There is nothing quite like ordering the perfect custom light fixture for a kitchen, the most distinct and unique rug, or a tiling pattern unlike anything else. Whether it’s your vision that pushes you to go custom, or the desires of a client, custom-ordering goods comes with its own special satisfaction. However, as enjoyable as custom-ordering may be, where does the trade-off between customization and sensibility reach a tipping point? Here’s an easy-to-follow guide for the next time you’re making  the decision between custom or pre-made.

Written by Shai Wallach

Budget and Goals

The number one restriction for any custom-order is obviously the budget you are given to work with. By being realistic and upfront with your clientele regarding their limits, you can save the pain of letting them down on their fantasy of custom drapery later on. As much as a client may push for a custom order, the trade-off between budget and customization must be evaluated. That being said, there can always be the case where ordering custom is the best decision. This is when the client is prepared to sacrifice their budget in some areas in order to afford specialization, so be sure to go through priorities and goals with your clients beforehand to accommodate.

Existing Products

Rather than spending the time and effort trying to find something similar to your inspiration photo, try going with the photo itself! If a specific product or something similar already exists in the market and is easily accessible for you to order, you might as well save your client the money (and yourself the timely logistics  of ordering custom) and go with the pre-made version.

Feather’s Fine Home Furnishings, Photographed by Gina Zee Photography

Timing

One of the factors that must be addressed in the event of a custom order is timing. Since it is a given that a custom order will probably take longer than ordering a similar but pre-made good, you should evaluate the timing of your project. If the order time for custom isn’t feasible for the project, you may be better off going a different route and saving yourself the scramble of getting the project completed on time.  

Want Unique? Go Vintage!

If your client is insistent on exclusive and unique furnishings while straying as far away from Pottery Barn as possible, try going vintage! You will still be able to provide the rare and particular feel your client wants, but for a far better price. Plus, you’ll score your client major points for owning something with rich character and a possible backstory. Some of our favorite online destinations for sourcing one-of-a-kind items are Chairish, Viyet, 1stdibs, Everything But The House and One Kings Lane.

When you think of beautiful, durable rugs, you think of heritage brand Merida, manufacturing from the historic textile center of Fall River, MA for 30 years. Merida is reimagining traditional weaving methods at the source, using inventive techniques and efficient technologies, providing exceptional service and value to interior designers along the way.

As Merida continues to expand on their portfolio producing products with outstanding craftsmanship and material integrity, they hope to grow awareness around the importance of purchasing products of quality that honor the real makers and materials. In doing so, as supporters of American Made products, we can continue to make a positive impact in communities where we do business.

Why did Merida make the decision to manufacture in Fall River, Massachusetts? 

We knew it would be challenging to manufacture in the US, but we believed the market was ready for beautiful, high-quality products made by expert craftspeople. Fall River had the people and skills to deliver on that. Today, our 40,000 square-foot workshop hums to the rhythms of heritage and modern looms at work.

Additionally, we have studios in LA and Boston, an office in New York, and team members available from coast to coast. We need to be able to collaborate with clients in person, so we can’t just operate in one state.

Merida Studio

Merida continues to source and test new materials, techniques and construction to create beautiful, durable and timeless collections. What materials and techniques is Merida currently using?

We’re constantly exploring new fibers and different textures of yarn, natural plant fibers, weaving techniques and design constructions. As a design manufacturing company that believes in utilizing the best parts of hand and machine, we are constantly finding ways to innovate the opportunities of the loom with the intimacy of hand weaving, seaming, and finishing. As we build our yarn library, there’s a lot of tactility to be explored. Right now, we may explore bringing the more textural mohair yarn further in future collections.

Merida Studio

How do you typically work with interior designers?

At Merida, we look forward to collaborating with designers from the very beginning of their projects all the way through installation. Because all of our rugs are made to order, we encourage designers to come to us at the very start of their project so we can guide them to finding the essential elements that will enhance their design presentations to clients. We invite interior designers to visit us at our studios, located in LA, NY, or Boston or to connect with our Merida team all over the country to tap our textile expertise and help us bring your vision to life.

Janet Mesic Mackie

Can you offer interior designers 3 tips of best practices for choosing the right rug for a client’s space?

