John's Journal

Fitted, Flat, Pillow Cases. Professional organizers @ofspaceandmind give us their tips on how to fold a sheet set (including tricky fitted sheets) for both narrow and deep shelves using our Vamika Periwinkle and Cinde Indigo sheets. The key to a great fold is to consider where you’re storing a piece, then fold it to fit your space. Pro tip! Stack fitted sheet on bottom, then flat sheet. Place pillowcases inside flat sheet (so you’re never searching for the matching pillowcases). How to Fold for a NARROW Shelf How to Fold a Fitted Sheet Lay fitted sheet on a flat surface. Put hands in corners on the long side. Match up corners. Flatten and smooth. Bring sides in to fold in thirds. Fold top to bottom in half, then in half again. How to Fold a Flat Sheet Lay sheet out on a flat surface and fold in half, then fold in half again to create a square. Match sides to fold in half, then in thirds. Fold top to bottom in half, then in thirds. How to Fold a Pillowcase Lay pillowcase on a flat surface. Fold in half, matching up corners on the short side. Fold in half again, then bring sides to fold in thirds. **Flatten and smooth between steps for a clean fold! John Robshaw Cinde Indigo Sheets above How to Fold for a DEEP Shelf How to Fold a Fitted Sheet Lay fitted sheet on a flat surface. Put hands in corners on the short side. Match up corners. Flatten and smooth. Fold elastic side in slightly to create a straight edge. Bring sides in to fold in half, then half again. Fold top to bottom, then in thirds. How to Fold a Flat Sheet Lay sheet out on a flat surface. Match up corners on the short side. Fold in half lengthwise, then in half again. Bring top to bottom in to fold in half, then in thirds. How to Fold a Pillowcase Lay pillowcase on a flat surface. Fold in half, matching up corners on the short side. Fold in half again, then bring sides to fold in thirds. **Flatten and smooth between steps for a clean fold! John Robshaw Vamika Periwinkle Sheets above

Blue. Print. John and his wife Rachel created three prints using exotic palms then had them made into cyanotypes in India on hand made paper. Read about the history and process of making these cyanotypes below. Cyanotype is a 170 year old photographic printing process that creates prints in an extraordinary blue. ‘Cyan’ comes from the Greek, meaning ‘dark blue’. The process was invented by Sir John Herschel, a scientist and astronomer, in 1842. Step 1. Mix Ammonium Ferric Citrate (25gm) and Potassium Ferrocyanide (15gm) in 100ml water each. Mix both the solutions very well. Step 2. Apply the coating evenly on the paper using a brush. Step 3. After coating, place the paper in a dark room for drying. Step 4. After drying, place the coated paper beneath the negative image of the design and sandwich them in a glass frame. Step 5. Place the glass frame in sunlight for exposing for about 18 - 20 minutes. After exposing, remove the paper from the frame and prepare for the wash. Step 6. Wash in water for 5-7 minutes, then wash in Hydrogen Peroxide solution for about 1 minute. Step 7. Final wash in water! Step 8. Step 11: Dry the paper in the shade. Shop Cyanotypes

1. At the Foot of the Bed Fold in half and drape over the end of the bed, either horizontally or diagonally. It creates a nice focal point and gives any bed a styled look. You can also fold a throw on a chair at the end of a bed for the same feel. Photo by Rachel Robshaw. Photo by Rachel Robshaw. 2. Cover up a Chair Give any piece of furniture a new look. Photo by Rachel Robshaw. 3. On the Sofa Perfect to add a dash of color or just to create easy access to a warm blanket when enjoying time on the couch. Photo by Rachel Robshaw. Photo by Rachel Robshaw. 4. Outside for Guests Having a stack of throws for guests when hosting an outdoor dinner party is a sign of a very thoughtful host. Photo by Annie Schlecter for Better Homes & Gardens. Shop Throws

Step 1 Chop euro down the middle. Step 2 Fold euro in half. Step 3 Slide folded euro inside cover so that left side of pillow fits. Step 4 Adjust to fill pillow end to end. Step 5 Make sure euro corners fill pillow cover corners. Step 6 One last chop to fluff it up! Step 7 Your euro awaits!

