Baby, It's Cold Outside
It's winter here in New England and it seems that we're all about "cozy" right now. And I do love winter. The snow is so pretty. The air is crisp and clear. The smell of wood burning stoves and fireplaces fill the air. Being forced inside makes life feel a little less hectic and more introspective. "Home" becomes that much more of a retreat to relax, plan and catch up. The things that make up a cozy home are on my mind, so I stopped in my digital tracks when I saw some of these beauties online. Check out these lovely, modern takes on a traditional craft from 3 designers:

I love how the quilting by Comma Workshop is achieved through hand written, script-styled stitching. The original poetry and stories depicted are all written by the quilt designer herself, Kerry Larkin. These would make great baby and wedding gifts, too—they will custom-quilt wedding vows!









I know these quilts are already getting more buzz than a 21 year-old on New Year's Eve, but I, too, think they are absolutely brilliant. It's all about the mix of something soft and organic with geometric imagery and texture. Soft-Maps are created by Haptic Lab, founded by Emily Fischer, a Brooklyn-based architect and designer. They are such a great idea and the execution is fantastic. The inspiration for the work is just as great: "Soft-Maps started in 2002 as an academic experiment in tactile wayfinding; the quilts were inspired by Emily’s mother Peggy who had begun losing her eyesight from complications of glaucoma".






P.S. You can even buy your own DIY kit!




When I first saw (and bookmarked) the work of Denyse Schmidt, I remember being struck by how unique it was in the context of a very traditional, folksy craft. I really love her reinterpretation of the quilt. It'll fit right in the modern home, but still exudes that handmade quality. And it's nice to learn that Denyse is a fellow Massachusetts native with a background in graphic design!













If you have a favorite example of modern reinterpretation of a traditional craft, do share it with us!



January 20, 2013 at 4:14 PM  
Blogger Chris said...
Great finds - love the city map-based ones!

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About Us


Christopher Scott and Jodi Vautrin are the husband and wife team behind Ourhaus, where they chronicle their adventures in home improvement, decorating and travel. After purchasing a unique loft space just a few miles north of Boston, they began photographing and writing about their projects and it blossomed into a creative outlet and platform.

When they’re not home improving, Jodi spends her days as a freelance creative director & designer with a focus on user interface and interactive design, and is an entrepreneur at heart. She serves on the board of AIGA Boston as Vice President of Emerging Ideas & Events.

In his professional life, Christopher is the Technology Director for a multi-service ad agency based in Harvard Square. In his private life, he enjoys tinkering in all its forms, whether it's rebuilding the Ourhaus home network (again), fooling himself into thinking he knows how to fix home appliances, or trying to unravel the mysteries of the guitar. He also flies planes, performs open heart surgery and sings at bar mitzvahs (though not all at the same time).

They share their “haus” with their adorable, highly food-motivated chocolate lab, Lucy.