Summer Scotland Trip!

Every year my family and I travel to the UK to visit my husband's family in the Lakes Region in England. This year we traveled further north to Scotland for a few days; here are some photos from our experience in that beautiful country. 

There's nothing quite as unquiely beautiful as a Scottish blog and wildflowers. 

I was so enchanted with this house with these intricate shell designs inlaid into the plaster facade. I can only imagine the time and commitment required to collect the shells and create the pattern!

The history of Scotland is known to go back almost 10,000 years to the beginning at the end of the last Ice Age. There is such a sense of history in the country; it's humbling to experience. 

One of my favorite things we saw during our trip was this modern tapestry interpretation of the traditional Scottish kilt. 

Addendum

Back in New York, fall is right around the corner. I love how this poem by Victoria Erickson perfectly captures the feeling of the changing seasons. 

Get to Know the Lori Weitzner Design Team, Part 4: Jess Thies

What do you do at Lori Weitzner Design?

I am the Studio Manager/Junior Designer. I manage the daily tasks in the studio as well as assist as much as I can with Textile, Wallcovering and the other projects we work on.

What did you go to school for?

I went to Philadelphia University for Textile Design, I loved it! My primary focus was print design. 

A sample of some of Jess' print design work from school.

How did you get started at Lori Weitzner Design?

I was lucky enough to have a connection to Lori through a lovely professor of mine, and about a month after meeting Lori, I found my way to her studio.

Favorite part of your job?

My favorite part is working on a variety of exciting projects, plus everyone is so welcoming and friendly!

Least favorite part of your job?

Although necessary, sending packages can be surprisingly complicated (especially the international ones).  

What's one thing you can’t live without?

I love spending time with my friends, and running. 

Favorite artists/designers?

Jenny Holzer  

Jenny Holzer

Jenny Holzer

What is a goal you have for yourself at the moment?

I want to become the best version of myself that I can, spend my time trying new things and acclimate to living in New York. 

The view of Manhattan from Hoboken (where Jess now lives). 

Favorite movie?

Moulin Rouge

One piece of advice you can offer somebody who wants a job like yours?

Always put your best self forward and keep working towards your goals. You never know who you’ll meet or what kind of projects are going on; always be kind. 

Get to Know the Lori Weitzner Design Team, Part 3: Catalina Escallon

What do you do at Lori Weitzner Design?

As any small studio, we all do a little bit of everything but my main responsibility is developing wallcovering products.

What did you go to school for?

I went to school for graphic design back in Colombia. While doing my degree, I started sewing with my mom. She has sewn for at least 20 years. I got intrigued with sewing but more importantly, with fabrics. Since then, I started to get more involved in textures and in creating interesting things with them. I have dreamed about working in textiles ever since.

How did you get started at Lori Weitzner Design?

I came to New York to do my masters in Fashion Management at FIT. While doing so, I interned at Lori Weitzner Design for a semester. A year passed, but eventually I found my way back into LWD.

Favorite part of your job?

Product development is my favorite part of my job. Not only the process itself but, working with people from different countries and stages of the chain: starting with suppliers up to when the product is sold and installed.

A snap of an artwork day in the studio

What's one thing(s) you can’t live without?

Coffee and arepas.

Favorite artists/designers?

Sheila Hicks

Shelia Hicks, artist portrait

Study for Fugue, Shelia Hicks

Be Sweet, Shelia Hicks

What is a goal you have for yourself at the moment?

I want to keep myself inspired and motivated and always be true to myself.

Favorite book?

I love reading. It makes my everyday commute lot more enjoyable. I am very passionate about historic novels and “Cathedral of the Sea” by Idelfonso Falcones is my favorite one.

One piece of advice you can offer somebody who wants a job like yours?

Work hard and more importantly, don’t let anyone discourage you! Believe in yourself, do what you love and just keep pushing.

