In 2018, the exclusive Eric + Eloise Collection (E+E) was introduced to the acclaim of customers who happily embraced the story and its whimsical characters. Accent Decor’s beloved artist and creative force, Jessica Hiemstra, brought the joy of the holidays to life through an exclusive line of products based on her storybook, Eric and Eloise, the tale of an unlikely friendship between a fox and a hare. What began as a holiday-themed line has since grown into a year-round assortment, featuring the popular E+E Wall Mounts to charming tabletop decor.

This holiday season, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Jessica. In our conversation, Jessica reflects on the journey that shaped the collection’s success, the inspiration that sparked its creation, and the ever-evolving ways people engage with these deeply loved characters.

How do you feel about the continued relevance of the E+E Collection over the years?
A few years ago, I received a personal letter from someone who purchased the Eric Wall Mount. He shared that he’d been through a particularly tough year with challenges at work, at home, and with his health. One day, he walked into a retail shop and saw Eric mounted on the wall. Eric made him laugh—a full, out loud belly laugh. That moment of joy stuck with him. I believe Eric + Eloise continues to resonate because people need joy, play, and wonder in their lives. It makes me glad to be a small part of bringing this kind of goodness into people’s lives alongside Accent Decor.

Did you expect the E+E Collection to have such longevity when you first created it?
I try not to create thinking about where something will go, or how successful it will be. Instead, I focus on being fully present, doing my best in the moment, and seeing where the process leads. The story of Eric + Eloise began with memories of my childhood home—how I felt in winter and during the holidays, and how much I love the forest, skiing, and friendship. When we started designing home decor products based on the storybook I wrote for Accent Decor, I hoped people would connect with Eric + Eloise, and I’m delighted they have. Along the way, we took risks, chased our imaginations, made lots of mistakes, and got many things right. We trusted in the joy we felt when we designed certain objects, and that joy has carried through; I’m proud of our work together on Eric + Eloise.

Have you observed new trends in how people engage with the various E+E products?
I love seeing how much people love Emerson, and how he’s part of libraries and entryways! He’s a dapper fella and, as a writer, I love that he’s named after a writer, of course.

For many years, people hung and placed frames around the characters—which looks great! In recent years I’ve noticed characters mounted on fun wallpaper, tucked into bookshelves, and hanging as statement pieces in elegant rooms. People are having more and more fun personalizing Eric + Eloise characters—I love it!   

I also like how people have integrated Eric + Eloise as part of their families. When we first introduced the collection, we thought of them as holiday characters. People sling scarves on Eugene, hang lights in Frankie’s antlers, and sparkle up Eric + Eloise, but the characters have also become part of people’s homes, year-round.

Finally, (to my own artistic relief) I see more maximalist styling coming back into vogue! I like mismatched and precious objects, wallpapers, and deep colors. Eric + Eloise fit well into bold and playful rooms—rooms that resonate with my own cozy, vibrant and eclectic taste.  

Eric + Eloise products are fantastic for everyday decor and seamlessly integrate into holiday settings. What do you love most about incorporating Eric + Eloise into holiday decor?
For me, humor’s integral to warmth. I love that the characters somehow manage to be elegant, yet funny, which is what I aspire to be (during the holidays, and year-round)!  I can get wrapped up in thinking I need to make everything perfect when I entertain – and that doesn’t make the holidays sparkle. What these characters bring into a room isn’t perfection— it’s imperfection! From the very beginning, this was important to me: that Eric’s ears are a little wonky, that Frankie isn’t perfectly symmetrical. In their own way, they’re just like us. As fantastical as they are, they reflect something deeply true about us.

Frankie, Margie, Emerson…which character(s) do you resonate with most?
My personal favorite is Charlie. I think this is because I love ducks so much. I love their bums in the air in ponds. I love how their quacks sound like laughter. I love the sound of them eating, the way they’re so still on the surface of water but underneath their little feet are pumping! I think it’s also because Charlie’s a bit of an outlier – an aviator duck who everyone confuses for another kind of bird (over time I’ve heard Charlie referenced as a peacock, swan and goose). I also wrote a book about Charlie, so I think that gives me a little extra tenderness for her. Plus, Charlie’s styled after female bush-pilots. And I think those gals were and are bosses. And, of course, I’ll always have a soft spot for Eric because he’s the ringleader.

How do you think the Eric + Eloise Collection will continue to resonate with future audiences?
Wonder, love, friendship, and joy will always resonate. Our world is full of hardship and sorrow. Laughter keeps us going, gives us courage, and brings us together. These are just storybook characters and home decor products, but what they represent is important for the human spirit. We described the first story of Eric + Eloise as “the unlikely friendship between a fox and a hare.” Our world needs so many more unlikely friendships, bridges across differences.

How do you think the Eric + Eloise Collection will continue to resonate with future audiences?
I’ve just moved 2000 kilometers east (that’s about 1200 miles) to a place called Gunning Cove, on the East Coast of Canada. I look out my studio window to deer, giant oaks, huge erratic stones, and a cove. Being close to the forest again brings me great joy. I feel home, even though I am only just beginning to learn about this place, and the animals here.

Currently, I’m working on art for a children’s book for Canadian writer, Samantha Reynolds. She writes books to help parents support children growing into the people they want to be. I’ve added a storyline about a dog having puppies into the illustrations. I’m having so much fun, and letting my imagination run wild! I’m cutting, gluing, and celebrating the joy of children, and thinking about how to protect their creativity, too.

To learn more about Jessica Hiemstra, and inquire about her current projects, follow along at @jessicahiemstradesigns on Instagram or sign-up for her monthly newsletter for updates on her shop, art and more. Take a look back at previous articles celebrating the Eric + Eloise Collection here, here and here.

Visit Accent Decor to shop the entire Eric + Eloise Collection, the best-selling E+E Wall Mounts and everyday home accents.  

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