After finding it difficult to furnish her first home with high-quality home décor without the breaking the bank, Karin Shieh decided to launch her own company. She recruited a fellow business school classmate, who just happened to be her fiancé, and the result is Crane and Canopy. Based in San Francisco, Crane and Canopy designs, manufactures, and sells contemporary bedding direct to customers.

What sets Crane and Canopy apart?
We offer beautiful high-quality bedding at an innovative price point. We bypass all the middlemen and create our fabrics by going directly to the same manufacturers that premium department stores and designer brands use. This not only ensures matching quality, but also savings, which benefits the customer.

Plus, all your designs are done in-house. What is the inspiration for your current line?
I work with a talented team of designers and am constantly amazed at the great designs they create. Their backgrounds in home goods, textiles, fashion and interior design bring the best of all worlds in creating designs for the home. Johnny, our head designer, for example, used to design gorgeous couture gowns and dresses. Our current line is inspired by the concept of modern romance. The patterns you see are floral and geometric with beautiful soft colors that exude positive energy.

Here at Rue, we loved being part of the launch of your partnership with Safe Horizon. Why did you partner with them?
This spring, Crane & Canopy is partnering with Safe Horizon, the largest domestic violence organization, to give the gift of a safe night’s sleep. For every duvet set purchased, we will donate a complete set to a woman leaving her shelter. I love that I am building a business that can make an impact in women’s lives and I know this is only the beginning of how we can make a positive impact in the community.

Absolutely. Launching your own business is a big step. Without a background in textiles, were you nervous?
Growing up, my sister and I were always surrounded by fabulous fabrics and textiles. My mother loved taking us to our local fabric shop and was always sewing to make our attire or home more special.

And now that Crane and Canopy is up and running, what has surprised you about running a business- with your fiancé, no less!
Every day brings a new surprise. As a result, you have to be flexible and be okay wearing several hats at once. I still remember the time when I met with our designers about a new collection, finalized our fall marketing materials and picked up a shipment from customs, all within one hour. To this day, I am still surprised by how the only predictable thing is unpredictability – and I love it!

With so much to juggle, do you have a simple daily routine to de-stress?
I find zen in my soy latte every morning.

So do we! On a different note, let’s talk more about the home that inspired Crane and Canopy. It’s April and time for spring cleaning. How do you keep your home organized?
Lots and lots of containers! When you open any drawer or closet in the house, you will see everything in a container or jar. My favorite collection of loose tea leaves is displayed in beautiful cans that I found in Japan. It may seem like more work up front, but the organization can make the mundane sparkle. I like using a variety of sizes, types and colors – just to keep things interesting.

What is coming up next for C&C… and for you?
We plan to introduce new bedding collections every few weeks, a goal we have consistently reached since first launching Crane & Canopy. We also have a fun spring pop up shop of all of our office’s favorite finds, just in time for Mother’s Day. Not to mention my big day is coming up in early May. Planning a wedding and starting a business at the same time has been a whirlwind, but I would not have it any other way. I am so excited to marry my best friend and to have my dream job!