May 2022

BEHIND THE DESIGN: A trip to Mexico inspires new Hable® home designs

A memorable trip to a vibrant city in Mexico inspired new Hable designs for Garnet Hill’s spring and summer home collection.

Susan’s studio is her sanctuary and creative space.

We interviewed artist Susan Hable of Hable Construction®, peeking behind her designs to discover how strolling through the city streets of Oaxaca, Mexico — with its brightly colored buildings, open-air markets, and vintage shops — became the creative starting point for this collection.

How did your trip inspire the new summer collection?

Oaxaca is such a special place: gorgeous, artistic, relaxed, cultural, colorful — the list goes on! I was excited to just walk around and see the different painted buildings.

Inspiration for the Hable collection came from Oaxaca’s brightly colored buildings, garden spaces, breakfast fruits, and plates.

What parts of the trip did you incorporate into your designs?

Travel always seems to trigger my creative side, and this trip came at just the right time. From the flora in the botanical gardens central to the town to the fruits in the marketplace, the natural colors of my surroundings inspired me — and they found their way into the collection. I started with the colors, patterns, and textures I found in Mexico. Next, I collaborated with the Garnet Hill team to achieve a spirited overall summer vibe for the collection.

Susan’s sketches and flowers inspired the Floral Tufted Wool Rug.
The colorful stripes Susan saw around the market became her muses for the doormat and crewel pillow designs.

How would you describe the new collection?

It’s relaxed and fun. I love the Summer Stripe Duvet Cover and the floral Printed Organic-Cotton Percale sheets. The colorful stripes reminded me of the ribbons hanging over the doorways of each shop we visited while on our trip. 

What is your favorite piece from the collection?

I love the colorful ditzy pattern on the sheets. It was inspired by a pattern found on a dress from the ’60s. I translated what I loved about the design into our bedding.

This vintage 1960s’ dress became the inspiration for the bedding.

For more inspiration and colorful designs for the home, visit our Hable Shop.


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