American Cottage

Meet American Cottage

Husband-and-wife team Kevin and Jodi Sleeper love rugs, folk art and America. They launched their New Hampshire-based company, American Cottage, in January 2004 to showcase their passions and, reportedly, haven’t stopped selling since.

If the product looks familiar, it’s because you’ve seen designer Jodi Sleeper’s work in the rug industry for the last 14 years. She was the art director at Claire Murray, helping develop the company’s signature look while designing 125-150 rugs, among other products. She also started the art department at The Bob Timberlake Collection and was a licensee for the likes of Capel (hooked rugs), Shaw (machine-mades) and others. With an art background in botanical illustration, she’s also designed wallpaper, bedding, dinnerware, hand-painted furniture, packaging and more.

We’re not just going to be a rug company,” she said. ‘We’re going to build this as a brand name, but rugs will always be the base where all the other design connections are made.”

Sleeper admits to being questioneed about the relevance of cottage-and folk -themed rugs amid the industry’s pull toward contemporary styles. “I’m not worried about people thinking we’re behind the curve or ahead of it. The customers who have responded to my product are proof enough for me.” The company’s 29 SKUs are made in China and divided into four all-wool collections: Floral , Bunnies, Coastal and Transitional.”

It’s my history. Every design is personally connected to who I am,” Sleeper said. “I was raised with rabbits as a kid, I had seahorses and turtles. My lakes-and-mountains region in New Hampshire is a constant source of inspiration.

While the company’s largest size to date is a 4x6 scatter, by January 2005 larger sizes and other constructions should be available, including hand-knotted rugs, some with wool and silk. Other soft goods like pillows, bed and tablet op accents reflecting te company’s homespun aesthetics also are on the 2005 roster.

When asked how she’ll differentiate her line from the look-alikes she helped develop, Sleeper said, “Through the quality of our workmanship, the integrity of our strictly wholesale business philosophy and our classic color palette. Color is the bottom line. You can like or dislike my flowers or bunnies, but you’ll love my colors. They never go out of style.”

See American Cottage during the fall High Point Market, Oct. 14-20, at the Suites ar Market Square, first floor, booth I 106. For more info rmation, visit: www.americancottage.com, Phone; (603) 735-4222.

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• American Cottage’s Jodi Sleeper with her dog Max at home in New Hampshire.
• Designs shown: Kaleidoscope and Floral Garden runner in khaki.