Interview & Giveaway: Bolt House Textiles

June 6, 2012 · Comments are closed
Searching for just the right textile with just the right shade of color? You may want to take a look at Bolt House Textiles. With several fabrics, 2 dozen patterns and 100 color options, Bolt House provides customers a unique hands on design experience. Fabrics can ordered by the yard for custom draperies, bedding or slip covers, or pillows or fabric-covered lighting made by Bolt House.
I was so intrigued by the concept, I contacted Lori Faison, the founder of Bolt House Textiles and asked if she’d be up for an interview. She agreed {smile} and she also offered to give one lucky Simplified Bee reader one of her fabulous pillows {see how to enter below}.
bolt house pillows
Simplified Bee: What was the catalyst behind launching Bolt House Textiles?
Lori Faison: I moved from Atlanta, GA to Northwest Coastal Florida in 2002. I was working with the very talented Nancy Braithwaite in Atlanta, and when I moved here, I continued working with Nancy doing some product developmental work, which I really enjoyed. I think it was in that process of working on that project with her that I found myself yearning for a different kind of a creative outlet of my own, but I didn’t yet have a clear picture of what I wanted to do. I began designing on my own and launched Lori Faison Interiors. It took the Gulf Horizon Oil Spill of 2010 to really push the creative process. I grew up in Miami and  have always had an innate love affair with  the coast. It was so devastating to see what had unfolded here on the pristine Northwest Florida Gulf Coast. My wheels started spinning and I finally found myself with a clear idea of what I wanted to do. I put pencil to paper and began to develop a working collection of patterns. I hand drew them all, and then decided to take it to the next level and create a line of custom fabric, along with pillows and light fixtures. This first collection, the Coastal Collection, is a tribute, I suppose, to the delicate, beautiful nature that surrounds us here. 
coastal fabrics and pillows
SB: What has been the most rewarding part of starting your business? What has been the most difficult? 
LF: I would have to say that the rewards are greater than the difficulties, but I’ll begin with the difficulties. Like anything new, it sometimes takes some time for things to get going and for the word to get out.  This all began in 2010, we had the site launch in late 2011, and I am just now finding that we have hit our stride, in mid 2012. Nothing happens overnight, and there is a period where you hold your breath a bit, and think “will this pay off in the end? Will people like this?” Now on to the rewards;  for a creative soul, there is nothing more rewarding than getting to use those skills and apply them towards something that you are passionate about. I am loving the fact that we have had absolutely no repetition thus far on fabric designs. Each client has created something completely unique to them. With all of the pattern, color and fabric options that we have developed thus far, there are an endless amount of possible combinations, and it just validates that we all do have a unique eye and it’s lovely to see that at work.

bolt house fabrics
SB: What is the process one would go through to order your your specialty fabrics?
LF: It’s really pretty simple!  It can all be done on the website, www.bolthousetextiles.com, and begins with the CREATE tab. From there, you select your ground fabric, your pattern and your color, and edit until you find the one you love!  You can order the fabric by the yard, or we can create pillow covers or light fixtures for you made from the fabric you have created with special finishing details that you can choose from.

coastal_fabrics_pillows_custom
SB: Your designs for Spring 2012 are fresh and fun. What inspired the line?
LF: Well thank you, Cristin! I’m liking the direction I went in with the new patterns, and I think that I recognized that there was a calling for patterns that could be used in a more modern setting. You see so much more clean, modern design these days, which I personally love, and I wanted to be sure that there were some patterns that could stand up to that type of design.

custom fabrics lighting
SB: I love how customers have a choice of ordering the pattern by the yard or creating pillows or lighting. Do you see your customers trending one way or the other?
LF: Absolutely! We are definitely on a role with the pillows. We have sold some light fixtures, but there is no question that you are making a larger investment with that purchase. The great thing about the process is that you can see an actual strike-off of the fabric you will order before you commit, whether you are investing in fabric by the yard, a pillow or a light fixture. Personally, I love the wire framed fixtures with the hand sewn edges, they are just the right combination of a modern, industrial form… with a soft edge. 
custom designer fabrics by the bolt
SB: What’s next for Bolt House Textiles?
LF: Every summer I spend a little time in Western North Carolina near Asheville, and I plan to begin developing a new collection while I am there. I’m completely inspired by the outdoors and what you may find on any stroll. The coastal collection will always have my heart, but I think there’s a calling to branch out a bit. When we developed the name, Bolt House Textiles, I knew that we may one day go beyond just the initial Coastal Patterns. I wanted to be sure we didn’t pigeon hole ourselves for growth with a name, like “Canvas Sea”, which sadly yes, was in the running.

coastal_pillow_starfish_rope
As I mentioned earlier, Bolt House Textiles would like to giveaway one of their lovely pillows. The 24” x 24” pillow in Large Starfish/Clementine is printed on Gina Classic with single flange/black grommet and jute rope detail. It also includes the  50/ 50 down insert and retails for $165.

