HBF Textiles + Kelly Harris Smith = UP Collection
Who doesn’t need some joy in their life right about now? A collaboration between HBF Textiles and Boston-based designer and entrepreneur Kelly Harris Smith is sure to do just that.
HBF Textiles and Kelly Harris Smith have created the new UP Collection, a series of uplifting textiles inspired by the beauty of everyday objects. UP fuses technical prowess — the majority are bleach cleanable, all feature post-consumer recycled polyester content in their construction, and most are domestically sourced — with a modern industrial aesthetic.
HBF Textiles UP Collection designed by Kelly Harris Smith
Eyes Wide Open
When conceptualizing the HBF Textiles UP Collection, Smith looked to the urban environment around her and discovered patterns others might fail to notice, such as the intricate chain of an iron fence, textural utility covers, clean-lined telephone poles, and intersecting paver stones. By translating these utilitarian designs into upcycled textiles with bold colors and geometric motifs, Smith and HBF Textiles offer a playful approach to performance fabric that enlivens space and captures the essence of city life.
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“Kelly’s positive outlook is contagious, and her vision for this collection reflects that by offering comfort, joy and hope,” states HBF Textiles VP of Design + Creative Direction Mary Jo Miller. “Her appreciation for the details that make life richer is perfectly captured in this mood-boosting collection. We believe her designs will spark that same zest for life in the spaces they inhabit.”
Smith explains, “Living in the city, pattern is all around me. I look up a lot. I’m an avid cloud watcher and architectural façade enthusiast, but I’m also looking down as I’m walking around, noticing brick patterns, seemingly unglamorous utility covers, and sewer grates. Witnessing the complete process — from photographing and sketching my inspiration, to seeing these designs translated by the mills to woven textiles — was truly special.”
Upbeat, part of the HBF Textiles UP Collection designed by Kelly Harris Smith
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Smith brings a lifetime of passion for textiles to this collaboration. From growing up crafting with recycled clothing, she went on to study and work as an architect. She transitioned to the textile world in 2008 and began her own design and consulting firm in 2017.
In addition to that practice, Smith is the founder of Minni, a community creative space offering art and design classes for young children. Her signature, sustainable consideration and dynamic designs are evident in the UP collection.
Upstart, part of the HBF Textiles UP Collection designed by Kelly Harris Smith
Pattern UP!
Smith used her experience as a trained architect to look at how pattern plays a role in modern interiors. The series showcases usable pattern scales and her signature, classic palette of fresh and vibrant hues. The collection encompasses five designs in a broad range of 41 colorways.
Four of UP’s five designs are bleach-cleanable, and each textile features recycled fibers. The collection is also made entirely by North American family- and employee-owned mill partners, with four designs crafted in the US and one in Canada. All the patterns serve a dual purpose for both upholstery and wrapped panel applications (meeting both flame code requirements) and are third party certified SCS Indoor Advantage Gold.
The five textiles in the UP Collection are Upbeat, Upscale, Upstart, Uptick and Uptown.
Designer Kelly Harris Smith
About Kelly Harris Smith
Kelly Harris Smith is a designer, creative director and entrepreneur specializing in natural and sustainable materials for commercial and residential interior design. Kelly’s award-winning designs are distinctive for their pattern, color, and innovative functionality. Whether she’s designing textiles, interior architecture installations or running Minni, a community creative space offering art + design classes for young children, Kelly begins her process with a thoughtful analysis of how people will interact with the product and the environment. Recognition includes the “Emerging Product Designer Award” at NYCxDesign, being named one of The Boston Globe’s “25 Most Stylish Bostonians” and having exclusive designs included in the MoMA Design Store. Smith trained as an architect at Northeastern University and resides in Boston with her husband and two young children.
