Lush and Lavish Living
By Emily M. White

A print from Lulu DK Fabrics.

Textile designer and artist, Lulu de Kwiatkowski.

Kwiatkowski’s designs are heavily influenced by natural elements.

Textile designer Lulu de Kwiatkowski creates upscale patterns with scenic intensions

Textile designer Lulu de Kwiatkowski’s collections of fabric designs read less like a catalogue of prints and more like a treasure chest of finds. If it were possible to pluck the finest selection of shells from coastal waters or scoop up the reddish-brown pigments from the clay earth of Peru to collect in a book of swatches, she would.

Founder of the New York-based Lulu DK Fabrics, Kwiatkowski pays homage to Mother Nature in a fun and brilliant way. Her classic, yet modern designs have adorned the walls of upscale resorts, a furniture collection for Elson & Company, linens from a partnership with Matouk and have even been compiled in a book on her pattern inspirations.

What cities have influenced you?
“I am influenced not so much by cities, but by nature, flowers, foliage or shells. During a trip to the Columbian Coast, there were these enormous shells that you could only imagine to find in books, and the colors of the fish and trees were just so different than anywhere else. From Peru or India, very textile-related locations, I am inspired by everything from the craftsmanship of the people and the pigments they use in their homes to what they use in the construction of their textiles.”

Do you have a favorite artist, designer or icon of style?
“My general style is like a Lauren Hutton, or like the Kate Hudson character in the film, Almost Famous—a bohemian meets classic clean style like Michael Kors. I like mixing organic beiges with punches of color for counter-balance.”

What is the most recent item you have added to your own home?
“My husband and I just bought a home in L.A. We took a photograph of a Hamptons beach scene and blew it up to install on one room in panels. It is the image of the foggy ocean that gives depth to a small room. The rest of my home will mix antique and rattan, new, old and different textures.”

Can you tell me about your new book, Lulu?
“It follows my trail of inspiration. Often we tend to focus on an artist’s finished product instead of the journey. The book centers around my body of work that no one had really seen, inspired by my childhood, loves, losses and everything in between. It is a visual journal. There are no words typed, but they are all handwritten. It is a visual aquarium of my mind.”

What part of your design process do you find the most exciting?
“When time doesn’t seem to exist. I will realize that four hours have gone by even though it seems like five minutes.”

What’s next for you?
“A baby line with Matouk that will launch early 2008.”