Mother Stories
Visit Textile Designer & Mama Of Two, Rachel Craven
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Michelle Drewes
Jun 17, 2014
We dream of living in a clutter-free, minimalist-style house, but one that still feels warm, inviting, and playful. So, we fell hard for the Echo Park abode that textile Rachel Craven calls home. Of course, one should expect nothing less from the SoCal creative and Echo Park Craft Fair co-founder, who makes it her life’s mission to help people fill their surroundings with beautiful, meaningful things. That, and raise two gorgeous boys: Miles, 9, and Max, 6. With a chic and breezy style to match her light-soaked casa, we suggest you dig into this feature now, and get to Pinning.
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- "Comfortable, artful, California." In the living room. Rachel wears a Nada Mas tunic she designed, red NARS lipstick, and Annie Costello Brown bracelets. Miles wears a J.Crew gingham top and J.Crew shorts. Max wears Nico Nico harem pants and t-shirt.
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- "Not really. I've always loved having flowers and using cloth napkins...the simple, stylish things. My boys love to set the table and they always get out fresh linens! It's really cute."
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- "The living room, with its big windows, lots of light, plants, flowers, and art."
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- "An Alma Allen bowl, Victoria Morris pottery, Adam Silverman pots, Heather Levine ceramics, and Ramsey Conder sculpture. All are pieces I have traded for with other artists. Lucky me."
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- "Collect pieces slowly from people you really love and respect."
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- "I'm an interior designer, textile designer, and co-owner/curator of the Echo Park Craft Fair."
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- "I went to art school in NYC, worked as a fashion stylist for years, and came back to design through painting." A look at some of Rachel's prints on pillows.
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- "I love the tactile qualities of print making and creating beautiful livable spaces." Beatrice Valenzeula sandals (right).
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- "I cherish my outside-of-the-home work. Without my creative work, for me, I'm not as well-rounded or satisfied as a mother. I took five years off to be with Miles. They were the best years of growth. I feel very very grateful to be a mother who is able to be her own boss and still pick up her children from school."
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- "The last Echo Park Craft Fair was a huge success! Make sure you all come in December! I'm also designing linen caftans with my dear mom friend, Dafne Balatsos. We met working at our kids co-op preschool!"
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- "We are in the middle of a city, while also having a 500-acre park next door! I love my community green grocer, Cookbook, and deeply believe in community. I've found Echo Park to be filled with like-minded families and creatives. My son goes to local public school. We are super happy here."
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- "Park play in Elysian Park, a stop at the local library, blue corn quesadillas, Cookbook grocery stop, and tree climbing in the backyard."
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- "I just loved those names since I was a child..."
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- "Simple, comfortable, chic."
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- "Not really. Maybe less high heels, but that's also the difference between L.A. and NYC."
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- "White jeans, Dosa, Beatrice Valenzeula booties, and the Nada Mas caftans I'm making with Dafne Balatsos."
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- "A Nada Mas linen dress (my line with Dafne Balatsos) and sandals. The same for night, I just add red lipstick."
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- "L.A. locals: Dosa, Black Crane, Jesse Kamm, Beatrice Valenzeula, Jenni Kayne, Dream Collective, and Kathleen Whitaker jewelry. I like to buy all of my clothes at the Echo Park Craft Fair!" Rachel in a Nada Mas caftan, Beatrice Valenzeula sandals, and straw hat from Olvera Street in Downtown L.A.
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- "At the Echo Park Craft Fair website!"
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- "Yes. My priorities changed, too. I care about where things are coming from, how they are made, and who made them."
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- "A Reinhard Plank hat from Clare Vivier's shop." In the dining room. Miles wears a Nico Nico chambray shirt, Nico Nico t-shirt, and J.Crew shorts. Max wears a Nico Nico top and harem pants.
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- "I had Miles, my oldest, when I was pretty young. We've grown up together and he truly teaches me everyday. I've learned patience and forgiveness through my children." Rachel Craven linens.
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- "How much they would change me. What a journey it is."
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- "I'm an only child, so I had no idea what to expect! It's a ride, for sure. The most incredible moments are when they are together speaking a language that is just for them." Rachel wears a Dosa shirt, Imogene and Willie jeans, Ancient Greek sandals, and a Rachel Craven apron.
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- "They are so intuitive and smart. They show me the world through a totally different perspective."
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- "I wanted it to be fun, bright, comfortable, with lots of pattern and textiles. Also, totally not gender specific. They have a couch in their bedroom and we hang out in there for a lot reading and drawing."
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- "Their bed. It's cozy with lots of pillows and soft blankets, all good for snuggles."
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- "Going to the beach and swimming, boogie boarding, climbing rocks, having a picnic, and digging in sand ."
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- "Yes! We go on 'special dates.' They can be as simple as going to get ice cream. We just make sure to really name it 'special time.' The boys love that."
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- "They're both bright, fast, fun, imaginative, so cozy, and creative."
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- "We're similar. My mother is a wonderful role model we have a really special relationship."
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- "My mom and my grandmother—both artists."
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- To see more of Rachel's work, head over here.
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Well, picture #32 is the only one in which Rachel is visibly barefoot. That’s OK, she does have very nice feet. That right arch is definitely lovely along with the gorgeous pink skin tone of her bare heel.