Product + Pattern: Tasha Schultz
When styling the photoshoot for our new PATCH NYC collection, we craved pieces that conveyed a sense of lived-in luxury, authenticity, and maybe even a bit of eccentricity. We hunted high and low for the perfect furnishings and accessories to bring this collection to life, and when we stumbled across Tasha Schultz of Tchotchkes Design Studio and her expertly curated collection of Chairish goods, we knew we had found what we were looking for.
Photo by Michael J. Spear Photography
As a self-proclaimed “vintage treasure hunter,” Tasha knows what it takes to create beautiful, well-worn spaces that are the antidote to today’s overly styled, sneeze-and-you’ll-break-it interiors. Her design ethos is simple, yet powerful: "A home should reflect the inhabitants, not look like a page out of a catalog." Her words resonated deeply with us, and the pieces she graciously lent to us for our photoshoot were the cherry on top of our pattern sundae. We asked Tasha to use her expert eye to create a product and pattern pairing from our new collection, and boy, did she deliver...
Tell us about the product and pattern pairing you've created. Why does this pair work so well?
I paired a new PATCH NYC paper—The Gentleman in Butterscotch—with a vintage 1970’s portrait of a woman in my shop. I love how the smoke in the wallpaper feels very similar in shape to the woman’s hair in the portrait. I think she’d be a nice little surprise up on the wall with that pattern.
Photo by Michael J. Spear Photography
What inspires your designs as well as the pieces you carry in your shop?
I love to source vintage pieces that are slightly quirky and odd. I only put things into my shop that I would put into my own home; I think that really helps my collection remain authentic. That being said, I often tell clients, “I am a designer for the people.” Of course I transpose a bit of myself and my aesthetic to each project, but my clients really are one of my main inspirations. I want their home to feel like an extension of them and look like a space they have worked on collecting over the years—I certainly don’t want it to feel like they hired an interior designer. I do not copy and paste designs... each person is unique and their home should reflect that.
A stool from Tasha's shop paired with Serpentine (Punch)
What do you love most about vintage pieces? How are they different from more contemporary work?
My favorite thing about vintage pieces is the history they come with. I like to imagine whose home these pieces used to live in, and the memories created around them throughout the years. They have been lived in, which, in my opinion makes them less precious and less intimidating than something new and pristine. They are already broken in and have years of wear. I find the minor flaws, stains, or scratches in vintage pieces create a certain coziness you don’t always get with contemporary pieces.
How can people incorporate vintage items into their home in a modern, fresh way? What are your tips/tricks for mixing old and new?
Start small by mixing vintage accessories in with larger modern pieces. To keep it fresh, you need a mix of vintage and modern. Vintage art is easy to incorporate. Art doesn’t have to match anything—that is what is so wonderful about it! If you love it, buy it… chances are you won’t see it again.
A set of chairs and a basket from Tasha complete the look with Palace (Indigo)
Photo by Thea Volk Photography
Aimee, one of H&W's co-founders, is also based in Minneapolis. How does this unique area influence your designs and aesthetic?
Let’s be honest: we all like cozy pieces, especially during our brutal winters. I think it’s important to remember to design in layers, similar to how we dress, particularly this time of year. You should have your base layer (a big rug to anchor the room), then you add on the large pieces (sofa, consoles, tables, etc.), then you have to add the jewelry (art, lamps, tchotchkes). If you skip a step, the room will never feel complete. We definitely have a strong Nordic influence here in the Twin Cities, and I think that’s quite obvious.
Fable (French Gray) looks extra cozy with a rug from Tasha's shop
Hygge is about creating or finding coziness in life's small moments and simple joys. What brings hygge to your life?
Unplugging and traveling. I’ve realized even a short weekend up north is helpful in creating balance and quiet moments in the crazy tech-connected world we live in. I’ve noticed how important it is, especially with a new little one in the family. Sipping coffee in the morning while spinning a record is an almost daily ritual in our house—currently listening to Louis Armstrong on repeat.
