My mom and I were so much alike. Her name was Sandra Leigh, and I am just like.leigh."
A word from like.leigh founder, Amy Weisberg:
Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. like.leigh has been a true labor of love, and I want to let you in on what we’re all about and how we got here.
like.leigh was born from an appreciation of the individuality of handmade design. As a textile artist, I have worked in the industry for over a decade for various fashion, home, and accessories brands. While I’ve gained an immense amount of knowledge from my experience, I felt that something was missing. Having studied textile design in college, I learned the history and origin of many classic techniques. I used my hands to create every project that I designed, and I felt connected to the craft from start to finish. Unfortunately, this is often lost in the world of mass-market design. With deadlines and quick turnaround times, the connection to the craft is often replaced by the efficiency of digital-aided design. While digital design has its benefits, after ten years of moving further and further away from where I started, I needed to reconnect.
I started like.leigh after a very trying moment in my life. I had just lost my mom to cancer. In losing my mom, I learned how quickly life can change, and the way we choose to spend our time is especially important. So, I decided that after years of designing for large companies, I needed to take a risk and start a venture that reconnects me to the craft that I love.
Each of our designs begins with an original hand-created design. Whether hand-drawn, hand-painted, or hand-stamped, the aim is to embrace the uniqueness of handcrafted design. Handmade imperfections infuse our designs with soul. Machines can't do that. And that's how we like it.
Each design is then locally screen-printed here in California. Hand screen-printing is such a special process with precise attention to detail. It allows for micro-batch printing and a true appreciation for the hand-feel of an ancient craft.
Through the process of starting a business, I have realized that so much of who my mom was, lives on in me. In each hand-crafted detail, I have found the strength to push forward and reconnect to what makes me feel truly fulfilled. My mom and I were so much alike. Her name was Sandra Leigh, and I am just like.leigh.
Thank you for being here and taking interest in our brand. We look forward to bringing unique, artisanal, hand-crafted textiles to your home.
Amy Weisberg
]]>When founder, Amy Weisberg, set out to design like.leigh's debut collection, one of the very first creative processes included creating a color palette.
In building a cohesive color palette, one the first, and quite possibly most important steps, is to dive into trend research. It is important to be aware of market trends and directions. From there, it becomes easier to pull inspiration. This can come in many forms: scrap materials, natural elements, artwork, photos, or even travel. Having these various inspiration resources helps to create mood boards to better understand the overall direction.
After a cohesive palette is pieced together with the help of mood boards, painting is an essential next step. Being able to put a paintbrush to paper is a key part of the process. Exploring colors through color mixing allows the colors to truly come to life. After various shades and compositions are explored, final colors are chosen and standards can be sent to our screen-printer.
A cohesive color palette can help different patterns work together more easily. We love seeing how different designers use different color pairings to achieve varying design aesthetics. Whether its modern neutral, cool coastal, or earthy boho, our colorways work in a variety of different spaces.
We can't wait to see what colors you pair together. Not sure where to start? Shop our sample kit to get inspired.
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All of our textiles are certified Belgian linen, and are a mid-weight of 11.8 oz. This makes them the perfect weight for a variety of applications: Pillows, upholstery, window treatments, to name a few.
Upholstery | Using a mid-weight fabric, such as our linen, is a smart choice for upholstery. Our linen is upholstery weight and does not require backing. It also gives you the ability to customize any piece of furniture. Whether it's a custom upholstered headboard, or a statement chair, our fabrics will make a statement.
Window Treatments | Our textiles also make a great option for window treatments. They work well as both curtains and shades. Another thing to note is that our textiles can withstand exposure to moisture, making them even usable as window treatments in bathrooms.
Pillow Cases | Pillows are one of those things that can completely transform a room. That being said, pillow cases sometimes need a refresh. Our textiles are the perfect option for pillow cases. The hand-feel of our certified Belgian linen is soft and luxurious, but also durable. The perfect pairing for everyday life. Beautiful and practical... win/win.
Framed | This might be one of our personal favorite applications. This is something that can add the perfect amount of texture and interest to any wall, shelf, or entryway. We personally love how you're able to personalize it to fit any space. Whether it's the size, or the print, or how you finish the edges, this technique is the perfect way to add personality to any space.
