Meet the Makers behind Kels Haley Textiles
MEET KELSEY LARKIN: the one-woman show behind Kels Haley Textiles.
Kelsey has been creating hand painted textiles from her Chicago studio for 7 years after having attended a textile program and receiving her BFA in Textile and Fashion design. Kels Haley Textiles was brought with the intention to create whimsical scenes with layered pattern and to bring beauty to the everyday. Without knowing it, Kelsey was following in the footsteps of her Grandmother, Polly, who was also a textile artist who hand painted her designs onto pillows and then would sell them at craft shows.
“I started out the same way and not realizing it, I was following in her footsteps. It has come full circle in a very special way. My newest collection, Polly, was directly inspired by her.”
DISCOVERING BEAUTY ALL AROUND US
Kelsey’s whole world opened up when she moved out of the town she grew up in. There were so many new places and corners to discover, sparking her love for travel. Like so many of us, Kelsey’s creative process starts with what inspires her: her surroundings. Constantly noticing and observing all that is around her, Kelsey finds beauty and inspiration in ordinary things that people might just walk by. She snaps photos to remember what has inspired her, then takes them back to her studio where she traces and sketches details of the image.
“Pattern is everywhere, which is what makes me love it even more…I recreate what others may just ‘walk by’ into patterns. For example, a stair railing or markings on the pavement. I hope my patterns bring joy to the ones enjoying them in their homes.”
We can definitely say that Kels Haley textiles bring us joy, with her gorgeous ‘Bouquet’ fabric draped in our showroom window, we watch as people stop to appreciate the stunning pattern.
WE ARE A HUGE BELIEVER OF CELEBRATING THE IMPERFECTIONS – some people view this is as a flaw from the maker, we want to educate them more and help them understand that this is part of the natural beauty – how do you help people overcome this thinking?
Textiles from a small business, I find are literal art transferred into a repeat pattern and printed on linen. These patterns were dreamed up by creative and ambitious artisans. They all started with a sketch. The hand and style of the artisan is present within the pattern and I think that is what makes them so special. The customer is receiving a new form of art to fill their home.
Who would your dream job be for (dead or alive) and how would you make your mark?
Elvis had a billiard room in his home that was covered in over 300 yards of fabric. All the upholstery, draped ceiling, pillows were all of the same fabric. I would LOVE to create that similar magic for Diane Keaton, Scarlet Johanson, or Amy Winehouse.
THE HAND OF THE MAKER
Kelsey invisions her business growing with more collections (YES PLEASE!) plus becoming more connected in the interior design world, creating her own spaces with her own textile designs for clients.There is something so exhilarating about seeing your hand in peoples homes and everyday life, and this is just the thing that lights Kelsey up – bringing joy to others through her patterns.
As the founder and designer of a small business, Kels takes pride in allowing the craftsmanship and uniqueness of her hand-painted textiles to be present within the designs. We continue to support small artisans like Kelsey where the hand is not lost, but every pattern is made with love in the hopes to spark joy in homes across the world.
“There are imperfections in the world everyday, and I find it to be my duty to find the beauty.”
Check out Kelsey’s collection here.