loved my trip to Ireland many moons ago with Ashley. It was a magical place to be there with her. I am now game for any spot. Ashley is an easy and fun travel buddy. Mexico City? Paris? Stockholm? Nashville? I’ll go anywhere.
What are your comforts when you are away from home?
Ashley: Facetime with the kids, Mind/Body/Green podcast and Melatonin.
Sarah: My photo memories that come up on my phone. So many great shots of my kids it helps me not miss them as much when I am away. My notebook. I try and write ideas or thoughts down in real time.
Where is home for you?
Ashley: Columbus OH where I live with my family, and while we currently don't have a residence in NYC, I will always consider it home too.
Sarah: NYC, Brooklyn. I have been a Brooklyn girl for almost 14 years now and I love it.
What do you do to unwind?
Ashley: Yoga, Ted Lasso and tequila.
Sarah: I listen to music. Music helps me get out of a funk, relax or transport me to another time or place. I try and mediate but have recently been slacking on my practice.
Three words to describe yourself.
Sarah: Scrappy, diligent and thoughtful.
Ashley: Sarah, true you are all those things!! Hmmmm my three words? Work. In. Progress. Or... Figuring. It. Out. Or... I. Know. Sometimes.
What advice would you give your younger self? And what is the best piece of advice you’ve received and would like to impart with us?
Ashley: First, be gentle to yourself and to others. Second, don't be afraid to fuck up. I'm not a sports fan, but Wayne Gretsky famously said, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take".
Best advice received was something I wrote about in a recent Sitelign edit. For every action you judge critically, pivot and tell yourself two positive things about the situation. For example -- Fuuuuuu*k! Well done, I shattered my glass -- it's hand blown, one of a kind and irreplaceable! Pause. Breath... no stitches required, and I dropped it because my husband made me laugh so hard I literally lost control of my body.
Sarah: To my younger self. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Fail, fail again and fail again. You don’t have to be all of what you want to be at once. Part of the ride is just being on the ride.
Best advice I have received recently is the reminder that how you do anything is how you do everything. It helps me set boundaries with those that maybe in the past would hurt me and it also motivates me to think about all my actions, big or small.
Kim and Nicole are both creatives bound by no limits, each with a passion for styling and design. They have both created various outlets for their talents. Kim, in addition to her beautiful interior styling work, founded Totem Home, a gorgeous collection of curated handmade objects from Morocco and Oaxaca, while Nicole, mother of two adorable children, art directs and styles for Girls Who Dress Boys and co founded the social activist movement The Future is Female. It was wonderful to collaborate with these two amazing women.
How and when did you meet?
We’ve actually known one another since high school, when we instantaneously connected. After our childhood we didn’t find one another again until about 10 years ago, but again, we instantaneously connected and have been like sisters ever since.
You are both multidisciplinary creatives, can you elaborate, and how one creative area feeds the other.
It’s interesting, we have learned so much from each other and how the other works (Kim with spaces & interiors, Nicole with clothing), our different lenses continue to feed and teach the other. The commonality is how we both inject life into our work and in turn into our lives. Creating is a full circle view of the world around us.
The images are beautiful, what was your inspiration?
A gray, warm summer day.
What are you most passionate about?
KIM: I’m passionate about finding possibilities and exploring unseen spaces and allowing magic to unfold. Connecting to nature, to myself and to others.
NICOLE: Love. It all starts with love for me, loving people, places, earth, work, things all around me. Giving it, taking it, teaching it and guiding my children with it.
You are both avid travelers and have traveled together, what's your favorite trip/place together and what's the trip you are each dreaming of now.
We’ve been all around the world together, with Luca (Nicole’s son/Kim’s godson) by our side. The one trip that always makes us all laugh and smile and will forever have a million memories from is our first adventure together in Tulum back in 2012.
KIM: The countryside in Italy with cooking and reading and swimming in the Mediterranean and just getting lost.
NICOLE: Honestly through COVID I was dreaming of an Italian getaway too, but right now I’m so content just being at home. Sitting still, finding peace in as the light moves through my magical house.
You created this story at Nicole's home in Southold, what was the inspiration for the home?
This home is all about welcoming others into our little world. It’s a small, simple/simply decorated, nature inspired house with a big kitchen, lots of beds, on the water with magical outdoor space. The idea is you come for lunch & a boat ride, you stay for the month.
Where is home for you?
KIM: Originally from New York but currently between Malibu and NYC. Home will always be NYC though.
NICOLE: NYC but I’ve been spending most of COVID doing a back and forth to my house out east in Southold.
Three words to describe yourself.
KIM ABOUT NICOLE: passionate, lover, warrior
NICOLE ABOUT KIM: Kim is powerful, generous, awake
What advice would you give your younger self?
KIM: You can set boundaries with others and feel more connected to yourself and others, be in nature more. Don’t wait for the right timing, go for every dream, allow the mistakes to show you the possibilities. Save some money every month. Dance all the time and live outside of all boxes
NICOLE: take it slow, ask millions of questions, listen, walk away from those who don’t hear or see you, stay true, stay focused, don’t let others darken your light and no matter what, keep your heart open.
Terry Doyle is a photographer, director and content creator, living and working in the NYC-area. Terry’s work is notably vibrant and playful, highlighting the rich natural beauty of the world around her. She had the chance to shoot our linens with Josi Stone of the Wildly Floral Company in the most beautiful blooming Warwick summer landscape. The result is, as she states, reminiscent of the fairy world of midsummer nights dream. Terry's images are almost cinematic in quality, awakening the senses, beckoning us to let down our guards and run through the garden barefoot.
Websites: Terry Doyle Photo, Wildly Floral Co.
Meetra Top
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Lisa Przystup is an author and our all around lifestyle muse. She and our long time collaborators Andrea Gentl and Martin Hyers came together to capture these beautiful pictures with our linens one crisp winter day in Upstate New York. Lisa has an effortless, yet beautifully curated aesthetic that she has translated into her book Upstate: Living Spaces with Space to Live. Her musings are awe-inspiring and will surely get you dreaming about cultivating your own charming and unique sanctuary.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Rarely on time.
