How to Keep Virginia Johnson Happy as a Houseguest? Fresh Flowers and a Toblerone Bar

By Lexi Green
November 23, 2010

Virginia Johnson Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so along with all of the food and football, many of us will also be engaging in these time-honored holiday traditions: playing hectic host to the loved-ones or piling our travel-worn bodies into guestrooms and onto awkward air-mattresses. Well, this year, home away from home doesn’t have to be so darn uncomfortable, thanks to Canadian textile designer Virginia Johnson, who knows a thing or two about making people feel wrapped-up and cozy. Her colorful and sustainable textiles — inspired by her love of nature and, appropriately enough, her own extensive travels—have adorned everything from fashion shawls and designer tunics to home goods like rugs and decorative pillows to a newly-launched Virginia Johnson bedding line. (Left: Virginia Johnson)

Before starting her business in 2001, Virginia Johnson honed her skills as an accessories designer for Helmut Lang and later as an illustrator for the likes of Kate Spade, Vogue, and InStyle. Now, her sweet-yet-sophisticated watercolor textile designs can be found everywhere from Barneys to Net-a-Porter.

We caught up with Virginia Johnson to get a better look inside her business and to hear her tips for how to welcome guests during the holidays.

The Inside Source: After working in the accessories business for years, what made you decide to launch your own print and textile design business?

Virginia Johnson: After going to design school and then working for Helmut Lang, designing handbags, shoes, and small leather goods, I decided I wanted to do something different, more creative, for myself. But, I didn't know what that would be. After a Saturday screen-printing class at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, I moved home to Canada and made a sample collection. I sold it to a couple of stores in New York and that's how it all started. Simultaneously, I started a career in illustration, where I worked for Kate Spade's stationery line and three etiquette books, as well as magazines like Vogue.

The Inside Source: How would you describe your design aesthetic?

Virginia Johnson: I believe in accessibility in my designs, meaning that they are not hard to understand, but hopefully they convey a sense of optimism and beauty that I see in the world around me. I like for my clothes and accessories to make people feel happy. And for women to feel good wearing them.

The Inside Source: You're also praised for the sustainability of your fabric and textile products. Could you tell us little bit more about this?

Virginia Johnson: We try, whenever possible, to incorporate sustainability into our products. For instance, we use organic cotton. We also try to think of creative ways to use off-cuts from our production. We use scraps to make fabric-covered cosmetic mirrors. We all need to start thinking more about sustainability because we are over-using our planet’s resources and they are limited.

The Inside Source: What is your favorite part of your job as a textile designer?

Virginia Johnson: I would have to say designing and choosing shapes and colors is my favorite part of my job. When I am free to design without any pressure, I'm my most creative. Sometimes, when I'm waiting for someone at a coffee shop and I don't have anything to read, I end up designing a whole collection.

Virginia Johnson Bedding

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duck and dalmatian taupe

Photo Credit: all photos courtesy Virginia Johnson
assorted baby quilts
dalmatian yellow
bulldog chainstitch pillow beet
duck teal
turtle chainstitch rug olive

The Inside Source: You say you find most of your inspiration in traveling. What is it about traveling that gets your design creativity going?

Virginia Johnson: I like to see what people are doing and making in different cities. I find it exciting to see what comes out of different parts of the world!

The Inside Source: And you travel quite a bit, so you know what it takes to make a house guest feel comfortable. With the holidays coming up, what are your tips to welcome guests and make sure they feel most at home?

Virginia Johnson: I think guests need to feel at ease in someone's home. Part of that is making sure they feel comfortable where they sleep. I like to provide soft, comfortable bedding; something with a pattern is always cheerful and uplifting. I also like to have some flowers in their rooms and a stack of recent magazines by the bed. In short, it's a vacation for your guests, and it should feel luxurious.

The Inside Source: What has been your most comforting experience as a guest?

Virginia Johnson: A good friend of mine always has fresh flowers on the bedside table and a Toblerone bar in the kitchen when I visit. She knows me well enough to be prepared for midnight snacks! Also, recently at a dinner, the host made me a mini pumpkin filled with currants and breadcrumbs and celery. It was delicious! Very personal and seasonal.

The Inside Source: Speaking of seasonal, what is your favorite holiday tradition?

Virginia Johnson: It would have to be baking cookies with my mom and brother and sister. My mom makes her own cookie-cutter shapes and we help decorate them.

The Inside Source: How do you use eBay to help you with your textile design and guest hosting endeavors?

Virginia Johnson: Oh, I love eBay! I use it for researching different items. I have found things like snowshoes and crochet for inspiration. I tried to find shoes to wear to my wedding. They were yellow Roger Vivier, but in the end I decided to go white. Sometimes I've found old children's books. You always get a surprise. It's like one massive flea market.

(images provided by Virginia Johnson)

Virginia Johnson's love for making guests feel comfortable overflows into her design work as well. She let us know that she is currently expanding her home décor collection with the addition of tabletop and stationary lines. In the name of being the most obliging host, Johnson picked a few items from eBay that she could see purchasing in order to make her guests feel right at home during this Thanksgiving season.

Collectible Shelley Art Deco Vogue Tea Cup

(buy it now price, $199.99)

"This radical tea cup is also from the '20s and would be a perfect complement to the teapot! Very modern and vintage."
Asian Handpainted Porcelain Garden Stool

(buy it now price, $175)

I love, love, love blue ceramic garden stools. I want to have one or two in our new home. They look beautiful tucked under a table and are useful when you have a few extra people over.
Large Ladies Fabulous Head Vase

(buy it now price, $1,350)

"This head vase would be fabulous with a wild bouquet coming out of the top! It’s sort of kitschy but lovely as well. This would make a bedroom very cheerful."
Leo Tolstoy Anna Karenina Modern Library

(buy it now price, $24.95)

"Anna Karenina is one of my all-time favorite books, and perfect for a winter’s visit. When I read it for the first time, it became part of my life. This vintage beauty is from 1950."
Hall Art Deco "Meltdown" Teapot

(buy it now price, $195)

"This mint-green teapot is Art Deco, my favorite era. And I have a thing for teapots. I love their shapes, especially this clean-lined stunner. Serving guests with teapots is a ritual I have that I love. It is so much more special than doling out individual mugs with teabags!"
Sorel Women's Joan of Arctic Snow Boots

(buy it now price, $124.99)

"I bought my Sorel boots when I was eighteen, before I went on a visit to Winnipeg. I still have those boots. These are a must-have for any guest and they are much more stylish than they used to be! (These boots come in size 11 and I do have a couple of friends who fit the bill…)"