With so many options for applications, it makes using our textiles endlessly imaginative and we can't wait to see what you create. Thinking a little outside of the box? No problem, send us an e-mail at sales@likeleigh.com and we'd be happy to discuss how we can help bring your vision to life.
]]>The year 2020 continues to unfold in ways we never could have foreseen. As we've discovered, that's how pandemics go – affecting us all in fundamentally different ways ranging from unthinkable loss to lifestyle shifts, but one common thread has emerged, no matter our circumstance: We are spending a lot more time at home. Like a lot more.
Our homes have become multi-purpose sanctuaries. Living rooms double as offices, make-shift gyms, and classrooms. Suddenly, we're thinking much harder about the spaces where we spend our time, and, to be quite honest, that careful consideration is a welcome distraction from all that's going on outside of our homes.
Some good has come from this grounding. Namely, we're all thinking more practically about design and its impact on our day-to-day life. While occupying an aesthetically-pleasing space has always been a high priority, functionality has become just as important. Many of us are rethinking spaces within our homes that are not optimally utilized or, while visually stunning, only collect dust. As a result, creativity is at an all-time high. Finding space for activities that were once relegated to the outdoors has become a welcome challenge for the interior design industry.
While the need to optimize the functionality of the spaces we occupy has become essential, it's also become imperative that our aesthetic design choices bring us peace of mind. This is our safe space. Our home. Maybe, we're craving an update. Change of scenery. Perhaps it's a gesture to spice up a space that's become hauntingly familiar. Maybe it's the worn pillow on the couch that's desperately in need of a refresh or the hand-me-down curtains that never sparked joy; whatever the project, change is welcome. So much so, that Houzz, an online home remodeling platform, reported a 58% annual increase in project leads for home professionals in June. Home improvement is on the rise.
However you're choosing to spend your time during this new normal, one thing is undeniable. The space you call home, your safe-haven away from the chaos of the pandemic, is more important than ever. So make sure that space makes you happy.
We'd love to help you make that happen. Feel free to email us at hello@likeleigh.com if we can be of any help.
]]>The small decisions we are making as a company allow us to be more intentional and responsible in our practices."
At like.leigh, every decision we make is part of a larger picture. We are deeply committed to bringing our designs to you through responsible production practices. But what exactly does that mean?
In a world where mass production and fast fashion are steadily increasing textile waste by the day, it is easy to feel a little helpless or removed from the situation altogether. But the reality is that there are plenty of smarter decisions available, and we can all play a part in making them.
When deciding on fabric for like.leigh, there were many options to consider. We were adamant about choosing a fabric that was not only of the highest quality, but also impacted the environment as minimally as possible. Which is why we chose certified Belgian Linen™.
Linen is woven from flax. Flax, by nature, is a "green plant." Flax grows naturally in harmony without irrigation. The flax plant is gentle on the land and is easy to incorporate into modern crop rotation cycles. The process of growing flax requires very little energy and does not harm nature. With each crop, all parts of the flax plant are used.
Flax is often used in human and animal nutrition because of its very high content of alpha omega-3 fatty acid. Flax seeds can be used as a base for a fine flour used in medical compresses. Linseed oil, squeezed from flax seeds, is also used as a component in paints, cosmetics and soil coverings. As it turns out, flax is very much a gift that keeps on giving.
So what’s with the certified Belgian Linen™ and why not just any linen? Belgian Linen™ is a quality label that ensures that our linen meets three essential criteria:
Ultimately, it is just an extra stamp of approval on our goods. It is a sign of our commitment to always bring you the finest materials – with a knowledge of where we are sourcing from and how they are made.
In addition to choosing to print onto eco-friendly textiles, most of our printed yardage is made-to-order. This allows us to only order exactly what is needed, minimizing waste.
While it might seem like a minor step in the fight to preserve Mother Nature, we believe the small decisions add up. Making these small, intentional choices every day allows us to deepen our connection with nature. When we deepen our relationship with nature, we are really connecting more deeply with ourselves. This connection allows us to live in harmony with the rest of the planet.
The small decisions we make as a company allow us to be more intentional and responsible in our practices. This careful approach ultimately empowers us to make beautiful, one-of-a-kind designs that you can feel good about bringing into your home.
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