Your book Upstate is beautiful! Where do you draw inspiration from?
Thank you! I'm most inspired by the small, honest details in people's homes—the ones that tell a story and don't come from a store: say a collection of shells/nests/dried bits and pieces from nature or a headboard that was passed down from previous generations or a great yard sale find or colorful streamers left hanging on a ceiling years after the original celebration occurred (all of which we stumbled upon in the homes that were featured in the book).
We have all shared a profound shift in our lives the past months with Covid 19. How has your daily life changed during this time?
The biggest change is that we've found ourselves living upstate full time - my husband is a musician and he's normally on the road on and off throughout the year but is obviously not touring now because of Covid and I am working remotely so this is the longest stretch we've been together in the same place 24/7, which is pretty different from our lives pre-Covid.
Where is home for you?
The Catskills - specifically Delhi, NY.
What are you currently listening to?
My husband’s forthcoming EP (specifically the first single off it, Bad Moves). The release date is March 19th but it’s been complete for a year now so I’ve had the great pleasure of listening to it since last spring. Also, jazz (in the evening while cooking dinner), classical (especially on the weekends), playlists from Rudy Jude, Madre Mezcal and Lynn + Lawrence as well as playlists that my husband makes.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
You can’t make everyone happy. Also, you care too much about what other people think...try doing that less. (Honestly this applies to my current self too).
What are you dreaming of?
Summer. Warm desert days. The sun on my face.
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Monique Juliette Baron has accumulated a noteworthy list of past editorial clients like Vogue and Rachel Comey, while also creating a stunning archive of wedding images. After a childhood friend asked her to shoot their wedding, she unexpectedly found herself in love with the art of documenting love. While Baron hails from New Hampshire, she shoots all over the east coast. We love the images she captured with her friend Katie, invoking the crisp fresh air of an autumn day and its aftermath, cozy at home.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Sensitive, in the moment, daring.
Where do you draw inspiration from? And what inspired this shoot?
This shoot was inspired by reconnection. My muse, Kate, recently moved into her childhood house with her fiancé. Their home has remnants of her past there, quirky wallpaper & objects left behind as they carve new spaces for their life together. Just as they are reconnecting with space, I am reconnecting with my NH community. Kate & I went to high school together, but did not know each other well. Working together on this shoot has been an exploration of a new friendship. She inspired me to try mountain biking for the first time.
We have all shared a profound shift in our lives the past few months with Covid 19. We heard you’ve relocated to NH, how has your daily life changed during this time?
As someone who tends toward introversion & an excess of alone time, there are many ways in which the quarantine has nurtured those tendencies. The biggest shift has been the transition to living with my parents, however temporary, as I root down in NH. There is something special about spending this quantity of time with my parents & cohabitating, but as an adult. We cook big meals together & go on hikes. I feel like we are getting to know each other for the first time.
Where is home for you?
When I decided to leave NYC in March, it felt like home was dissolving. Friends were leaving, I no longer had an apartment. I moved ‘home’ to the place I grew up, but the feeling of home came to hold a different meaning. One of inhabiting my body, feeling my hands and feet. The moments during the day when I am present & feel most connected to my physical body make me feel at home.
What inspires you most?
Nature & my dogs. Nature will tear down your ego. On a solo hike, I have time to think, breathe, and see things outside of myself. Being active in nature has a profound effect on my creative process. Watching the seasons change, lamenting the end of blueberry season. Nature propels forward, despite us. My dogs remind me to be more loving.
What advice would you offer to your younger self?
That there is no standard of ‘normal’. What works for you may not work for someone else. From work to relationships to habits, it’s all situational. I think we are in an age of over absorption where we compare our experiences, where we are at in life, or the way we relate. That can be very damaging if we think we are supposed to be anywhere, or anything, but where & what we are.
What are you dreaming of?
Mostly just dreaming of hugging my friends. I miss physical connection so I’m dreaming of those spaces where we can hold one another again.
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LA based mama and model Jessica Mau is a true natural beauty, radiating ease and grace, inside and out. We’ve been musing over her sun-kissed instagram feed, where Mau and her sweet family are often shared adventuring and re-charging in nature. We love the images she captured with our linens, lounging at home with her sweet babe!
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Flexible, feminine, strong.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
Nature and travel.
We have all shared a profound shift in our lives the past few month with Covid 19, how has your daily life changed during this time?
Covid has taught me to slow down and simplify.
Where is home for you?
Los Angeles.
What inspires you most?
I am inspired by all things mysterious and unknown.
What advice would you give your younger self?
My advice would be not to worry so much.
What are you dreaming of?
I am dreaming of jumping into river and streams this summer.
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No matter where you find yourself, January marks the start of the new year and new beginnings and we are excited to bring this story where actress/artist Colette McDermott comes together with photographer Chris Gonzales to create these beautiful images while giving us a peak inside Colette's home in Silver Lake, California.
{ochre pillow cases}, {earth rose duvet cover}, {audre top in sand}
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Kind, Creative, Passionate
We have all shared a profound shift in our lives the past few months with Covid 19. How has as your daily life changed during this time?
Being an actress/artist has molded my life into one that relies on spontaneity. I have been learning that as a creative, my primary job is to stay inspired. But this means being comfortable with stillness, with observation, with ebb and flow, as much as it does running around town for auditions and cramming to learn lines or following an impulse to make something. So with that, my life hasn’t changed all that radically since Covid except for the pace of it all. I’ve been fortunate enough to spend a lot of time at home, nesting in a new place, daydreaming about what we can learn from all this.
Where is home for you?
Home is in the arms of my loved ones. It's in my body. It's in the mountains. In the sea.
What inspires you most?
I think anything can inspire, it all depends on a given mindset. Feeling the rush of shockingly cold seawater, the eerie Santa Ana winds blowing through LA, a gentle kiss on the neck, a movie that makes you feel seen, a good cry, a fresh new day.
