» Blog Archive , » COWPOKES & CAMP FIRE GIRLS ~ Series Part IV: Barn Dandy’s Founder, Polly Wilson INTERVIEW, Cactus Creek Daily

COWPOKES & CAMP FIRE GIRLS ~ Series Part IV: Barn Dandy’s Founder, Polly Wilson INTERVIEW

Starting in a barn on her family’s cattle ranch in Colorado, Polly began Barn Dandy’s by searching high and low for vintage fabrics to complete the children’s furniture & accessories that she sold to area stores. One chance meeting after another, and in time Barn Dandy’s became Polly’s full time passion ~ and job.

With the slow disappearance of the treasured textiles of our past, Polly began to design her own fabrics. Now based in Oklahoma, Barn Dandy’s has become an industry-leading business that sets the standard for vintage prints and children’s designs. Polly sells her wares through her own website, as well as through retailers around the country.

Where does Polly get her inspiration??

Sometimes it’s out of necessity, and sometimes

it’s a striking thought that wakes her in the night. Polly does make sure to explain that she doesn’t draw on paper, or on the computer ~ instead her process is cutting & pasting, tearing out images, finding objects with inspirational colors ~ then forwarding all of these materials to the “computer pros” to move forward on the mechanical process of translating Polly’s inspirations into legendary fabrics. Inspired by vintage patterns and ephemera, Polly then creates Barn Dandy’s products based on the fabrics she has designed.

When Polly dreams of new fabrics and products she imagines them fitting into a life of kiddos who experience the raw joy of childhood. That is what Barn Dandy’s is all about ~ the innocence and wonder of childhood ~ the joy of getting dirty on the FARM * spending the night outside in a TENT * playing hide & seek * and eating CHOCOLATE sundaes for dinner.

What is currently affecting Polly’s designs?? The unyielding trend toward MODERN, refined decor. Even for those of us who LOVE Rustic * Western home design, the trend to SIMPLIFY with clean lines and neutral palettes is impacting design for the early 21st century. The current spin on the ‘Modern Farmhouse’, as well as Pottery Barn’s influence on the thirty-something generation, most young parents are now led to admire simple designs and clean palettes. While these criteria are a deviation from the bright & quirky vintage designs, finding a ‘happy-medium’ has not only challenged Polly’s creative efforts, it has led her to two new fabric designs that will once again set Barn Dandy’s apart from their peers.

What can we look for from Barn Dandy’s in the next few months?? In addition to the two new fabrics that Polly has designed {they will hopefully launch in January}, there is also a line of pet products that is getting ready to premiere. Like farm escapades and watching falling stars, cats & dogs are another requisite for childhood joy. Who better to give our pets quality goods with vintage charm?? Barn Dandy’s, of course!!
{I think Santa is bringing us a puppy so you can be sure that I’ll follow up on this one… }