Karen and an assortment of products from Hammocks & High Tea

Earlier this year I attended a design industry talk and throughout the night I heard several people drop the name “Hammocks & High Tea” but I had no idea what they were talking about. I felt like the lone outsider left out of the loop so as soon as I got home I googled Hammocks and High Tea and discovered a beautiful range of eco-friendly home accessories with fun, vibrant colors and eye-catching prints that are influenced by Caribbean and South American style. Its founder was Karen Young who shortly thereafter I had the pleasure of meeting at a blogger event and we’ve kept in touch ever since! I’m constantly inspired by Karen’s drive and ambition and one of the things I admire most is how she had the courage to leave the daily grind of her corporate job as a fashion industry sales exec to follow her dream of designing her own collection of home goods. She launched Hammocks & High Tea in 2007 and since then her products have been featured in a number of top media outlets like InStyle, Lucky, Real Simple, Daily Candy, Better Homes & Gardens, The Nate Berkus Show…and the list goes on. I recently caught up with Karen to chat about being a creative entrepreneur, how she took a leap of faith to launch her line and her advice for running a creative business. Read on to hear what she had to say and I hope you find Karen as inspiring as I do!

Products from Hammocks & High Tea

How did Hammocks & High Tea Come about? Had you always wanted to start your own line?
To be honest, the reason I started working in the fashion industry was because I aspired to be a fashion designer. I wanted to learn the backbone of design, the sales & development, because without sales there is no collection which especially holds true in fashion. At one point I realized that although I loved clothing, my real response had always been to anything relating to home and I started to ponder the possibility of launching a collection of home goods. I started in fashion right out of college and within two to three years I was contemplating a home goods collection. When I first discovered home design, I would go into ABC Carpet and imagine my name over one of their gorgeous displays of bedding and furniture. It’s important to allow yourself to dream it so that you can do it.

What allowed you to finally take the leap of faith to launch Hammocks & High Tea and how did you manage the transition from employee to business owner?
I learned from the fashion industry that you must have a unique voice if you want to make yourself or your brand stand out. I was working for D&G when H&M hit the US market for the first time. I remember seeing my co-workers scramble to stand in line to buy cheap knock offs of what we sold just a few blocks away at H&M. It occurred to me that I have to create a voice that cannot be found anywhere else if I wanted to be successful, and knowing that I had one allowed me to take a leap of faith. The transition was rough to start, there are no hours in self employment and direct deposit of a steady paycheck was sorely missed. Balancing everything is a struggle as well, and I sometimes miss having an assistant or co-workers to help with the workload. In my old career I was in the position though of having to consistently make sales, meet deadlines and dollar amounts, so transitioning to doing that for myself was actually a relief.

Tea Towels from Hammocks & High Tea

Was it hard leaving comfort of your day job?
I was working full time when I started Hammocks & High Tea. Leaving was a matter of very well synchronized timing. I was at a job that I was getting pretty comfortable at because it allowed me  free time to develop Hammock & High Tea on the side. I was rushing though because I knew that the economy wasn’t going to keep my current job afloat much longer and I was planning to put in my notice shortly after I realized this. One day I went in and was told that the brand would be pulled from the market and weeks after that my business got hit with a massive wave of press. I could not have managed to do both so I would say I was literally moved right where I’m supposed to be.

What is the hardest part of running your own business?
The hardest part has been learning to manage everything and certainly giving myself time to step away from it as well.

What inspires and influences your work the most?
I’m most inspired by my childhood, travel, and family memoirs/pictures, etc. I’ve long been obsessed with architecture, pattern, and textiles. When it’s time to design a pattern, I still get giddy about diving into the research and seeing where I end up. In the years to come, I hope to fit more travel in to influence my collections.

Linden (L) and Maya (R) pillows from Hammocks & High Tea

What do you do when you hit a creative road block?
For me a creative roadblock usually means I have something stressful going on, so I take a minute (or a few days) away from everything until it’s lifted. Sometimes a few minutes of meditation helps too.

What advice to you have for other creative entrepreneurs?
I would advise other creative entrepreneurs to be passionate about what you do. I thought those were just words before I started a business, but it requires great sacrifice of time and energy sometimes, so find the thing you are passionate about and give it your all.

Do you have a favorite pattern in your collection?
I think my favorites are the Linden and Maya patterns, but I have some runners up coming out for Spring.

