Makers
In the sea of sameness and mass production that we have today, we love the authentic feel that hand-crafted items bring to a space. Rail & Stile is honored to partner with a number of skilled and talented makers who inspire us and are experts of their craft.
Meet Brian Carter, Brian Carter Studio
For Atlanta-based visual artist, Brian Carter, the imperfect and irregular are beautiful. His artist’s eye is attuned to what most of us fail to notice in our everyday surroundings, and he is able to translate this vision into the shapes and patterns that energize his work.
It is important to Carter that the artist’s hand is clearly visible in his designs. Stripes, Greek key, fretwork, abstract florals – all have a hand-drawn, organic quality that adds depth and interest. Even his designs that are inspired by traditional motifs feel completely fresh, thanks to his unique approach to line, texture and color and play with negative and positive space.
Carter has collaborated with legendary luxury textile house Jim Thompson Fabrics on its Studio B brand, and now has his own line of fabrics that showcase his remarkable ability to seamlessly mix various mediums, including paint, ink and pencil, and techniques such as stamping and brushwork to create unique effects. Most important to him is that his fabric designs communicate the high level of craftsmanship and evoke a comfortable, effortless and relaxed feeling.
Meet Cameron Jones, Cameron Jones Interiors
Cameron Jones is owner and founder of Cameron Jones Interiors, a full-service decorating firm serving both Raleigh and virtual clients across the country. Cameron is an advocate of mixing styles, periods, patterns and colors. Her love of color and pattern goes hand in hand with her love (and slight obsession!) of textiles. Custom pillows are handmade and available in a white array of colors, sizes, textures and styles with no detail overlooked – from the hidden zipper enclosure, to the fluffy feather inserts to the coordinating backing or cording fabrics and trims.
Meet Helen Rutledge, Bibelot Home
Bibelot is your go-to source for unique home goods focusing on luxury bespoke lampshades. Bibelot Owner Helen Rutledge founded the store in 2019 as an antique and vintage home goods store filled with objects from all over the world. From the beginning, Rutledge needed help finding replacement shades for beautiful antique and mid-century modern lamps whose shades were either missing or damaged. Over time, Rutledge honed her skill to use the exquisite fabrics in the store, re-imagined as stylish custom shades.
Looking to far-off places for inspiration, she took the Covid lockdown as an opportunity to create a unique product with all the fabrics she was collecting. Each shade comes out a bit different from the last; each has its own soul.
Meet MaryMar Keenan, MMClay
MaryMar Keenan founded MMClay in 2015. MMclay is a small production business specializing in handmade ceramic tableware and homeware. MMclay began as a one-woman show which first catapulted into the public eye with the introduction of the Progress Collection, San Francisco-based Progress Restaurant. Since then, the lines have expanded, along with studio space and team members.
MMclay has been featured in Food & Wine Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Goop, restaurants around the world, and most importantly- your dining table. Her pottery is designed to make daily rituals special. Whether as part of your morning coffee, family dinner, or home decor, they provide a reminder of the slow beauty that human hands can create.
Meet Susan Pritchett and Florence Wetterwald, BlaBla
Atlanta-based Blabla was created in 2001 by Susan Pritchett and Florence Wetterwald, two good friends with the same philosophy of life and beauty. While visiting Peru, they came across entire villages of expert knitters who had been keeping the tradition alive for generations. Inspired by their talent and the incredible quality and softness of Peruvian cotton, they started Blabla, a company of cuddly eco-friendly and fair trade hand-made products for children.
Starting with their iconic knit dolls, they have expanded their offerings to include unique mobiles, blankets and playmats. Each of their products are knitted and embroidered patiently by amazing skilled Peruvian artisans, one stitch at a time, one day at a time, and each one is unique.
