Holiday Gift Guide for Pattern Lovers

We always put a little patterned guide together come holiday season and today’s post features our most recent edit. Happy shopping!

* * *

1. Kantha Bow Tie, made from the saris of Bengali women, To The Market, $34
2. Oyuna Seren Cusion Cover, a textured take on the classic check, ABC Carpet, $295
3. The 52 Week Card Deck, illustrated by the talented Kimberly Ellen Hall, Nottene, $15
4. Carven Camouflage Jacquard Sweater, Moda Operandi, $371
5. Impasto 2 Way Bag, Mansi Shah, $45
6. Polka Dot Bunny Rattle, Bitte, $29
7. Sidona Peplum Top, Morgan Carper, $186
8. Hanging Flower Pot, made by Camilla Engdahl, Darkroom, $57

December 10, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Watercolors from Quercus & Co

While browsing Studio Four’s designer groupings, I came across the work of Quercus and Co. Based in Australia, this home goods company boasts a collection of beautiful and delicate geometric repeats. Founded by Adam Jones, the designs are all hand-painted or drawn and printed on sustainable papers and fabrics. Click here to see his full offering – it’s a stunning collection of wallpapers, fabrics and home accessories.

November 6, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Playful Graphics at Arro Home

The good folks at Arro Home are newish on my radar – and their products and patterns are a complete delight. Reminiscent of Japanese shapes and Scandinavian color palettes, this Melbourne-based company combines classic styles with witty designs.

The imaginative home range includes bed linens, cushions, blankets, rugs, kitchen textiles and ceramics. Check out their site to inspect, peruse and purchase.

November 2, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Graph Stamps + Pattern Templates

I came across these charming desk accessories on instagram this morning and am a huge fan. The simplicity and structure in these stamps emit an old world vibe while also serving as a blank canvas for design and creative exploration. Check out Present & Correct to purchase and explore their other creative trinkets.

October 28, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

Patterns in Packaging from Birchbox

I recently came across the packaging and graphic design work of Mary Rabun. Her aesthetic is bold, bright and feminine – and a playful departure from the minimalist illustration styles we’ve been seeing for a bit. In exploring her portfolio, I was struck by her full-time design work for Birchbox – it’s all very vivid, maximalist and distinct.

While these boxes were released in March, they have a timeless appeal and reveal how a brand can successfully apply print and pattern. Using bold brush strokes and a harmonious color palette, Rabun excels in keeping Birch Box at the forefront of unique and cool packaging.

3Birch Box Patterns

In addition to the boxes, the accompanying insert cards play to the same creative mood and get interactive with a Q&A contest. If you have time, dive into Rabun’s past work, it’s beautiful, engaging and a great fusion of commercial pattern design.

August 20, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik

The Women of Al Kawtar Marrakech

I’ve been sitting on the post for a while, but wanted to finally get it out into the world. While traveling through Marrakesh earlier this Spring, my good friend Lisa and I made a stop to an incredible non-profit for women with disabilities, called Al Kawtar. Al Kawtar was founded in 2006 and has evolved into a full-service center that includes meals, transportation, physical rehab, technical training and medical support. The women are taught how to sew and embroider and are given an opportunity to be independent and earn a salary in a safe and dignified environment.

6Alkawtar_Womens_Collective_Marrakesh 4Alkawtar_Womens_Collective_Marrakesh

The visit was incredible – in that the women were extremely kind, supportive of each other and skilled at their craft. The head woman in charge walked us through the center and showed us how everything worked and what the products looked like from concept through production. She also ran us through the itemized pricing and how she managed the work flow and international orders.

5Alkawtar_Womens_Collective_Marrakesh

It was obvious there was a lot of pride in the pieces that were being made. It’s also worth noting that everything was very unique and extremely commercial. I remember seeing a stack of handbags on one of the tables – where the body of the bag was a converted Moroccan pillow case with florescent embroidered clasps and embellishments. I wanted to buy one, but was told they were part of a big order for a boutique in Paris.

8Alkawtar_Womens_Collective_Bensimon 2Alkawtar_Womens_Collective_Marrakesh

I discovered on the last leg of my trip through France that this specific collection went to Bensimon’s home shop. The mark up was expectedly significant, though in all honesty, the prices seemed fair and reasonable along the production food chain. It almost seemed expensive for wholesale pricing – which was refreshing to see the collective getting a fair rate for their handmade goods.

7Alkawtar_Womens_Collective_Marrakesh

I ended up designing two bags on the fly, which surprisingly only took 24hrs to assemble. I was able to pick them up the next day before heading out and was elated with how they came out. In addition to these incredible clutches, there were embroidered friendship bracelets, pot holders, baby clothing, robes, tunics, blankets and napkins. Everything had a hint of French flair with beautifully embroidered accents. Here’s a video that shares a window into their world. If you can support Al Kawtar by visiting when you’re in Marrakesh or placing a custom order for your shop, definitely do it, you won’t be disappointed.

August 17, 2015 | By: Shayna Kulik