1. Focus On Durability For Areas With Heavy Foot Traffic – When it comes to stairs, highly trafficked residential and commercial areas, or family rooms, we know what rugs will not only endure but look even better with time.

2. Consider Style & Maintenance For Rooms Where Family And Friends Congregate – When it comes to areas that you spend the most time entertaining in—living rooms, family rooms and dens—rugs that are comfy yet easier to clean are the best bet.  

3. Focus On Luxury In The Bedroom – Bedrooms require a softer touch, and our tufted rugs for example hybridize a cushy feel with a look of luxury. There are a lot of style options with wool tufted rugs, and they are a bit more welcoming to the feet than other natural fiber options.

Shawn Litchfield

How do Merida’s trade customization tools, look books and textile expertise enhance interior designers’ design practice?

Combined with Merida’s knowledgeable employees and craftsmen, the value we can add to a project is measured not only in quality but in the time we save our clients. From handling measurements, interpreting drawings, creating a product layout that will utilize the least amount of material, and working with your design firm to sync the installation with your project schedule, we take care of all the details. When sourcing materials, we choose only the most durable fibers and we test all our products for wear, both for traffic and for stairs. We will never recommend a product that won’t last for years. In fact, our products are designed to get better with time.

Janet Mesic Mackie

Merida Studio

For many years, the high-end furniture industry has been at a shocking standstill due to the glacial pace of production lead times with heavy prices. Because of that, consumers have settled for low quality pieces that they buy in parts, regretfully needing to put together on their own, only to then get rid of at a later date because this piece doesn’t fit into any other space. Nowadays, it’s the responsibility of the interior designer to think ahead for their clients and source furniture that they know will last for more than one home.

Enter Burrow, a brand building clever, comfortable furniture suitable for the modern nomadic lifestyle using safe and environmentally-friendly components that are suited for a lifetime of living rooms. Burrow’s innovative, modular design maintains the premium craftsmanship and quality of high-end sofas with cost-efficient shipping and 10-minute tool-free assembly. Burrow Co-Founder Stephen Kuhl shares what interior designers should consider when choosing a sofa, his take on the modern function of the sofa, and what’s next for Burrow.

What’s Burrow all about in 140 characters or less?

Burrow is an eCommerce brand that offers luxury couches and a superior couch-buying experience for half the cost of comparable high-end retailers.

Burrow

Burrow moved their HQ from Philadelphia to NYC – what’s the design scene like in NYC? 

While Burrow was conceptualized in Philly while our founders were earning their MBAs from The Wharton School, we’re actually now based in the Flatiron neighborhood of NYC where the design scene is as vibrant, inventive, and energetic as it’s ever been. And, the hallways and stairwells are still as narrow and daunting as they’ve ever been, which is why Burrow’s innovative, collapsible design makes it the perfect fit for the New York market and other thriving metropolitan cities.

“Thorough research and analysis made it clear that high-end sofas were expensive primarily because of one reason: logistics.”

Based on your knowledge of the industry, why are interior designers and consumers more comfortable buying sofas and other home goods online?

The high-end furniture industry has been remarkably stagnant for decades and consumers have been reluctantly compliant with its stagnancy because there has never been a great alternative. It’s largely been either (1) deal with the marathon-like lead times and wallet-emptying prices of the high-end market, or (2) settle for a pile of particle board from a low-end flat pack provider that requires three hours and a trip to the ICU to assemble. So, people stroll up and down the aisles of these high-end furniture retailers eventually succumbing and footing the bill for the exorbitant overhead and shipping costs that they incur.

Burrow

However – like with clothes, and then eyeglasses, and then mattresses – newcomers are challenging conventions in antiquated industries historically dominated by a few big players. By democratizing the purchase process in parallel with the supply chain, Burrow – like Bonobos, Warby Parker, and Casper before us – is lifting the curtain on a whole new experience catering to the modern consumer. Today’s consumer, influenced by the fulfillment speed of Amazon and the on-demand satisfaction of Uber, doesn’t want to wait, doesn’t want to pay for inefficiency, has less and less apprehension about buying bigger, more valuable products online and, frankly, doesn’t want a crappy product. That’s why we designed the Burrow sofa.

