Colorful Pillows Clad In Kvadrat Fabrics Took To The NYC Streets

Erica Moses, a West Hartford resident and Norfeldt teacher, has launched a new business dedicated to designing, creating, and selling unique decorative pillows. Her venture, Nest Studio, blends her passions for travel, creativity, and textiles. Moses sources fabrics from various international locations, including colorful Brazilian textiles found on Rio's beaches, intricate batiks from Bali, and luxurious silks derived from Indian saris. The manufacturing process takes place in Moses' home workshop, affectionately named "Nest Studio," where her friend Maureen Skau serves as the seamstress. Moses’ business model includes selling her one-of-a-kind pillows through "Pillows and Mimosas" parties hosted at her home. She has also expanded into online retail, establishing a shop on Etsy, a platform known for handmade items. This entrepreneurial endeavor marks a return to retail for Moses, who previously owned two stores in West Hartford Center. In the late 1980s, she operated a Benetton franchise and later a store called New Frontier, which featured clothing, jewelry, and custom-designed furniture. A challenging economy and the demands of motherhood prompted a career change, leading her to pursue a teaching degree from Saint Joseph's University, where she has been a second-grade teacher at Norfeldt Elementary School for 15 years. Despite her dedication to teaching, Moses felt a void in her creative pursuits. A trip to Brazil reignited her interest in textiles and inspired the idea of crafting unique pillows. This creative outlet also serves as a coping mechanism for the grief she experienced after the sudden passing of her second husband, Fritz Moses, three years prior. His former office has been transformed into the bright and welcoming Nest Studio, a space where she finds comfort in her creative work. Nest Studio's pillows are distinguished by their uniqueness, with no two pillows being identical. They are sold with inserts, and prices range from $35 for a baby pillow to $55 for a 24x24 square pillow. A key design philosophy is that the pillows should be aesthetically pleasing from all angles, often featuring different colors and designs on the back. Each pillow is branded with the Nest Studio logo, designed by Maureen Skau's daughter, Katie, and carved out of wood by Erica's daughter, Vicki. The packaging process adds a thoughtful touch, with pillows enclosed in a tan linen cover and tied with an origami paper crane created by Kylee Colbert, a former Norfeldt student. Moses emphasizes the importance of following one's passions, not as a replacement for current endeavors, but as a means to enrich one's life. Further information about Nest Studio Pillows can be found on Etsy or by contacting Erica Moses directly. #DecorativePillows #HandmadeCrafts #TextileDesign #WestHartfordBusiness #EtsyShop #HomeDecor #Entrepreneurship #GlobalFabrics

