Grand Embrace : Ooh, Ohhio!

Today we endured another blizzard like storm that so far has left us with 10” on the ground. As I look out the window all is white and chill. Then I turn back to the task at hand…the month of February’s Pin-up ans wishing I had one.

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62 - 22 - 43, yes, she is larger than life – with enormous sensual curves you can feel beneath your finger tips just from looking at her photographs. She is soft and warming to the touch – with the most insane, full-body embrace like non you’ll every experience. Not to mention 100% pure-of-heart. Of course, I’m describing the oversized, chunky knits that are hand crafted from the finest 100% Merino wool by a young woman named Anna and the brand called, Ohhio.

Oh, and those numbers above, refer to thier thousands of fans:
62K=Instagram
22K=Facebook
43K=Etsy

Anna Marinenko, the artist behind the Ohhio, larger than life blankets

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Anna and her brand seemed to me as mysterious as her blankets are bold and beautiful. The Ohhio website is simple and as straight forward as her knitting. It boasts tons of stunning images, pricing and the basic information about the product, yet little about their creator and the brand. I had to do some digging beyond the company site and social media pages, just to find an article with her last name revealed. Her full name is Anna Marinenko. Then some more digging lead me to her personal design website and to learn she is from Kieve, Ukraine. Yet, some more research and I hit gold, a video that she presented via Kickstarter – her project goal was to earn $20K, instead her vision earned her $204,496, in one year. (Those are a lot of naked sheep!)

It was this video that endeared her and her work to me even more. I learned how to pronounce the brand name Ohhio – it's not like the state Ohio. Anna, who in her thick endearing Ukraine accent pronounced it “OI-YO”. I have had brief e-mail contact with her, but tried to reach her again to learn exactly what the significance of the name is, but didn’t hear back from her in time to post today. Hopefully, I get an answer soon and update the post. The other reveal was just how she creates each piece – spoiler alert she physical knits the blankets with her hands! No needles, no machines. Her artistry is the true meaning of hand-made.

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Last week included her blankets in a post inspired by Pantone Color of the Year, Coed Color : Rose Quartz & Serenity. I think these would be an amazing practical and artistic addition to a child’s room. Talk about a security blanket!

There are various reasons why investing in one of these blanket is worth the price tag. (Blankets retail for $229-$650). Let’s start off with the obvious aesthetic factor, they are super cool and whimsical due to the gigantic 3”woven-loop. Then there is the practical reason, they of course keep you warm and cozy – merino wool regulates body temperature so you stay warm without overheating. Finally, we believe they have an heirloom quality, a piece that will stay with them into the future as they grow-up. Longevity is a key feature we look to include in all our room designs, this piece fits that bill.

Practical and aesthetic addition to a child's room

I haven’t stopped looking at her yummy images and thought she and her products deserved a little more face time. So here are some additional eye-candy in various color other than the pretty pastels we have previously shared.

Pre-ordering is available in one of theses seven colors, $250-$650

The bold and the beautiful, why not one for him

Also available for pre-order is a cowl, $80 and a scarf $136

You can purchase her products via her Etsy shop or the Ohhio website. All are made-to-order so delivery is 1-3 weeks, but by the positive comments of those who received theirs seems it is worth it. Only issue is they wish they ordered a larger size!