What’s next for Hammocks & High Tea?
I am launching a collection of fabric to the trade and working on developing an expanded collection of lifestyle goods for Fall 2011.

Attention NYC area homeowners! HGTV is looking for YOU! A production company working with the network is currently casting for a new show and is looking for homeowners who want to have HGTV’s newest superstar designers transform their homes on TV. Interested? Here are the full deets:

A New York based production company is looking for energetic and vibrant homeowners (singles, families, couples) in the New York tri-state area who want their homes to match their personalities…but who may not have the vision to make it happen.  Our top designers will bring their eclectic, high-end / low-cost, new-meets-old design philosophy to your home. This will not be a room makeover; it will be a life changer! If you think your home and our show might be a good fit, send us an email with these vital statistics to designteamcasting@gmail.com:

Your Name

Address & Contact Info (please include email and cell)

List of rooms to be styled – photos are a big plus!

Favorite style you’d like to see (or do you want to be surprised)

Your real design budget

HGTV designers are at your service!  We will be shooting between January & April 2011.

Christmas is less than a week away so if you’re stumped on what to get that special someone, don’t panic! From the latest lust-worthy gadgets and fashion-forward accessories, to luxe items for the home and cool duds for your dude,  here are some seriously stylish suggestions to inspire your last minute shopping for everyone on your list!

1. Rodin Olio Lusso Lip Balm – $28, Barney’s New York

2. NARS Precious Mini Nail Polish Set – $30, Neiman Marcus

3. Tory Burch Sequin Scarf – $193, Tory Burch

4. Threaded Chain Bracelet –  $22, Madewell

5. Sleep Shirtdress – $49.50, J. Crew

6. Emily Leopard Clutch – $138, Club Monaco

7. Smythson of Bond Street Wish List Panama Notebook – $69, Net-A-Porter

8. Rachel Roy Pakistan Tote – $20, RachelRoy.com (100% of the proceeds benefit UNICEF’s relief fund for victims of the July 2010 Monsoon floods in Pakistan, making this the chic gift that keeps on giving!)

9. Flora by Gucci – $47-90, Sephora

10. Byredo Rose Noir Body Wash – $50, Barney’s New York

11. Rag & Bone Chunky Knit Cardigan – $240, Net-A-Porter

1. Gingham “Secret Wash” Shirt – $59.50   , J. Crew

2. Ray Ban Classic Aviators – $139.95  Sunglass Hut

3. Shiny Cocktail Shaker – $14.95, Cb2

4. Beats by Dr. Dre “Solo” HD Headphones – $199, Apple Store

5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Shiny Traditional Wallet – $128, MarcJacobs.com

6. Mill Leather Box Dopp – $155, Jack Spade

7. Gran Patron Platinum Silver Tequila 750ML – $199.95, Crown Wine & Spirits (or your local premium liquor store)

8. John Varvatos for Converse Slip on “All-Star” Sneaker – $95, Barney’s New York

1. “With Love” Red Wine – $25, Swanson Vineyards

2. L‘Objet Asian Key Wine Stopper – $88, Vivre

3. Tyrol Horn Vase - $48, Jayson Home & Garden

4. Luxe Faux Fur Throw – $350, Calypso

5. Nouvel Studios Twisted Tumbler - $24, Barney’s New York

6. Apothecary Oatmeal Soap Set – $22, Jayson Home & Garden

7. Adrienne Landau Mongolian Lamb Fur Pillow - $225, Barney’s New York

8. R&Y Agousti Shagreene Mini Frame – $70, Calypso Home

9. Hollywood Coaster Set – $68, Jonathan Adler

1. Sony Bloggie Touch Camcorder – $167.99

2. MacBook Air, – from $999, Apple

3. Lumix GF-1 Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera – $799, Best Buy

4. Marc by Marc Jacobs Jumbo Logo Laptop Case, $48, Saks Fifth Avenue

5. Music Balloon Portable Speaker - $39, DWR

I just came across this hilarious video that Macy’s released this Spring where Martha Stewart tackles the challenge of revamping a pretty messy frat house. My favorite scenes? I especially love when Martha gives the frat boys a fist pound, the discussion about the boys’ key ingredient in their brownie recipe and Martha in the closet. Sooo funny! Check it out!