Melissa Newirth learned to appreciate textiles at an early age. Her mother was a model, and Melissa spent much of her childhood in the showrooms of New York's garment district. Newirth became an interior designer and prop stylist almost by default; five years ago, she moved to Portland, drawn to its creativity and affordability, and in spring this year she opened her, online store, Cloth and Goods.
The store mixes Newirth's line of dish towels, placemats, napkins, and pillows made from vintage fabrics, primarily Japanese with local finds and other items picked up from her travels. Her mandate is to keep it simple, to let the integrity of the textiles take center stage. Her studio is located in the former Film Exchange building in the Pearl District, and although it is an online store she is happy for people to drop by. For more, go to Cloth and Goods.
Above: Japanese Vintage Indigo Pillows made by Cloth and Goods from vintage Japanese folk textiles, hand woven and naturally dyed from the indigo plant following traditional methods. Prices range from $150 to $230.
Above; Dish Towels made from new indigo-dyed fabric in Japan woven in small batches, using a hand-operated loom; $30 each.
Above: British Pottery made by a husband and wife team in Stoke-on-Trent. Pricing begins at $28 for cups and bowls.
Above: A table runner and place mats on display. The brown cups and saucers are vintage Danish pieces from a recent trip.
Above: Indigo Napkins; $25 each.
Above: Newirth's studio and work space.
Above: Melissa Newirth with her textiles.
Above: Newirth's ground level studio opens onto a courtyard in the historic Film Exchange building in Portland's Pearl district.
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