@terrimchugh

In order to meet the demands of the modern consumer, we had to do a deep engineering dive. Thorough research and analysis made it clear that high-end sofas were expensive primarily because of one reason: logistics. Shipping a bulky piece of furniture between suppliers, manufacturers, warehouses, retailers, and customers tacked on several hundred dollars during each step. On the other end of the spectrum, Ikea minimized the shipping weight and dimensions in order to cut these costs, but ultimately lost out on material quality and customer assembly experience. Burrow’s innovative, modular design maintains the premium quality and craftsmanship of high-end sofas while compartmentalizing the design just enough to use cost-efficient standard shipping and still retain an unbelievably quick and painless 10-minute tool-free assembly experience.

“People are now sitting, eating, studying, working, Netflix binging, and sleeping on their sofas. People need a sofa that can stand up to that kind of use, while still being both stylish and comfortable. At Burrow, our mission is to give them just that.”

 

Which materials and components does Burrow use and why?

Providing premium quality and craftsmanship while minimizing our environmental impact has always been at the forefront of our mission as a company. That’s why we use sustainably-sourced hardwoods, chemical-free naturally stain-resistant fabrics, and stainless steel, among other high quality materials. Furthermore, our packaging is made from recycled materials.

Burrow

How did you select your color palette? 

Months and months of research into our target demographic yielded our current color palette. While we knew our three core colors – Crushed Gravel (light gray), Charcoal (dark gray) and Beige – would satisfy the light, neutral tastes of the majority of our customers and be the foundation for individual stylizing with accent pillows and throws, we wanted to also serve our more inventive and edgy customer segments. That’s why we rolled out our Navy Blue and Brick Red colorways when we launched on April 4^th.

Burrow

Which styles and colors are your best sellers?

Our low-arm Crushed Gravel 3-seater is far and away our most popular offering, followed by the high-arm version of the same size and color, and then the low and high-arm versions of the Charcoal 3-seater. One of the greatest features of the Burrow sofa is the modularity. If our customers buy a three seater today, they can always order an additional module down the road and upsize to a four-seater without having to buy a whole new sofa. And, if they need to clear some floor space for a family gathering or other event, they can remove one or two of the modules to make a two- or one-seater. The removed modules can be easily folded up and stored away from the crowd.

Burrow

In your opinion, how has the function of the sofa evolved over the years?

Sofas have historically been living room showpieces and were seldom used. Today, people are becoming increasingly efficient with their living arrangements and lifestyles, meaning that the living room, dining room, kitchen, study, and bedroom are merging. People are now sitting, eating, studying, working, Netflix binging, and sleeping on their sofas. People need a sofa that can stand up to that kind of use, while still being both stylish and comfortable. At Burrow, our mission is to give them just that.

Burrow

How does Burrow typically work with interior designers?

In the past, we admittedly haven’t done much besides show off our products and help interior designers complete their beautiful designs faster and more affordably. However, after realizing how their talent could add so much to our brand and help our customers even more, we’re beginning to roll out a suite of collaborative partnerships that are win-win-wins for Burrow, interior designers and, most importantly, our customers. Interior designers are encouraged to get in touch with our Partnerships Manager, Alex, at alex@burrow.com to learn about how they can get involved and become part of the Burrow family.

“Interior designers should consider, now more than ever before, things like transportability, flexibility, and affordability. Burrow sofas allows designers to give their clients a premium, stylish product that can move and grow with them without sacrificing a sliver of comfort, quality, or durability.”

What are some key factors an interior designer should consider when searching for a sofa?

The nomadic consumer is becoming more and more prominent in the marketplace today. People are just not settling down like they have in the past. They want to experience new lifestyles, new cities, new cultures. They need products and design elements that allow them to do just that – not ones that hold them back. Interior designers should consider, now more than ever before, things like transportability, flexibility, and affordability. Burrow sofas allows designers to give their clients a premium, stylish product that can move and grow with them without sacrificing a sliver of comfort, quality, or durability. Also, people are using their sofas for just about every activity of their lives – eating, working, sleeping – and need a product that can withstand that level of multi-use. Burrow’s focus on craftsmanship and our integration of naturally stain-resistant fabrics make our sofas the ideal choice.

