Name: Emily

Where do you live? Phoenix, Arizona

What do you do? Co-owner & graphic designer at Two Birds Creative, Inc.

DP Purchase/s: upper playground Dora Drimalas Bike Love Women’s Tee

What’s your favorite DP product and why? My “Bike Love” tee! I recently wore the shirt when I visited some friends in Portland, and to New Belgium’s Tour de Fat in Tempe, AZ. Basically, I love anything bicycle. It fascinates me that the bike is the only mode of transportation that improves with use.

Four sites/blogs you visit daily: I’m a graphic designer, but I love interior design and revamped old furniture.I feed that side of my design-self with Design*Sponge . The graphic designer in me loves all UnderConsideration’s blogs. My fave is Brand New . I’m currently planning our wedding so I visit many wedding blogs these days. One of my favorite is Once Wed . And finally Good reminds me daily that the world is an ever-evolving entity and we need to take care of it and each other.

Tell us about your home, office, workspace, or favorite nook and cranny. I spend most of my days in our home office. Design-wise — it’s a work in progress. It’s a mish-mash of both our (my fiance and my) design styles — natural wood mixed with “modern” IKEA purchases marked with found objects from around the world. I would love for it to one day morph into a photo out of DominoMag. Most of the time, our office is a mess, but it is cozy and bright, and we love it.

Do you collect anything? Tell us of your treasures…. I’m a bit of a collector and a major garage saler—it’s a little ridiculous. Garage sales are where I find most of my collectibles. I have a collection of small frog figurines, and a nice collection of retro flower-power ceramic stackable coffee mugs. Recently, I’ve started a bird collection for our company Two Birds Creative.

Movies you can watch over and over: One summer vacation as a teen, I got really sick and was stuck in my aunt’s “computer room” with no cable and one dvd You’ve Got Mail. Every since then, whenever I feel really sick, You’ve Got Mail makes me feel a little better. Add to the list the Sandlot and That Thing You Do.

Random Fact: We have a 3-legged Australian Kelpie mix named Hopalong Dixie. She also has a blog :::> http://dixileta.blogspot.com/. And she’s famous. The AZ Humane Society liked a photo of Dixie so much they asked if they could blow it up and hang it in their new pet boutique. We’ve yet to go see it if it’s up, but they had us sign a model release and everything!

Thanks, Emily!

Inspired? Show us your place! E-mail (press [at] designpublic.com), Tweet or Facebook your Design Public purchases!

I’ve read that you have a background in both architecture and furniture design. What was the turning point that led you from architecture and furniture to soft goods?

I started doing furniture design in architecture school because they had a woodshop and I’ve always enjoyed manual work. As a design process I liked the simplicity and perfection of furniture as a counterpoint to architecture, which is so complicated and messy (sometimes in a good way). After I finished school I continued making furniture while I did freelance architectural work. My intent was to turn the furniture into a business that would go along side my architecture, but it proved to be very difficult to come up with commercially viable pieces. So I decided to experiment with soft goods because they’re easier and less expensive to produce. And the success of my UM bags eventually pulled me away from architecture and into the product world.

I get a sense that you let the material drive the design. Is this true? The UM bags certainly push this notion as do the leftover felt rounds from the UM tote and Wine Pocket that make up the Cut Coasters set. Can you tell us a little about the design process that went into creating some of your pieces?

Yes, I do start with a material and a study of its intrinsic qualities. I liked felt because of its stiffness: unlike most woven fabric it’s very structural. But I also think about different manufacturing processes at the beginning. For example, die cutting material leads to different possibilities than hand cutting. And there are different ways of sewing things. I take those things into account and then just play around with things and see what comes out of it. It’s a fairly structured process though. Although I usually don’t have a specific product in mind, I’m always thinking about a basic utility such as holding, covering, opening and closing, etc.

The aesthetic element is certainly evident in each design yet everything seems to offer an “experience” for the customer. How important was it that each piece allows for a chance for the customer to interact with the material?

It’s very important. I think all products give the user an experience of some kind. A lot of mainstream products give the user an associative experience, such as belonging to the right group, feeling like they have reached a certain status, etc. I don’t really know how to do that kind of work so I can’t compete with the Pradas of the world. As an architect, I’m trained to think about the interaction between a user and his or her physical environment so I try to push that as a way of differentiating my stuff from everything else.

How would you describe your design style/philosophy? How has it evolved over the years?