Chihuly at the Botanical Gardens

11 years after Dale Chihuly's landmark exhibition at the NYBG, he is back with a new show titled simply 'Chihuly'. This expansive show features works ranging from a reprisal of the figurative 'Blue Herons' to an abstract reinterpretation of his 1975 'Artpark Installation' series.

Blue Herons, 2006

Red Reeds on Logs, 2017

Sapphire Star, 2017

Koda Series, 2017

Macchia Forrest, 2017

The NYBG is always worth a visit, but 'Chihuly' will be on display throughout the summer until October 29th. 

Waterlilies in bloom last week at NYBG. 

Addendum

Dropping my daughters off for summer camp! Such a mix of emotions - I hope they both have a wonderful time! 

Get to Know the Lori Weitzner Design Team, Part 2: Sumitra Mattai

What do you do at Lori Weitzner Design?

I wear many hats in the studio, but my main role is managing all the fabric developments. This means that I develop surface designs, meet with mills from all over the world, and correspond with them to develop quality samples and color blankets. Once the development process is complete, we go through the launch process, which means gathering all the specifications for each item, working with the operations team to manage production and sampling, working with the marketing department to develop sales tools, and finally, helping to train our sales reps so they can confidently bring our collections to market. We launch two collections a year, so there’s never a dull moment. 

What did you go to school for?

Textile Design at Rhode Island School Design

How did you get started at Lori Weitzner Design?

My path to this job was a little bumpy. I was laid off in the wake of the financial crisis of 2008, but colleagues from my old job connected me with Lori. I was incredibly fortunate to land where I did when I did. 

Sumitra and Lori reviewing student work at PhillyU

Favorite part of your job?

I really enjoy working with the LWD team. Almost everyone who has ever worked here keeps in touch and becomes a kind of extended family. I also love being able to get my hands dirty and create artwork and prototypes.

"Coffee Beans" blockprint by Sumitra

"Crossing Flowers" cyanotype by Sumitra

"Diamonds" embroidery by Sumitra

Least favorite part of your job?

Production issues are inevitable, but never fun.

What's one thing you can’t live without?

Kisses from my toddler and coffee.

Sumitra's two-year-old son, Miles

Favorite artists/designers?

I loved the quiet intensity of the Agnes Martin show at the Guggenheim last year. 

Agnes Martin; Untitled Series

What is a goal you have for yourself at the moment?

Since I became a mom two years ago, I have a lot more to juggle between work and family. When one part of my life is going smoothly, another part is sure to be a mess (sometimes a literal mess, sometimes a figurative mess!). I am working to stay steady amidst the ups and downs.

One piece of advice you can offer somebody who wants a job like yours?

Put your heart into your work, but don’t lose sight of the details. In my experience, the design process is binary – one part creative and out of the box, one part very type A and focused. It’s important to develop both skill sets if you want to be successful in the industry.

Trip to Thailand

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is being able to meet face to face with people all over the world who help make our products. A few years ago I took a development trip to Thailand to work on some new designs and ideas.

On this trip I was developing a variety of handwoven textiles to be considered for the Weitzner line. Namely Mela, our handwoven silk and cotton and Seraph and Celeste, our Thai Silk, both as a paperbacked textile wall covering, and as a decoration fabric.

Celeste color Froth, Aster and Meridian and Seraph in color Petal.

Thai silk is such a special material because the silkworms are raised on a steady diet of Mulberry leaves and it is completely handwoven, meaning each piece has a unique texture and character.

The inspiration for our fabric Mela came from the idea of reusing silk selvedge yarns to create a novelty yarn in the weft. We walked around the mill collecting spare threads from other yardage being woven and twisted these yarns together to create the multi hued weft. 

Silk being handwoven on a simple dobby style loom. 

Vibrant hand dyed silk hanging to dry at the mill.

Thoughtfully wrapped flowers at the local flower market in Bangkok. 

Traditional dancing from an evening out in Chiang Mai. 

