At home with Clr Shop founder, Talia Taxman

HAPPY NEW YEAR CLR SHOP CREW! 

As you can see, we’re starting the year off with something brand new. In these weekly blog posts, we’ll be exploring the latest trends in interior design, sharing our team’s personal tips & tricks, and showing you inside compelling and exciting spaces.  We hope you will find this new addition to our work inspiring and that you’ll let us know if there’s anything you’d like to see more of.

And what better way to begin than to take a peak inside our founder and designer Talia’s apartment! A multi-media artist, Talia’s been a creative and a musician all of her professional life. You might have already checked out her band and her alter-ego self, Rodes Rollins. Previously based in Brooklyn, Talia recently relocated for a short term stay in Berlin with her partner Ron. We dropped by their colorful apartment to chat with Talia about all things life and work. 

How did you start Clr Shop?                                                                                    

As a full-time touring musician, I suddenly found myself with no job and tons of free time at the start of the pandemic. As the world was swirling around me, I began to focus inwardly and work in my studio on design - this was always a passion of mine, but never something I had all the time in the world to focus on. As I was exploring different design mediums, I connected with a weaver in North Carolina, and thought to myself that I should try selling some of the blankets we were making online, having no idea that it would quickly take off. Orders began pouring in from all over the world - I couldn't believe it! 

As the shop began to grow, and I started to see photos of the blankets in customers' homes, I realized that my Clr Shop project was fulfilling a very similar place in my creative world as music. I always say that seeing the blankets incorporated into peoples' spaces is like hearing someone singing the lyrics to a song I've written. It's such a fulfilling feeling as an artist.  

Since then, I haven’t looked back. Clr Shop totally rules my world these days and we’ve expanded more than I could’ve ever dreamed. There’s lots of new work on the horizon for 2023 and I can’t wait. 

Tell us about your creative process. Where do you find inspiration for your designs?                                                                                                                 

For the designs in the shop, I try to find inspiration everywhere - looking at the clothing people are wearing, and even what fonts are being used in graphic design. I like to try and find shapes that are speaking to people and create a vibrant and whimsical environment around me in my visuals. 

What’s a piece of advice you always return to when it comes to your career?

Don’t get a job, make a job. For me personally, there’s no better feeling than building something from the ground up. Whether it’s a musical album or home decor brand, I strive to make something from nothing and to watch the impact it has on other people. 

How do you connect your music to your work at Clr Shop? 

It’s not always easy to wear both hats! But I’ve found that both music and Clr Shop have been equally important creative facets for me. Music is such a personal endeavor, and Clr Shop allows me to focus more on the “outward” stuff. The two definitely help me create space for different kinds of self expression, and pursuing both things has also helped me realize that one thing doesn’t have to be everything. You can be a person who expresses themselves in many different ways. In the end, I think this mindset has made me a much healthier person. 

What makes a space feel like home?

Hold on to the stuff that really counts. I am a minimalist at heart, but when we came to Berlin, I made sure to take the art and personal belongings that really meant something to me. Mugs from my grandparents, vases painted with friends, little trinkets for good luck. When we were finally able to unpack our bags, I was so grateful to see all of these little things. It made me feel at home at a time when I felt so homesick! Drinking coffee out of my grandpa’s favorite mug makes me think of him every morning.

With your apartment being both your living and your working space, how do you achieve balance?

The honest answer to that is, I’m not sure that I have! I’m a total workaholic and kind of always have been. Working from home is fabulous, but I have a hard time turning off at times. 

What are some of your home essentials?

My favorite mug from my grandparents, Clr Shop blankets (of course!), an acoustic guitar, small pieces of art, and plants to bring in life. 

What are you looking forward to in 2023?

We are experimenting with lots of new products to add to the shop - I can’t wait! On the music side, I’ll be releasing a bunch of new tunes and visuals that I’m working on with my good friends in Mexico City. Lots of exciting things on the way.