Our Blog
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Meet our Makers: Blossom Inspirations
When I first learned about Blossom Inspirations, I have to admit, I was mostly interested in their incredibly fluffy alpaca fur toys. ITheir story, however, melted my cynical Southern Californian heart far more than even their fluffiest stuffed toy.
Today, I have the privilege of talking to Blossom Inspirations’ founder, Peruvian native Rosa Chang. We chat about her work helping to bring gorgeous artisanship from Peru out onto the global stage and improving native communities in the process.
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Meet Our Makers: Snoogs and Wilde
What’s In A Name?
When you start a business, the experts tell you to go for something that represents your product, and catches the attention of customers- and it helps to be unique! Sarah Martinez seems to have taken this last bit of advice especially to heart with her store Snoogs and Wilde. With a business name that stands out as much as hers, we had to make it the first thing we asked about when we got a chance to sit down and ask. The answer, like her art, was refreshing and adorable.
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Meet Our Maker: Distressed Design
It’s not often you hear about people moving from Miami to Michigan - usually one would think it would go the other way around. But Anthony Acosta, owner of Distressed Design, has made a habit of doing things seemingly the wrong way ‘round, and coming out the other side with unique and gorgeous designs. -
There’s a New Industrial Revolution Happening in America
There’s a new industrial revolution happening in America. This time, we’re not seeing the rise of factories and railroads, enormous steel mills churning out thick black smoke and high-rise buildings dominating the old skyline. There’s no massive movement of people from the farmlands to the industrial centers.
No, this revolution is happening inside our communities. Backyards. Craft rooms. Small commercial spaces. Barns.
It’s being run by our neighbors, coworkers, relatives, and friends.
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Intro to Industrial Decor
Okay, hang in there with me for a second. I know what you’re thinking. Industrial decor? NOW? Do you realize what year it is, Sabrina? Uhm, hi. The years 2012 through 2015 called and they’d like their design aesthetic back.
Except. EXCEPT! The influence of industrial decor can be seen today--right now!
The beauty of industrial decor lies in its radical concept: Revolution. Reinvention. Reimagination. The Industrial decor concept encourages us to see and appreciate the history of a space, finding beauty in its storied past.
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Boho How To
My personal challenges during our Boho Style Celebration is taking my love for all things Boho eclectic and applying it in the real world, including my home. Have I mentioned that my home is sort of a traditional/farmhouse aesthetic? Because it is. It is very NOT Boho.
My general advice when trying to incorporate a new design aesthetic into your home is to start small. Adding a piece here and there, or changing up a small space is an easy and cost-effective way to make a big impact over time.
Soooo...where do we start?
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Intro to Boho
Maybe it’s age. Maybe I’ve lived in the California desert too long. Maybe it’s just the general direction decor is trending, but confession (and this is a big confession) ...I think there might be more to life than the Farmhouse Style. *GASP*
Don’t get me wrong! There will always be a special place in my heart for all things rusty, chippy, and well-loved, but my design eye has started to wander just a teeny bit. With a new year in full swing, I’m longing for everything new--crisp white walls, rich woods, textured rugs, fiddle leaf figs, and all thing eclectic.
So, basically Boho. I’m in love with everything Boho.
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Meet Our Makers: Colonial Mills
Colonial Mills is owned and run by Donald Scarlata and his brother. When they purchased the company 20 years ago, it was a tiny, braided rug company with 5 employees. Today, they have over 85 employees and they think of every one of them as family. Nothing warms our hearts like a small, local business growing. Even Donald's daughter helps out with the business. -
Meet Our Makers: Alison Daniel and Southern Ticking Co.
When we first met Alison Daniel of Southern Ticking Co. (Simply Great Bedding), we knew we had a kindred spirit. She immediately offered fantastic advice on our products, business ideas, and website, and was incredibly generous with her time and energy. Every time we see her post about us on social media, we smile because we know it comes from the heart. You see, Alison’s journey to become a maker taught her that it's the human relationship- the communities- that bring real value to the products of small American manufacturers. And she is passionate about it. -
Meet Our Makers: An Interview with Revelation House
Personally, I can’t even manage three dogs while finding my wallet, so when we sat down to interview Brenna Erickson of Revelation house, I couldn’t help but be impressed. Not only was she in the middle of making hundreds of signs out of her home, she had four young boys enjoying summer vacation all while her husband worked 60 hours a week. To us, Brenna and people like her are the backbone of the American “makers” economy, those small artisans that are symbolic of a sort of renaissance of American manufacturing. We may not be making cars in Detroit, but we’re making signs in Michigan, and shelves in Texas, and shower curtains in North Carolina. -
What We Believe
It’s because we know that we offer what we do. Time is precious and spending it on refreshing a space, even if you enjoy it, is time spent away from other things. Precious things, like family, hobbies, responsibilities, and making progress towards what we value. Even if we can’t make your job more fulfilling or easier, we can help make one tiny corner of your life feel relaxing and inviting with the least amount of effort possible. -
Welcome!
We're still getting things up and running here, but I wanted to introduce myself. I'm Matt Hess, CEO of Hart & Hess. Alongside my sister Sabrina, we're trying to change, ever so slightly, the way busy people style their homes.
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