Christan Summers: Grow Wild

Nestled in the industrial part of Williamsburg, Brooklyn is a lush green oasis called Tula House founded by Christan Summers and Ivan Martinez.  Get lost with palms that kiss the ceiling and be-friend cacti of all different shapes and sizes.  We developed a girl crush instantly after meeting Christan at a friend's birthday party.  She has planted a green staple here in Brooklyn.  In less than a year she has been featured by Barney's planting her roots in both the Plant, Design and Fashion world.  You may have seen her Truck "Tulita", a greenhouse on wheels driving around Brooklyn.  Visit Tula House and read her interview below.

What inspired you start Tula?  What is Tula about?

Tula is a plant and design company with a mission to inspire city dwellers to fall in love with the natural world. We sell plants, handmade planters, plant accessories and home decor. We're currently based out of a showroom in Brooklyn and our storefront is a mobile greenhouse that we drive to various markets and neighborhoods in Brooklyn. It's an old 1987 Chevy box truck that we custom designed to look like a greenhouse, we've named her 'Tulita'. It's a total trip for people stumble upon! I've co-founded Tula with my partner, Ivan Martinez.

The inspiration to start Tula came from a need to literally get my hands dirty again, step away from in front of the computer screen and learn something totally new. Horticulture is a fascinating subject, there are endless facts to learn and so many things to share with others. So I chose to dive in, and apply my years in fashion and advertising to co-create a brand based upon something I truly love and respect. The best part about starting Tula is the positive impact I see it has on our customers. It's such a happy exchange. 

Where do you get your inspiration?

So many things... Books, the ocean, design, films, etc. I will say though that none of this inspiration turns to anything unless I give myself time to relax and daydream. My daydreams are where everything begins.  If I don't put everything away (including my phone :), my brain doesn't have the chance to imagine and let that inspiration in. 

What are you currently most excited about?

In the next phase for Tula Ivan and I are working on our first collection of prints and home decor products. We also have a few holiday pop-up shops that we're really excited about. One of which is in collaboration with Patagonia and we'll be taking over their 3rd floor at their Soho location on Wooster st.

Describe your perfect kind of day in Brooklyn.

This normally involves pancake breakfast at home, a bike ride to the park with a new book or magazine and a late lunch out. All of this alongside my favorite partner in crime, Ivan. 

Favorite Brooklyn Spots

Lella Alimentari, Okonomi, Blue Stove, Spoonbill & Sugartown Bookstore, Prospect Park, and Tula, Plants & Design ;)