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Sneak Peak: Destination Pop-Up

11/7/2013



For all of you who can't make it out to Bainbridge Island this November, above and below is a little sneak peak of Destination Pop-Up. We've been having a lot of fun in the space and are enjoying the chance to introduce our work to our neighbors.

If you are on Bainbridge before November 24, we're open in the Charrette space at 130 Winslow Way East, Thursday - Sunday, 12:00 - 6:00 pm. Come visit!

New West Coast Design

10/28/2013



If you are in San Francisco between now and January 5, 2014, don't miss New West Coast Design 2 at The Museum of Craft and Design.

The exhibition, curated by Kathleen Hanna and Ted Cohen, features 60 works (including our Dish tables and Stitch mirrors) "chosen for the significant contribution they make to the world of design by expanding on the idea of function, exploiting materials, innovative techniques, or pioneering applications of new technology."

Selected designers, including independents like Carlo Aiello and ReCheng Tsang as well as firms like Frog and Emerging Objects, all practice in California, Oregon or Washington.

Destination Pop-Up

10/17/2013



We're going local this November and taking over a storefront on Bainbridge Island! Starting November 1, you will be able to find one of us manning our own miniature retail experiment while getting to know some of our neighbors.

The space, called Charrette, was offered to us by our new friends at Indigo Architecture and Interiors and Clark Construction, who will be activating it each month with a new artist, designer or conversation.

For us, it means an opportunity to try our hands at brick-and-mortar retailing as well as a chance to present our our work for the first time in our own hometown. We'll be filling the space with our current line as well as a few one-offs and never-before-seen samples. 

We'll be open November 1 - 24, 2013 at 130 Winslow Way East (across the street from Hitchcock) on Bainbridge Island, Thursday - Sunday, 12:00 - 6:00 pm, or by appointment. The opening night party will be held on November 1, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, as part of Bainbridge Island's First Friday Art Walk. We hope to see you there!

We're Hiring!

10/2/2013



We are officially looking for one full-time or three part-time individuals to join our growing Bainbridge Island studio. Ideally, two or three of these positions can be covered by one person, but we are open to breaking the job into the following three roles in order to best suit specific skills and availability.

Studio Manager
(14 hours / week)
The primary role of our studio manager is to handle customer service, manage shipping and receiving, assist with production and packaging, and maintain our studio space.

Production Assistant
(14 - 21 hours / week)
Assist partners in bringing new design concepts into production through technical drawing, prototyping, and product testing. Manage in-house and outside vendor sampling and manufacturing. Maintain shop space and tools.

Sales and Marketing Assistant
(7 - 14 hours / week)
A position for an outgoing art and design enthusiast. Sales and marketing experience would be ideal, but is not required. The most important skills for this job are a strong writing voice, the ability to creatively communicate, and organization.

We are a small but ambitious husband and wife design studio based in a 100 year old farmhouse on Bainbridge Island, a 35 min ferry commute from downtown Seattle. Please familiarize yourself with our company through our website before contacting us.

Our hourly rate is based on experience. We do cover ferry costs as well as provide lunch and coffee. Send applications to jobs@graindesign.com.

Along with the above paid positions, we also have student internships available. Please see our jobs section for more information on our internship program.

Update 11/4/2013: These positions have now been filled. Thank you for all your interest.

Artisanas Guatemaltecas

10/1/2013



A few pics above and below from our most recent trip to Guatemala to work on the spring textile collection. This time we stayed mostly in Antigua and got to know more about weaving and natural dye through a few local studios that we are excited to begin working with. We've returned inspired and grateful as always to get to do the work that we do with so many amazingly talented artisan groups. See our current textiles in the shop here.

Sunset Idea Town

8/22/2013



We are thrilled to have some or our work included in the Sunset Idea Town in Seabrook, WA. The project was designed by architect Peter Brachvogal (also of Bainbridge Island) and interior designer Brian Paquette.

The community is built around the concept of New Urbanism, which emphasizes walkability, connectivity, mixed use development, thoughtful architecture and design, increased density, and sustainability.

Seabrook is about 2.5 hours from Seattle and public tours are running until October 27th. Above and below are a few photographs from Seabrook and Brian Paquette. See if you can spot Stick, Jaspé, Hitch, and Antigua.

Making it Official!

8/21/2013



On a personal note: We are excited to announce that partners, Chelsea Green and James Minola, were married this summer making Grain an official family business! Chelsea will be taking James' name but all her contact info will otherwise be the same.

We want to give a big thanks to our studio manager, Willis Hoke, for keeping the business running smoothly while Chelsea and James were away for the wedding and honeymoon.

Photo above thanks to Ben Blood.

