Finding emerging artists through an annual competition on Instagram, Slowdown Studio has commissioned artists from over 30 countries in the past few years alone to create its beautiful objects for the home. Based in sun-kissed east LA, the studio is run by Marc Hendrick, who has been perfecting this artist-designed business model since 2015 – and according to him, the more artistic styles come his way, the better…
What inspired you to create the studio?
I had worked with many artists in the past while freelancing as an art director, and I loved the process of working with different creative people on different projects. In 2015 I got interested in home textiles, and I felt like it was an area that needed a little bit of a creative injection, which is why I started to create small runs of artist-designed blankets as Slowdown Studio.
What are your most popular pieces?
Our woven blankets are our signature item, they’re just so versatile. You can use them on a bed, a couch, or even take them outside as a picnic blanket. And many of our customers hang them on the wall or even frame them to create a large and beautiful art piece, which is where I love to see them the most.
How do you think the art world influences home designs?
Art, furniture design and architecture are so connected to one another; they are all equally important in creating a beautiful home space. Each has the power to inform another in design, and the colours and forms used in certain art pieces can completely dictate the mood of any room.