My mother was an artist through and through. One of my earliest memories is how she builds the most wonderful dollhouse from an old cardboard box and some wallpaper leftovers. How she paints beautiful porcelain, makes a commemorative embroidery picture for my first hamster and sews blankets for the whole family. And in 1997 she finally officially became “Châtelaine”.
She took me with her to textile dealers and weaving mills to pick the material for her first designs and introduced me into the world of these materials. I remember folding the first print charts in our living room. I remember my mother, concentrated and surrounded by yarn, pearls, and patterns at her desk, sometimes before breakfast, driven by a new idea.
When my mother passed away in December 2017 I got to know her wonderful community and got a much more intense impression of the art she had created. I decided to step in and to carry on her legacy. From January 2018 on I started managing the things here – always supported by her wonderful community and long-time friends.
Even though growing up in such a creative environment, I did not find my way into textile arts. I rather come after the also maternal line of booksellers and book enthusiasts. I decided to study German Literature, Philosophy, Biology and Educational Science. I love photography, reading, cats, hiking, vegetarian/vegan cooking (and eating!), animal welfare, yoga, interior design, and watercolor painting. But stitching? Well. I did not know much about stitching or cross stitch designs when I started providing the Châtelaine Designs – and still, sometimes it’s a big Mystery (pun intended) to me. But I am very happy to learn and to carry on with Châtelaine Design.
Even though we did not work on this at the same time, I now regard Châtelaine as a time-shifted and intergenerational family business. And I love that.
Yours,
Ela