My philosophy is to maintain an ongoing design process and let product come out of that as they may. I have a lot of experiments sitting around the studio that never turned into products. I have to admit that as the realities of running a business have caught up with me, I’ve become a little more product oriented. For example, I’m currently working a slipper only because I’ve been asked for one a number of times and I think it would sell. I wasn’t too excited about the project until I made it my own and turned it into an experiment.

What do you use as inspiration for your designs?

My inspiration usually isn’t too abstract. It’s mostly just the qualities of the materials I work with, different making processes, and different basic uses. I look at those things the way an architect looks at a site and a program.

I admire that you use felt made from factory excess and rubber made from recycled tires. Was it a challenge to find the quality recycled materials that you use?

Actually I started working with felt because of its properties and I wasn’t even thinking about sustainability issues. And the rubber has many of the same qualities as felt, so it fit into what I do. So it wasn’t like I made huge sacrifices to be responsible about my materials. And the things I do like trying to use off-cuttings for new products just save me money. I like to think of my practice as ahead of its time in that efficient use and recycling are matter of fact.

What advice would you give aspiring designers?

In terms of design, be rigorous. Make things, don’t just think of ideas. It’s hard work but it’s satisfying. In terms of business, I would say that having good products, good manufacturing, and good prices are the most important thing. If you have those things, sales will take care of itself. But… think long and hard before quitting your day job because success doesn’t happen over night!

What is next for Josh Jakus?

I’m working on a second brand that will keep what’s special about my stuff yet have a bit more mass-market appeal and a lower price point. Stay tuned!

Thanks, Josh!

View all Josh Jakus pieces on Design Public

Wallpaper actually gets me all riled up so I apologize in advice for my lengthy list of questions with Susie Mendive. Enjoy!

I know a bit about your background…a graphic designer with a graduate degree from North Carolina then to LA then to NY as art director with stila cosmetics…but I think there are some holes, especially in how you transitioned from branding cosmetics to designing modern wallpaper. Tell us more! How did SUM come together?

It happened very organically. I very much wanted to design and produce my own product and call all the shots. It just made sense at that point in my career. There is a lot of hard work involved and it can be consuming but I like taking it one step at the time.

Tell us about the name, SUM. How did you come up with this?

My husband and I were in Tokyo and it just hit me, Su is from Susie and M from Mendive but more than that it was the idea of a total home concept…SUM of all parts. A total approach to design and living.

The female silhouettes of your Floral Femme Fatale prints are an amazing graphic. They have a significant presence let alone bring movement, style, femininity, character and a sense of a couture-ness to a room. I would guess that your time with stila cosmetics may have carried over into the inspiration for these designs, is this right or was it something else?

Yes, that’s right. The silhouettes are something I started with at stila. They have a very universal quality and allow you to project your own thoughts on to them. I am always more intrigued by what is left out of an image or illustration.

Many of the modern wallpapers we see are meant to be an explosive replacement for traditional wall art which I find very refreshing and exciting, but also a bit of a challenge! I love the colors and graphics of the Vespertine Wallpaper in Twilight but am not sure I could pull it off in my space (maybe the black option would be better for me). What tips do you have for creating a harmonizing space when using bold/graphic wallpapers?

It isn’t as difficult as it might seem. I think Vespertine Twilight would be great in a powder room, kids room or a small kitchen. It uses bold colors but you can paper a single wall if you are unsure and pick an accent color from the pattern for rest of the room. Items like lampshades or rugs will help unify the scheme and wood and chrome or bronze elements will add a little luxe to the mix. I try to stay away from a too done, matchy matchy look or it seems like a set rather than a lived in space.

Was it a challenge to create a line of wallpapers that are made in the USA, constructed of recyclable paper and hand screen printed with water-based, non varsol inks? I can’t begin to image how long your screen printing stations must be!

Too long for a Manhattan Apartment! I actually use a company out in California who share the same values as I do about the environment. They have been hand screening wallpaper for over 20 years and converted to water based inks about 5 years ago. We try our best to maintain the highest quality product and still be kind to mother nature.

I always appreciate getting a glimpse into a designer’s work space and adore the photos of your loft on hgtv. Any difficulties to living/working in the same space?

