Meet Courtney Barton
Courtney Barton is the founder and creative director of her eponymous brand, Courtney Barton, where she designs, produces, and curates home goods—bedding, furnishings, and décor—that bring artistry and meaning into everyday living. Inspired by an early love of sewing and shaped by travels around the globe, Courtney collaborate with artisans to create socially responsible, enduring pieces. Through her retail shops, website, and custom projects, she bring together textiles, antiques, and one-of-a-kind finds to craft soulful, textured spaces that honor the stories behind each piece. Every product is carefully chosen or tailored with artisans and independent makers, ensuring it feels distinct to CB while blending craft and modern appeal.
What excites you most about Round Top this Fall?
"I’m thrilled that our Round Top shop will be buzzing this fall! Many friends and collaborators are traveling to Texas, and I can’t wait to reconnect in person. A highlight will be the meet-and- greet cocktail party celebrating Elliston House as part of our collection this season, with your stunning textiles on full display! Beyond the events, the fall show always feels like a seasonal reset: the heat eases, the days shorten, and surrounded by antiques, fashion, food, music, and endless creativity, it becomes the ultimate recharge for the months ahead."
Round Top draws such a creative community. What do you hope visitors take away when they stop by your space?
"I hope visitors leave feeling inspired, confident, and a little enchanted. I want them to discover unique pieces, explore new ways to mix and layer, and feel empowered to make their homes reflect their own story. But most of all, I hope visitors leave with a sense of connection. In a time where almost anything can be ordered with a click, there’s something almost reverent about in-person shopping—sharing ideas face-to-face and celebrating a love of home, hosting, and thoughtful gifting together."
What role does craftsmanship and artisan partnership play in your work?
"Craftsmanship is at the heart of everything I do. For about 15 years now, I’ve collaborated with artisans in India and skilled U.S. seamstresses to create heirloom-quality textiles, preserving traditional block-printing methods while supporting socially responsible production. Many pieces carry the subtle marks of their makers, giving them soul and character that mass-produced trends simply can’t replicate. I also love fostering collaboration closer to home through pop-ups and partnerships with other female-owned businesses, building a community that both celebrates the artistry behind each piece and lifts one another up.
Is there a particular piece, textile, or color palette you're especially excited about right now?
"Color, in all ways, always. I recently revisited one of my favorite books, A Dictionary of Color Combinations, inspired by Sanzo Wada’s 1930s series, and it reminded me of the power of thoughtful palettes. Much of my shop curation and product selection is guided by a color story or the mood I want to convey visually. On a personal note, I just added a few pieces in rich, tonal shades to my fall wardrobe— cornflower blue , tomato red, marigold, and loden—that feel as fresh layered together as they do paired with neutrals."
What's inspiring you personally this fall - weather in design, travel, or daily life?
"I’m heading to Parma next month and have spent nearly every evening tumbling down rabbit holes of Italian inspiration (jewelry, architecture, lighting) while also mapping out my must-eat spots. In daily life, with my husband traveling weekly and 5AM wake-up calls for my boys’ cross country runs, I’ve streamlined mornings with a few new favorites: Rhode Glazing Milk, Sarah Creal Caffeine Concealer, Ilia’s Sunshift Cream Eclipse Bronzer and Lip Sketch Hydrating Pencils, Milk Cheek Stain in Fizz, Violette’s Lip Nectar, and Chanel Le Vernis in Pompier and Faun (their polish outlasts all others!). On the design front, I’m eagerly awaiting new books from Erin Gates and Caitlin Flemming, and I’m especially excited to host Caitlin for a signing in Round Top October 14th. For anyone who can’t make it, I’m happy to arrange signed copies!"
How do you like to style textiles in the home to make a space feel layer and lived in?
"Layering is my love language. I mix scales and textures to keep spaces alive: bold block prints with tiny checks, nubby linens against silks, pillows piled atop quilts old and new. I choose upholstery with timeless lines or antique frames that stand the test of time, refreshing pieces as they wear or whenever my eye craves change. And textiles extend far beyond bedding and pillows, they can transform drapery with an embroidered trim along the leading edge or turn a plain lampshade into a moment of unexpected interest."
