LL Textiles

Things have been busy with our fabric line, Lauren Liess Textiles.  I've been working on some new designs and I've also added some new colorways to the existing line.  I got them in on Friday and I'm so excited so I had to share with you!!!

{Squid Flower in Wine and Fern Star in Sepia}

Bringing in these most recent colorways has really gotten the line where I want it to be.  These are the colorways I've been after...  earthy, inky and vintage-feeling.  The line is where I want it to be and I can really feel the collection taking on a life of its own.  I'm becoming more confident in what it is I want to put out there and the feeling I want the collection to have.  Although drawing is difficult for me, I've learned that I like how my drawings are ending up, and that somehow, as a medium, textiles are working for me.  I might not necessarily like a drawing of mine framed on a wall, but colored the way I want it colored and put into a repeat in a textile, I'm happy with how it turns out.

I love seeing the transformation of drawing into actual textile.  (It's kind of like getting your photo airbrushed!! ;)

{Buttercup, which I drew in the car on the way to visit my dad in Illinois last summer}

{A pillow in buttercup}


Some of my favorite parts about textile designs are figuring out how I want a design to connect to itself and repeat.  It's sort of like a brain teaser. Once you decide what you're drawing, you have to draw it so it fits together like a puzzle.


{Buttercup in Black}

I know in terms or what's "right" my technique (or lack of it) is totally elementary....  but I'm not after creating    examples of great textile "designs"...  I'm after creating a fabric or wall covering or whatever that I'll (and hopefully others too!) have an emotional reaction to.  Something that I love and want to incorporate into my home or others' homes.  To me, it's not about technique, it's just about the feeling the piece has when it's done.

I'm often drawn to blockprinted fabrics with no intertwining at all, like in Squid Flower, below:



or Fern Star:



Other times, I make each repeat itself obvious because part of the interesting thing about the pattern is the shape the repeats make meeting.



The new colorways are in and I'm working on a 15 foot long window seat in our upstairs loft to layer with pillows in lots of my prints.  Wild Chicory will definitely be on there because it was my first design (and my logo!)...



I'm in the process of putting together memo books to show to select to-the-trade showrooms in hopes that they will decide to carry our full collection.  It's a time-consuming process and it's a little nerve-wracking.  I'm so crazy about the collection but am not a sales person at all so it's not coming easy to me.  I made a call a couple of weeks ago to an amazing showroom in LA and before even asking my name or looking up my patterns or website or anything, I got the "there's no room at the Inn" (showroom) door politely shut in my face.  :/   haha  ouch  



It's totally to be expected though, and I'm sure I'll get a lot more of those before I find the right fits.  I've learned that you can't just call a company up like that too...  So I might be travelling a bit to get everything off the ground properly.  But I'm excited about this new venture!!  The fabrics are so personal to me and I love working on this part of the business.  




Keep your fingers crossed for me - I need all the help I can get!!



I'm working on some new designs week and will share as soon as they're ready.  Also, some of you have asked how you can view the entire collection of order memos.  You can view it at www.purestylehome.co and just click on "LL Textiles."  I haven't updated the site with some of the newest patterns and colorways yet and am working on it so as soon as they're all up, I'll let you know!!  If you' have an account with us (or want to set one up) and need some of the new colorways or patterns before they're up, just contact meghan@thepurestyle.com

Have a great day!!



If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

24 comments:

Jennifer C. Webb said...

buttercup is perfection. Love the visual of artist, pencil in hand....designing fabric.

Katy | Kate Decorates said...

I love every single fabric you've created! You're amazing!!

Unknown said...

Lauren!! I love love LOVE your fabrics! They are so wild and earthy, and they just make me happy! Buttercup in black?? Holy smokes, beautiful! Great job, you are putting some beautiful work out there! Grace

Kerry Steele- Design du Monde said...

I love your fabrics and the simplicity in them. I have designed a few on Spoonflower and getting the elements to intertwine when and where you want them to is tricky.

for the love of a house said...

The new addition to your collection is wonderful Lauren! I especially love the fern star in sepia. The combination of fabrics in the second photo from the bottom is just so pretty all together. Wishing you the best of luck- I'm sure once the showrooms see it in person they'll be fighting for the collection;)
joan

Merlin said...

Luv the "buttercup" in black!! franki

Loretta Fontaine (EcoHappy Blog) said...

Lauren- Wow, these new colors and designs are beautiful! I especially adore the squid flower in the inky blue. Beautiful!

Too bad about the showroom, but I am sure once they actually see your work, they tables could turn and the could be knocking on your door! Keep going!

Loretta

Holly Gruszka said...

Your passion and love for your fabric designs will lead your way. They're beautiful and so unique.

Katie Waddell said...

Love, love, love your fabrics! They are stunning!!

Unknown said...

I have always loved your buttercup and seeing it black...I smell a design plan coming together! And dont pay any attention to those rude and hoytie toytie (sp?) vendors..who needs them?

Maureen@CheekyinBlue said...

Love these! Especially the blue ones!

Anonymous said...

love that blue/white fabric in the last photo. love all your fabrics...they have a southern influence, but for some reason they also remind me of my old home in california. good luck with the showroom stuff!

Vel Criste said...

beautiful designs Lauren, hope to use them in my future projects!

Jill Seidner | Interior Design said...

Beautiful textiles! Congrats!

Lemon Macaron said...

LOVE your designs, Lauren! Can't wait to see all the new ones! And as an LA-based designer, I would love to see your stuff out here. Keep us posted and best of luck to you!


http://lemonmacaron.blogspot.com

Studio Yuko Jones said...

I LOVE the new colorways - so earthy, vintage-y and perfect! I can totally see using some of your fabrics in my own home. Hope you'll have some showrooms in upstate NY carry your fabric line!

SimplePrettyThings said...

One day I will own some of your fabric! I just adore it! I hope you don't mind, Lauren, but I did a feature of your client's family room that you posted a few weeks ago. I just love it and so I decided to feature you! http://www.idlepress.com/simpleprettythings/?p=375

Carol@6WilsonBlog.com said...

These are just incredible. REALLY incredibly beautiful. I am such a textile freak and I would LOVE to touch all of these :) I wish you so much success with it all.

Woodside Park said...

Lovely inspirations from nature and the garden. All really beautiful, Lauren! You are incredibly talented. I will definitely find homes / projects for some of these.
xo
Loi

Dana Frieling said...

The "no room in the Inn" showroom is stupid...period. ;)

traci zeller designs said...

They are absolutely incredible, Lauren, and so very personal and perfect. Someone will be a very chagrined showroom owner/manager when LL Textiles become the huge hit they are destined to be and that owner/manager realizes what they passed on!!

mrs. V | Chez V said...

Keep going! The new stuff is amazing. Really stunning. LL Textiles will find it's well deserved niche. As an avid block printer, designing textiles is a dream of mine so thank you for sharing the ups and downs with us - lets me live vicariously!

Danielle Larkins said...

You're amazing!! Love you and your work!!
XO
Danielle

Katie R. said...

Lauren,

You should call Josh at Studio 534 in Boston; I can literally see these hanging on the wings.
Tell him I sent you in.
Katie Rosenfeld