RADAR / SCENE
OPEN HOUSE SHOPS + SHOWROOMS
ELIANA BERNARD
A passion for the craft of ceramics and an incredible work ethic fuel designer Eliana Bernard and the success of her namesake line of porcelain dinnerware, jewelry and decor. Before launching her Austin-based company in 2014, Bernard honed her skills as a University of Texas art student and a ceramics studio manager, slowly building her collection on the side. Now, she creates bud vases, plates, bowls, mugs and more full-time. She recently dished with us on her work and influences. elianabernard.com Where do you turn for inspiration? Something—a color, pattern, interior or painting—can get me into the studio, but experimenting is most important. Whether it turns into a collection or is just a test piece, transforming an idea into a real-life project inspires me.
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What makes your collection unique? While my pieces are handmade, my slip-casting process and how I finish them results in a more refined, elevated look.
MEET THE MAKER PHOTOS: TOP, MARSHALL TIDRICK; BOTTOM LEFT, COURTESY ELIANA BERNARD; BOTTOM RIGHT, JOSEPH O’DEA. OPEN HOUSE PHOTO: COURTESY SERENA & LILY.
MEET the MAKER
A fabulous kitchen, spa-like bathrooms and spacious closets are key elements in a well-thought-out home. The Brazilian company Ornare (5120 Woodway Drive, Suite 209) has long specialized in outfitting those spaces with beautiful, functional wall systems and custom cabinetry, in a variety of innovative finishes such as leather and lacquer, by a cadre of Brazilian superstar designers. With several showrooms established around the world and four in major U.S. cities including Dallas, Ornare brought its latest outpost to the Decorative Center Houston (DCH) this past fall. Also opened this fall at the DCH is Crestron (5120 Woodway Drive, Suite 119), the breakthrough technology firm that integrates a building’s various systems (light, shade, temperature, security) into one state-of-the-art platform, allowing a property owner easy monitoring and control from any distance. Coastal, cool and casual is the sensibility cultivated by decor brand Serena & Lily (4430 McKinney Ave.), founded 15 years ago in California. Offering an assortment of sophisticated items for the home, including lighting, fabric, furniture, rugs and wallpaper, the favorite of many interior designers just opened its 10th U.S. locale in the charming Uptown Dallas district. The 4,000-square-foot space features a vast library of textiles, a rotating gallery of original art, several room vignettes highlighting the brand’s stylish wares, as well as a courtyard and glass-enclosed sun room that will show off its outdoor collection.
Favorite part about your job: I could spend hours color-testing and playing around with various patterns and textures. I love finding a new combination. Describe your studio. I work in a community of makers and offices for creative businesses called Springdale General in Austin. I share my studio space with another artist and love being surrounded by other creatives. Talk about your signature look. I use several marbling techniques. The look evolved during eight months of experimenting with different colored slips, almost three years ago. I began with tiny porcelain pieces and loved the look so much I brought it to the entire collection.
WRITTEN BY NINA KORMAN AND PAULETTE PEARSON