Four tips on how to mix and match like a pro. 1. Choose one COLOR and mix up patterns, texture, scale and shapes. 2. Choose one PATTERN and experiment with different colors, sizes or shapes.   3. Choose one SHAPE or SIZE pillow and play with different colors and patterns.   4. Choose a TEXTURE (for instance, embroidered, block print, or wovens) and mix up colors, patterns, and sizes. Explore Pillows from Bundles

Why is it conversation in a nook is so engaging? A nook is defined as a right angle or a small secluded corner. We love seeing them in any room and are big believers in creating a perfect cozy spot to start the conversation. Here are our three favorite tips to create your nook. This nook uses our Vintage Stripe Coral and Mathura Lapis fabric. Photo: @nturnerdesign   This dining nook has a great mix of our block printed pillows. Photo: @southernlivingmag Our pillows give this nook a pop of color. Photo: @her.styling 1) Width and height are key.   Make sure your measurements take into account the cushion height underneath you (so they aren't too high) and the pillows behind you (so your seat isn't too narrow). Our pillows help make this nook the perfect napping spot. Photo: @isacattostudio Our hand painted pillows give a special character to this space. Photo: @collins__interiors 2) Think about color. We love a nook with a point of view. There are some color winners here that floored it here with one color, but you could also go with all primary or pastels.   This unique nook has custom cushions made from John Robshaw fabric. Photo: @torusinteriors   This nook utilized a number of our pillows. Photo: @saintmalobeachheaven 3) Decide how many pillows you want (and then double that number). More is always better when it comes to comfort. Euros and bolsters are the heros when it comes to the nook.   This nook features our best selling Verdin Euro. Photo: @palmerweiss @patrickclinephotography   Custom nook for John's Connecticut home, made entirely with John Robshaw fabric and pillows.

Prints Charming It may seem confusing to put together prints in your apartment/ home airstream, but I say take it easy and have fun with it.  The brilliance of textiles verses furniture is you can always un-stuff those pillows and fold them up and pull them out later.  That’s hard to do with a sofa. Play with Scale Coming out of art school I learned that scale could really make or break a work of art, and I am constantly looking at scale with prints.  Mixing scales, from quilt to duvet to pillows creates some exciting dialogue between the elements.  I suggest trying some super massive prints with some small ditsy prints and see how you feel about the combinations. I purposely mix scales across our line to create more interesting combinations.   There is no set rule on this, as far as I am concerned. Color Block One easy way to make a room or bed work is to color block in a loose manner. The indigos can all be different shades, and you can even mix in some vintage indigoes to spice it up. On the flip side, be daring- mix indigo with coral to see how they dance with each other.   Sometimes it will feel right or wrong and it’s up to your eye to decide. Be Bold I am not very good at keeping it simple; I love the way patterns dance around a room and converse with each other.  To me, more prints is more.  I think a grey world is for the birds! Make it Seasonal I have a good friend with an impeccable eye and she is always changing out her wardrobe and her home with the seasons, which is an interesting way to look at it. Your moods shift as the sun shifts and colors look different in the fall or winter than they do in the spring.  You can adjust your bedding, your throws, or even your pillows on your sofa to reflect the season’s colors as you start to notice in the trees or the skies changing hues.

Step 1: Solid Foundation Start with a fitted sheet. Make sure to tuck it tightly to avoid any creases or wrinkles A crisp flat sheet comes next - lay it down so it's evenly draped on all sides and tuck it under the mattress. Fold the extra material at the bottom on a diagonal toward each side of the bed. Leave a few inches untucked at the top to fold back over your quilt & duvet. Step 2: Lovely Layers Next comes your quilt, include this layer for extra warmth and pizazz.  Lay it down and fold your flat sheet back along with the top of the quilt, about a quarter of the way down the bed. Then layer your duvet on top of your quilt, folding this back too.  The complementing patterns and colors will give your bed extra character,  not to mention more warmth and coziness from the double layer. Step 3: Pillow Power King Euros make the perfect pair to your headboard, due to their larger-than-life size.  Start with one or two of those.  Next throw in a euro or two to diversify the pillow shape and size.  don’t be  afraid to get creative with mixing & matching colors and patterns.  Be bold!  To complete the look and match back to your duvet, top off with shams.  This is meant to be an example as there are endless ways to arrange your decorative pillows - it all comes down to personal preference! Step 4: Throw it All Together The final step is to add on your throw.  Not just for decorative purposes, you'll want to grab this extra layer for those chilly winter nights, or when the AC is pumped up in the summer!  Drape the throw over the edge at the foot of the bed for some added curb appeal.