We are thrilled to introduce fredflare.com’s
first in-store boutique devoted to one designer brand: the chic stationery
and wrap collection from Chicago’s Jack
and Lulu. We’ve
been admirers of this company for some time – check out our
Holiday 2002 interview with them – and are honored to be the
only online shop to feature their entire line. You can count on us
to stock Jack and Lulu’s latest and greatest as well as keep
you updated on what the designers, Julie and Tom Murphy, plan to
do next. Please check back for updates! Recently, we chatted with
the talented couple all about their new collection, their new obsessions
and their new home.
Hi Julie, Hi Tom! We love your new
collection so much! What inspired it?
We were inspired by the look of fancy department stores, 1960's country
clubs and movies like the Pink
Panther and Pillow Talk.
Do you have a personal fave Jack and Lulu product?
Right now, we are really excited about the Fine Line boxed sets and
the green lattice wrap... The Fine Line boxes remind us of perfume
packaging and the wrap could be wallpaper in a hotel lobby in
Palm
Beach!
We heard you've recently moved into a new home in Evanston, Illinois.
Tell us about it.
Oh yes, we have moved to the country! Evanston is a really cool town
just outside Chicago. We found a great little cottage there. It has
this amazing side yard lined with hedges that is perfect for croquet.
Watch out if you come over! We'll make you suit up in a white cardy
and play…
Any quick decorating tips for our readers?
Do they have any tips for us? We're still trying to get our living
room to where we want it! Hmmm, some advice... Don't be afraid of
paint, and not just on the walls. We've been into buying thrift store
furniture and painting it white. Also, try using things for purposes
that weren't intended. Our coffee table is a stack of old suitcases.
What are some of your favorite places in Chicago? Any good shopping
you'd recommend?
We love Grant Park for picnics, Old Town for walking around, Muskie's
on Lincoln Avenue for milkshakes, and the Matchbox for drinks. Robin
Richman is a great store for clothing and jewelry. Bookman's Alley
in Evanston is a cool, dusty old bookstore. Posh on Southport has
neat
French tablewares.
When you visit NYC, what do you love to check out?
We like walking around Nolita to see what's new. We always get a
slice at Joe's Pizza on Carmine Street. On our last visit we spent
a little too much time at the bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel. You
should see their chairs!
Hey Mr. DJ... What's spinning in the Jack and Lulu offices these
days?
Lately we've been into Curtis Mayfield, James Yorkston and the Athletes,
and Via Tania. And a little 50 Cent never hurt nobody...
Time machine... If you could travel back in time, what era would
you love to live in?
Our time machine would land in Paris in the 1920's.
We know you're big Willy Wonka fans. (Have you heard Tim Burton might
do a remake?) We're wondering what are some of your favorite candies?
We are so excited! ONLY Tim Burton could pull it off! We're huge
fans of his! Our favorite candies are Maltesers, gummy Coke bottles,
and Mr. Wonka's Everlasting Gobstoppers. Kinder Surprises are great,
too, because you get a little toy inside the chocolate covered egg.
Now that Jack and Lulu is well on its
way to being a household name, where do you see your company headed?
We'd love to try things outside of paper... We have an idea for a
documentary about all the things people put on their peanut butter
and jelly sandwiches.
What advice would you give our readers interested in starting their
own companies?
In all seriousness, having your own company is one of the most fulfilling
things you can do. Be ready to work long hours. Create products you
would love yourself, and hopefully others will like them, too.