What advice would you offer to your younger self?
Worry less. Get off your phone. You are enough.
What are you dreaming of?
I’m dreaming of a world where equality is a given, where we are led by our hearts rather than our egos, where we protect our planet, where generosity and kindness conquer greed and apathy.
{pillow cases, ochre and blush}
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Natasha Zoe Garrett has a cultivated a keen eye for seeking out beauty. Her online vintage shop, roam vintage, is as beautifully curated as it is aesthetically alluring. In her own words, “each item is hand picked with an intention for you to bring new life to pieces with a story all their own”. As Roam has grown into a beloved destination for vintage hunters, Garrett has used her platform to highlight the importance of black owned businesses and voices. Natasha was captured in her element by her talented friend and photographer Chris Gonzales. We hope to see more businesses valuing slow fashion and socially conscious ideals in the future. Check out Roam Vintage to see her latest vintage drop!
- Coco -
{tie dye pillow cases}, {audre top}, {rita pant}
Where do you draw inspiration from?
I draw my inspiration from the world around me. Primarily through my travels. Traveling is the one time in life where I feel absolutely present, as I engage with new surroundings. It allows me to absorb so much more of the world than when I am in my daily life.
I am inspired by natural landscapes, architecture, traditional arts and crafts, rituals and by the people I meet on my journeys. We have all shared a profound shift in our lives the past few months with Covid 19.
{maya dress}
How has your daily life changed during this time?
Everything is centered around the home more than usual these days. I work from home, exercise from home and spend much more time there than I ever had before. I’ve had to learn how to continue to find motivation and inspiration from a much more rooted perspective than I am used to. That being said, it’s become all the more important for me to have a warm, loving and inspiring home environment.
{meetra top}, {rita pant}
Where is home for you?
Home, for me, is where my loved ones are. It’s wherever I’ve spent time living and loving and making memories. My first home, and the one dearest to my heart, is the Bay Area. I was born and raised in San Francisco and Marin County. Fog rolling over the bay and between the redwoods is my natural habitat. I couldn’t be more grateful to call it home. I spent seven years living in New York and the last four in Los Angeles. Both are a form of home to me and all hold a special place in my heart.
What inspires you most?
Nature
What advice would you offer to your younger self?
Trust the process. Trust in yourself and that you are on the right path. Stop caring so much about what others think and never stop dreaming big.
What are you dreaming of?
I’m dreaming of a future that is healthy and bright for all of the world. I’m dreaming of a clean and thriving natural landscape and of an awakened population of humans who honor and respect each other and the ground they walk on.
(desert rose duvet cover}, {sand fitted sheet}
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Alpha Smoot draws the eye to whatever subject she is capturing, honing a talent for highlighting vivid contrast and poised composition. Like many of us, Smoot's work as of late has been driven by current events, challenging paradigms of the past and ushering in a more inclusive future.
In her own words, "I've been doing a lot of unpacking lately...Everything has felt so hard for so long, and this year has gotten incrementally harder until it began rupturing over and over. Begging the question from so many when is enough enough? But also - why would you want to go back to normal when normal wasn’t very good either.
Unpacking slowly requires time and patience. Taking one thing out of the box at a time and really analyzing why you packed it in the first place and if you want to continue using it in your new realm. Is it still relevant, helpful, useful? Is it still beautiful to you? Is it a remnant of something you used to believe that now disgusts you? It’s an incredibly tedious process, I often want to be done quickly and move onto my life, get back to normal. But the last couple years have revealed to me that normal isn’t what I expect anymore. It needs to be better, and that requires a lot of unpacking."
How did quarantine challenge you?
Oh in so many ways! I had really just gotten back in a work groove after having my son in 2019. We had just sorted out childcare and felt like we were regaining some sense of normalcy but then my work came to a halting stop and it took a bit of time to figure out how to transfer my work into my home and also to get clients to trust my ability to shoot at home. I'm sure this goes for so many parents this year but we really switched into survival mode for a few months. The thing we really had to let go of was balance because with a small child at home and both of us trying to keep our careers going it meant working mostly at night and spending most weekends setting ourselves up to churn another week out!
How have you been spending your time? Have you found ways to stay creative?
I have an 18 month old so I spend pretty much all of my time with him, or cleaning up after him :) His world is still so simple and small so we do a lot of things on repeat, play in the sprinkler, walk around the park, pull everything out of every basket and drawer in the house. Most of my creativity right now goes into ways to occupy my kiddo or ways to prevent him from hurting himself. After he goes to bed at night I really enjoy turning my brain off for a few hours before bed!
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Genuine, Stubborn, Passionate
How did you find photography and how has it evolved for you?
I found photography through my Dad, he always offered up old cameras that he had collected for me to use and learn on when I was growing up. He put a darkroom in the basement so we could learn film processing. I didn't take great photos when I was a kid-- but even then I was attracted to still life. I was usually photographing my dolls or toys in various arrangements. I photographed my friends in high school and joined the newspaper team which led me to cover sports and I loved it! Something about a press pass and being allowed on the sideline was extremely thrilling for me. I thought I'd really want to pursue photojournalism but in college I sort of retreated back into still life and studio work. I'm fairly shy about asking permission to photograph things- and I really don't like inserting myself where I haven't been invited, so street photography is excruciatingly painful. I have come to realize in more recent years that photographing models grants that permission aspect and I have added that to the "enjoy" list. But walking up to someone on the street still makes me so uncomfortable.
What is your creative process like?
I always appreciate a narrative or backstory when I approach a project. It helps me navigate my choices-- what the lighting should look/feel like, overall look and feel, what it is I'm trying to capture etc. If it's for an editorial I always like to ask if there's been a story written, if it's a commercial client I appreciate when they give me as much brand backstory as possible. If it's just for myself I often write or brainstorm the backstory for myself even if it never sees the light of day- it just helps inform my choices.
Where is home for you?
