Cushion creator extraordinaire Ellie Bradley of Xavier&Me is branching out into rugs which can only be a good thing if you ask me! And of course, Interiors Addict has the first look at the upcoming collection.
The Xavier&Me brand became extremely well known last year despite Ellie being super busy being mum to Xavier (now you know where the name came from) and completing a fine art degree. While her background is in advertising and design, she wanted a job that fit around her family and indulged her love of homewares.
Ellie deliberately focused on just cushions while getting the company off the ground. This year will see her branch into rugs and throws.
“Cushions are a great and inexpensive way to change an interior. You can swap out your covers each season to give you a new look,” she says. “They are also fantastic to throw on a chair outside when you have friends over. I often throw lots of cushions on our day bed in our courtyard. They soften the hard lines and make everyone comfortable.”
And aren’t these lovely?
And these, which are very different but equally gorgeous!
Home is a happy place for Ellie. “Home is where the heart is,” she says. “It’s a place of happiness, joy, laughter. It’s comforting to come home. I love to travel but nothing beats walking through your front door after weeks of being away. Especially when Mum comes over and cleans up a bit, and puts milk, bread and some other goodies in your fridge!”
Xavier&Me sells online but there’s no doubt Ellie has picked some great retailers to do business with, both on and offline. She recently partnered with custom furniture designers CDR in Waterloo and you’ve probably seen her bright cushions in many home magazines in the last few months.
Her style is constantly evolving. “I love intense, bright colours, clean graphic lines and contrasting textures. I love to mix styles. There’s no one favourite period. There is always something good that comes out of each period or style that I like to use.”
Xavier&Me is still really just Ellie (owner, creative director and designer), a publicist and someone who does the sewing. But there’s plenty of growth planned for the rest of this year. “I am expanding my brand, developing rugs, cashmere throws and made-to-order bedding. But there are more things to come. It really will be a big year, one that is going to be very exciting.”
When she wants some time out, Ellie likes to travel. “It allows me to not only break free of my life and relax, but I can immerse myself in other cultures, even if it’s for a short time. It gives me time to breathe in new ways to look at design. I always make sure I visit a few workshops whereever I go and this gives me insights into how they create. It’s all ideas and all fun.
“Family also plays an important part in my passion. If it weren’t for their support I wouldn’t be in the position I am in today – being able to pursue my dream. They also critique my designs. They are honest so sometimes it’s hard to hear but in the long run I know they are right!”
And here, as promised, is a sneak peek at the new rugs which are yet to be launched.
