Baltic Linen, Designer Parker Align for Youthful Bed & Bath

By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 3/9/2010 12:00:00 AM

At the New York Market —

Baltic Linen Co. is immersing itself in “exuberant florals” stemming from the work of artist and designer Kim Parker as the two join forces to create a collection of juvenile bedding and bath.

“Working with Kim has been a pleasure,” said Matthew Sudock, creative director of design, Baltic. “It's not often that a design team gets to work with a brand founded in fine art. Kim's watercolors led the way for us. The collection is a true testament to Kim's art.”

For Parker, who has been painting and creating designs over the past 20 years for many major brands in apparel and home, this new collection marks her first program for children's bedding and bath, she told HTT.

“The children's market is eternally joyful,” she said. “A mother wants her child's room to be happy and high energy, like her child is, and not beige and minimal and quiet. So I tried to achieve that with these collections, which are sophisticated and happy and joyful. I'm known for my exuberant florals, and I believe color is a healing force.”

The initial line comprises eight collections — seven of which include bedding and bath products, and one that is strictly bath oriented. Also, the program is geared mostly to girls, with only one of the seven patterns — Jungle Joy — made with boys in mind.

“I really think that in the tween and girls markets, flowers and color and rich pattern are always in trend. They never go out of style,” Parker added. Building on that perspective, the six girl-inclined patterns are: Ladybug Garden, Fleur de Toile, Spring Meadow, India Garden, Blue Giraffes, and Cat and Dog – the latter which is only offered as a bath collection.

Components for the bedding collections include comforter sets, quilt sets, sheet sets and assorted decorative pillows.

Bath collections each include a shower curtain, bath towel ensemble, mat and accessories -- lotion pump, tumbler, toothbrush holder, soap dish, tissue holder, and wastebasket.

“We are thrilled to be working with Kim Parker on her vision for juvenile bedding and bath,” said Beverly Chapman, director of Baltic's retail bedding. “Kim has an incredibly unique perspective and a whimsical approach to each of her designs.”

Parker also licenses and creates other home textiles collections for area rugs, wall art, tabletop and decorative pillows, among other home goods.