Behind the scenes at decorative cushion brand Kotabo: how is a collection created?
A new Kotabo collection might seem to start with choosing a print and fabric. But before a decorative cushion finally lands on your sofa at home, a whole process precedes it.
Behind the scenes at decorative cushion brand Kotabo: how is a collection created?
Decorative cushions brand Kotabo
Behind every cushion lies months of gathering inspiration, testing, adjusting, and starting over. Because for us, a nice cushion is not just an accessory. It must add atmosphere, remain beautiful for years, and provide that warm, cozy feeling of home.
Behind the scenes at decorative cushion brand Kotabo: how is a collection created?
Where do we get our inspiration from?
Inspiration is everywhere. Sometimes a new collection starts with an interior we come across, a special combination of colors, or a material that immediately evokes a feeling.
We look a lot at interiors, Pinterest, and various living styles, but our inspiration also comes from unexpected places. Think of flowers and plants, special geographical shapes, atmospheric gardens, 1930s homes, and architecture from abroad.
Behind the scenes at decorative cushion brand Kotabo: how is a collection created?
A beautiful 1930s home with characteristic details, for example, can be just as inspiring as an eclectic interior in Miami.
We continuously collect images, colors, and materials that appeal to us. Trends inspire us, but ultimately we choose designs that remain timeless.
Behind the scenes at decorative cushion brand Kotabo: how is a collection created?
How do we choose the colors?
Choosing colors for a new collection: the most enjoyable, but also immediately the most difficult, task.
We always look for refined colors that exude tranquility and are easy to combine. Colors that make you think: yes, I want to keep seeing these in my interior for years.
Behind the scenes at decorative cushion brand Kotabo: how is a collection created?
Often it's not about one loose color, but precisely about the combination. How do colors feel together? Does it provide warmth? Does it create balance? Does it fit into different types of interiors?
We test endless different combinations. Sometimes a color looks beautiful on paper, but feels completely different as soon as you lay different fabrics next to each other.
Ultimately, we mostly choose by feeling. The moment you think: this feels like coming home.
Behind the scenes at decorative cushion brand Kotabo: how is a collection created?
How many samples precede it?
Many more than you might think.
To give an example. A collection appearing in the spring of 2028 already begins in the autumn of 2026. While the new collection is still on the drawing board, our heads are already full of ideas for the future.
Behind the scenes at decorative cushion brand Kotabo: how is a collection created?
We have regular appointments with our supplier. Every month we discuss developments and receive new samples for evaluation. We are in daily contact to brainstorm about materials, colors, improvements, and new ideas.
A new cushion therefore doesn't come into being all at once. It's a process of trying, adjusting, and continuously making it a little better.
Behind the scenes at decorative cushion brand Kotabo: how is a collection created?
Why do we choose certain fabrics?
A fabric should not only look beautiful but also feel pleasant and be practical.
For every fabric, we ask ourselves:
Does it exude warmth?
Does it feel soft and comfortable?
Does it match the atmosphere we want to create?
Will it remain beautiful with daily use?
That's why we thoroughly test our cushions. For example, we look at how comfortable they are to lie on, how the fabric reacts to use, and how practical they are in a lived-in home.
Behind the scenes at decorative cushion brand Kotabo: how is a collection created?
Because a cushion shouldn't just look good in a photo. It also needs to be durable. Can water get on it sometimes? Can children play with it or have a pillow fight? Does the shape remain beautiful? How does the filling hold up?
These are all questions we consider.
Even when a product is already in our collection, we keep looking at what can be improved. Every week we ask ourselves again: how can we make Kotabo even more beautiful and better?
Behind the scenes at decorative cushion brand Kotabo: how is a collection created?
For example, we recently adjusted our fringes. We have made the fringes fuller and thicker so that they exude even more luxury.
We investigate how light affects the color and how the cushions come into their own in different interiors. Because a design should not only be beautiful in our studio, but precisely in as many different living styles as possible.
We create our own unique designs and colors. This must, of course, remain true to the Kotabo style.
Behind the scenes at decorative cushion brand Kotabo: how is a collection created?
A cushion with a story
A decorative cushion might seem like a small detail in an interior, but it's precisely these small details that make a space personal and atmospheric.
That's why we put so much care into every collection. We want to create cushions that are not only beautiful at first glance but that you will be happy with every day.
That's what Kotabo stands for: timeless designs, fine materials, and refined prints that turn a house into a home.
Behind the scenes at decorative cushion brand Kotabo: how is a collection created?