That's a question I've been thinking about a lot this year. It finally feels like NYC is home for me. I've always had one foot out the door but we finally bought a place in the bronx and I think I'm here for a good long while. This year has raised a lot of questions for me about where I want to be rooted, but I've seen my community here grow really close during all of this and it's made me realize that is all I could hope for in a home!
What inspires you?
Nature & People. Being out in untouched nature is really the best thing for me to feel wonder and beauty. I always want to try to capture that in some way in my work and my life. And People continue to inspire me, every time I think I've lost a little faith in humans, I'll meet someone that really inspires me and gives me hope for our world.
What advice would you offer to your younger self?
Be as thoughtful as you can in every circumstance. I think I did an OK job of living life to it's fullest and taking advantage of the time I had, but I would urge myself to be more mindful of the world around me and more thoughtful in my interactions.
What are you dreaming of?
A Child-Free Vacation :) Hopefully we will be able to see parents and family soon and be able to sneak away for a few days of sleep !
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Giles is a painter amongst many other things, Meetra is a writer amongst many other things, how has quarantined challenged you both?
M: It’s been hard with a civil rights movement, along with a global pandemic as a backdrop and a completely incompetent president— to really have brain space to write. You would think it’s a lot of material but it’s an observation period. The challenge has been fighting feelings of anxiety at times and feeling stuck in the unknown….
G: I agree a lot with Meetra. I have many of the same feelings. Personally a big one that I have is planning for creative ventures in a time of such uncertainty. Not knowing how long things will be shut or when they open, how long will they be open. It's hard to dream and plan for a future or a future project/showing when there's so much uncertainty
What has been a challenge as a new couple during quarantine and Coronavirus?
M: Trying to navigate having our own work space in a New York city apartment.
G: Of course what Meetra said. We do share the space we have very well but it can be quite a challenge to do so. There's a lot of scheduling.
What is one thing you’ve appreciated about each other during this time?
M: My boyfriends cooking and watching comedy specials together. Also I’m inspired by his painting.
G: I love when Meetra brings me ice coffee in the morning and gives me back rubs at night. During this time you realize how simple things need to be.
What have each of you learned from this period?
M: To be patient, and communicate…for me that’s generally hard at times.
G: That society and the day to day of everything can really blind you to what's really important.
What’s something each of you has cooked for the other?
M: He makes the best breakfasts ever. Like it’s actually unreal. I’m working right now so getting breakfast while I’m in the middle of a call is like….BLESSED!!!!
G: Meetra cooks me Chicken Tikka which is my fav dish of hers. Spicy and sweet!
How has being quarantined together shifted your creative process, how have each of you managed to make time for yourselves as artists?
M: We kind of just lock each other in separate rooms and make sure to give each other alone time. I need my alone time. I think we are good at being independent people. However my creative process is definitely a little troubled right now…mostly due to the chaos of outside circumstances
G: In 2018 I took time off to pursue my art and it feels very similar to quarantine. I think quarantine has given me the ability to not give a fuck and thats really help my art grow.
How did you find photography? How has it evolved for you?
G: I found photography through my father. My father has always had his camera on him and I always saw it as this magical box that grabbed all my his attention. Naturally I had to figure out what was so special about the box. Throughout my childhood I played with all kinds of cameras and it changed the way I saw life. The act of photographing and my perspective on what I want to photograph hasn't changed much over the years but the evolution has been more directed to technique and style. I personally love reportage photography and there is an essence to powerful reportage photographs thats hard to put a finger on. I guess I have been chasing that power since I started taking photos. It's pushed me to try all kinds of film stocks and camera techniques, somehow trying to grasp on to the essence of an honest image that evokes some type of response. Whenever I figure it out I'll let you know.
How did you find writing? How has it evolved for you?
M: I found language through music when I was young. Lyrics led me to exploring language more deeply in relationship to life. I also started reading philosophy very young which sounds real snooty but Emerson and Kierkegaard fascinated me in how they analyzed worlds. Eventually I found poetry in everything I was reading- maybe because it’s what I was essentially looking for and I dug deeper in that direction of poets and translated poetry.
What is your creative process like?
M: I wish there was a process. Somedays you just sit down and you have to write. Some days you write little notes anywhere you can. It’s really about catching thoughts while you have them and then exploring what they mean through more considered language. I’m also really visual so going for long walks really helps me.
G: With my photography there isn't much of a process. I make sure that I have at least 2 cameras on hand at any given moment and I keep an eye out for something powerful, strange and memorable. Same with my painting. I make sure that I'm always ready for the decisive moment. After that it's all just about staying inspired and always trying something new and never getting tired of the thing you love
Where is home for you?
M: Home is New York City, where I live with my partner, and now upstate New York where my family lives…but a part of me still feels like I’m searching for home since Coronavirus.
G: Home is New York City. For the last 9 years I was living in Brooklyn but I have recently moved to the Upper East Side. It's actually been so much more inspiring than I thought it would be. I feel as though I'm by an old New York, a forgotten New York and a truly beautiful part of New York City. As a photographer it feels like being a kid in a candy store. Theres all these diverse and powerful faces around every corner.
What inspires you?
M: Hard work and pulling through amongst all odds.
G: Inspiring people who left behind a legacy, who found a truth behind their art and who enlightened others. Like myself.
What advice would you offer to your younger self?
M: Pay attention to what you give your attention to.
G: Ha I feel like its advice that I have to tell my past, present and future selfs. "Relax! One day it will all make sense."
Three words to describe yourself.
M: Introverted-extrovert, intuitive, goofy
G: Deep, warm, wacky.
What are you dreaming of?
M: A cozy home where everybody I love is gathered in a big back yard, eating and laughing together without the corona virus world. Also…traveling everywhere in the world!
