Meet the Maker: The SoCal Landscape Gets Reimagined in Lawson-Fenning's New Wallpaper Collection

From the moment we first set foot in Lawson-Fenning?s unforgettable retail space, we?ve been total fangirls of their shop and aesthetic. Everything Lawson-Fenning offers ? from their eponymous line of handmade furniture, lighting, and wall decor, to their carefully curated collection of vintage-modern home goods ? is well considered, unique, and of only the highest quality. And with a constantly rotating inventory, no two Lawson-Fenning shopping experiences are ever alike (but they're always magical).

The best part about Lawson-Fenning, however, is the designing duo behind it - Glenn Lawson and Grant Fenning. We had the distinct pleasure of spending time with Glenn when we shot his beautiful home to be featured in our new print book, and he simply couldn?t be a nicer, more genuine person. And from our brief meetings with Grant and listening to him speak at a trade show, we?re quite sure the same holds true for him. We caught up with the pair to talk about our new Lawson-Fenning x Hygge & West collab, the trick behind combining old and new, and, of course, all things pattern and hygge.

Hygge & West: You call Lawson-Fenning "a true California brand." Tell us what you mean by that.

Lawson-Fenning: California has a such a great history of art and design. The geography and light are huge inspirations for us. We see ourselves fitting into a SoCal vernacular that informs our materials, details, and overall vibe.

H&W: How does your background in furniture design influence your work at Lawson-Fenning today?

LF: We are really good with proportion, scale, and fit. Knowing how to build furniture has been immensely helpful in being able to design it.

H&W: Your store seamlessly mixes both new and vintage items to create a layered and welcoming aesthetic. What are your tips for combining old and new at home?

Glenn Lawson: The best interiors to us are comfortable. Don?t be afraid to mix styles, as long as the color palette makes sense. I?m a fan of neutral interiors with pops of color in the art and accessories. If you are layering vintage and new in the same palette it will usually look good together.

H&W: What do you look for when shopping for vintage items? Are there any items that are great bets at fleas and antique stores? Conversely, are there any items you always recommend buying new?

LF: Our advice is to buy upholstered pieces new (beds, sofas, lounge chairs). Then you can use vintage pieces as accents, cabinets, tables, etc. When buying vintage, we?re big fans of living with what you love. If it?s meaningful or attracts you then it will work.

H&W: We're so excited to launch our new wallpaper collection with you! Can you tell us a little bit about the design process and what inspired each pattern?

LF: We were looking at California landscapes and native plants. We ended up loving the patterns/textures of the trees that people associate with SoCal ? palms, eucalyptus, live oak. By abstracting the bark and growth patterns of the trees we were able to come up with some compelling arrangements.

H&W: How do you envision each of these patterns being used? What's your favorite way to use wallpaper and pattern at home?

GL: I like using it in small spaces to create a total environment ? small bathrooms, dens, small bedrooms? wherever you can totally immerse yourself in the color and pattern.

H&W: Hygge is all about finding comfort in joy in life's small moments and simple pleasures. How do you create hygge in your world, especially in the warmer months?

GL: We are all about comfort; I think it?s the thing above all else that people identify with in our interiors. We love layering textiles. I have cotton throws for summer and wool throws for winter. I also like to switch out my rugs ? I have a flat weave for summer and a vintage fluffy Moroccan for winter. Just switching up a few key textiles goes a long way.