I don’t actually live in that apartment anymore but still do the live/work thing. For me work and life are not separate. Living is by design. I have an enormous bedroom now (with a door this time!) and carved out two spaces with a beautiful, white modular folding screen. I then built in a storage/desk unit and of course wallpapered the space in Underwater Bamboo Pink. The whole color scheme came from the wallpaper so its silver and soft pink. It got a little too girly so I peppered it with earthy accents of walnut wood. The whole space feels very glamorous but warm and grounded…what’s more inspiring than that.

If you could paper someone’s walls, whose would you choose and which design might you use?

Frida Khalo
Diane von Furstenberg
Bjork
an Obama White House

…all custom designs of course!

I crave an opportunity to experiment with wallpaper, but I also fear it because: 1.) Of the expansive range of possibilities 2.) It is wallpaper and I don’t trust myself to be able to successfully apply it to my walls. But, I want to try so badly! What do you suggest for someone who is venturing into this arena for the first time…especially if the possibilities are as customizable as your wallpapers?

I think all the options available actually make it easier to find something that will work with your existing decor or serve as a jumping off point for a revamp. I understand the fear of installing yourself, many of my clients feel similarly. Wallpaper is really not that hard to put up and there are so many DIY sites out there with step by step instructions… in the end there is very little guesswork. I hung my very first Femme Fatale strike offs so I could learn how to do it and see how the paper performed, not the easiest, but definitely not hard. Having said that, if you are still hesitant, hire a painter or wallpaper installer. Many professional painters have experience hanging papers and the necessary tools in their arsenal. The most important thing is to be bold and experiment! Most of my clients are like you, saw it in a magazine and wanted to try it for themselves. All of them have been thrilled with the results. And remember nothing in this life is permanent!

How do you get out of a creative rut? What most inspires you?

Travel, travel, travel. It is the single most inspiring thing I can do. Floral Femme came together after a trip to Shanghai, Animalia after spending time in Holland. Places seep into me and become creative output.

What is next for SUM?

More wallpapers! I have one in the design stages that looks like painted canvas on the wall and another that is very male. I don’t see a lot out there for the boys so I thought it the perfect thing to design. SUM is now available in Utrecht, the Netherlands at Springers Wonen, in Malmo, Sweden at Tapetorama and we are looking to expand further in Europe and of course stateside. We are also moving into Fabrics and are looking to add other designers under our moniker… more parts to SUM total.

Thanks, Susie!

View all of Susie Mendive’s SUM wallpaper collection on DP.

Photograph: Alain Levitt
Makeup: Melissa Silver

Where are you from? I am a Boulder, CO mountain girl at heart, but I lived in a small town in Illinois for a few years during my formative years where, like Joe, I learned to appreciate the taste of Midwestern cuisine (meatloaf, corn, frozen peas, Jell-O with marshmallows, etc.). I also lived in Saudi Arabia and Alaska shortly after I was born, but I don’t really remember either spot so I guess they don’t count.

Where do you live now? I have been a bit of a nomad during my 9 years in Nor Cal. Currently I have nestled myself into a corner in Oakland and love it but I have to continue my nomadic ways…as of next week I’ll be moving into a loft space in Emeryville. Expect lots of photos oh-so-soon!

How did you get interested in design? I have always had a passion for crafts, design, and art in general. As a child I would make intricate dioramas for book projects and they would typically be scenes in a home (and no, my parents didn’t make my school projects for me). In college one of my majors was in art with a focus on mixed media painting. I took a couple photography classes and while other students did their final projects taking pictures of people or landscapes, I was off photographing chairs.

What’s your favorite DP product and why? I have major love for the Blu Dot Nick Table. The character of the woodgrain and the rounded edges make me melt. Some may call me a “DP addict” since I have a slew of items on my wishlist. My fist DP purchase ever was the Matteo Due Stitch Duvet in brine and I looooove it.

If you weren’t doing this what would you do? Probably sit at home and eat beef sandwiches while watching daytime TV…kidding. Actually, I’d most likely try to pursue creating my own line of items. Although, this would require some start up, and that means saving some money, and that would require finding a job. I then would probably resort to finding any job off Craigslist and then get stuck working in a cubicle for 20 years.

What do you do in your spare time? I don’t really have a lot of spare time. My side gig is as a second photographer for Cooper Carras Photography which requires working weekends shooting and editing photos. We do a lot of destination wedding photography so we have to do a good amount of traveling. Luckily, traveling is my thing so I can’t complain. If only there were 10 days to each week…

What do you like most about our Design Public? Why do you work here? The office cactus named Kelly Clarkson.

