Hello my design-loving friends,

Some weeks are about outcomes.
Others are about process.

This one was firmly the latter.

Design Dispatch | Inside Raoul Textiles

​Raoul Textiles has long held a quiet authority in the design world. Founded in 1981 by Sally McQuillan, the company built its reputation on hand-drawn patterns and traditional printing methods that haven’t been diluted for speed or scale.

Today, her children, Madeleine and Gene, have taken the helm—continuing the work with discipline rather than reinvention.

We toured their facility—steps from the beach—and saw exactly how much intention goes into each textile:

• Every design begins by hand—drawn, refined, and resolved before production
• Screens are created for each layer of the pattern
• Custom color ways are developed and tested with precision
• Each fabric is printed by hand, using a method chosen specifically for that design

Seeing the process firsthand makes the reality clear: this is complex, time-intensive work.

They’ve deliberately held onto a traditional way of producing textiles in an era that rewards speed and disposability. Paint is mixed only in the quantities they estimate they’ll need, minimizing waste, and their pigments are eco-conscious.

They’re also expanding—carefully—into wallpapers and sheers, both of which are far more temperamental to produce well.

While their fabrics are direct-to-the-trade, their flagship store sits right on State Street in Santa Barbara, carrying their line alongside local artisans. Worth a visit if you’re there.

Understanding the process explains the cost. Without that context, most people get it wrong.

​​Here is a video​ that gives you a glimpse of my time there!

In the Mix | Spring Table, Done Right

This year’s table leans into color—but with structure.

Florals:
Pink roses, orange, yellow, and fuchsia ranunculus, wax flower, and fern. A balance of density and lightness.

Tabletop:
Green and yellow depression glass—exactly right for spring. It reflects light, layers color, and doesn’t compete with what’s on the table.

No excess. Just enough variation to keep it interesting.

Bonus: Natural Dye, No Shortcuts
​Tried natural egg dyeing this year—less predictable, better results.

• Red cabbage → blue
• Turmeric → yellow
• Yellow onion skins → orange
• Red onion skins → deeper, rust orange

It takes longer. The colors aren’t uniform. That’s the advantage.

If spring is on your mind like it is ours- here are two of our favorite spring blog posts! One on refreshing your porch for the warmer seasons ahead and another on hardscape options for an outdoor barbecue space.

Off the Clock | The One That Wasn’t (Until It Was)

We set out on a “treasure hunt”—searching for a vintage secretary with just enough character (and just enough restraint) to justify bringing it home.

We didn’t find the diamond in the rough we were hoping for.
But the process still delivered.

Instead, we landed on something unexpected—a beautifully unique piece from France (despite being advertised as Italian—verify provenance, always).

Not perfect. Not pristine. But solid where it mattered.

We gave it a light revamp—just enough to refine and restore—and it now neatly houses my husband’s fly-tying materials. What was once a scattered collection is now organized, contained, and actually usable.

That’s the point:
Good design isn’t about perfection. It’s about recognizing potential—and knowing when to stop.

Most people miss that line. They either walk away too early or overwork a piece until the character is gone.

​
Until next time,

🤍

Lisa

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This newsletter is meant to support and inspire you in the world of design and home—not as a business venture, but as a way to share insights, ideas, and resources I truly believe in. Occasionally, it may include affiliate links, which help support my work at no extra cost to you. I only share products and tools I genuinely believe will be useful to my readers.