1% For The Planet

6/27/2013



As part of our annual commitment, we made our 1% For The Planet donation this week. This year we decided to support the National Parks Foundation and Save Bristol Bay. We have supported the National Parks before, but thought it was especially important this year as they are facing national budget cuts that will severely affect their 397 parks. The Orvis/TU Save Bristol Bay Campaign is an effort to protect Bristol Bay, a pristine fish and wildlife habitat, in southwest Alaska which is currently under threat from the construction of a large gold and copper mine called Pebble.

Above is a photo from our 2010 trip to far west Texas where we visited Marfa and hiked the canyons of Big Bend National Park.

L.O.V.E. Potions

6/26/2013



It has been a month since design week, and we are still catching up, but we wanted to take a quick moment to share some more images of our collaboration with Emilie Baltz for Reclaim x2.

Above and below are some of Emilie's amazing photos of our concoctions: Angry Dependence (blood orange/chocolate), Hateful Wonder (matcha/vanilla), Sad Pleasure (basil/clementine), Humble Serenity (celery root/almond), Contented Want (lavender/morello cherry) and Embarrassed Lust (passion fruit/gooseberries).

Here is the official project description:

"The L.O.V.E. Potions are a series of artisanal, desire-inducing vodkas inspired by artist Emilie Baltz's new publication, the L.O.V.E. FOODBOOK, an art book that presents recipes by 15 contemporary chefs and mixologists, each revealing new definitions of the desire through food and drink. In addition to gathering personal narratives and imagery, Baltz worked with each of these culinary artists to assign a specific emotion to the ingredients in their recipes. The "pantry-list" that results goes beyond foodstuffs, offering a delicious, tactile lexicon of love. In collaboration with Chelsea Green and James Minola of Grain, the emotions are brought to life through a series of limited edition, custom designed vodkas that present new combinations of L.O.V.E. ingredients. The resulting infusions both provoke and reveal the complexity of the elusive, intoxicating feeling that keeps us coming back for more."

It was such fun to work with the talented Lady E. We hope it leads to many more experiments in the future.

Grail

5/31/2013



For the American Design Club's recent Trophy: Awards We Live With show we were excited to present a new piece that came together through the craft and expertise of our new Bainbridge Island potter friend (and fellow RISD alum) Terry Siebert.

Here is the official description:

"As we grow older, our victories become harder to identify as singular events, becoming a blurred accumulation of wins and losses. Stamped with symbols of past, present and future acts - both triumphant and habitual - our vessel reads like a life well lived. Taking formal cues from ceremonial cups, our piece serves a more conventional function as a cooking vessel to be employed at feasts with family and friends. When used in this context, stories emerge around the table as the icons trigger memories and aspirations."

We were so happy with how it turned out that we are working on a way to add it to our line as soon as possible. Above and below are a few photos from our first product testing where we made a cassoulet for our friends Eric and Zanna Gewirtz!

ICFF 2013

5/30/2013



Huge thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair last week in New York. We officially survived our third year!

Above and below is a view for those who weren't able to make it. We had the same booth as last year but decided to pump up the color a little with denim blue cotton paper "shingles" that we stuck up with packing tape the two nights before. Pieces on display include our Hitch mirror, Hook, new textiles from Guatemala, Dish side and coffee tables, Stick candle holders, Stitch mirror, and Strung sconce for Standard Socket.

NYCxDESIGN 2013

5/9/2013



NYCxDESIGN is a citywide celebration of design of all disciplines. We're excited to be taking part in our third booth at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair as well as showing new work in four satellite shows around town. Below is where to find us:

International Contemporary Furniture Fair / Booth 850
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
11th Avenue at 38th Street
May 18 - 19 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
May 20 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
May 21 10:00 am - 4:00 pm (open to public)

Reclaim x2
446 Broadway Floor 3
Look for our piece made in collaboration with Emilie Baltz.
May 16 Noon - 5:00 pm, Opening 7:00 - 11:00 pm 
May 17 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
May 18 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

The American Design Club Presents: Trophy
Underground at The Standard East Village Hotel
25 Cooper Square
May 17 - May 20 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Wanted Design 
11th Avenue between 27th and 28th Street
Look for our new lighting for Standard Socket.
May 17 Opening 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
May 18 - 20 10:00 am - 7:00pm

East, Meet West!
Bobby Berk Home
59 Crosby Street
May 18 Opening 6:00 - 9:00 pm
May 18 - 26 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

Launch: Natural Dye Collection

4/17/2013



It is with much pride that we announce the official launch of our new textile collection made exclusively with naturally dyed cotton. The line, created in collaboration with four artisan communities across Guatemala, is a labor of love that has been in the works for well over a year.

After learning of the re-emergence of natural dye experimentation in a few cooperatives in the Guatemalan Highlands, we knew that we wanted to support its growth in our own small way by developing a natural dye collection including throw pillows, woven towels, and cotton jewelry.

