Quick Takes With: Ellen Van Dusen

OG fans of Brooklyn-based textile and home goods line Dusen Dusen know that it first launched as a womenswear label in 2010. Five years later, founder Ellen Van Dusen pivoted the brand’s direction to the boldly patterned bedding, throws, pillows, and towels it’s known for now. But Dusen Dusen still stays true to its fashion roots, releasing seasonal collections “inspired by fine art, commercial, and naïve design as well as the brain’s reaction to color, movement, and contrast.”

Like any good fashion house, Dusen Dusen is known for its collaborations, too: with Design Within Reach, Areaware, Arlo Skye, and more. Recently, Ellen worked with Dutch brand Fatboy to create playful outdoor furniture pieces like hammocks, bean bags, and poufs. She opened a pop-up at the MoMA Design Store in SoHo, too. But when she’s not conquering the design world, Ellen is caring for her one-year-old son Woody and soaking up the sun on her one-of-a-kind mosaic patio in Bed-Stuy.

Here, Ellen shares the podcast episode she’s listened to “a million times,” the dress she lives in, and the best wedding gift from a friend.

Above: A portrait of Ellen by Meredith Jenks.

You’re invited to dinner. What’s your go-to gift?

I almost always bring a set of Dusen Dusen dish towels. You can never have too many.

What’s on your bedside table?

Currently, a Verner Panton Flowerpot lamp, chapstick, and a large glass of water.

Above: Dusen Dusen’s House Coverlet.

What’s your desert island design/art/architecture-related book?

It’s so hard to choose, but my most recent obsession is an artist named Mary Sully. She made patterns inspired by her Native American heritage as well as American pop culture at the time. The combination of both points of view made for some very compelling and unique imagery. The book her great nephew wrote about her, Becoming Mary Sully, is one that I keep coming back to.

Above: A striped hammock from Dusen Dusen’s collaboration with Fatboy.

What podcast or playlist do you put on when you need inspiration?

I like to bounce around a lot, but one of my favorites is an NTS show called Death Is Not The End. They go deep in a very specific genre—it’s pretty incredible stuff that you won’t hear anywhere else. One of the episodes that I’ve listened to a million times is their Swamp pop, country soul, and Louisiana R&B episode.

Above: Dusen Dusen’s Tawny Stripe Sheets.

My favorite sheets are…

Dusen Dusen! We have a new collection out. My favorites are the Spring Stripe and the Tawny Stripe.

My unpopular design opinion is…

Add more color.

Above: Ellen’s beloved custom knife.

My go-to kitchen utensil is…

My friend hand-forged a knife for me and my husband as a wedding gift. It is so beautiful and the best knife we have. It has a pattern in the metal that is really complex and psychedelic.

Above: Dusen Dusen’s Canvas Hamper.

First design love?

Alessi. My parents had so many Alessi products in our house when I was growing up and I was always drawn to them.

What item from your closet do you have on repeat?

I wear a big, striped Sunnei dress all the time.

Above: Dusen Dusen’s Baby Hooded Towel.

What is the last thing you purchased for your house?

I have a one year old, and I recently bought a Nugget sofa for him. It’s now the most coveted seat in the house.