La Tienda’s Kapa Kuiki Throw Pillows Pack a Punch
Maui painter and designer Pua Jauregui creates each Hawaiian quilt pattern by hand with punch needle techniques.
Ochre and blush, aqua and lime, fuchsia and electric cobalt—the poppy color combos of La Tienda’s pillows alone are enough to stop you in your tracks. But if not, their exuberant punch needle Hawaiian quilt patterns will surely do the trick.
Maui painter-designer Pua Jauregui’s love for the traditional motif stems from fond childhood memories of quilts at her tūtū’s house. “It’s reminiscent of Old Hawai‘i and a simpler time,” she says. “A lot of Hawaiian quilts are done by hand while talking story, being present in the moment.” Punch needle, a slow, methodical process also done by hand, offered Jauregui the same feeling, but with a fresh look.
The juxtaposition of vibrant hues nods to the blend of cultures within Jauregui’s own ‘ohana—she’s part Hawaiian, and her husband is from Mexico. “They’re inspired by mu‘umu‘u from the ’60s and ’70s,” she says. “We also bring in goods from Mexico for mākeke that echo the same bright colors.” And the plants featured—indigenous naupaka, endangered ʻōhai, hau and ‘ulu—showcase her affinity for local wildlife.
New home décor categories, including bed-spreads, are up next and Jauregui plans to expand into resortwear (her quilt-print tees are already ultra-popular). Luckily, a move back to her hometown of Kailua this summer means folks can snag pieces in person at the label’s O‘ahu pop-ups.
latiendamaui.com, @la_tienda_maui
SEE ALSO: Pride of Palaka: The Resurgence of the Old-School Hawai‘i Fabric
Brie Thalmann is the home and style editor of HONOLULU Magazine.
