Henry Road A Journey in Color
Issue 5 Spring 2014
Visit our new site at www.henryroad.com
Welcome
It’s been a while since I did one of these. Way too long in fact. My only excuse is that it’s been a busy year. I moved my studio and store into a single space on Ventura Boulevard which has proven to be one of the best decisions I have made since I started the business. More recently we launched a new website with the same mix of Henry Road textiles and home and gift stuff that I love. Visit us often as we will be adding new things every month. I am spending way more time in the shop now so I moved my home too. Pictures of my happy smaller place are included in this issue. Unsurprisingly you will see a blend of styles and color working together. My new place is in a great neighborhood ten minutes from the shop and in walking distance to coffee shops and restaurants as well as a great vintage car show every Friday night hence the feature on gorgeous golden oldie cars. I added a couple of new designs last year and another new one this month in loads of yummy new colors. In addition we changed the way we produce our fabric. I opted for a beautifully textured hemp/organic cotton blend for the ground with water-based paints screen printed by hand in Los Angeles. I love heading to the workshop with its long print tables and piles of screens to pick up newly minted bolts. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into my colorful world at Henry Road. If you are interested in our daily goings on or the images that inspire and excite me daily, please follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.
Best, Paula
Paula Smail ︱ Shopkeeper, Designer, Daydreamer ︱ Henry Road
In the Studio
New Collection
When I start to think about new additions to our line, I tend to be thinking about what colors to add, and what shapes that I love would add an interesting dynamic. I am inspired all the time by images and colors around me and am always drawing and doodling. I have piles of sketch books so there is definitely no shortage of ideas. I see so much that excites me and makes me happy so the hardest thing is editing down and focusing on what I love most. This year was all about new colors. Yes, there is a new design called Urchin, but more than anything I wanted to use colors that we didn’t already have in the mix. So we have a delicious berry, olive green, lake blue, sapphire and a citrus orange on a hemp/organic cotton blend. In addition, I played around with layers and overprinted on one of our cottons. The new fabric is hand screen printed here in Los Angeles on thirty yard long tables. The end result is fabulous color and texture that looks delicious on furniture, lampshades, and pillows. The colors and blends are so yummy, I called this collection Gelato.
Post Card from
Travel Postcard
Buenos Aires has been on my bucket list for the longest time. One day I hope to get there. I dream of watching a couple tango across a smoky room, of shopping in fabulous flea markets and experience the joy of exploring a city for the first time. Until that becomes a reality, I will live vicariously through the eyes of others. In this case, through the lens of my sister’s camera that captured some of the history and color of the city. Enjoy!
In the Store
Our Favorites
Nesti Soap $8
Snow Globe $48
Zip Bag $20
GIFTS
Spring Toy $7
Oxford Tote $40
Necklace $65
Zip Bag $14.50
Necklace $125
Candle $38
Spittoon $80
Pillow $75
Fabric Sack $35
Ceramic Parrot $60
Vase $34
Runner $180
Pillow $105
Ceramic Jar $60
HOME
Lampshade $150
Phone $60
S&P Shaker $20
Trophy $180
Gravy Boat $35
Deco Vase $32
Kitty Bank $45
R.W. Pot $80
Pillow $75
Lampshade $150
Hat Box $120
Pillow $55
Salad Server $36
Decorating
Paula at Home
My home is my haven. It is filled with objects, books and art that I love. Many of them have a story to tell about where they came from, who bought them or what I was doing at the time. They are my personal journal, my travelogue and a happy welcoming committee every evening. I opted for a smaller place as now that my studio is in our store, I spend a lot of time there so I wanted my home to be relaxed and easy to maintain. Space dictated that I do a lot of editing which was daunting at first. Surprisingly I have everything that I love in my life in this small apartment and don’t miss anything that I gave away. Among my treasures, I have the Andy Warhol poster I found in Florence, the Marmite collection my sister gave me, a mid-century lamp I picked up in a flea market in New York, a shade made from a Mexican blanket I bought while on vacation, and my grandmother’s needlepoint. As far as design goes, I prefer spaces that tell a story. A room needs to work and be interesting. That means that books and objects need to be thoughtfully grouped and displayed. I am continually moving things around as new additions come in or I find a better spot for something. More often than not I tend to paint my walls as I love the saturated color and hue that is cast across a room. In this case, I left the walls as is and covered them in art. I find overhead lighting harsh and unfriendly and rarely use it so occasional lighting is a must have in any space. Interesting lamps and shades feature in the mix to add depth and mood in the evening when I am curled up on my sofa with the dog and a good book. These photos were taken by Laure Joliet. Some of them appeared in the LA Times in a feature on my home last year which was so exciting.
In the Neighborhood
Car Culture
Cars are so much a part of Los Angeles. They are the cause of epic traffic jams, an essential tool for navigating our sprawling city, and the ultimate status symbol. It’s easy to see why cars feature in the work of so many movie makers, writers and singers. Nothing says cool like a gorgeous old car in pristine condition with a gold, black or blue license plate issued in the 50s, 60s or 70s. One of my favorite Friday evening activities is taking a stroll from my home to the Classic Car Show Night at Big Bobs in Burbank. I love meandering through the parking lot of perfectly polished gems on wheels. Luscious color. Shiny accents. Beautiful lines. A celebration of history and craftsmanship by proud owners. Needless to say car wash businesses abound. There are a few fabulous retro places in our neighborhood with wonderful signs. I recently spotted one of them in the movie American Hustle. P.S. If you stop by Big Bobs one Friday night, don’t leave without having one of their fabulous burgers!
Sitting Pretty
Custom Henry Road window seat cushion and pillows at home in Sherman Oaks.
Henry Road
shop@henryroad.com www.henryroad.com