Here’s how to enter to win this beautiful pillow:
• Simply leave a comment on this post {provide your email if I don’t have a way to contact you}.
• Extra Entry – become a new follower of Simplified Bee’s Blog, Twitter, Pinterest or Facebook Page.
• Extra Entry – mention this giveaway in a blog post, FB link, tweet or pin the image on Pinterest, then leave a comment letting me know.
• Please post a separate comment for each extra entry.

Entry period closes at midnight PST on Wednesday, June 13, 2012. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be announced on the Simplified Bee Facebook page on Thursday, June 14, 2012.
Best of luck!

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72 Responses to Interview & Giveaway: Bolt House Textiles

  1. suburban prep June 6, 2012 at 5:11 pm #

    What stunning textures. they make me wish to be near the water.

    msgb245 at gmail dot com

  2. Julia {Pawleys Island Posh} June 6, 2012 at 5:17 pm #

    beautiful!

  3. pve design June 6, 2012 at 5:43 pm #

    I am in love! I have been looking for just this sort of spot for clever and fresh fabs!
    pve

  4. pve design June 6, 2012 at 5:45 pm #

    fantastic site,,,,and I love how you can create your own.
    my designer side loves it.
    pve

  5. Witt June 6, 2012 at 6:40 pm #

    the colors and textures are splendid! Thanks for sharing how you create your designs!
    ~Stacey

  6. Cindy June 6, 2012 at 7:10 pm #

    I just had so much fun on their website creating pillows and lamp shades. Love the fun finishing touch options!

  7. Becky June 6, 2012 at 7:11 pm #

    These are sooo cute!

  8. Becky June 6, 2012 at 7:12 pm #

    These are sooo cute!

  9. dandelion June 6, 2012 at 8:37 pm #

    oh these pillows are so adorable and stylish! I would love to win them :)

  10. ColleenMarie82 June 6, 2012 at 9:28 pm #

    This is a great pillow for the summer months! I love it!

    inman@mobap.edu

  11. ColleenMarie82 June 6, 2012 at 9:31 pm #

    I follow on GFC

    inman@mobap.edu

  12. ColleenMarie82 June 6, 2012 at 9:32 pm #

    LIKE u on facebook- Colleen INman
    inman@mobap.edu

  13. ColleenMarie82 June 6, 2012 at 9:33 pm #

    I follow on twitter as halleelujahmom

    inman@Mobap.edu

  14. ColleenMarie82 June 6, 2012 at 9:34 pm #

    I follow on pinterest- Colleen Inman

    inman@Mobap.edu

  16. tina June 6, 2012 at 9:51 pm #

    Love all the fun colors and designs

  17. S. Taylor June 6, 2012 at 10:09 pm #

    Yes please!!!

  18. jengd June 6, 2012 at 11:22 pm #

    What a gorgeous pillow!!

  19. jengd June 6, 2012 at 11:23 pm #

    I tweeted this: https://twitter.com/jengd1/status/210511889216712704

  20. Katie June 6, 2012 at 11:48 pm #

    What an awesome idea. Beautiful fabrics.

  21. Trish June 7, 2012 at 1:38 am #

    What a great idea this is! I would love the chance to design my own fabrics.
    mtgoodfellow05 at aol dot com

  22. CurlyHairDay June 7, 2012 at 2:57 am #

    Absolutely beautiful and I love the level of customization!

  23. CurlyHairDay June 7, 2012 at 2:58 am #

    Liked your Facebook page!

  24. CurlyHairDay June 7, 2012 at 2:59 am #

    Following you on Pinterest!

  25. CurlyHairDay June 7, 2012 at 3:00 am #

    Shared the giveaway on Facebook!

  26. CurlyHairDay June 7, 2012 at 3:01 am #

    Pinned the picture!

  27. Michelle Hudak June 7, 2012 at 3:19 am #

    Adorable unique pillow..I can't imagine anyone not asking me where I got it LOL

    Thanks for the chance
    shel704 at aol dot com

  28. Michelle Hudak June 7, 2012 at 3:19 am #

    Twitter follower @auntiethesis
    shel704 at aol dot com

  29. Michelle Hudak June 7, 2012 at 3:20 am #

    Tweet
    https://twitter.com/auntiethesis/status/210571929831215104

    shel704 at aol dot com

  30. Sweet Southern Prep June 7, 2012 at 10:36 am #

    Love all of these!

  31. Erika June 7, 2012 at 10:40 am #

    These are so pretty.
    Erika – ewpsrp@msn.com

  32. Erika June 7, 2012 at 10:40 am #

    I follow you on Facebook and Pinterest. So many great ideas.
    Erika – ewpsrp@man.com

  33. Erika June 7, 2012 at 10:41 am #

    I shared and mentioned this giveaway on FB & Pinterest.
    Erika – ewpsrp@msn.com

  34. Luci June 7, 2012 at 11:23 am #

    I follow you on FB and Pinterest and I would love one of these! Great site!