This article highlights a selection of the best upholsterers in New York, catering to various needs from cost-effective solutions to specialized antique restoration and custom designs. Each upholsterer is recognized for distinct expertise and contributions to interior design and furniture preservation. Estilo Upholstery, a 25-year-old establishment, is lauded for its tight handiwork and competitive pricing. Owner Hector Diaz's high volume of work allows him to offer significant savings compared to other shops. His services range from firming up old pillows to grafting six-piece sectionals. Interior designers, such as Noah Turkus of Weiss Turkus Projects, recommend Diaz for his attention to detail, citing his work on projects like re-swathing velvet bucket chairs in lambswool. Recent examples of Estilo Upholstery's craftsmanship include Eero Saarinen armchairs in Knoll bouclé fabric, a slipcover for a Ligne Roset Togo love seat, and 1950s lounge chairs in Maharam pebble wool. For projects involving unusual shapes and tricky fabrics, Ecua Interior Upholstery, led by Carlos Asmal, is the go-to specialist. Asmal is known for his collaborative approach and ability to execute complex designs, such as a custom U-shaped banquette in mohair. Artist Sophie Parker and furniture designer Micah Rosenblatt frequently partner with Ecua for their custom pieces, including a curved, shimmering two-toned velvet sofa, which Asmal completed in under two weeks for $1,700. Rosenblatt notes that Asmal is not only affordable but also technically adept and willing to tackle unconventional requests. Ecua also boasts a quick turnaround time, typically completing more straightforward projects, like reupholstering an Ethan Allen chair, within a week. VH Upholstery, owned by Victor Hernandez, specializes in upholstering a wide array of items beyond traditional furniture, including antique lamps in leather, speakers, and even bedroom doors with custom designs. Hernandez's passion for unique projects is evident in his diverse portfolio, which recently included 300 silk-and-cotton throw pillows for a client's Southampton home. Chef and artist Laila Gohar, a client who had dining table legs upholstered by Hernandez, praises his perfectionism and dedication to his craft. Tania Kovalenko, Ltd., though primarily known for window treatments and custom drapery, is also recognized for excellent upholstery, particularly for actual antiques. Tania Kovalenko is sought after for her ability to restore vintage pieces while honoring their original construction and integrity. Artist and architect Leyden Lewis entrusted her with a worn vintage Vico Magistretti chair, which she transformed into a tailored, beautiful, and refined piece covered in mohair velvet. Her process involves addressing the original frame before reupholstering. Recent projects include green velvet slipper chairs and pink silk-blend drapery for fashion designer Adam Lippes, as well as furniture, drapery, and custom beds for Alex Reed-decorated homes. Prices for vintage club chair restoration start at $1,000, while a simple dining chair begins at $120. Redthreads, now located in Industry City, is distinguished for its high-end window treatments, bespoke bedding, and exceptional pattern-matching capabilities. The studio excels at meticulously aligning intricate designs across seams. George Venson, a textile and wallpaper designer for Voutsa, engaged sibling co-owners Yien and Leon Wong to upholster painterly floral Italian-linen slipper chairs for his showroom. For more common items, Redthreads offers services such as side chair upholstery (seat and back) for $275, Parsons chairs for $375, wing chairs for $750, headboards for $950, and loose-back sofas with three cushions for $1,650. Finally, Foam R Us in Astoria is highly recommended for restoring mid-century chairs and repairing high-end vintage furniture. Jack Wilson, who runs the Instagram account Angular Vintage, relies on Foam R Us for challenging repairs, such as reconstructing the crumbled foam and patching rips on a rare Jean Gillon leather chair. The company efficiently replaces missing straps with matching leather and adds new nylon backing, all while staying within budget and meeting deadlines. While they regularly service ordinary recliners, sofas, and window seats, Wilson particularly endorses them for vintage repairs on iconic pieces like Wassily and Pollock chairs. Couch cushion repairs start at $75, and dining room chair repairs begin at $45. #NewYorkUpholsterers #FurnitureRestoration #CustomUpholstery #InteriorDesign #AntiqueFurniture #MidCenturyModern #HomeDecor #TextileCraft #SmallBusinessNYC

Sarita Krishnamurthy, owner of In.De Interior Architecture and Design in Denver, infuses her South Asian heritage and vibrant aesthetic into a unique line of throw pillows. Known for her bold use of color and pattern in interior design, Krishnamurthy initiated this passion project after being inspired by "candy-colored" fabrics during a trip to India with her mother in 2014. She purchased various silk fabrics, brought them back to Denver, and transformed them into throw pillows, offering a low-commitment way for clients and customers to introduce vibrant hues like hot pink, electric orange, and shimmering chartreuse into their homes. Since this initial venture, Krishnamurthy has continued to develop her pillow collections through subsequent trips to South Asia. Her process involves collaborating with Indian artisans to create custom block-printed designs, utilizing sustainable materials like jute, a textile fiber from a plant abundant in tropical climates such as India, and incorporating embroidered vintage fabrics. Each collection is produced in limited quantities, ensuring exclusivity for buyers. Once a line is sold out, it is not replenished, differentiating her products from mass-produced items and offering a unique aesthetic that cannot be found in conventional stores. These handcrafted pillows, priced from $155, offer an artistic and culturally rich addition to any home decor. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, the purchase of these pillows contributes to a charitable cause. A portion of each sale is donated to Shadhika, a Denver-based organization dedicated to the education and empowerment of young women in India. This initiative allows Krishnamurthy to intertwine her professional design skills with her cultural roots and contribute positively to the community of her heritage. Krishnamurthy, whose parents immigrated to the United States from Mumbai in the 1960s, views the pillow collections as a meaningful bridge between her personal background and professional endeavors. She expresses that India has always been a significant part of her personal life, and integrating it into her professional life through these designs has been a profound experience. Looking ahead, Krishnamurthy plans to travel to India in the fall to source fabrics for a new pillow collection. This upcoming collection will draw inspiration from Diwali, the significant religious celebration also known as the Festival of Lights, promising another line of uniquely designed and culturally resonant home accessories. #DenverDesign #ThrowPillows #SouthAsianHeritage #InteriorDesign #TextileArt #HomeDecor #EthicalShopping #LimitedEdition #CulturalInspiredDecor

