Monthly Archives: March 2010

Maryann Morley and Beth Dean, Wellfleet Waters

Last June I profiled three textile designers in the article “Designing Women” for Stuff Magazine.  I’ve already followed up with posts on Seema Krish Design and Mod Green Pod. Now that summer is approaching, it’s time to visit sisters Maryann Morley and Beth Dean of Wellfleet Waters.

Maryann and Beth said they were sitting on a Cape Cod beach when inspiration hit. “We were talking about porch furniture, saying we wished we could find vibrant designs in bright colors,” says Morley. Instead, they found a lot of earth tone stripes printed on acrylic. So they got to work producing a line that was lots more fun.

They came up with a collection of three whimsical patterns (flowers, paisley, and polka dots) in three bright, highly saturated colorways (grass, water, and sunset). Most importantly, they decided to use 100% cotton canvas fabrics, which they have treated to be water- and mildew-resistant.

The collection launched last year; it’s made entirely in the United States and printed in New England. “It costs a bit more, but we’re committed to the people we work with. And it keeps us close to home for our families too,” says Dean. (Both sisters are moms.)

Their inspiration is the nostalgia for summer vacation, the season of bare feet and canvas sneakers. They remember running into the garden to dirty up new pairs, so they wouldn’t be too white. Morley explains, “We want to bring people back to that place, whether it’s the bayside or the pond, where they relax with their families and are reminded of the good things in life.”