Chatting with Christen Maxwell
We recently added the fabulous CHRISTEN MAXWELL’S home collection to Shop Ten 25. If you haven’t had a chance to stop by and take a peek, her pieces are a must see. We recently chatted with Christen about what inspired her to take the plunge and create her namesake product line. Christen’s passion for contributing to a pure world, supporting regional manufactures & proving that American made designs can be top notch is why we love her so much at SHOP TEN 25.
With her official launch at the New York International Gift Fair January 30th and many new pieces planned for 2011, her line is sure to be a huge hit.
Zorah Spring 22″ Pillow | Algiers Stone 22″ Pillow | Lulu Navy 18″ Pillow | Lulu Raspberry 12″x22″ Pillow
ST25: You credit your parents for your passion for home products, tell us more about how your childhood inspired you to start CHRISTEN MAXWELL.
CM: My childhood was centered around business and design. In the late 80s, my parents opened a pottery & glassware shop in Portland, Maine. I was an only child, so I was at the shop with them everyday playing ‘store’. It was there I learned everything I know about business. My parents’ aesthetic was extremely colorful. We sold plates from Italy, bowls from Poland, platters from France, textiles from India, tin luminaries from Haiti, etc.
ST25: Tell us about your education, travel and other work experiences that have brought you to this point in your career/life.
CM: I studied painting for two years at the School of Visual Arts thinking I wanted to develop patterns for pottery collections. At a mid-year review my sophomore year, a critic thought it looked like I was “designing objects with paint”. He was right. I transferred to Parsons The New School for Design to study Product Design the following semester.
plunge).
(As you can see, I imagine your life in NYC as super fab and glamorous! Humor me)
sharon from Layers & Layers says
Great article … Love learning about new talent!
lance strong says
WOW. I love the use of live-trace. Christens live tracing abilities are TOP NOTCH. congrats!!
Azure Elizabeth says
What a talented lady! I am so glad you shared this. Her designs are just fabulous. I see so much heart in her work.