The above and below photos are a combination of dye process shots, showing the foraged indigenous plants, which include avocado tree bark, St. John's Wort, and wild turmeric, as well as some beautiful product shots taken by our friend Charlie Schuck. More process shots can be found on our Facebook page.

The full collection is now available in our online shop and will be on view at the International Contemporary Gift Fair, Booth 850, in New York May 18 - 21, 2013 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Working in Guatemala

4/15/2013



The video above is a sneak peak into our work in Guatemala - both how we got started and what keeps us coming back year after year. Check out the video below to see the thread dying process that we used for our new textile collection.

Huge thanks to all the artisans who so warmly welcomed us into their studios and to Ryan Ayers for the original score!

Grain + Emilie Baltz for Reclaim x2

3/28/2013



It brings us special delight to announce that we will be collaborating with one of our dearest and most inspiring friends, Emilie Baltz, on a special one-off piece for Reclaim x2 to benefit the Brooklyn Recovery Fund this May during NYCxDESIGN.

Emilie is an artist, designer, educator and curator who we have been awed by since our first meeting eight years ago in France. We don't fully know what this collaboration will bring, but ideas around food and love and ceremony have been circling.

Above and below are some images from Emilie's photography campaign for the Aphrodisiac Cafe at the Museum of Sex in New York. Emilie's most recent project, L.O.V.E. FOODBOOK, was just awarded "Best New Cookbook" by Gourmand Awards 2012!

Reclaim x2 will be up May 15th - 17th at 446 Broadway on Floor 3 in New York with the opening party on May 16th 7:00 - 11:00 pm. The list of participating designers, including our Seattle friends, Ladies & Gentlemen Studio collaborating with ceramist Nicholas Nyland, looks like it is going to make for a great show that hopefully raises lots of money to support Brooklyn communities affected by Hurricane Sandy. We hope to see you all there!

S for Specchio / O for Origami

3/26/2013



If you happen to be lucky enough to be in Milan this week, our mirrors are included in a wonderful exhibition at Spotti called S for Specchio / O for Origami curated by Studiopepe.

Participating designers include Atypyk, Darkroom, Daphna Laurens, Garth Roberts, Hay, Ionna Vautrin, Jennifer Rabatel, Pavel Sidorenko and Petite Friture. Above and below are images from Studiopepe photographed by Andrea Ferrari and a video from Spotti. The show is up through the end of the month, so you still might be able to catch it!

We'll have more work back in Milan with the American Design Club next month at MOST, so stay tuned!

Welkom Kevin!

2/21/2013



Our new intern is finally here! We're happy to introduce Kevin Durant who comes to us from University of Howest in Belgium. As our first intern fluent in English, French and Dutch, he has become our official head of translation. Below is a little more from Kevin.

'Til 2013

12/15/2012



We're off to Oahu Monday for some much needed sun. Willis is manning the ship while we're away, but if you need something to arrive before Christmas, we suggest you get your orders in by end of day today. Don't forget our 25% discount is available until the end of the year when you take our survey.

Thanks again for another great year. Here's to 2013!

BLAK

12/14/2012



If you are in Seattle this weekend, Brite Collective's holiday pop-up is the place to be. Check out their Facebook page for more info. Hope to see you there!

Grain Turns Five!

11/29/2012



It's hard for even us to believe, but we're celebrating our five year anniversary this month! In celebration, above and below are five new photos recently taken by our equally busy friend Charlie Schuck.

Being our most hectic time of year, there isn't a lot of time for reflection. That said, we did promise Willis beers at lunch today...

Huge thanks to everyone who has supported this small business building process over the past half decade. We couldn't have done it without you!

Collective Collage

11/16/2012



The above and below images are from our recently compiled gift catalog, Collective Collage, made with friends Jamie Iacoli, Brian McAllister, Dylan Davis and Jean Lee of Iacoli & McAllister and Ladies & Gentlemen Studio. 

We have been working with these guys in one way or another since 2008. It has been inspiring and humbling to see their businesses grow and so nice to get a chance to celebrate it all with this little project. All the product photos are by the amazingly talented Charlie Schuck.

The best news is that it is all for sale and ready to ship for the holidays!

Mercado Guatemalteco

10/22/2012



Huge news: In partnership with Fab.com we shopped our way through the highlands of Guatemala on our last trip down and have brought back a collection of artisan made objects that we think represent some of the best craft to be found. We shopped local markets and met with some of our favorite artisan groups to pull this sale together and are pretty proud of what we were able to bring back.

The sale goes live Thursday October 25th on Fab.com and will be up through Saturday October 27th. Above and below is a little preview of some of our finds. We will also have a few of our Chi-Chi necklaces on sale. Many of the items are handmade one-offs or vintage, so if you see something you need don't wait. Happy shopping!
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