Who was your favorite member of the A-Team?
Although I am pretty quiet, a little on the scrawny side and a really fair-skinned gal, I would have to say I am a lot like B.A. Baracus at heart. I idolize Mr. T.

Where are you from? Nebraska! The great land of beef, corn, and Football – with a capital F.

Where do you live now? Last year I moved from a fabulous sprawling penthouse in Oakland to an equally lovely shoebox in SF. It’s all about location, baby!

How did you get interested in design? I worked at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art for years and found myself attending as many architecture and design lectures I could get into. It is fascinating for me to learn about the process a designer goes through in order to realize their ideas. It is also interesting for me to see how people can interpret the same object in so many different ways. I think that’s where the line often blurs between art and function.

What’s your favorite DP product and why? Love my Area Jewel duvet and Area Theo coverlet. I always tell people its my ‘fancy’ bedding.

What do you like most about our company? I mostly work here for the free food. People say we have a great team and that we are doing something different and exciting in retail. That’s all great, but its mostly the food that keeps me here.

If you weren’t doing this what would you do? Sushi chef or Zen gardener. Same art, different mediums. (p.s. the rock garden to the left was Joe’s former desk creation. I hear that soon he has plans to spell his name with the rocks…I’ll keep you updated).

What do you do in your spare time? I used to call myself a marathoner, but lately have been spending a lot more time in the kitchen than on the trails.

Favorite member of the A-Team? Definitely MacGyver.

Thanks, Joe!

Where are you from? Clearwater, FL

Where do you live now? San Francisco, CA

How did you get interested in design? I started cutting up clothes and sewing them, painting, doing ceramics, changing the way I “decorated” my rooms and other creative shenanigans when I was younger and throughout growing up. As I got older, I discovered new arenas of more sophisticated design regarding furniture and sustainable art, how loose the term “design” is, and how the kiddie painting and grown-up furniture design can work together… Did that make sense?

What’s your favorite DP product and why? umm… I don’t have a favorite, but I really love jefdesigns pieces, and I really need the Area Bruno Bed and some Graham & Brown Mode Enchant Wallpaper, please.

If you weren’t doing this what would you do? Probably be miserable while attending grad school.

What do you do in your spare time? I used to play drums, so hopefully that will happen again soon. I play records sometimes, listen to lots of metal, indulge in adventurous, fancy cooking as much as possible, and bike rides.

What do you like most about our company? Why do you work here? I like the relaxed “vibe” (for lack of a better, less hippy-sounding word), and how comfortable our work place is… Like a fam! That’s why I work here… and I love that I can have writing projects to keep the workload versatile.

Favorite member of the A-Team? Hannibal – I liked his creepy leather gloves and cigar.

Thanks, Kerstin!

P.S. The photo above of a little girl with pig tails is Kerstin as a wee one. Grade A material for a children’s book, I’d say.

“The adventures of two women and one man
working together in one department.”

Since quality customer service is so important to us, these guys are very important to us. Luckily, we’ve got a great tight group with amazing karate chopping (aka customer service) skills.

We’ve shared a number of staff profiles in the past but there has been a major lapse in updating our team info. Now’s as good a time as any to get this going again and who better to start with than the Three’s Company (i.e. customer service) team. First up: Melissa!

Where are you from? Where do you live now? I am from the East Bay. I lived there forever until I decided to make a very ambitious trek across the bridge to San Francisco where I live now.

How did you get interested in design? I used to think design was frivolous and elitist and just didn’t think much about it until I interned for a magazine that featured new design products. I also had some friends that went to CCA for Design and that got me interested in the art. Now I see that design is an essential part of life because everything man made has to be designed by someone. Mostly, I admire the possibilities of combining art and functionality.

What’s your favorite DP product and why? I really like Thomas Paul’s Retro-looking Imperial Horse Linen Pillow and Apollo Head series. He has a definite sensibility for Retro-Victorian (don’t know if that’s an actual style, but in my book it counts).

What do you like most about our company? Why do you work here? I work here mostly because the staff is great. I love my co-workers and although the work here can be challenging I like the challenge. I like that we’re free-form and that there are many possibilities here if you make them happen. Also, I enjoy learning about design because you learn a great deal about people and lifestyle.

If you weren’t doing this what would you do? Probably Live in New York and write music reviews and starve.

What do you do in your spare time? I sing and play music.

