At Home in Connecticut with John Robshaw

Susanna Salk and John Robshaw in his Connecticut studio

With a background in fine arts and painting, John Robshaw caught the textiles bug when traveling to India in the 1990’s. There he discovered his passion for fabric making and the handcrafted beauty of their artisan traditions. Working with makers throughout Asia, he developed his signature look of color and pattern rich global chic that was to become the hallmark of his thriving company. Join Susanna and me for a visit with John at his 19th century Connecticut country house where he has infused his home with the worldly spirit of his travels and aesthetic.

John explains his process. “I want all the colors, techniques and designs from each culture to blend. I redesign them and mix up the processes. I edit them, learn from them, make them my own, but retain their essence.” 

John Robshaw living room in Connecticut

And it is the same in his house where he has transformed his weekend retreat with art,  saturated colors and layers of textiles and global finds from his world travels. 

John Robshaw entry

In fact, you would hard pressed to remember that you are in rural Litchfield County, Connecticut, as every room is a melange of exotic international style

John Robshaw Connecticut guest room

with a nod to his love of the handcrafted.

John Robshaw bathroom

Constantly moving things around and experimenting, John treats his house as a marvelous laboratory collage. The results are inspiring and a reminder that fearless decorating is often the answer when you incorporating collections of everything you love. Thank you John, we are thrilled to share how you have brought your fabulous global travels back to home to Connecticut with such inimitable style.

Susanna Salk and John Robshaw in his Connecticut studioall photos above by Stacey Bewkes for Quintessence

A big thank you to video sponsor Duralee, where John has translated his handcrafted textiles into exuberant collections of prints,

John Robshaw fabrics for Duraleewovens

John Robshaw wovens for Duraleeas well as a furniture collection with customizable finishes and upholstery choices. Inspired by John’s travels throughout Asia, the shapes recall the architecture of the Ottoman Empire, updated for modern living.

John Robshaw Furniture for Duralee (1)three photos above courtesy of Duralee

In fact, in John’s own living room, he has incorporated the Majal Sofa covered in his Sata Duralee fabric, below

John Robshaw living roomphoto by Stacey Bewkes for Quintessence

Whether you choose the romantic allure of the silver-leaf-finished Sinan bed

John Robshaw Sinan bed for Duralee

or the versatility of an exotic shaped ottoman, you’ll be sure to bring some of John’s global glamour into your home.

John Robshaw ottomans for Duralee

two photos above courtesy of Duralee

7 thoughts on “At Home in Connecticut with John Robshaw

  1. Made me want to fly to my fabrics and start throwing them around. Very inspiring post. What is that paper that you were printing on with the blocks?

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