A perfect spring addition to any home, Miller House is welcoming the garden indoors with the California Garden fabric collection. The brand’s debut fabric collection is available in four prints and eight earthy colorways, each design hand-painted and printed on 100% textural linen.
Jennifer Miller, artist, designer and founder of Miller House, joins us this week to discuss how the collection came together.
Photo by Michael Clifford
Raymond Paul Schneider: When did you first start developing this new collection? What was your initial inspiration, and where did the idea(s) come from?
Jennifer Miller: The initial conceptualization of the California Garden Fabric Collection began in late 2023, following the enthusiastic reception of our wallpaper and art collections. We observed a significant demand from interior designers for fabric options that mirrored the organic beauty of our existing designs. The timeline from initial sketches and watercolor paintings to the final printed fabric spanned approximately six months. We wanted to make sure the fabric met our highest standards. The core inspiration stemmed directly from the lush, vibrant flora of California’s diverse landscapes. We’ve long considered expanding our line, and fabric was a natural progression, allowing us to translate our art into functional, tactile elements for interiors. The idea was to bring the essence of a flourishing garden indoors, offering a sense of serenity and natural beauty.
RPS: Describe your overall creative and design process.
JM: Nature is my perennial muse. I’m endlessly captivated by the intricate details of the natural world – the myriad colors, organic shapes and diverse textures. The creative process began with my original watercolor paintings, which served as the foundation for the fabric designs. We wanted to preserve the hand-done, artistic feel, ensuring the patterns retained an organic, imperfect quality. After the watercolor paintings were completed we scanned them, then made digital adjustments for repeat patterns and color matching. We worked closely with our printing partners to test different fabric bases and print techniques to ensure the colors and texture of the fabric were exactly what we envisioned. We spent a great deal of time looking at samples of the printed fabric and making adjustments until we were completely satisfied. We wanted to honor the natural inspiration, celebrating the inherent imperfections and organic forms found in real life.
RPS: Did you have a specific audience or theme in mind?
JM: Our target audience encompasses interior designers and homeowners who appreciate art-infused, nature-inspired textiles. We aimed to create a collection that would seamlessly integrate into a variety of interior styles, from contemporary to traditional, bringing a touch of refined natural elegance. The theme centered on celebrating the beauty of California’s gardens, translating the vibrant colors and organic forms into luxurious, usable fabrics.
RPS: What methods, tools, and materials did you use to develop and prototype this design?
JM: The primary tools were my watercolor paints and brushes, used to create the original artwork. We then utilized digital design software to refine and adapt the artwork for fabric printing, ensuring seamless pattern repeats and color accuracy. We experimented with various fabric bases in vasious weaves and weights, to find the perfect balance of texture and durability. Digital printing techniques were employed for prototyping, allowing us to test color variations and pattern scales before final production.
RPS: Did you use any new techniques or technologies to conceptualize or create this product?
JM: While the core inspiration remained rooted in traditional watercolor painting, we leveraged advanced digital printing technology to achieve the desired level of detail and color vibrancy in the fabric. This allowed us to translate the nuances of the original artwork into a textile medium with exceptional clarity and precision. We also utilized advanced color-matching software to guarantee color consistency between our wallpaper and fabric lines.
RPS: Were there any challenges that influenced or changed the final design?
JM: One of the key challenges was adapting the scale of the designs from a flat, two-dimensional format (wallpaper) to a three-dimensional, tactile medium (fabric). We invested significant time in adjusting the pattern scales to ensure they translated effectively onto fabric, maintaining visual impact and usability. We also wanted to ensure that the fabric and wallpaper could be used harmoniously within a space, so we dedicated considerable effort to achieving consistent color palettes across both mediums.
RPS: Describe your brand’s overall DNA and ethos.
JM: Miller House’s DNA is deeply rooted in the fusion of art and nature. We strive to create designs that evoke a sense of tranquility and beauty, drawing inspiration from the natural world’s inherent elegance. Our ethos centers on celebrating artistry, craftsmanship, and the organic beauty found in everyday life. We believe in creating pieces that are not only visually stunning but also functional and timeless, enriching interior spaces with a touch of natural sophistication.
Product photography by Madeline Tolle.
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