The Art of Collaboration: Dana Small and SZ Blockprints Launch First Bedding Collection

When two highly creative minds collide across continents, the result is magic—and a lot of careful coordination. Interior designer Dana Small and Sarah Zellweger of SZ Blockprints recently joined forces to create SZ’s first-ever bedding collection, merging Dana’s hand-drawn motifs with the brand’s signature Jaipur hand-block prints. We go behind the scenes of a collaboration that spans time zones and traditions, exploring how centuries-old craftsmanship meets modern design, and why partnerships like Sarah and Dana’s are redefining the possibilities for brands and designers today. Check out the collection here.

Tell us a little bit about yourselves!

My name is Sarah Zellweger, and I am the Founder of SZ Blockprints. I am originally from the United States but now live in Lisbon with my husband and two little kids after 15 years in London. After studying abroad in Northeast India I completely fell in love with the country and diverse and complex offerings. I became interested in various heritage textiles and craftsmanship, and over 10 years ago I was introduced to my Jaipurian blockprint partners and the rest is history! Our mission is to keep the art form of hand block printing alive. The emotional process is captured in each piece we make—the mark of a person’s story unfolding in front of you.

My name is Dana Small, and I am the creative director of Dana Small Designs. DSD is a full-service interior design firm and I produce my own label of bedding, tabletop, and dresses. I have also owned a retail store for over 18 years, Matilda’s, located in Stuart, Florida. My husband and I are recent empty-nesters, and I thought it would be the perfect time to produce my own collection. I have been a fan of hand-blocked printed goods since college, whether it be napkins, a quilt, pajamas, or a dress. I am completely drawn to the hand-made nature of block print and fascinated by the endless patterns the artisans create. I appreciate the uniqueness that this style of fabric provides and realized that designing my own collection to incorporate into my interiors could be a fun passion project.

On the Collaboration

How did this partnership come to life, and what drew you to working together?

SZ: We connected with Dana on Instagram, and I instantly loved her style and use of color. We arranged a call and instantly connected—she has great energy and warmth.

DS: As fate would have it, we met through Instagram! I am such a fan of SZ Blockprints for both their playful prints and excellent use of color. During our first call, I knew it was a match because we both spoke so passionately about our trade, our love of color, and shared the utmost respect for hand-made products. Sarah is such a delight, and her knowledge of block print has been instrumental to this collab.

This is SZ Blockprints’ first-ever bedding collection — why did now feel like the right time?

SZ: We had always wanted to do this, but knew we needed an interior designer who instinctively knew exactly what sorts of shapes, sizes, and finishes her clients needed. When Dana’s team reached out, it was the exact right timing and marriage of skills to make the collaboration possible.

DS: At first, I did not realize SZ had not produced more in the bedding sector, other than baby blankets. I was looking for a factory that could cover all bases, from table linens to a quilt to apparel. As I mentioned above, SZ produces amazing print design and color, and I was so hopeful she would be open to producing a full bedding collection.

How did you combine your two distinct aesthetics into one cohesive collection?

SZ: Ortensia, our Head of Design and Dana both shared sketches, which we turned into blocks. We mixed those with heritage prints from our catalog, so the collaboration is a combination of new and old- freshness and history. In terms of the color, the conversation was fluid—we gravitated towards a similar feeling of blues, greens, and camel tones. When we did our swatch work, everything we mocked up was so striking that it was difficult to make decisions on which print and color combinations to move forward with!

DS: I am an illustrator at heart, so it was so fun to do a few sketches and then have Ortensia do her magic and turn them into blocks. I love how they take the traditional prints and mix them up with funky patterns and super bright colors. There were so many great prints and colorways, it was very hard to decide on what we would produce first. The majority of my interiors are full of blues and greens, and I am a big fan of raffia, sand, and rattan tones. It was best to start there, where I could really showcase the new bedding in a true lifestyle setting.

On Design & Craftsmanship

Dana, tell us about the motifs you created and how they complement SZ’s signature prints.

DS: Being an interior designer with the majority of my design jobs along the coast, it was natural for me to start with my immediate surroundings. Palms, coastal grasses, and seashells were the initial inspirations for this collaboration. I wanted something graphic but recognizable. We also have this great stripe that was produced by my team to use in our packaging for both my store and design firm. It is a deconstructed stripe with a variegated pattern, and SZ did a fantastic job of melding all the things with their traditional poppy flower pattern. They also love stripes, so it was such a great combination!

Were there any challenges or surprises in bringing this craft to a new category?

SZ: Absolutely! As we are a handmade product, there are many steps and stages in the fabrication of each piece, like learning the exact placement and finishings took trial and error, but we got there in the end!

DS: First of all, I had to get a total education on the technicalities of block print and the general construction of the products. I think people in general take for granted how easy block printing looks, but there is so much more to simply dipping a block into paint and stamping it on fabric. It was a big learning curve on my end, and just the communication alone can be very tedious. There were many details to consider like weather, logistics, and DHL hiccups, but we pushed on!

What did collaboration look like between Lisbon, Jaipur, and your design studios?

SZ: Regular calls, emails, loads of back and forth, patience, and believing we would get there in the end!
DS: Zooms, emails, DM’s, texts, WhatsApp, you name it, we used it! Laughable moments and lots of patience, but all worth it in the end!

On Collaboration Today

Why do you think collaborations like this resonate strongly now?

SZ: Collaborations are such a fun and exciting way to create a product that tells the story of two brands and their beliefs and ethos, coming together. Now more than ever, there is so much of the same out there. This collaboration has a kick and an eye-catching effect, and a welcome dose of personality into the scroll, which can be quite relentless.
DS: I think collabs are a fantastic way for brands to work together and share individual passions and products and marry the two for something greater. Each of us brings a different perspective to each other's playing field.

What makes a creative partnership successful — both artistically and commercially?

SZ: I think being aligned with your vision for the product and also having a price structure for the pieces that resonates with the quality.
DS: Definitely being aligned with each other’s design, ethos, attitude, and positive professional nature.

Tell us your favorite pieces from the collection:

SZ: I am completely obsessed with the gorgeous quilts. Each piece is hand-printed, stuffed, constructed, stitched… hours of love and skill have been poured into each piece, and you can really tell!

DS: I love both the quilts and specifically the euro pillow shams. The quilts are so soft, and the pattern/colour combo is unlike anything else on the market. I am a big fan of any euro because you can simply add a few euros to a bed, and it makes a world of difference in adding texture and layers to your existing bed.

How do you envision people incorporating these designs into their homes?

SZ: This is my favourite part—mix and match! The best thing about block print is it’s completely timeless and trendless. These pieces will forever look amazing and natural, mixed and matched in any environment. Chic and easy, which I think encapsulated my and Dana’s style to a T.

DS: Totally what Sarah said. The best attribute about hand-block bedding is that it is a mix-and-match kinda vibe. The color combinations are relatively neutral and work nicely with all other colors of the rainbow as well. My mantra is, “Keep It Simply Styled,” and this collab collection is exactly that. Simple meets timeless, and stylish meets chic!