Parachute, a company renowned for its bedding products, has announced its expansion into the furniture market, beginning with a collection of upholstered bed frames. This new venture, which launched on September 15, allows customers to furnish their entire sleeping area with the brand's offerings. The initial furniture collection includes three distinct bed frame designs, available in seven different fabric options. This move is a strategic expansion for the growing brand, driven by sustained customer demand for complementary furniture pieces to complete their bedrooms. Ariel Kaye, founder and CEO of Parachute, highlighted that the company's customers have consistently requested suitable bed frames to pair with their existing bedding. Kaye emphasized Parachute's intention to leverage its expertise in the industry to offer a unique perspective on furniture design. As a company with a strong foundation in textiles, Parachute aimed to showcase its core strengths by developing an assortment of upholstered bed frames. The design inspiration for this collection draws heavily from the brand's home state of California, incorporating elements from the historic curves of Laurel Canyon and the natural formations of the Mojave Desert's sand dunes. The overarching goal was to introduce a softer, more tactile dimension to furniture. Following this design philosophy, the team developed a minimalist collection that aligns seamlessly with Parachute's established sophisticated and simple aesthetic. The collection features three main bed frame designs: the Canyon Bed Frame, which echoes the winding paths of Laurel Canyon; the Dune Bed Frame, characterized by a split back designed to achieve clean symmetry; and the Horizon Bed Frame, which pays homage to the serene sunrises observed in Venice Beach. Each of these bed frames offers a selection of upholstery materials, including a durable linen cotton blend, a relaxed washed linen, and a plush faux shearling fabric. These options provide customers with choices that cater to various interior design preferences and comfort needs. All furniture pieces in Parachute's new collection are proudly made in America. The brand ensures a premium delivery and installation experience by shipping items via white-glove service. While assembly is required, customers have the option to request assistance from the white-glove service partners for a complete setup. The pricing for the bed frames ranges from $1,800 to $3,050, reflecting the quality craftsmanship and materials used in their construction. This collection is available for purchase through Parachute's official website, Parachute.com, and at their brick-and-mortar retail locations. The launch represents a significant step for Parachute in broadening its product range and solidifying its position as a holistic home goods provider, extending beyond just bedding to encompass larger furniture items that maintain its signature style and quality. #ParachuteHome #FurnitureLaunch #UpholsteredBeds #HomeDecor #BedroomDesign #CaliforniaInspired #TextileFocused #MadeInAmerica #InteriorDesign

The Pattern Collective, founded by Brittany Ellis in 2015, emerged from a recognized need for a platform for independent designers to exhibit their work, distinguishing itself from the dominance of large-name brands in showrooms. Ellis initiated the venture to provide an outlet for boutique, global textile, and wallpaper producers. Her initial success involved convincing Barneby Gates, a Great Britain-based studio known for its hand-drawn, traditionally printed, and sustainably produced wallcoverings and fabrics, to partner with her, despite her nascent business lacking a website, branding, or a formal business plan at the time. This partnership was a crucial step in establishing her company. Originally launched in Los Angeles, The Pattern Collective eventually relocated to New Orleans, a city Ellis found to be an ideal environment for her innovative design business due to its creative clientele and rich design inspiration. For the first seven years, Ellis single-handedly managed all aspects of the business, from sample management and email correspondence to website design, all while caring for her newborn. She began her operations from her 600-square-foot apartment, utilizing four large file cabinets. In 2021, she expanded into a small storefront and hired her first part-time employee. Today, The Pattern Collective has achieved significant recognition among designers and design enthusiasts, garnering features in prominent magazines and appearances on several television renovation shows. The company has supplied wallpaper for various productions, including 'Sulphur Springs' on Disney+, 'Harlem' on Amazon Prime, the 'Charmed' reboot on The CW, 'Mean Girls: The Musical,' and the 'Matlock' reboot on Paramount+. Annually, the business serves over 5,000 clients, keeping both its website and its by-appointment-only brick-and-mortar showroom in Metairie bustling. The inventory is continually updated with artisan products, featuring diverse lines such as Minna, a digitally printed textile line from Hudson, NY, known for its chic, cottage-core aesthetics, and Siouxsie, a dark, dreamy, art deco-inspired lightweight velvet by Anna Hayman of Sussex, England. Ellis continues to source products globally, yet she considers New Orleans her home and a core inspiration for her business. She highlights the city's vibrant creativity, layered history evident in its music, food, design, architecture, fashion, and personal style. New Orleans' appreciation for color and individuality, seen in both personal attire and home decor, aligns perfectly with The Pattern Collective's mission to offer unique and distinctive designs, making the company an integral part of the city's creative landscape. #TextileDesign #WallpaperDesign #InteriorDesign #IndependentDesigners #HomeDecor #NewOrleans #GlobalTextiles #ArtisanProducts #SmallBusiness