Red on Red Retailing

Red is the comeback kid this Fall. I’m not sure if you recall seasons past, but it went on a bit of a hiatus, standing behind shades of magenta and plum. It’s interesting in a way, as I vividly remember the conversations we all had at the Color Association round table a while ago, as we discussed the strength and emergence in Chinese and Russian territories and the direct influence it would have on European and American palettes.

The Prada coat is photographed by Jacob Sutton for Bergdorf Goodman’s latest Fall catalog and the chairs were captured by my iphone at ABC Carpet this past weekend. The monochromatic foreground and background combo is rather striking, wouldn’t you say?

September 12, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Lessons in Technology from Estonia

Sometimes our posts are a little monkey-see-monkey-do, but that’s the nature of a visual site: to provide bright, compelling content that’s thoughtful and relevant throughout the market. Today I’d like to return to my researcher roots and share a few thoughts on an article that I was particularly moved by.

This past weekend, Thomas Friedman wrote a piece for the New York Times entitled, New Rules, describing how schools in Estonia are adding coding to the elementary curriculum in the hopes of solving hiring problems for the future.

Having just returned from Tallinn (Estonia) I witnessed the technology boom first hand. It almost felt like San Francisco- save for the fact that I was on Russian/Scandinavian territory. Skype was developed there and many of the conversations at the cafes and restaurants I visited were tech related. Unsurprisingly Tallinn’s Foursquare tips were also abundant.

There’s free wifi on every other street (Paris could take a hint) and Facebook, Google, PriceWaterHouseCoopers and many other American businesses have engineering offices based in Estonia- it’s one of the coding and development capitals of Europe. So that brings me back to patterns. And the future. And the idea of staying relevant in today’s fast-changing world.

Friedman puts it best quoting futurist Alvin Toffler, “lliteracy will not be defined by those who cannot read and write, but by those who cannot learn and relearn. Any form of standing still is deadly.”

Here are a few photos from my time in Tallinn. I thought it would be nice to share a taste of the creative culture. So what are your thoughts on the matter? Do you ever think about the evolution of your industry, where it’s going and how you’re going to stay relevant?

September 11, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Texture & Dots

Sometimes dots are a great stand alone texture. Other times, they’re just vessels waiting to be filled. Today’s feature highlights two feminine takes on disorder and geometry. The first, a Karen Barbe original reveals the time and patience behind woven needlepoint.

Taking a more chaotic yet refined route, Marni‘s lace dress nearly brings the photoshop process to life, revealing what filters and layers can look like when collaged in a tangible way. Are you a fan?

September 5, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Marimekko around Helsinki

This photo pretty much sums up my travels in Helsinki. Justin would explore (or wait) while I browsed with my iphone or Canon in hand, asking shop owners about their tchotchkes and the history behind their trinkets. Every once in a while I’d leave with a necklace, light bulb or keychain (or instagram a longing for something like this).

Like I mentioned in the Johanna Gullichsen feature, fabric is often sold on the premises and it’s no different at Marimekko, where the options are graphic and plentiful.

Here are a bunch of photos I took from inside the main store that houses clothing, artwork, books, toys, homewear and playful decor. Coming from America, where the uptown store feels like Marimekko-light, the hometown store is truly special.

From a retail and merchandising perspective, the flow and lighting compliment each other to tell a bright and whimsical story. Various patterns are assigned to different corners, capturing you in a textured atmosphere. I of course gravitated to the black and white sections first, then moved along to the polka dots and flowers.

Who remembers the delightful girls from Gone to Lunch? Doesn’t this wall speak to their dressing room jaunts?

Much like J.Crew and Kate Spade have filled their walls with art and literature, Marimekko’s wall and floor display tell a timeline of Finnish design history, including the company’s own.

As you can see, the brand’s patterns are woven throughout the city- they’re a part of everyday life, no matter where you turn. Here are tablecloths at an outdoor eating area.

I sometimes felt like a madwoman briskly following people with a camera (read: 1 in 5) were dressed in Marimekko patterns. It’s fascinating and exhilarating to see a brand so entirely embraced by the society that’s produced it.

A few more examples: a vintage bookstore incorporates the iconic black and white print as a backdrop for it’s books.

And upon my exit at the Helsinki Airport, the dishes and trays are covered in Marimekko patterns. There’s a true appreciation for design within the fabric of the culture- and aside from the obvious label, it was easy to see why this city was named the Design Capital of the year.

September 4, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Textile Tutorials in Helsinki

If any of you happen to be following along on instagram, you’ll know that I’m traveling at the moment – in the northern european capitals of Helsinki & Tallinn. As a result, Pattern Pulp postings will be a bit light up until Labor Day.

The past two weeks have been somewhat manic, as I’ve been packing up ship (we’re moving to a new apartment next week!), adding finishing touches to several month-long projects and preparing for this textile & trend trip abroad.

So back to the purpose of this post. Helsinki is having quite the year. They’ve been named the Design Capital of 2012 and the essence of the title rings true throughout the city. Everywhere you go, from the local pizza shop to the hardware store to window decals for skis, books & umbrellas, you’ll notice a strong appreciation for graphic and surface design.

One of my first stops was to Johanna Gullichsen‘s Textile Craft & Design shop. While geometric patterns are extremely popular throughout Finland, Gullichsen’s fabrics carry a durable, branded timelessness that’s easily translated to home decor.

The flagship store sells pillows, bags, chair cushions, trays and the original fabric (a somewhat common trait in Helsinki). One of my favorite pieces (that unfortunately won’t be making it through customs) is the upholstered collage chair. Overall the designs swing both masculine or feminine – a respectable and often complicated feat for any pattern and fabric maker.

August 23, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik

Upholstery Trends at ABC Carpet

Forever a fan of texture and textiles, it’s interesting to see additional brands beyond John Derian and Anthropologie incorporating quilting and batik techniques into their home lines. Take Cisco Brothers, a sustainable company based in LA. Their textiles, pillows, sofas and chairs are extremely inviting and individualistic. This hmong batik is one we’re seeing a lot of in fashion and the translation to home is beautiful.

If you’re not one to commit to bold furniture, consider these exposed-stitch applique pillows. Combining hemp with cotton blends, canvas and distressed linen, these pieces seem like a healthy evolution from the Shabby Chic trend of the past.

August 13, 2012 | By: Shayna Kulik