Favorite member of the A-Team? The Oakland A’s? ha ha, don’t really know of the A-Team, I only know of Mister T and don’t think I quite get it, but I do like his fashion sense.

Thanks, Melissa!

Thanks to Elements of Style for this post about how to live a Hollywood Regency dream by renting from Room Service.

Oh My God! THE LIZA ROOM TAKES THE CAKE! If you missed SF20, you can lament your loss by perusing these fabulous images Leah posted at More Ways to Waste Time.

Oh My God Part II: Oh Patricia Gray, thank you for this. At first I thought it was a Chelsea Lately sketch, but it really is Sarah Palin’s office

Home Rejuvenation’s posts blow my mind all the time. I’m giddy over the The Next Generation House by Sou Fujimoto Architects.

I’m just nuts about Mrs. Blandings. I don’t know how I missed this charming Kansas City-based blogger’s writing for so long.

I don’t know how it took me ten days to find fellow, the new online design magazine from decor fellow blogger James Saavedra. Thanks to Habitually Chic for the tipoff.

Check out the list of the most inspiring design books of all time from O At Home magazine. I’m such a dork; I circled the ones I already have, which added up to ten. I was really excited to see Luis Barragan, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown and J.B. Jackson included on the list, but was disappointed that landscape architecture was not represented more.

Bummer! The Farnsworth House, in spite of the plinth it sits on above the ground, is majorly flooded. To make a donation towards repairs, click here. (via AT: Chicago).

Design Bloggers in Print! The New York Times did a huge feature on design bloggers yesterday, and included some of my favorites, like Jennifer Dwyer from The Peak of Chic. Congratulations! Hey, you know what’s weird? Wordpress has the word “bloggers” underlined right now like it’s not a word. It has Wordpress underlined as well. What’s up with that?

• photo from Room Service via Elements of Style

• photo by Leah Hennen at More Ways to Waste Time

• photo from The Anchorage Daily News (Landov) via The New York Times, via Patricia Gray Interior Design

• photo by (I think) Sou Fujimoto Architects, via Home Rejuvenation

• image from Mrs. Blandings

• image from fellow by James Saavedra

• image from amazon.com

• image from landmarks.org

Any design pet peeves? “Blah.” I hate very boring wall colors like mouse brown and beige—why bother? Also, anything too studied turns me off. A place should be visually inspiring but also comfortable, and not try too hard.

Do you collect anything? Tell us of your treasures…Any prized possessions? My books are very important to me, being an editor/word person. I like how they create a wall in my studio and all of the different spine colors mesh with the overall colors and feel of my space. I also love my new/old Schwinn Breeze (from 1976), which I just got on eBay.

Movies you can watch over and over: The Apartment, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, La Dolce Vita, The Royal Tenenbaums

Thanks, Jennifer!

Answers to the “I Spy in Jennifer’s Apartment” game:

With the introduction of Sanford Burrows we knew right away that we found something amazing. Take a look at the embroidery, the Italian crafted textiles, and the attention to detail Jill Sanford Burrows puts into her work and you’ll see what we mean. Enjoy the Q&A!

I’d love to learn a little bit about your background…how did you get into working with linens and designing for the home? How did Sanford Burrows come together and get off the ground?

I had a long career as a graphic designer. Years ago, I was living and working in London and found myself wanting to design something more tangible—something that people would have an immediate, emotional reaction to that didn’t carry a marketing message— so I decided to take a few fashion design classes. But, my interest kept being drawn more and more to home furnishings over time because I was so inspired by what I was seeing in London and around Europe. With all the great home design out there I wasn’t finding bedding that hit just the right note. So, I eventually decided to take the knowledge from the fashion design classes and use it to create the bedding line.

Without question, your bedding collections are impeccable. I love the notion that your bedding is “like sleeping at a 5-star hotel every night,” but I think in reality your collection is off the charts. What was the inspiration for creating such quality, lasting pieces?

I first set out to simply make a line of modern bedding. But, along the way I learned so much about cotton and fabric production that I became dedicated to making a high quality, modern product. When I shop for myself, even for clothes, I’d rather save up and spend more money on something that I’ll have for years (or forever) than buy something quick and cheap that won’t last or is part of a trend that I’ll tire of. I brought that philosophy into the line. Yes, it costs more to produce a high quality product, but the line is really special and is meant to be around for a long time.

It is a rarity to see fine modern bedding that is actually crafted in Italy using traditional techniques. Round of applause for making the two come together so perfectly! Tell us about the process in making this happen. How hard was it to mesh modern style with traditional Italian craftsmanship?

