

OG fans of Brooklyn-based textile and home goods line Dusen Dusen know that it first launched as a womenswear label in 2010. Five years later, founder Ellen Van Dusen pivoted the brand’s direction to the boldly patterned bedding, throws, pillows, and towels it’s known for now. But Dusen Dusen still stays true to its fashion roots, releasing seasonal collections “inspired by fine art, commercial, and naïve design as well as the brain’s reaction to color, movement, and contrast.”
Like any good fashion house, Dusen Dusen is known for its collaborations, too: with Design Within Reach, Areaware, Arlo Skye, and more. Recently, Ellen worked with Dutch brand Fatboy to create playful outdoor furniture pieces like hammocks, bean bags, and poufs. She opened a pop-up at the MoMA Design Store in SoHo, too. But when she’s not conquering the design world, Ellen is caring for her one-year-old son Woody and soaking up the sun on her one-of-a-kind mosaic patio in Bed-Stuy.
Here, Ellen shares the podcast episode she’s listened to “a million times,” the dress she lives in, and the best wedding gift from a friend.
I almost always bring a set of Dusen Dusen dish towels. You can never have too many.
Currently, a Verner Panton Flowerpot lamp, chapstick, and a large glass of water.
It’s so hard to choose, but my most recent obsession is an artist named Mary Sully. She made patterns inspired by her Native American heritage as well as American pop culture at the time. The combination of both points of view made for some very compelling and unique imagery. The book her great nephew wrote about her, Becoming Mary Sully, is one that I keep coming back to.
I like to bounce around a lot, but one of my favorites is an NTS show called Death Is Not The End. They go deep in a very specific genre—it’s pretty incredible stuff that you won’t hear anywhere else. One of the episodes that I’ve listened to a million times is their Swamp pop, country soul, and Louisiana R&B episode.
Dusen Dusen! We have a new collection out. My favorites are the Spring Stripe and the Tawny Stripe.
Add more color.
My friend hand-forged a knife for me and my husband as a wedding gift. It is so beautiful and the best knife we have. It has a pattern in the metal that is really complex and psychedelic.
Alessi. My parents had so many Alessi products in our house when I was growing up and I was always drawn to them.
I wear a big, striped Sunnei dress all the time.
I have a one year old, and I recently bought a Nugget sofa for him. It’s now the most coveted seat in the house.
Thanks so much, Ellen! Follow her work at @dusendusen and www.dusendusen.com.
N.B.: This post was first published on Remodelista.
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