Women Designer Spotlight – Sandy Chilewich
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.
One of Sandy’s early houseware designs – the Ray Tray
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.
Chilewich Cube – $295
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.
2×3′ Utility Mat – $79
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.
The Modern Placemat – $10
Mini Basketwave Placemat , Guava – $14.50
Wave Placemat, Black/White – $15
Plaid Placemat, Sorbet – $18
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.”
