To conclude our love letter to linens, we thought it would be fun to chat with one of our favorite local #girlbosses, Kate Hougen of Mira Jean Designs. When Kate stopped by the LFID office last year we absolutely loved her vivacious personality and the fun, colorful textiles and wallpaper that she designs. We enjoyed her Pup Collection so much that we wallpapered our office bathroom in it! It seemed only natural to feature her in this series, so keep reading to find out more about Mira Jean Designs and Kate's linen love!
What made you decide to design textiles as opposed to all of the other directions you could have taken your art?
Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of designing textiles. When I was in elementary school, we lived overseas in Africa. I would walk through the markets in Bamako, Mali with my Mom, and was absolutely mesmerized by all the colors and textures in the fabrics. They were everywhere -- in women's fashion, table linens, and more. It was here that I first fell in love with colorful textiles.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Everywhere! You don't have to go far to be inspired. I draw inspiration from the ocean, travel, nature, the changing colors of the seasons, architecture in downtown DC, and everyday walks with my Bernese Mountain Dog, Piper, on the trail near my home in Arlington, Virginia. (Piper actually inspired the Pup collection! ). Children's artwork is another great source of inspiration. Kids tend to paint with bright, bold colors. I love thinking about how a child's illustration can be repeated on a yard of fabric or wallpaper roll.
Which of your textile designs is your favorite?
Oh, that is a tough one! But, I think it has to be my Tunisia Leaves design. It's such a versatile design and works well in a number of colorways. It started out in a Tunisian-inspired white and blue colorway. I have also custom colored it in Orange, Jade, Pink, Yellow and more. It's such a playful design - fresh, fun ... and perfect for coastal homes!
What is your favorite way to use linens to add personality to a space?
Drapery panels! I love how linen falls on a drapery r