This has been a different than usual start to the year for me (can I even say that at the end of March??). After the busy holiday season, I always have new revelations about what I want this business to be and how we might do things differently. This year, I have felt a strong urge to shake things up.
I feel so incredibly lucky and grateful for this job. I relish in the creative outlet it affords me and that I get to spend my days dreaming about our homes and family life. I am obsessed with all of the ladies that have magically come together to form our amazing team. I love analyzing the spreadsheets of projections, profits and losses. I spend lots of time trying to perfect our process and figure out how to do things more efficiently and in more earth-friendly ways (more to come on that soon) – which can be hard as a retailer of stuff.
I’ve felt the itch to make some changes for a while, but when wheels turn so easily, it can be easy to continue to go along the same route and do the same things over and over – even as I felt frustrated/unfulfilled with parts of the process. While my business has always focused on seasons and new things, I’ve felt pulled to create things that are little less temporary. I would love to feel like we are encouraging our customers to make more thoughtful purchases that will last season in and out, for years. Maybe encourage a little less frivolous consumption? Can I say that as a retailer??
I also decided that with this dream job of mine that I love, I want to make sure I’m truly fulfilled and engaged in this process as a creative. I don’t really think of my self as an “artist” because I’ve always felt very mainstream and normal, while true artists seem to be cooler than I am. I’m trying to give myself more creative permissions to explore boundaries.
All of this is to say, I’ve been working on a new line of textiles that will be launching this summer. I’ve finally completed the several months long design process, attempting to create a comprehensive line of timeless designs. While in the past we have done short runs on block print designs that only last a season, these we plan to stock for years to come. I’ll release new color ways periodically, which might feel a little more seasonal, but the plan is to always have them available – something designers have mentioned to me would be helpful when they are working with clients. There is no need to frantically add to cart with fingers crossed. You will be able to order samples, check with paint swatches, all before you need to pull the trigger. I want you to be able to take time to make thoughtful investments for your home. Thankfully, our prices will stay fairly consistent with our current offerings.
We’ve found amazing US based artisan printing companies to make the new line. Having the process closer to home will allow me to review the strike-offs and samples to make sure the colors and quality are perfect – which has not been able to happen in the past. This has been a slower process and created a lull in our offerings, but I wanted to give myself some space and time to make everything the best as possible. For the rest of the Spring and Summer, we will be releasing our very last bits of block prints from seasons past – some of which is available now in the Spring Collection.
We look forward to having the first samples of the new designs at the end of April/early May. If you would like to receive them in the mail, you can register here, free of charge. In the meantime, here is a look at what my inspiration board looks like lately. Thank you for your patience as we make this transition. Hopefully you are as excited as I am. – Jenny