Addendum

A snap from Mike's 60th. Happy birthday, Mike! 

All About Bees!

As part of our spring field trip, the LWD studio visited the Morristown Public Garden to learn about the importance of beekeeping. The hives in the garden are cared for by my good friend Brian.

Honeybees are an integral part of the pollination system responsible for successful seeding of more than 90% of all flowering plants and fruit. Without bees, one third of the foods we eat would no longer be available.

We were lucky enough to spot the Queen Bee!

The Queen can lay up to 2,000 eggs per day during active seasons. The queen’s fertilized eggs become female workers and the unfertilized eggs develop into male honeybees. Almost all the bees inside the hive are female.

Beekeeping is a hobby that is great for the environment and can be done by anyone. There are many beekeeping clubs and associations across the country.

Thank you to the Morristown Community Garden for hosting us!

Addendum

Earlier this week I attended the 20th Anniversary Moth Ball. The theme this year was A Moth's Summer Night Dream and it was one of my favorite events of the year!

Lori Weitzner Design Spring Field Trip

For our studio field trip, we packed our bags and drove to Morristown, New Jersey to attend the Mansion in May Designer Showhouse. Each room of historic Alnwick Hall was transformed by a select group of interior designers.  All proceeds from the event benefit the Center for Nursing and Research at Morristown Medical Center. 

One of our favorites rooms was the gorgeous living room designed by The Urban Dweller, Mark Alan Polo. The hand-painted blooms on the wall relate beautifully to the room’s original hand-painted ceilings.

Winner of the coveted Tulip Award, was The Guilded Blues Gathering Room by CWI Design. The tones of this room represent the marriage of the Gilded age and Modern era.

The gardens were also beautifully curated by talented landscape architects. Some of our favorites were by M. Erbs Fine Gardens (above), and the vertical garden below by Davies Associates Landscape Architects, Foester Landscape Inc., and Celebrity Pools. 

One of the most impressive aspects of the mansion were the original ceilings.

Thank you to the Women’s Association, the designers, and all the volunteers who made the event such a success!

Addendum

Earlier this month I participated in the 5 Boro Bike Tour with my husband Mike. For one day only, the roads were free cars and the bikers took control! There's no better way to see the city.

Proposte Fair in Como, Italy

Last week, one of our designers, Sumitra Mattai, travelled to Como for Proposte, an international textile fair.

In addition to attending the design fair, there was time to take in the beautiful sights of Lake Como, at the foothills of the Alps in Northern Italy. 

Lunch at the Villa Erba, a 19th century villa in Cernobbio.

The Villa Erba's ornately painted ceilings, glass chandeliers and the view of the Lake.

After her time in Italy, Sumitra hopped a plane to visit family staying in Montpellier, France. 

Addendum

While Sumitra was in Como, Lori was celebrating her bday at home with Catherine Burns' new book, All These Wonders, True Stories About Facing the Unknown, presented by The Moth. A must read! Buy it on Amazon here.

SCRAPS Exhibit at the Cooper Hewitt

Last weekend I went to the Cooper Hewitt Museum to see the exhibit Scraps: Fashion, Textiles, and Creative Reuse which focuses on three designers who incorporate environmental sustainability into their work: Luisa Cevese, Reiko Sudo, and one of my personal favorites, Christina Kim, the founder of Los Angeles-based fashion brand Dosa.

The focus of the exhibit was to rethink the design and production process of textiles in order to recover waste materials before they impact the environment.

Some designs by Christina Kim that were on display. Kim’s deep respect for India’s handweavers inspired her to develop a clothing line using offcuts from handwoven cloth.

Some pieces on display were a textile by Japanese designer Reiko Sudo of Nuno, made from 100% raw silk, and a bag made from silk threads and polyurethane by Italian designer Luisa Cevese Riedizioni.

This small put powerful exhibit beautifully summarized the work of these important designers and the necessity of sustainability in the textile industry.

Addendum

Hello May flowers!