Where and how it all happens…

“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.”
- Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943

“I think there is a Larson family market for at least 12 computers.”
-Michelle Larson, quote maker upper, 2008

–Michelle

Mysteries of the Baseboards: Part I

We had another work day on Saturday, and while removing baseboard I found this:

No idea what it might be – anyone have thoughts? Numbered circle is about 3/4″ in diameter with the numbers 1-4 embossed on it, and it’s about 1/2″ tall with the stem looking like it might have broken off from something.

Guesses?

– Nate

What a day.

This was a day to end all days for me or anyone excited by fabrics. This is a long post but I have to take the time now or else I won’t be able to in the next day . We started the day off visiting one of the largest wholesale fabric markets in Delhi. This is where designers go to pick out their fabric samples that, once approved by buyers, they order hundreds/thousands of meters.

Marketplace with many many wholesale fabric stores.

Me and Jharna, the textile expert.

The shelves and shelves of fabric in every color and kind

I am so so glad that we put together the Design Bible and that we picked up some of those fabrics because it made an almost impossible situation bearable – barely! I nearly hyperventilated in the first shop, but then went ahead and started making decisons. We had decided that we would prefer the curtains to be in some sort of solid color, as there are lots of windows and we didn’t want to overpower, an didn’t want anything too heavy. My eyes were drawn to some lovely colors in Linen Viscose that had a nice feel and drape.

One of the lovely colors I found for curtains.

One of the photo inspirations we’ve saved in our Deco File features some beautiful embroidery on them.

an inspiration curtain from Ballard Design

India is the embroidery capital of the world, so I am working on curtains, made of this lovely Linen Viscose, with embroidery in a contrasting accent color on the bottom third of the curtain, to add some texture but not overpower. There are infinite choices of stitches that can be embroidered, along with the type of thread used. I found something for every room, but is is just one idea and will try and get a sample made up to bring back with me.

Samples of the many styles of embroidery

This morning was wonderful and completely overwhelming at the same time, but so very eye opening. But this afternoon was even more out of control! Deepa has a women on her design team, Jharna, who studied textiles, screen making, dyes, and printing who has been working on the custom Snapdragon line of designs I sent her. She was able to take me to the printing factory where she studied and we met with her Guru (teacher) who is also the senior designer. We got to see the whole process from go to whoa! First, we met with the computer designer who takes the sketch, file, or fabric that they then scan to make the screen from.

The designer at work with the Snapdragon designs

He was AMAZINGLY FAST on photoshop. As a graphic designer, I was in AWE of his super mad skeelz and the way he took my designs and made them perfect repeat patterns. It was one of the most thrilling moments of my life – seeing my designs come alive and know that it was very very possible to have totally customized fabrics for our Inn!

Some of the combos they put together

I asked as many questions as I could get answered (despite language gaps) and peeked wherever they let me. The computer design is turned to a film, which is then turned to a screen to use either for screen printing or rotary printing. Thanks to everyone here I have gone through textile/printing 101! I then met the owner of the company and as they explained to him that I was a very important US buyer I stood in a moment of awkward silence as I waited for him to finish his Indian head bob and smile and tell me “welcome.”

Rotary printing at work

We started with only Jharna’s guru and by the time we finished the tour of the factory we had a crew of people showing us. I was totally and completely fascinated by the whole process, like watching the little shorts on Mr. Rogers when you saw how crayons or marbles are made. I saw the tables where they do hand printing, manually screen printing, and rotary printing. I saw where they dye GIGANTIC rolls of material and much more but the details are most likely kind of dull. This is the same factory that Pottery Barn and other big names that get their fabrics made, just as a side note. They sell to exporters.

As I watched the fabric go through the drums, I could just see our Snapdragon fabric running though 80 meters a minute (that’s right!) Incredible day.

Tomorrow is the linen/towel supplier. I must say, that none of this would even be remotely possible without the support of Tilak Exports aka Mani, Deepa with the incredible help of their sister Megha and textile expert, Jharna. I think we all feel that the stars aligned to bring us together – thanks to K for introducing us to these dear friends last year while we were all in India. When we get our spread in Domino, we will definitely get a picture inset of our Indian team!

–Chris

Take Off!

I am sitting at JFK airport waiting to board my Emirates flight 204 to Dubai. Now that I am checked in and through security A OK, the excitement of this adventure is setting in.

I have the right mix of magazines (People, The Economist, Entertainment Weekly, and Domino) all ready to go. I arranged departure from JFK (not exactly the closest airport to Windsor!) when I found a flight on Emirates (which Mike and I had flown to Turkey in 2005) for a good price. If the opportunity ever arises to fly this beauty of an airline, DO IT! The food is almost really good, hundreds of movies and tv shows, you get to hear everything in English and then Arabic (just cool) and they wear kind of odd, but chic, uniforms.

I really enjoy the traveling part of traveling (once I get out of security and customs) and find airports such an interesting liminal space of transition and energy. I think this is going to be the best business trip ever – not that I have every taken a business trip but I am starting off right! I have no idea what the internet will be like in India with our friends, but I hope to stay up to date with what I do and find. Who knows, maybe I can update on what I watched and ate on the plane?

We left in plenty of time to get from NJ to JFK in case we hit traffic, which we did.

That’s me in the reflection and all ready to go.

–Chris

Dining Room

For all you lovers of the dining nook…

We’re pretty much in love with this. Wish I could tell you where we found it, but unfortunately I have no idea.

And on a side note, happy trails to Chris, who flies off to India this morning! Can’t wait to hear the details of her adventures.

–McKay