When I started working on the concept for the line, I thought that embroidering simple line-drawing type designs would be easy. I quickly learned, however, how challenging it would be to embroider my free-form designs across over 90 inches of fabric. Embroidered bedding is typically a border design or repeated motifs or patterns. Most machines aren’t even capable of doing the work that I had in mind, especially if I was to insist on particular details like stitch style. It took finding companies that were excited by the unique concept and who were willing to experiment.

My journey did not start in Italy, but I’m so happy it ended there. Italians are still interested in craftsmanship, they’re not willing to just churn something out. From the first sample they did for me, I knew that they were exactly what I had been searching for in a manufacturer.

It was such a long process to make this all come together, my husband kept asking why I hadn’t started with something simple like sewing placemats in our living room. I’m so glad that I stuck with it though, it’s worth seeing the line just as I had envisioned it.

Can you dispel the thread count myth for us? The higher the count doesn’t always mean better quality, right? Shed some light for us!

I’m so glad that you’ve asked this question. I’ve become an evangelist about this subject. Thread count has become an easy marketing buzzword, and people have been led to believe that higher thread counts guarantee better linens. But, this isn’t always the case. Thread count is only one factor in determining quality. What matters most is the quality of the cotton. Egyptian and Pima are two of the best because their fibers are extra-long and create strong, silky threads. This makes for a soft, long-lasting linen. If the cotton used isn’t high-quality, the highest thread count in the world isn’t going to produce a quality sheet. In Italy, thread counts of 180 and up are considered quality linens because they’re made with quality cotton! Finishing is also super important. The way that the raw fabric is treated also helps to determine how soft it will be, and how long that softness will last.

With thread count, I always say that if the price seems to good to be true, it probably is. If you find those 800 thread count sheets that you’ve dreamed of for a hundred bucks, don’t bother. Here’s why. . .thread count is the number of threads in a square inch of fabric. Lots of fine threads made of cottons like Egyptian and Pima can fit into a square inch easily, creating a soft, durable fabric. Inflated thread counts that are sold on the cheap can be the result of multiple threads made of lower-quality, short-fiber cottons being twisted together to create what are called 2-ply or even 4-ply yarns, which are essentially bulkier and weaker. Some manufacturers cram as many of these as possible into a square inch, then count each single thread when determining their thread count, which can at least double the number. The sheets won’t look or feel good for very long. Their fibers tend to break or get tangled on the surface, causing the fabric to pill and get rougher over time. This is why a 200-thread-count linen made of a high-quality cotton can be far superior to an “800-thread-count” linen.

The easiest way to go is to buy from a brand that you know you can trust.

Any tips for taking care of linens?

At the top of the list is to not dry your linens to death. Overheating and over-drying breaks down cotton fibers. Linens are really best air-dried, but if you put them in the dryer like most people, take them out and hang them or lay them flat when they’re still slightly damp. This also helps to lessen the wrinkling. If you iron them, you should do it straight out of the dryer when they’re still damp.

I’m still experimenting with the best way to keep sheets white. Vinegar is gentler to use than bleach and does a good job of freshening linens up. You put about 1/8–1/4 cup in the last rinse cycle. Don’t worry, the smell won’t stick with the sheets.

Any design or bedding pet peeves?

I do have a pet peeve about bed making. It’s a funny subject in my house. I like my bed to be made from the “bounce-a-quarter-on-it” school of bed making. With hospital corners. My husband does the opposite and just throws the sheet and duvet up to the top effortlessly. I’m often re-making a bed that he’s just made. And he hates for his feet to feel trapped by the hospital corners, so I tuck my side in and leave his side out.

Do you collect anything? Any prized treasures?

I love to buy things when I travel that I can incorporate into my house. I love my carved wood sculptures that I got in Africa, a lamp that I made my husband carry on planes, trains and automobiles around Italy, and my collection of photos and drawings that I’ve picked up at markets from Puerto Vallarta to Prague. Some other prized treasures are things that have been passed down from my family—beautiful silver and crystal to kitchy glassware from my grandparents’ old cabana.

Finally, what is next for Sanford Burrows?

I’ll be working on new designs for the bedding line soon. Down the road I hope you’ll see the line expand to lots of other furnishings.

Thanks, Jill!

Check out all of the Sanford Burrows bedding options on DP.