HOW TO BUILD A MEANINGFUL SPACE
THAT CAN FUEL YOUR LIFE
Spaces that have meaning create true ties to our souls. They energize us, give us rest, and offer us a place to truly come home. This year, we follow the thread of identity—from our collaborators to our brand's creative director—within each textile we bring to life.
We believe great design reminds us of who we are and inspires us to become our highest selves. Self-discovery and expression through design is where we start every project at S. Harris. We build ourselves from our past—where we’re from as well as who we’re from—and then carry that through to the present.
Kesha Franklin, principal designer at Halden Interiors and a favorite at S. Harris, is known for designing bespoke environments that inspire and support people to live to their truest potential.
“Whether it be for individuals, families or work- spaces, people are identifying more and more with the need to create environments that they are able to effectively and comfortably commune in,” Franklin said.
The good news? A meaningful space is just a few simple choices away. We’ve collected inspiration from S. Harris collections and from our favorite designers on how to bring soul, a collected look, and true customization to your upcoming projects.
YOUR INTERESTS, CURATED
From the S. Harris Elegant Universe Collection
Good design starts with story.
In our Elegant Universe collection, we created fabrics, trimmings, and wallcoverings inspired by female trailblazers. We took our inspiration from what captured these women’s imaginations, no matter what stood in their way.
The result was a celebration of the molecular relationships that surround us, translated as mineral palettes; an honoring of the reaction and collision of color with dusk-hued textiles inspired by the interests of those brave women.
Baret Flora was another one of our favorite projects that challenged us to call forth a person’s interests into a design. Inspired by 16th-century French voyager and botanist Jeanne Baret, we researched her fascinations and rendered what we learned into color, pattern, and texture.
We happened upon a 1940s French motif, screened by hand onto a chunky linen cloth, purchased from le grand salon at Chateau du Ludaix near Montluçon. We knew the vintage print would pay homage to what drove Baret as she unwittingly became the first woman to circumnavigate the globe, and carry visual and energetic gravity into any space.
Fabric is a rich place to turn when looking to weave one’s interests through an interior. Reupholster a family heirloom in a vintage-inspired print that is meaningful to you, or opt to use color and pattern to evoke what gives you energy and drive.
MORE THAN SOUVENIRS
We’re sure we’re not the only ones who pack extra bags when traveling. After all, who knows what we’ll find on our journey? Around every unexplored corner lies a potential treasure for our spaces back home.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to what to collect for your home while abroad—everything from seashells to doorknobs. Fabric is always a favorite find. It packs flat in your suitcase, and it can be added to a space in myriad ways: as upholstery, window coverings, or even framed as panels or art.
A late 19th-century French copper-roller print we discovered at the Limoges puces de Cathedral is one of our all-time favorite travel finds. The fabric inspired Amber Rose, a classic, oh-so-French rose motif in gold, coral, and pink on 100-percent linen. But we couldn’t stop there. We reissued the pattern last year as Amber Rose Glaze in the delicate palette Green Tea.
The best part? Now this vintage print, plucked from a world away and more than a century ago, is available for use in a variety of modern-day interiors.
HISTORY, HERE AND NOW
When curating layers of a space, adding heirlooms—especially sentimental pieces—can add meaning and sophistication like nothing else can. The conversation between old and new can be surprising and playful, or classic and polished.
Jewel Marlow, principal of Jeweled Interiors and friend of S. Harris, believes a room should look curated, not purchased.
“I believe that design should be a fun and soulful representation of our lives,” Marlow said. “Homes can be exciting, energetic, and glamorous, but they can also possess a sense of whimsy and reflect the history and values of those who live there.”
Don’t be afraid to add a new frame to a storied piece of art, or a new coat of paint to a piece you rescued from your great-grandmother’s formal dining room. It’s OK to add your voice to the history of heirloom pieces—plus, it offers an opportunity to create harmony between vintage and modern pieces in the context of one space.
There’s no reason to stop at art, photographs, and furniture. Vintage pieces can include concert tickets, postcards, clothing, and fabric. The key is creativity. Sophisticated frames can create a professional look, while ladders and textile hangers can feel more modern and playful, even inviting of touch.
What are your favorite ways to bring meaning to your spaces? We’d love to hear from you—tag us on social to join the conversation. #sharris
Header image: Halden Interiors