G: I honestly should write all my dreams down because most of the time they are like the plot of a 500 million dollar action movie written by a 4 year old playing madlibs. Since I cant remember the one I had this morning I'll take a different interpretation of the question. Before I go to bed and often times when Im on the train I day dream of a house off the coast of Maine. A two story home painted black with white shutters. There are big trees all around it and you can always hear the leaves rustling. Theres an opening in the trees that can only be seen from the porch and the upstairs bedroom. Through the opening you can see a field with tall wavy grass and a small Harry Potter style shack and beyond that is the ocean. I spend a lot of time both in my waking and non waking hours building this house and understanding every inch of it. On my hardest days sometimes I imagine my older self sitting on the porch laughing at whatever's bothering me now, because it was never that big of a deal I just don't know it yet. So I guess thats what I've been dreaming of for a long time now.
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Manuela Franjou work highlights the glory of motherhood. Franjou, mother of four, is raising her children on an old farm in plà de l’estany, Spain where old architecture, warm light and earthy tones are emblematic of a simple beautiful life. Franjou writes “No one tells us what it is like being a mother, the love, attachment, each stage of childhood, from birth to adolescence, every change seems very hard, that we lose them, we lose our little child, we lose a part of us, but often what they become is even more magical as they become their selves with all the power and lessons we teach them, what we have given them.” Franjou uses photography as a way to illustrate her devotion to her children, celebrating each transient stage of their lives.
How has quarantine been for you? Have you found ways to stay creative?
We have been in quarantine, but our lifestyle has not changed much since we like to be at home and together as a family. I find my creativity in tranquility and daily meditation, in my children, in the nature that surrounds me.
Do you think there will be any lasting shifts in our culture following the recent events?
I hope there will be changes in the way of relating with the family, changes in the importance of being together, listening, cooking, reading, knowing each other. For me, family life is the basis on my whole being and my way of facing the world, perhaps a return to the nest becomes imperative.
How did you find photography? How has it evolved for you?
When our first daughter was born we decided to be with her, and do our best to raise her ourselves. My working life began and I did not delve into my studies of interior design and digital art. Photography came to me as a way to continue my creativity, to express myself and above all to have a memory of her childhood. It is something that unites us, since it is a game in which everyone participates.
Do you think there will be any lasting shifts in our culture following the recent events?
when our first daughter was born we decided to be with her, and. do our best to raise her ourselves. My working life began and I did not delve into my studies of interior design and digital art. Photography came to me as a way to continue my creativity, to express myself and above all to have a memory of her childhood. It is something that unites us, since it is a game in which everyone participates.
What is your creative process like?
I feel the photograph on my skin, images come to me, many times at the moment of taking the camera. I see the light, it is what inspires me in the first instance, the relationship between my children and the environment, and I start shooting ...
Where is home for you?
Home is where my husband and children are.
What inspires you?
My kids, light and nature.
What advice would you give to you younger self?
Feel free to believe in yourself and be yourself. Don't be afraid to try and make mistakes, it's part of the process.
What are you dreaming of?
I dream of freedom, trust in human beings, respect and being yourself.
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{two tone duvet cover in chalk/white}
The talented Martin Bourne naturally elevates any space with his innate eye for timeless design. According to Bourne’s agency Apostrophe, “as a stylist, Martin is interested in the personality of space and likes to create layered interiors with a nod to history and a wink to the quirky.” Though he originally hails from London’s east end, Bourne has taken to exploring the world, collecting treasures from a range of places. Recently, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Bourne has been collaborating with those near to his beautiful home in Upstate New York, such as our mutual friend photographer, Patricia Heal. It's no surprise that companies like Architectural Digest, Calvin Klein, Herman Miller, Mathew Stewart Living and Bon Appetit (to name a few) have looked to Bourne to style for them.
During quarantine, how have you been spending your time? Have you found ways to stay creative?
I am very much a doer and so even when I am wanting to reflect, my hands are usually busy. My garden has been overjoyed by the extra hours I have had to plant, prune and weed - and this year there are twiggy obelisks built for my heirloom tomato plants and favorite seeds grown.
{chalk linen pillow cases}, {chalk fitted sheet}
Do you think there will be any lasting shifts in our culture following the recent events?
I really really hope so - its incredible when I talk to so many friends and colleagues and find that we have all been able to reset and think what’s truly important and how simple things can be fulfilling. Hopefully too its allowed a lot of people to see the injustice in the world when not wrapped up in our normal high speed day to day.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Quirky. Brave. Lateral.
What is your creative process like?
There is a lot of thinking and a nagging desire to get the balance right, to find the spark.
Where is home for you?
Home is very important to me but I have discovered that even though I like to make and create beautiful spaces, home has been many places and probably will be few more in the future - the smallest thing can make a place your home whether it be a loved textile, the sounds of your neighborhood, the scent of the grass or the taste of a familiar meal.
{two tone duvet cover in chalk/white}, {chalk linen pillow cases}
What inspires you?
Youth.
What advice would you offer to your younger self?
Speak less and listen more - there is power in being a listener.
What are you dreaming of?
Building a greenhouse and making a vegetable garden worthy of my Grandad.
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photography by Conrad Dornan
Conrad Dornan has many talents, in addition to photography he has traveled the world as an editorial hairstylist for clients including Dior, Hermes, McQueen, Chanel, Vogue. His instagram is a perfect illustration of his range, from cover shots for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar to more intimate shots of friends and scenery, never without a sense of artful composition. We love his take on the feel of our linens, evoking the sensation of a warm but breezy summer afternoon.
How have you been spending your time during quarantine?
I've been fortunate enough to be quarantined since early March on my family's homestead in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. With Wyoming being the least populated state in the United States, there has been plenty of outdoor time, and restrictions here eased a while ago, although it's not normal by any means, it's been a blessing to be out west and not home in NYC. I'm always finding things to stay busy, from painting, to creating stop animation videos, writing and taking photos. I've been able to house a few teams for small shoots in isolation and also have been able to spend time with my family, mountain bike, skateboard, and hike. Recently some friends picked me up in an RV and we drove out to his family's lake house in Wisconsin and then we inched our way back to NYC.
Do you think there will be lasting shifts in our culture following the recent events?