Burrow

What’s next for Burrow?

Our ultimate vision has been to provide our customers with their entire living rooms, shipped directly to them in less than a week and set up in less than an hour, while stretching the boundaries at the peak of convenience, quality, style, and comfort. By continuing to pursue an aggressive product roadmap, that vision isn’t too far away, and we are so excited to bring it to fruition.

The sun is up, the sky is blue, and summer is well on its way! As a creative-spirit who focuses very much on the little things, no family BBQ or friendly gathering would be complete without a beautiful table setting. From red, white & blue accents that don’t make you cringe to woven placemats and table runners, there are many creative ways to design your summer tablescapes. Here’s a list of interior designer-approved table settings to easily impress your summer guests.

Mix and Match

Photo via One Kings Lane

Photo by Miguel Flores-Vianna via domino

Patriotic (that’s not cheesy)

Photo by Jessica Alexander, Design and Styling by Margo & Me via My Domaine

Photo via Celebrating Everyday Life

Minimal

Photo by Alanna Hale via HouseBeautiful

Photo via Rip & Tan

Tropical Paradise

Photo by Alberto Bartolomei via HouseBeautiful

Photo by Max Wagner, Florals by Moon Canyon

Woven Placemats and Accents

Photo by Kate Robinson via House of Harper

Mary Costa Photography via Crate and Barrel

Seasonal Produce

Photo via Rip and Tan

Photo by Brittany Wood via Rip and Tan

OD on Florals

Photo by Mary Costa Photography, Designed by Leah Bergman of Freutcake and Anthropologie, Florals by Emblem Flowers

Photo by Nicole Lamotte via HouseBeautiful

By the Sea

Photo via Rip and Tan

Photographed by Genevieve Garruppo via Architectural Digest, Designed by Sasha Bikoff

Elah Barshi, illustrator and designer of elahbee, is a free-spirited artist from the Dominican Republic currently building her print-based brand in sunny Tel Aviv. Having grown up on the beautiful beaches of the DR waking up to island sunshine each day is clear in her artistry, using bright tropical colors with botanical vibes.

After studying design at OCAD University in Toronto and working in various sectors of the art, fashion and graphic design world, she now finds herself on the shores of the Mediterranean creating watercolor illustrations, silk-screen prints and intuitive sketches. Here, Elah shares her tropical sources of inspiration, the design scene in Tel Aviv, and tips of best practices for how to choose the right artwork for a space.

Elah – how did you get where you are today?

I’ve had an artistic inclination for as long as I can remember.  Thanks to my parents, I had the support and encouragement to pursue this creative appetite from a very young age, and partook in after school art classes starting in elementary school and, including summer classes at Parsons in Paris.

After completing high school in the Dominican Republic where I grew up, I moved to Toronto to study advertising design at OCAD University. During my last year of University, I began working at a contemporary art gallery which opened my eyes for the first time to this field. I instantly became enthralled by this world, and after graduation, I moved to Tel Aviv where I became involved with the local art scene.

After spending three years as the assistant to the Business Director and the Curatorial Director at one of Israel’s most prominent contemporary art collection, I decided to pursue my own artistic career in design.

About a year ago, I embarked on a travel expedition to Hong Kong, Vietnam, Dominican Republic and New York, collecting ideas and inspirations that led to the realization of elahbee – a brand based on my illustrations and deeply rooted in the essence of the Dominican Republic.

Photographed by Bianca Garimani in Natura Cabana Boutique Hotel & Spa, Dominican Republic

How do you use the Dominican Republic as a source of inspiration?

The Dominican Republic has always been my greatest source of inspiration and I feel very fortunate to have grown up in a tropical paradise. Even when completing my Undergraduate thesis in advertising, I created a (hypothetical) campaign for the Dominican Republic tourism board focusing on the smiles, the music, and the Caribbean rhythm that makes the island unique. I continue drawing on these qualities for inspiration in my designs today. Having had a childhood surrounded by nature, the ocean, the warmth of the year round sunshine and the island’s people is evident in the sense of freedom in the line and form in my work, the bright tropical colors, and the underlying botanical theme that defines my first collection.

