
Design Week in NYC may be over, but I’ve still got hundreds of photos left in my camera and ready to go for next week. I’ve also got Stationery Show coverage coming up next week, along with my favorite save-the-best-for-last posts about Brimfield. I’m hoping to keep the Surtex coverage going next week when I get a few more images in from artists, but I wanted to close out the week with the first dose of Surtex artists. I took a break from Surtex last year because people were less than thrilled to see someone with a camera (even after it was explained that it was for press purposes), but I took on the show again this year, and I’m so glad I did. There were several young new designers showing, and the rows had a few pops of vibrancy to them that were missing in previous years.



While the majority of the show (which is dedicated to surface designs) isn’t quite my personal style, I definitely came home with a bag full of cards and catalogs of designs I enjoyed. Today I’m rounding up 20 of my favorite, but stay tuned for more next week. Until then, I’m off for the weekend and will see you again on Monday. Have a great weekend! xo, grace
All images above are from the talented Melody Miller. Her colorful booth was a favorite of mine.
Below is a summary of this week’s highlights:
- Must-Read Posts: Top 20 Cameras & Gadgets for Photographers
- Giveaway: Yellow Owl Workshop DIY Video + Book Giveaway!
- Contest: A Stroll with Sibella: NYC Walking Tour Contest!
- ICFF 2011: Thoughts on This Year’s Show . . . , Things I Loved (Part 1), Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
- Brimfield 2011: Equestrian, Textiles, Recreation, Travel, Oddities & Off-the-Wall Finds
- National Stationery Show 2011: Part 1, Part 2 (Bright Colors)
- New City Guide: Atlantic City Guide
- Biz Ladies: Tips for the Shy Biz Lady
- Living In: Badlands
- Sneak Peeks: Rigetta Klint of Slow Fashion House, Meghan McEwen of Designtripper, Emma Reddington of the Marion House Book
- DIY Projects: Dried Flowers and Herbs, Vintage Food Mill Planter, Wood Bud Vase and Salt Dish
- Before & Afters: Three Dresser Transformations, Reupholstered Chair + Painted Plant Stand, Bedroom Makeover + Outdoor Dining
- Hunt, Gather and Host: Green Garden Party
- We Like It Wild: Dainty Blue Flower Arrangements
- Make It Yours: Emma Straub and Michael Fusco
- In the Kitchen With: Big Girls, Small Kitchen’s Meatball Subs


Images above: I love the watercolor style of the top image above. Both designs by Local Produce in Minneapolis.
CLICK HERE for more designs from Surtex 2011 after the jump!






Images above: Colorful pattern designs from Leah Duncan in digital and product-form. You can shop Leah’s products at her Etsy shop right here.

Image above: The first face I saw at Surtex was that of friendly, smiling designer Kristian A. Howell. She invited me over to the booth, and I fell for her beautiful poppy print. It was so gorgeous blown up on the booth walls, but it’s also lovely in this smaller proportion.



Images above: I loved the loose colorful style of Jessica Swift’s designs.



Images above: The Frank Sturges rep booth had plenty of color and hand-drawn designs. These artist collections above were my favorites. I can’t wait to see where these patterns pop up in the next year or so. Bonus: How awesome is Frank’s website? That landing page image with the monster (you may have to load a few times to get it, as it changes) is amazing.



















28 Comments
These prints are so fun and vibrant! Love them.
Thanks for sharing. These designs are so fun and inspiring.
I love seeing all these prints from Surtex! I live in Minneapolis, but I hadn’t heard of Local Produce – I will look them up now!
I know you’ve been busy with design events lately, but I really missed Sounds of your Morning these last 2 weeks. I hope it returns soon.
All of these artists look fantastic, so many bright + pretty patterns. Thanks for sharing, I’m going to check them all out now!
xx
M
Thank you, that is so sweet. It will be back on monday ;)
Grace
Cool! I just love these print, specially the poppy. or any XL flowers prints for that matter ;-)
Grace,
Thanks again, the post looks wonderful. We’ve arrived. ; )
I’m so glad you decided to give Surtex another try this year! There were definitely a lot of talented artists and Melody’s booth was one of my faves too!
I was just wondering where small measures is??? One of my favorite posts of the week!
And WOW!! This week was an awesome and eventful week for D*S
Thanks for sharing these photos! I’m really loving the Frank Stugres reps as well as the Leah Duncan mountain and pear designs.
Thanks for featuring Surtex. For those of us enamored of print design, it is still in some ways an important show, for all its many faults!
Showed at SURTEX for the first time this year. Had a great time and loved meeting everyone there. Frank is the nicest guy. Wish I knew you were there would have loved to meet you. Can’t wait to see more! We are also posting about the show next week.
The second design by Local Produce is almost exactly my ‘whole house palette’ – I pinned it for that very reason! Just add a deep espresso brown here and there and I’m viewing the (ideal) version of my home – even the proportions are, well, proportional!
Thank you for heading into the show, armed with camera – we appreciate it!
I was missing small measures, too … Will it be back?
eva
small measures will be running once a month for the summer, while ashley takes a little break to focus on her new baby :)
grace
Such an honor to be featured here! Thanks so much for including my work amongst such a vibrant group of designers:)
I love all the strong colors in these fabrics! Have a good weekend.
Congratulations to Ashley on the new baby! There are several designs that I really like…thanks for your post!
This post has left me literally shaking with inspiration. I’m loving the stylistic nod to 60′s and 70′s fabric colours and designs.
I love all the colors.
Grace, Thank you so very much for stopping by the show and for the lovely feature. I hope you enjoyed all the wonderful artists! :-)
I’m totally in love with all these bright prints. Gorgeous!!
Thank you thank you, Grace! It was so nice to meet and chat with you at Surtex, and I appreciate you including me in the post so much. I’m happy you had a positive experience at the show this year!!
Thank you for letting me know – I’ll be looking forward to Small Measures once a month then :-) Did I mention that these are gorgeous prints? I couln’t pick a favorite, there are so many really beautiful ones …
I am VERY inspired to doodle, doodle, repeat! Such vibrant and energetic textile design…thanks for sharing!
ooh. inspiration surge.
Grace, great to have met you, thanks for stoping by the booth and the kind words about our artists work. (and the website!)
Which, by the way, if you are patient those initial images scroll. You don’t have to keep reloading :)
Irene, thanks! Was a pleasure to meet you nice folks too.
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