Archive for category: Designer Spotlight

We’ve carried Sandy Chilewich’s floor mats and table mats since the day we opened in May 2008. Her products remain best-sellers for us because of great design, ease of care, and high-quality American manufacturing.

A fascination with and love of textiles infused Sandy’s first entrepreneurial venture, as well. She co-founded the hosiery company Hue in 1978, which is credited with transforming that industry using innovative design and packaging. After leaving the company in 1994, she continued her pursuit of unusual materials for several design concepts, including one of our favorites – the Ray  Tray. This design featured a metal frame over which fabric  was stretched to form a concave surface.

Sadly, this piece is no longer available. Grab one if you see it at a thrift store!

In her explorations of materials to use for the Ray Tray, she came across extruded yarns, which she found fascinating. Although this type of yarn did not work for her Ray Tray, it sparked her next venture using these textiles as placemats and floormats and the Chilewich company was born. Soon after, her architect husband, Joe Sultan, developed a commercial-grade backing for the floormats and the company continued to grow. In 2004, Joe sold his architecture practice and joined Chilewich as CEO, which became Chilewich | Sultan LLC.

While placemats and floormats make up the bulk of their offerings, the company continually develops new weaves, colors, and product lines each season. From personal accessories like bags and zips (sadly, no longer available) to small furniture like these Cubes, Chilewich is constantly innovating.

Made almost exclusively in the U.S., Chilewich now finishes 95% of their products in their own manufacturing facility in Georgia.

These shag doormats are great for indoor or outdoor use and come in a wide variety of colors.

Each season Chilewich develops new patterns, weaves, and colors for her woven mats. They are available in a variety of sizes, as well.

Chilewich tablemats are supremely practical, easy to clean and very durable. Like the floormats, the come in a wide range of weaves, colors and sizes. We can easily special order exactly what you’d like.

Here’s a quote from Sandy that resonates with us:

“(not following trends) certainly  makes us very distinctive – we don’t follow anybody and if it’s been done, I don’t want to do it. Originality is definitely my greatest mission.”

 

Our second Woman Designer Spotlight features Kat Nouri, founder of Modern-Twist and Stasher.

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They’re back! We have proudly carried Sandy Chilewich’s designs since we first opened in 2008. Her floormats and tablemats have been dependable shop favorites since day one. For the first few years we were open, Chilewich also made handbags and zippered pouches using their proprietary vinyl textile material. Customers and staff were thrilled with these sturdy, elegant bags which were built to last. Production of bags was halted several years ago, but we are thrilled to report tote bags and zips are once again available. See below for a preview of what’s in stock. Stop by to see for yourself – these bags are fantastic. Made in the USA.

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