Chandler 4 Corners, manufacturers of fine hooked pillows, rugs and accent furniture, has ventured into children's decor, a new territory for them, with the introduction of their collection "Julya's Designs". Quietly introduced at the winter trade shows to a select group of wholesalers, their move into the children's market has been an overwhelming success. Julya’s Designs is a line of pillows with simple fun animal designs that are perfect for children ages three to six. They are distinct from the rest of Chandler’s merchandise, which Laura Megroz designs with a contemporary folk art approach. Julya’s pillows are made in the same careful, hand-hooked manner as the rest of the C4C products, but with a decidedly whimsical, colorful and naive style.

The quiet showing at Atlanta's AmericasMart and the New York Gift Show this past January was all that was needed. Brothers Henry and David Chandler, working the booth together as they always do, were taken aback by the response. With an unknown designer and a product outside their usual arena, the brothers were operating on gut instinct. Julya’s Designs is the brainchild of Julya Chapman, a fresh, young Colorado designer. Julya, who originally hails from the Ukraine, moved to the US when she was four, settling in Vail. Now a talented young woman, she still enjoys the mountain lifestyle. “We really felt there was something special here in her designs, her approach, which spoke to parents about the simplicity and innocence of childhood that seems to be getting lost in our over-connected world. Our response indicates many agree!" said company president Henry Chandler.

The pillows, which each feature one animal—a zebra, a monkey, a tiger, and so one through 12 designs—are strong, simple and graphic. They have already been picked up by a number of catalog companies, which expressed delight at seeing something bolder for children’s decor. Regular Chandler customers and new “sophisticated kid” shops are ordering strong. “It’s been a revelation to us,” said Vice President David Chandler. “I was the skeptic, but I am completely bowled over—and won over. Thank goodness Henry knows how to pay attention to his instincts!”

Julya’s Designs are available to consumers and resellers both at chandler4corners.com (for retail orders) andc4cwholesale.com (for wholesale orders). Orders can also be placed by calling in an order to Carolyn Kelly at 1-800-239-5137. Chandler 4 Corners has been offering pillows, rugs and household accents since 1995. Based in Manchester Center, VT the company sells to retail shops, leading catalogs, and individuals across the country. Chandler 4 Corners hand-hooked products are made of pure wool in natural colorways that suit any home decor. For more information, visit http://chandler4corners.com.