I think and hope there will be massive shifts in our culture. The BLM movement I hope can change the way we as a people not only address race and one another, but the way our government (and us as voters and community members) addresses systematic racism. Same goes for the LGBT community. Everyone needs to vote for humanity. Also - aint no one gonna be hugging strangers for a minute.
How did you find photography and how has it evolved for you?
I've always been drawn towards photography from an early age. Anything artistic has always spoken to me. I started assisting a photographer over 16 years ago in NYC, but turned out he was a bit of a misogynist and all around creep, and I was thought I was a little too color blind at the time to do any of the retouching, but while I was working for him, before I quit due to the "all around creepy vibes" I met a hair stylist on set and watched him spray paint this girls hair silver with actual paint, and he seemed to work with his hands and travel and help create the overall look on set, and seeing how every other kid at the time was trying to be a photo assistant I figured - fuck it - i'm just gonna do hair and travel the world. So over the past 15 years I have been an editorial hair stylist. I assisted Guido and Sam McKnight and went on to do my own work in NYC and Europe, working with clients and magazines such as Dior, Hermes, McQueen, Chanel, Vogue, Reedition Mag, Harpers Bazaar etc, as well as collaborating with the top photographers in the world. Over that time I always payed close attention to all the people I worked with and would always help the photographers on set if I could, and then during Covid, I just figured I could do just as good a job as any of my friends and that I should just do it myself. So now I've been shooting, and it's the most fun ever! In a nutshell ya know.
What is your creative process like?
My creative process is in my dreams, the books I read, the art I make, the streets, the kids, the models, the makeup artists, and my brain.
Where is home for you?
Home for the past 19 years has been NYC although the mountains (and Jamaica) always have my heart.
What advice would you offer to your younger self?
Advice to my younger self. Never give up, focus hard, don't sweat the small shit, love people to the fullest, and maybe some winning lotto numbers...
What are you dreaming of?
I had a dream last night that my friend Jamie K Waxmen sent me a bunch of couture looks to shoot in the Desert in New Mexico for an editorial, but instead I smoked weed with a coyote and burned the clothes and took photos of the coyote instead.
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The two talented forces Amy Neunsinger, photographer and Kim Ficaro, stylist and founder of Totem came together to shoot this beautiful series including our Two Dawson linens. These photos not only showcase the ease in which Amy and Kim curate and capture beauty through light, texture and feeling, but also give us a peak into Amy’s beautiful home, and Ficaro’s exquisite ceramic pieces. Neunsinger is considered ‘the secret sauce’ behind many lifestyle brands like Reese Witherspoon, Leanne Ford, Crate & Barrel, and Shabby Chic, to name a few. With such a well trained eye for photography and a self proclaimed desire to “find beauty in the everyday”, It comes as no surprise that Neunsinger’s house “allows natural, picture-perfect light to enter no matter what position the sun is in” according to Architectural Digest. Needless to say, we are thrilled to see these two come together to make and share beauty!
{linen bed cover, desert rose}, {linen bed cover, chalk}, {pillow, desert sand}, {totem}, {ceramics}
{linen pillow cases}, {linen bed cover, chalk}
{linen bed cover, desert rose}, {pillow, chalk}
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Products shown: {Duvet Cover in Sand}, {Duvet Cover in Pale Grey}, {Pillow cases in Sand and Chalk}, {Chalk Fitted Sheet in Chalk}
How did you find photography? How has it evolved for you?
My dad and step dad were both amateur photographers. My dad used darkrooms and developed his own photos when I was really little. He always had a camera, my step dad is a poet and he also always took photos. Growing up we had artists visiting from all over along with poetry, art and music filling my house. When I turned 16 my step dad gave me my own camera which I immediately put to use. I began photographing all my friends, watching old black and white films and then trying to recreate the photos with dress up and interesting locations. This started my real love for photography.
Photography for me has had many incarnations and that’s what I love about it. Wherever I am in life, there’s a space to make images. I started out shooting travel, then getting sent to places with models took me back to my love of fashion, and from there it evolved to fashion and beauty. Once I had my daughter, I didn’t want to be on the road as much, and I started shooting kids and lifestyle and catalog. Now my daughter is a teen and I am back to fashion and still life. Since I started in editorial, I always try to tell a story. Even if we are selling something I look for the narrative. I love the mix: studio/location/models/portraits/kids.
What is your creative process like?
I am always thinking of images I want to take and ways I want to grow. I collect inspiration, I make mood boards for things I want to try, things that inspire me. I am always soaking up ideas and planning photos in my mind.
Where is home for you?
I live in Oakland California. After 20 years in NYC, (and having my daughter) my husband and I wanted to be closer to nature and family.
What inspires you?
I get inspired by everything: light and landscape, people and fashion, travel, old images, film, the gardens around me, the people I get to work with. Textiles, friendships, books, other creatives, I travel so much for work but now that we are grounded I am finding all this beauty just in my neighborhood that I never knew was here. My family inspires me. I love dance, theater, painting. Even this far along in my career I get inspired everyday by things around me.
What advice would you offer to your younger self?
I used to think each job was the most important for my career. Now that I have been doing this for a while and have seen so many changes both in my own work and the industry, I would tell my younger self to try to carve out the balance, and also not to worry so much about starting a family and to keep taking photos and evolving. There are so many examples of working photographers who are mothers, but when I started I couldn’t see it around me. My daughter Flora brings me so much joy. I would tell my younger self not to worry, it’s a long path. Just enjoy each moment.
What are you dreaming of?
With Shelter in Place going into its 7th week I miss sitting in a friend’s back yard or a dinner party. Hugging my mama. I also really miss the creative collaborations of my work. I miss travel - I get so much from seeing other places and exploring the world. I appreciate the slowing down of all but I really miss being in community. And I feel worried for our world and the people who are struggling with basic necessities.