What’s the design scene like in Tel Aviv?

I love the design scene in Tel Aviv. It is constantly stimulating, innovative, inspiring, and always seems to be in development. It feels like there is a constant “push” forward and breaking of boundaries to stay relevant and cutting edge in the design industry. The city is saturated with talent, and there are many fairs, events, sales and even start-ups that cultivate this energy and encourage the pursuit of creative careers.

The juxtaposition between what I’ve learned and am continuously learning from my colleagues in Israel and my roots in the Dominican Republic is what sets my work apart.

“Creating this complete sensory experience where one can be physically engaged is what inspires me the most.”

Photographed by Bianca Garimani in the Beeney Residence, Dominican Republic

You create artwork via watercolor illustrations, silk-screen printing, and intuitive sketches. Do you have a preference?

I am currently focusing on silk screening textiles for homewares such as pillows, utilizing a technique that allows for a “painterly feel” yet still has certain finesse.

My goal is to create pieces that are dynamic and feel alive, and by utilizing textile as a canvas, I am able to transform a two dimensional element that is fabric into a three dimension object such as pillow or a seat. Creating this complete sensory experience where one can be physically engaged is what inspires me the most.

What’s your creative process like, from idea to print? 

I often draw sketches before I work on a ‘final’ copy, but I feel that my best work happens when I go straight for the ‘final’ piece and allow my intuition to take over. Once I start, I never know how it will end. Although I am not always satisfied with the results, it is a very liberating process, and sometimes leads to the next project that might be “it”.

Photographed by Bianca Garimani in the Beeney Residence, Dominican Republic

Based on your knowledge of the industry, how has technology changed the way artists and designers do business?

I think technology has made art and design very accessible to the public, and in turn, allowed for designers to share and expose their work to the market quickly. Trends pick up at a faster rate, and professionals and editors are turning to channels such as Instagram to discover young talent.

Also, the smart phone has allowed for designers to capture a lot of their own photography. There are many tools and applications to facilitate the business aspect of design and even some of the creative, allowing for many things to be made in-house, thus minimizing costs.

In your opinion, how important is social media to the growth of your business?

Social media is essential for the growth of my business, especially because I am working in an industry that is visually stimulating. I think consumers want to know how an artwork will look in their home and they want to understand and relate to the designers and artists that are behind the creations. Ultimately, the consumer wants to feel the authenticity behind a product; the way it was made, and who it was made by.

Social media removes a barrier; it creates a sort of transparency and is another tool that allows me to share my story, personal brand, and engage directly with existing and potential customers.

Photographed by Bianca Garimani in the Beeney Residence, Dominican Republic

What are some of your best-selling pieces? 

The best-selling pieces have been the hand-printed pillows. The multi-colored pillows start off as an off white piece of natural fabric, are printed by hand, and are sewn with love and care to create a truly one of a kind piece.

How do you typically work with interior designers?

I have worked with interior designers to create custom pieces for living spaces. It is a really exciting process of collaboration. I love the exchange of ideas and seeing how my pieces fit and align within another person’s vision.

Photographed by Bianca Garimani in the Beeney Residence, Dominican Republic

What are 3 tips of “best practices” you can offer interior designers for choosing the right artwork for a space?

1. Choose an artwork that your client truly connects with and makes the spectator genuinely feel something. In addition to fitting within the space, I try to make sure that it fits the person (or persons) who will be living with it.

2. Consider how the artwork can act as a bridge between the outdoor and indoor space. I believe the artwork inside a space should have a dialogue with the world outside its built walls. For example, if I am choosing an artwork for a private beach residence in the Dominican Republic, I would chose an artwork that connects in color, form, or content to the natural elements such as plants and flowers that surround it.

3. Know how the medium of an artwork will react within the space over time and what is the best placement of the artwork from a preservation standpoint. I think this one is sometimes easy to overlook, but is extremely important for the conservation of an artwork. For example, when choosing the placement of a photograph, I would make sure that it is not in a place that receives hours of direct sunlight as this can cause fading over time.