Textile designer and shop curator Courtney Barton is known for her coveted East-meets-West linens and charming collection of furnishings and accessories. Barton’s approach to interiors and her work with textiles are rooted in her Southern upbringing and inspired by years living abroad in Asia. For years Barton has partnered with her team of artisans in Rajasthan, India to design heirloom-quality textiles using heritage block printing methods. The production of Barton’s textiles contributes to the artisans’ long-term employment and their families’ financial stability. Her personal tie to the artisans, their families and the production process from beginning to end is critical to Barton, who considers social impact to be a core component of her business model.
Courtney Barton textiles celebrate unexpected print and color combinations and are designed to be mixed and matched to elevate interiors with dimension and comfort. Over the past decade, Barton has cultivated a loyal following for her luxuriously soft cotton Dohar blankets and custom hand-blocked pillows. In addition to soft goods, Barton stocks her shop with antique furnishings, art, apothecary products, home décor, and fashion accessories ethically sourced from around the world. Each hand-selected piece reflects her refined aesthetic and ability to mix objects, origins and eras to create spaces that are both timeless and soulful.
Influenced by her mother’s and grandmother’s intricate sewing, Barton developed an eye for design at a young age. After graduating from Louisiana State University with a degree in Textiles & Design, Barton moved to New York City to work under Jill Stuart and couturier Ralph Rucci. A marriage proposal from her now-husband brought her to Houston before the couple relocated to Malaysia. It was during this expat season that Barton amassed a covetable collection of antique linens and unusual finds. She returned to Houston with bags of exotic wares in tow, and her original concept “Mela & Roam” was born. In January 2020 Barton transitioned to an eponymous brand after nearly a decade of growing her business from a fledgling venture into a well-established storefront and e-commerce destination.
When she is not working with clients at her charming Houston shop or in Round Top’s slower-paced country fields, Courtney enjoys spending time with her husband and two precocious boys.