Feast your eyes on vibrant, colourful masterpieces from the moment you visit the Ebi Emporium website. The grid style display of original, beautiful artwork is just the beginning as you click on to learn all about the business itself, the products, and the creative mastermind behind it all.
This Vancouver based home décor and accessory business is operated and creatively directed by Julia Di Sano. From paintings to pillows to jewelry to phone cases, Ebi Emporium offers a dynamic array of products that are connected through the artwork that makes them so unique. Portobello West had the chance to interview Julia about her business and her creative muse.
In Julia’s words, “Ebi Emporium is a fine art home decor and accessories company based on my original abstract acrylic painting designs, with all my items either created by hand here in Vancouver or ethically produced by printing companies I work with throughout North America.” Through playing the role of both creative director and business owner, Julia has been able to build Ebi Emporium as she wishes by “keeping it local, in terms of production, as much as possible. And I care greatly about the unique, whimsical designs I create and the high quality products I offer to my customers”- judging by the positive outpour of testimonials on her website, it’s no surprise that Julia deeply values both her customers and the high quality products she produces.
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to design something or other,” says Julia. From sketching fashion designs as a young girl to gaining acceptance into the “rigorously auditioned” arts high school Mayfield S.S in Ontario, her passion for art has only flourished throughout her life.
“After graduating, I found myself buying piles upon piles of home decor magazines, enveloping myself in all the latest color trends and patterns, loving all the bold, beautiful concepts and aesthetics different designers worked into their decor styles. I knew I wanted to be part of that word somehow; and although it took a while before I developed Ebi Emporium and began releasing my own products with my designs on them, my passion for decor and fashion always remained with me, inspiring me.”
Handling all aspects of a business can be very time consuming and tedious, especially for a creative soul like Julia. She admits that her days can be eaten up by the tasks that come with running a business such as “making media contacts, working with retailers, fulfilling online orders,” but when it’s time to put that to the side Julia says “NO MORE” to the mundane. I tell my fiance ‘My fingers are tingling’ and he knows I’m about to be covered in paint, listening and singing along to Japanese music or something like Mariana’s Trench CD’s for hours and hours. Inspiration just hits me, and that’s when I know it’s GO time.”
The array of products offered by Ebi Emporium is very dynamic; when asked if she preferred creating one over the others Julia answered, “Since everything is based on my original paintings and fine art is my first passion, the painting process and seeing the finished pieces themselves is definitely my favourite part. But when it comes to my products, I’m definitely partial to my velveteen pillow line- The luxurious quality, and incredible vibrancy of the colors are so true to my original works, that it’s really exciting to see those incorporated into living spaces. Taking art off the walls and turning it into something that permeates everyday life in a fun and colorful way, outside the box…I love that.” And we love that too; the exuberant colours that beautifully bleed across Julia’s creations instantly add life and happiness to any living space.
Though Ebi Emporium products are sold across British Columbia, as well as in Alberta and Ontario, not to mention a variety of social media pages and international websites, Julia explains that “being a vendor in Vancouver is great because I get to bring my passion to a local level, not just online and to social media followers I might never have met. I love making that personal connection with other local artisans and customers, and being part of the wonderful artistic community this city has to offer.” Our encouraging and kind city is what helps local vendors like Julia progress and evolve in their work. “Vancouver is a truly supportive city when it comes to the arts – and crafts, for that matter!” says Julia. “It’s nice to know that the local customers who come to shows are looking for that handmade, created-with-love touch to whatever they buy. They want something with meaning and with unique design: I’m thrilled to be a piece of that puzzle, sharing Ebi Emporium with Vancouver.”
Find Ebi Emporium, amongst many other local vendors at the Home and Garden show at BC Place Stadium from February 19th-23rd, as well as in this month’s issue of ACF Magazine and Western Living’s upcoming March issue.
A few final words from Julia to leave us feeling inspired… “Ebi Emporium upholds my belief that bold colours and whimsical designs can sing to the soul, bringing happiness and excitement to everyday life. Surround yourself with rainbows in your home and fashion – You’ll be smiling in no time!”
Written by: Kelli Klassen
VISIT the Ebi Emporium Website: http://www.ebiemporium.com/
LIKE Ebi Emporium on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EbiEmporium
TWEET Ebi Emporium on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuliaDiSano
PIN Ebi Emporium on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ebiemporium/