  35. asdkids June 7, 2012 at 11:48 am #

    Oh, I love the starfish pillow! That is so cute!!

  36. asdkids June 7, 2012 at 11:52 am #

    I pinned the image onto Pinterest :-)

  37. Eat. Live. Laugh. and sometimes shop! June 7, 2012 at 12:09 pm #

    Amazing concept! Love the linen textiles!

  38. Eat. Live. Laugh. and sometimes shop! June 7, 2012 at 12:10 pm #

    became a follower on FB.

  39. Eat. Live. Laugh. and sometimes shop! June 7, 2012 at 12:11 pm #

    Pinned an image too!

  40. carol jane June 7, 2012 at 12:20 pm #

    Beautiful pillows. Love all of them!!!

  41. Vickie H. June 7, 2012 at 1:30 pm #

    Amazing texture and beauty in her offerings! Thanks for hosting this giveaway! count me IN, please!

  42. Vickie H. June 7, 2012 at 1:33 pm #

    I am now a follower of your blog!

  43. 1075 Design June 7, 2012 at 1:42 pm #

    omg,love love love the amazing color of that starfish!

  44. 1075 Design June 7, 2012 at 1:42 pm #

    liked simplified bee on facebook!

  45. Danielle June 7, 2012 at 1:56 pm #

    What beautiful pillows! I'd gladly take any one of them (: Thank you!

  46. jvw home June 7, 2012 at 2:40 pm #

    I always love hearing about a new fabric line! Looks like a fabulous site and I love the style. The grommet and rope pillow is a fun look, love it!
    thanks for sharing ….

  47. jvw home June 7, 2012 at 2:40 pm #

    I just “liked” you on FB also!

  48. rosie June 7, 2012 at 4:14 pm #

    I just found your blog via Pinterest today. I love it !

  49. sssharpe June 7, 2012 at 5:23 pm #

    Loving this! THX.

  50. Lara June 7, 2012 at 5:28 pm #

    what a cool company and a great giveaway

  51. curtisfive June 7, 2012 at 6:11 pm #

    Love the idea & the fabrics!

  52. curtisfive June 7, 2012 at 6:12 pm #

    I also pinned on Pinterest.

  53. curtisfive June 7, 2012 at 6:12 pm #

    I am now following SB on Pinterest.

  54. curtisfive June 7, 2012 at 6:13 pm #

    I mentioned the giveaway/link on my FB page.

  56. Eligonma June 8, 2012 at 2:37 am #

    I love this pillow! I hope I win.

  57. Eligonma June 8, 2012 at 2:37 am #

    I'm a follower of Simplified Bee.

  58. Eligonma June 8, 2012 at 2:40 am #

    Tweeted about this giveaway: https://twitter.com/Eligonma/status/210923202346614785

  59. Lori June 8, 2012 at 4:33 am #

    What a lovely giveaway! I especially love the grommet and rope detail on the starfish pillow!

    lrlangberg1@msn.com

  60. Jessie June 8, 2012 at 5:37 am #

    What a great interview! Lovely giveaway as well!

    P/S: I am hosting a similar giveaway too. Come by and enter my current giveaway for a chance to win a designer pillow ($65 gift cert) if you like!

    http://www.mixandchic.com/2012/06/giveaway-65-gift-certificate-by-pillows.html

    Jessie
    http://www.mixandchic.com

  61. Jessie June 8, 2012 at 5:39 am #

    I am your new Twitter follower!

  62. Jessie June 8, 2012 at 5:40 am #

    I am also a follower of yours via GFC!

  63. Jessie June 8, 2012 at 5:41 am #

    I like you on FB!

  64. Jessie June 8, 2012 at 5:43 am #

    I mentioned this giveaway on my FB page!

    http://www.facebook.com/HueyYuann

  66. Adventures in Dressmaking June 8, 2012 at 3:04 pm #

    Wow, those are just amazing! Such great quality and so classy!

  67. Adventures in Dressmaking June 8, 2012 at 3:04 pm #

    Just followed you on Pinterest!

  68. Adventures in Dressmaking June 8, 2012 at 3:05 pm #

    And just pinned a pic from this post to my Pinterest!

  69. Colores June 12, 2012 at 3:22 pm #

    I cannot miss this giveaway, I am so in love with this lovely cushions!!!! Fingers crossed

  70. Rmalik June 12, 2012 at 3:35 pm #

    Love the concept and the pillows! Will be checking out her products!

    Rebecca
    http://blog.17thandRiggs.com

    PS – tweeting this great interview so others can learn more about these pillows!

  71. Katrina June 13, 2012 at 4:42 pm #

    so very pretty!

    ykatrina at hotmail dot com

  72. dandelion June 13, 2012 at 5:51 pm #

    Shared on FB
    http://www.facebook.com/nica.koshur