It’s at the heart of our most recognizable products at Magnolia: artisan inspiration—those little handmade details and time-honored techniques that make a piece worthy of holding onto and passing down. Have a look at any of our seasonal collections and you’ll notice original designs like flower icons and watercolor artwork. These unique, often vintage-inspired markings aren’t just coincidence, though. They’re the result of months of intentional planning from our Design and Product Development Team, along with in-house artists.
To get a better look at the hand-painted artwork that makes each season at Magnolia so special, we reached out to Shaina Page, our assistant product designer (and the fine artist behind many of our favorite motifs). She walked us through her process, how she brings inspiration to life, and a few of her standout designs.
Magnolia: What makes a motif, a motif?
Shaina Page: A motif is a pattern or recurring central theme in art that adds meaning to the overall piece and, at Magnolia, speaks to the current season. It’s different from other kinds of patterned pieces because the story behind it shows up in various ways across our products, each one cohesive but unique.
What is the process like? How do Jo’s vision and the seasonal theme at Magnolia influence your design?
Every season begins with the story we're trying to tell. We spend time understanding the overall seasonal direction and Jo's vision—how she wants the collection to feel, not just how it should look. That foundation guides every creative decision.
What inspired the motifs for the fall 2026 collection?
Rather than creating something overly literal, we focused on capturing the feeling of fall through organic leaves, soft florals, branching forms, and subtle texture. The goal was to create motifs that feel timeless and collected.
How do you translate found inspiration into a new tangible product?
I love looking at vintage artwork because it has so much character. I study what makes it special—the hand-drawn imperfections, the composition, the colors.
From there, I simplify it! I remove unnecessary detail so the motif can be easily replicated by our vendors. Plus, simplifying a repeating pattern makes it feel lighter and more versatile. I try to preserve the warmth and authenticity of the original vintage inspiration while making sure it can blend well with current trends.
How do you know when a motif is “ready”? What’s the process to ensure that the same design will work well on different types of products?
A motif is ready when it feels balanced, intentional, and versatile. Our Magnolia-exclusive motifs are complete once they capture the story of the season well and our vendors can confidently apply them to many different products in various ways.
One of my favorite aspects of designing motifs is seeing how they evolve beyond the original drawing. A watercolor painting might become an embossed ceramic detail, an etched glass pattern, or a carved wood accent, and it's always rewarding to watch the same artwork take on a new life across different products throughout the collection.
"It's always rewarding to watch the same artwork take on a new life across different products throughout the collection."
Do you have a favorite motif to date?
Summer 2023 was my first summer season at Magnolia, and I loved the story behind it. We were inspired by vintage blue painted tiles that reminded us of San Miguel, Mexico, and based a set of coasters (among other things) on the beautiful design. It’s still one of my favorite pieces of art and product today.
When it comes to items worth investing in, artistic elements like these will always be at the top of our list. Find dinnerware, decor, and more featuring Shaina’s original artwork to start building your collection:
MORE TO INSPIRE
Right this way for a closer look at making and styling our exclusive products…
- Artist Spotlight: Shaina Page
- The Making of Magnolia Exclusives
- 6 Affordable Ways to Add Character to Your Home
- Color Outside the Lines
- Incorporating Wallpaper Into Your Home
