A Fresh Fayce

Photograph by Chattman Photography

As an editorial illustrator earlier in her career, Kim Rosen saw her drawings snapped up by big league publications like The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal and The Boston Globe. Perusing these graphics today, it’s easy to see how the Western Massachusetts-based artist segued from that line of work into fabric and wallpaper design. “As an illustrator,” she says, “I was always incorporating patterns into my drawings.” They appear in the grain of a wood plank floor, decorative swirls on cupcakes and geometric shapes on a rug. When she lost her passion for illustration, Rosen taught herself how to screen print, undertook some apprenticeships, did a lot of exploring and tons of research before launching her first fabric collection in 2014. “I was yearning for something that had longevity in people’s lives,” says Rosen, adding that she loves surrounding herself with “beautiful, natural fabrics” and this is what attracted her to the home décor market.

Fayce, Rosen’s company (her middle name is Fay), which produces made-to-order fabric, wallpaper and embroidered pillows and wall hangings, shuns trends in color and design (faycetextiles.com). “I try to be modern and timeless at the same time,” says Rosen, who favors “simple patterns inspired by New England surroundings.” She is constantly making lists of things that speak to her: aspects of nature like pine trees and phragmites, but also the shape of a jacket lapel, skirt pleats and architectural details on old factory facades.

“I propose Fayce textiles for almost every project because they are so versatile,” says Elizabeth Morgan, owner/architect of Morgan Studio Architecture & Interiors, in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts (morgan-studio.com). “Fayce patterns are able to seamlessly span multiple eras and aesthetics—from traditional to modern, mid-century, and everything in between. The colors are timeless and chic, and they instantly elevate a room.” Also New England-based, interior designer Terri Ricci (terriricci.com) agrees, saying that she uses the textiles for pillows, shower curtains, ottomans and other accent pieces where she wants to “mix in a playful pattern and fresh pop of color, without distracting from the larger scheme.”

While Rosen finds inspiration in New England, her patterns’ appeal has a much farther reach. On the West Coast, Krista Shrock of Disc Interiors (discinteriors.com) in Los Angeles has this to say: “We love to use Fayce in our projects because the pared-down, hand-printed patterns and natural colors [fulfill] our ongoing search for textiles that evoke a calming quality that complements a warm, modern and rustic aesthetic.”

In a short amount of time Rosen’s products have definitely found an enthusiastic following.

Text by Janice Randall Rohlf | Photographs by Chattman Photography
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