Inside the Studio
The founder and Creative Director of DwellStudio, Christiane Lemieux studied art history and fashion design before setting up shop in 1999. The Canadian native is inspired both by travel (most Canadians are; it's so cold up there they're always on the road in search of sun), literature, the art world, and anything and everything to do with design, from flea markets to estate sales, design magazines to reality television. Lemieux's most important role - also an endless source of inspiration - is that of mom: to Isabelle, William, and Jake, the big lumbering lab who commutes to the office with her every morning. Seeing the world through the eyes of her kids and attempting to balance adventures around the globe with stability at home has helped Lemieux refine and redefine what DwellStudio stands for - and though juggling the roles of parent, spouse (she happens to be married to her business partner Josh), and working woman is a challenge, it's one she adores.
DwellStudio was born as Dwell Home Furnishings, in 1999. Founder and Creative Director Christiane Lemieux, a veteran of the worlds of fashion and home retail, wanted to offer the discerning customer a range of vibrant and modern textile designs. Soon after, Lemieux was joined by Jennifer Chused, now Partner and VP of Sales, and Joshua Young, Lemieux's husband as well as the company's President and CEO.
The company quickly gained a devoted following and established itself as the most innovative brand in the bedding market. Thus, the collection grew - eventually encompassing everything from tabletop to baby and kids accessories. Marked by a signature use of color and a sincere commitment to the highest quality, the DwellStudio name is synonymous with adventurous design and impeccable construction.
In November 2007, the company was reborn as DwellStudio, an overarching brand to unite the various lines focused on bedding, baby, children and tabletop. Now a decade on, the company continues to evolve, pushing the boundaries aesthetically and tackling new design challenges each and every season, though it remains one of the most trusted names in the home market.
Current Playlists:
Au Revoir Simone
Verses of Comfort,
Assurance & Salvation
Al Green
Call Me
The Band
Music From Big Pink
Bob Dylan
John Wesley Harding
The Velvet Underground
Loaded
Televison
Marquee Moon
We also love our
Pandora Disco station
And Josh has a special fondness for Hall & Oates
We Love to Shop
New York:
De Vera, Ted Meuhling, Prada, Marni, Matter, John Derian, Brooklyn Flea, Butter and DAR
Paris:
Clignancourt, A.P.C., Dries Van Noten, Deyrolle, Collette and Merci
Tokyo:
Muji, Hakusan, Prada
Brimfield Antiques Market, Brimfield Mass
Brussels:
Marchee de Puces Place du Grand Sablon Amsterdam
Stockholm:
Modernity
Copenhaguen:
Galerie Dansk Mobelkundst
London:
Westbourne Grove with a stop at Portobello
Florence:
Perfumeria Santa Maria Novella
Hong Kong:
Joyce
The President & Chief Executive Officer of DwellStudio, Joshua moved to the Big Apple in 1992 to attend graduate school at Columbia and never imagined 16+ years later he would still be here. Although a proud Canadian, lover of all outdoor activities and a world traveler, Joshua has come to love the New York life with his growing family (2 goldfish for the kids brings the family to 7). Joshua grew up in a family of design and real estate and his love of architecture and all things built, serves him well in his role at DwellStudio. In addition, he has an extensive corporate and financial background having worked in New York as a banker, private equity investor and real estate developer prior to coming on board full time at DwellStudio to oversee the business, production and financial operations.
Partner and Executive Vice President Jennifer Chused joined the DwellStudio family in 2000, not long after the company was born. A stylist by trade, mom at heart and a business woman to the core, Jennifer worked for such companies as Donna Karan, VH-1, and ROOM before lending her unique design sensibility and savvy business know-how to DwellStudio. In addition to her creative contributions Jennifer oversees the sales and merchandising divisions of the company. She resides in Brooklyn with her husband Pete and son Benjamin, who both graced the cover of the premier DwellStudio catalog.
It takes on average 8-12 months to create a pattern from start to finish. We have hundreds of patterns that are rejected every year and this year alone we have printed more than 200,000 yards of fabric
Jake has been the DwellStudio office mascot (and second employee) since inception and kept Christiane company when she was the solo employee. He is 12yrs old and still comes to work every day and has graced the cover, inserts and back pages of many home & baby catalogues. He makes the rounds in the office each day to beg for breakfast and then lunch.
4 of our designers are originally from Ohio, 2 are from Kansas. Josh was the only male at DwellStudio for about 4 years. Our first office did not have heat.
