designer's notebook - from founder Anki Spets

Designing can be a bit obsessive, I get into things and work it over and over in various ways until I am done with it... or perhaps it's done with me. ELI is the latest example of basketweave, a very exciting new development that we've been working on for a while to get it just right. Basketweave is the most transparent of...

One of the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of working at AREA is seeing what combinations we can come up with. I've spent many a pleasurable hour in the LA store with a customer or designer, exploring blends of colors and textures to match myriad needs. Every season we update our Inspiration Look Book with combinations Anki curates herself. See her current Inspiration picks right...

Color and pattern are the fun part of my work.  With these two new designs, I wanted to create new color combinations in bolder patterns. First, I usually goof around a bit until I get a good feel for what I like to do.    EIGHT Using ink and brush is a very satisfying and calming process. You might have seen that...

  This month we’ve been looking back at the origin of baby alpaca at AREA. We also shared a story about LIAM, everyone's favorite present. Wirecutter even chose LIAM as their favorite baby alpaca throw! AREA founder & designer, Anki Spets, has been designing with baby alpaca for over 15 years and it all started with the LIAM collection.  ...

  For our new fall blanket, I wanted to continue the large scale patterns we did with NATURE and SQUARES, but in a warmer, softer fabric for the colder months. I was inspired by the simple shapes of Constructivism but with a more versatile palette to play with our new PERLA colors, stone and plant. I had in mind something...