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A self described ‘gypsy at heart’, Brie Williams’ work possesses a natural sense of ease and playfulness. Perhaps this is because her craft seems to light her up with joy, or perhaps it is because her shoots are often set in Jamaica. Brie was born in Memphis and has since traveled the globe photographing for interiors, travel, food, editorial and commercial work. The images she took for us are powerful to say at the least, showcasing our Two Dawson linens in some of the most unique and striking ways.
What drew you to Jamaica?
I read a quote once from an unknown source about the island and believe it’s complete perfection: “ Why does Jamaica vibrate so strongly? Maybe because we are an island crystal of limestone."
What is your creative process like? How has it evolved?
It's like this blend of images, colors, ideas, sensation, light taken with my eyes through the years and stored up in this crazy card catalog in my brain, and when its time to create I never feel like I am lacking, I pull from it. Over the years confidence has made it truly evolve.
Where is home for you?
My physical residence is North Carolina, my home is Jamaica.
What inspires you?
Life is short and the road very long, everyday is a gift — all the possibilities are what inspires me, things that could be. Hope is a good word.
What advice would you offer to your younger self?
Feeling vulnerable, anxious, lack of control are real emotions not to be feared feel them, experience them and then let them go.
What are you dreaming of?
Boarding a plane, my window seat, a glass of chardonnay to somewhere I've never been.
]]>If her name isn’t enough to make you smile, her photographs will. Winky Lewis is based out of Portland, Maine, where she shoots everything from commercial print to fine art portraiture. Lewis’s work is imbued with an unjaded sense of childlike wonder, possessing a feeling that one can only describe as hopeful. Perhaps this alludes to the way in which Lewis views the world around her. Check out Winky's latest project Stay Close from Afar, a collection of faces, stories and photos strung together by our shared humanity. This series feels particularly poignant right now amid our current state of transition, as we navigate a newfound sense of connection community and compassion. Check out Winky’s instagram and website for more images to light up your day.
What is your creative process like?
Impulsive! I think I’m much better at catching a moment, than trying to create one. That said, I spend quite a bit of time trying to find beauty in simple things in my studio.
How did you find photography? How has it evolved for you?
I found photography at a very young age. My parents took great photos of our family when we young and I truly valued those images. My brother and father set up a darkroom for me when I was about 13 or 14. Then I studied with Emmet Gowin in college in the late 80s. I’ve been taking pictures non-stop ever since, first kids, then weddings/events, then my own kids, and now anything and everything I can!
Where is home for you?
I live in Portland, ME, with my husband, and three kids, two beloved dogs.
What inspires you?
I love finding the beauty in a moment or an object. It is everywhere and trying to capture it fuels me. Now that my kids are older and I have more time, I’m feeling quite compulsive about capturing all that I can!
What advice would you offer to your younger self?
Keep working, keep taking pictures, believe in yourself. Don’t isolate yourself so much, get out into the world more and collaborate.
What are you dreaming of?
These days (Covid-19), my dreams are a little scary. Sleeping is hard. I’m really scared and those fears emerge at night. Always so grateful for the sunrise. We are just counting our blessings in this house, but I worry so for all the people who are more vulnerable. I could go on and on...
Oh, this story! The day of Shooting at Jen's (Two Dawson) house with Maria of @tintoreriaproject was delightful. Everywhere I looked there was a photo to grab. Even Charles (the husband) on his mower, under his sun umbrella! And the goldfish. And then of course the linens!!! So amazing to photograph Maria and Jen working so hard to get the gorgeous colors, the steam, the heat, the mixing. And then to shoot Maria IN her creations, so fun. Not sure how she moved from the heat of the fire and steam right to the modeling, but somehow she did and you’d never know she’d just been stoking a fire for a day and a half, mixing her huge pots of dye and fabric, etc. Was so fun to witness the work, the linens, and those lovely souls, on that beautiful hilltop spot. All just perfect. Cannot tell you how much I can’t wait to do this again!! We will all be so ready to get together and create again!!
Products shown: {robes} {pillow cases} {bed covers}
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Ania’s photos are delicate and feminine, imbued with a sense of peace and stillness. It’s no wonder she has coined the hashtag #myquietbeauty for her extensive work. Her photographs are like still-life paintings, consistent in their attention to earthy hues, shadows, textures. She is based in Jesi, Italy where she works as a stylist and content creator as well as photographer. Her beautifully curated instagram is like a portal into a secret garden, full of rich moments that will inspire you to get outside and pick fresh flowers or sit down for a peaceful cup of tea.
How did you find photography? How has it evolved for you?
Well I think it started thanks to Instagram. I discovered there so many beautiful and creative accounts and I felt in love with their photos. I have always loved flowers and nature. In the past I used to paint some still life's with flowers, so it was obvious that all still life photos caught my eye. I bought my first camera and started to experiment with it. I learned everything by myself and I'm still learning. I did a lot of practice and at some point I developed my own style. Through my photos I try to transmit calm and quiet, something that I'm still looking for in my real life. I hope to inspire others to slow down a bit and appreciate the simple things in life.
What is your creative process like?
First I think about the idea, sometimes I draw it just to be sure that I will not forget it. There are days that my creativity is down and then other days that I'm full of ideas. I shoot mostly during weekends when I have more time for myself and my hobbies.
Where is home for you?
I live in Italy but my home is and will always be in Poland. I'm Polish and my family still lives there. I miss my country a lot.
What inspires you?
Mostly nature and the changing seasons, a long walk into the woods or by the seaside but also Vermeer's and Rembrandt paintings. I love so much how they use light in their art.
What advice would you offer to your younger self?
To believe in yourself and have faith in your abilities.
What are you dreaming of?
I'm dreaming about a little cottage with a big garden, in the countryside or near the woods, to have my own photography studio, and to be sure of myself ( yes I'm still working on it) and get out of my comfort zone.
Products shown : {Linen Robe, Blush} {Linen Duvet Cover, Desert Rose} {Linen Fitted Sheet Sand} {Linen Pillow Cases, Desert Rose}
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With a background in fine art focused on installation work, Lexi has taken her creative visual practice and translated it into a career in interior design and photography. For the past seven years she has worked alongside interior designers and brands to create images of space and objects. Beginning in 2015, Lexi's work became aligned with Leanne Ford Interiors. For the next two years her work continued as Leanne's primary design assistant, stylist and creative director for the HGTV show Restored by the Fords. During this time Lexi documented the homes renovated for the show while continuing additional work as a freelance photographer and designer. She possess the innate ability to capture a space in such a way that is both clean and minimalist and yet simultaneously warm and inviting. Other clients include Little Koorboose, Midland Architecture, North45, Beauty Shoppe, Mello and Sons, Pittsburgh Mercantile and Oatmeal Shop. This year Lexi decided to launch a design firm alongside colleague and partner, Morgan Stewart. The firm, Studio Lithe, provides services in interior design, photography and branding.
How did you find photography? How has it evolved for you?
I've been shooting photographs since high school, I've always enjoyed the practice. I went to undergrad for fine art with a concentration in drawing and affinity for installation work. I didn't really intend to be a photographer, but found it was a good way to develop connections and make money (as an art who didn't want to make art while working 500 other jobs I knew I had to figure out a way to monetize what I enjoyed doing). After a few twists and turns my interest in installation work translated into a career in designing and shooting interiors.
What is your creative process like?
Lots of visualizing. When working on design for a space I find myself staring blankly ahead, sometimes it feels like I'm not doing anything productive. I think what's actually happening is that I'm imagining in detail all the finishes pieces, picturing the final shot. From there it's working backwards to put all the pieces in place in order to accomplish that final product. I always joke, too, that my first apartment was designed in the middle of the night. When I have a big project happening that I'm excited about I have a hard time sleeping (re: ever-thinking). Creative ideas seem to be more prominent in the middle of the night.
Where is home for you?
Pittsburgh, PA. It's a great city - very accessible, a great creative community, lots of green space.
What inspires you?
Most of the time fine art. Museums. Weird materials and textures. Conversations with other creative people.
What are you dreaming of?
International projects, upcoming design projects and new studio work (I've recently left a full-time job with a good friend, Morgan Stewart, and we're starting our own design firm! Studio Lithe - we're nervous / excited, future prospects look bright).
Products shown: {linen duvet cover in pale grey with pink piping} {white pillow cases}
]]>It is no surprise that Priscilla Gragg’s hails from the vibrant city of São Paulo, Brazil. Priscilla photographs beam and bounce with life. Now residing in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and children she works both as a Fashion and lifestyle photographer. She has an impressive list of clients such as Abercrombie & Fitch Kids, Band-Aid, Disney Baby, Nike, Milk Magazine and GAP just to name a few. Having taught preschool, worked as an Au Pair and having experienced motherhood herself, Priscilla specializes in beautiful portraiture of children. And not to mention her noble dedication to giving back. Since 2016, she offers portrait sessions for which part of the proceeds go towards purchasing new toys for children in need during the holidays.
- Coco -
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Creative, positive, easygoing.
How did you find photography? How has it evolved for you?
My story traces back to a really really long time ago. I am the third generation photographer in my family. My grandfather was a photojournalist back in the 40's for a newspaper called 'El Diario', which is Bolivia's oldest newspaper (since 1904) and its still running! My father also worked for the same newspaper in La Paz until they migrated in 1971. My Dad worked at a photo lab in Sao Paulo (where he met my Mom!) while working as a photographer in the weekends. He still works in photography in Brazil although he's is now more involved in photo editing and retouching, he also retouches my images along with my little sister.
I went to college to study languages, Portuguese and English. Once I graduated I wanted to improve my English so I took an exchange program and came to America as an Au Pair. During my stay I watched three adorable children in Vail, Colorado and took so many pictures of them. I didn't think much of it at the time, but when the program was over I went on a 6 month backpack trip, with my now husband, and had a lot of fun photographing our adventures.
Childhood memories of always being surrounded by my dad’s precious cameras, his excitement about photography and the images I had just created during the trip made me think that perhaps, I would enjoy being a photographer. I am self taught and not very technical at all. If you ask me what kind of camera I shoot with, there will be a whole lot of “hummm, it is the humm, the Canon something model?” I never once read a manual. In a way, i think it has played to my own advantage as I had no rules in photography and just had to figure it out and follow my own instincts. So as you can imagine, from the day I picked up a camera to be a photographer about 13 years ago till now, my skills have evolved tremendously but that sense of carefree and rule breaker is still within me and I never want to let go of that!
What is your creative process like?
Because my focus is children's photography, I feel like I can be really free in the creative process, it is always a bit different but sometimes I like to give photographs a story or a narrative first, imagining it is a movie I am watching. What would the kids be doing? What would they be saying? How would they be going from point A to point B? Where would they be? What would they be looking at? What would sparkle a reaction? I see everything I will be taking in my head before the shoot. I have a clear understanding of what I need to capture and I am quick to do so as there is no time when photographing children. Their attention span is super short so I have to make the most of it. I do a lot of research for references and I love looking at vintage images of kids. I pay close attention to body language and direct the kids I am working with as needed.
Where is home for you?
I live in California.
What inspires you?
My children, Capoeira (Brazilian Martial Art), fashion, nature, traveling, music, movies, painting, design, friends, family… so many things… I am a little sponge, my eyes are always open, my heart is always feeling and my mind is always dreaming.
What advice would you offer to your younger self?
Oh yes, 9 years ago I would have said:“Listen Priscilla, congrats on your pregnancy…. I need you to know that having children of your own will NOT end your photography career that you have built so far, rather It will inspire you to create more than you have ever before, so suck it up!”
What are you dreaming of?
I am dreaming of traveling with my daughters Naya and Bia to Brazil during summer. We will be there for a full month and I am so excited to help them improve their Portuguese and play Capoeira with the locals!
Products shown: {Bed covers in desert rose and sand} {pillow cases in desert rose and sand}
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