House of Gleason
House of Gleason brings a fresh take to hosting, blending playful charm with timeless craftsmanship. Founded by Kristen Bowen, the brand started with embroidered cocktail napkins that reimagined Southern hospitality — modern, elegant, and a little cheeky. Today, it continues to celebrate the intersection of tradition and whimsy, proving that even the smallest details can make a statement.
Inspired by vintage textiles, fashion, and the joy of gathering, House of Gleeson has grown into a full tabletop collection designed for everyday celebrations. In our latest edition of Cultivating Conversations, Kristen shares how she turned a love for design into a brand that makes setting the table an art form.
Photo captured by Alabama Weddings and Mason David Erwin
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF?
I am a wife and a mother of two. We have lived outside of Raleigh, North Carolina going on 6 years and absolutely love it. A Michigan native, I grew up in a very small, rural town. We are talking about a single stoplight kind of town. Growing up I was a busybody who loved art, fashion and being outside.
“Martha Stewart was my hero (still is) and my ideal job was to be Martha.”
But since there was very little art enrichment in our town, I played sports. Sports definitely weren't for me in college. I wanted art and freedom. My sights were set on fashion design in college but sadly my confidence couldn’t carry me. After a fashion sketching class, and seeing what others were capable of, I decided it wasn’t for me. A few other degree attempts later, I finally landed on marketing. After college I had some of the worst jobs. Truly could write a book about it. Entirely thankful for where I am today. As I am right where I was meant to be — following my dreams designing and building a brand.
WHAT FIRST SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN CRAFTING AND DESIGN, AND HOW HAS THAT EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS?
It started from infancy really. My mother sewed, painted and did all the crafting things. She was always into the latest crafting fad. Sewing, basket making, painting, stamping, scrapbooking, you name it, she probably had tried it. My dad is also creative and handy, he can do anything from hanging wallpaper, plumbing, tiling and woodworking. He had a workshop in the basement of our childhood home where he would make wall trim boards and furniture. My grandmother was an excellent seamstress. I had a great grandmother and great aunt that were quilters.
“as a kid, I have known no other life than to be skillful and creative.”
I’ve dabbled in so many things over the years before becoming an entrepreneur. Photography, sewing, and glass bead making to name a few. I’m thankful that I had experience in photography and sewing — that came in handy later. My creativity is now mostly used for House of Gleason.
CAN YOU SHARE WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO TRANSITION FROM DIGITAL MARKETING TO FOUNDING HOUSE OF GLEASON?
My husband and I moved our family to North Carolina for his career and my job at the time was remote. I believe as a neurodivergent Capricorn, I was always meant to be an entrepreneur. Covid and gave me the opportunity to explore that. After testing out a few things, and getting fully immersed in the culture of southern hospitality.
“I saw a need to make cocktail napkins a bit more modern, a little less stuffy and with a sense of humor.”
HOW DO YOU APPROACH THE BALANCE BETWEEN CREATING PIECES THAT FEEL BOTH WHIMSICAL AND PRACTICAL?
I approach design by asking a few internal questions. From the shape to the stitch out, is this really going to work? Will it make a great gift? Will someone want this in their home? And lastly, will it bring them joy?
WHAT DOES YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS LOOK LIKE WHEN BRINGING A NEW DESIGN TO LIFE?
Generally a new cocktail napkin design starts with thinking through some objects that would be clever as a napkin. One of my personal favorites is the silver tray. It’s ironic to have such a refined object made into napkin/coaster form for everyday use. I keep a set on my nightstand and I am always delighted to see them.
Now that I am starting to design a tabletop collection it’s a balance to keep the modern whimsy and touch of traditional design aesthetic.
“I WANT to elevate everyday dining and bring the inspiration to host more.”
I want customers to use the good stuff everyday, to show off their amazing pieces and create memories with friends and family.
HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE CULTURAL OR REGIONAL ELEMENTS INTO YOUR DESIGNS?
Living in the south, hospitality and hosting is as big as you’ve heard.
“Not to mention *everything* is embroidered with a monogram.”
From children’s clothing to bath towels, nothing goes un–personalized. So with the cultural influence, we personalize our signature squiggle napkins but a touch more modern.
CAN YOU SHARE THE STORY BEHIND ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE DESIGNS?
Very early on I had a customer reach out and ask if I could make golf cocktail napkins. At that point I think I might have had 3–4 cocktail napkins. I quickly doodled the design on a sticky note, digitized them and made them on our embroidery machines.
“These are now our best sellers.”
WHAT ROLE DOES CRAFTSMANSHIP PLAY IN YOUR WORK, AND HOW DO YOU ENSURE THAT EACH PIECE MEETS YOUR STANDARDS?
Craftsmanship is a huge part of our standards. Since I started, I’ve been making the napkins myself in house, sourcing the linen, cutting, embroidering in the machine and hand cutting each and every one.
“ThIS was such labor but a labor of love nonetheless.”
WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES AND REWARDS OF RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS FROM YOUR HOME STUDIO IN NORTH CAROLINA?
“IT IS SO REWARDING HAVING MY KIDS SEE THE creative process and what running a small business looks like.”
The challenging part is living where you work and working where you live. There’s boxes, samples, etc. throughout as I tend to float around from the studio to the dining table to work. It’s very hard to get a clean break from it.
How do you connect with the people who purchase and use your designs?
I absolutely love when customers email or DM but nothing beats an in–person chat. For instance I was popping up at The Charleston Place* and a customer who followed House of Gleason on Instagram happened to see our story and was at the hotel for her child's field trip. I was beyond flattered that she took the time to come say hi and chat a bit.
*Editor’s Note: A Persephone Social Client!
What inspires you when it comes to dreaming up future collections or collaborations?
“Vintage fabrics and fashion are my current muses.”
I love to see how I can take a vintage piece of fabric and put a modern spin on it. Then I look to fashion (mostly vintage) for textile patterns and color inspiration. It’s really about how I can bring this into a tabletop moment for customers looking for something a little less ordinary but with traditional aesthetics.
What inspires you when it comes to dreaming up future collections or collaborations?
Woof. I have several pieces of advice I’d love to give but will narrow it down to two! Though it's a common piece of advice — no words ring truer.
“Just start. The rest will get figured out as you go.”
When I first launched House of Gleason, I didn’t have packaging sorted out and only a few napkin styles. Instead of agonizing over it, I started anyway. Sure, for the first few months, orders shipped in not so ideal packing. But since I had tested out my products and made sales, I knew it was then the right move to invest in packaging. My next piece of advice is to keep your head down and keep working. Looking up and comparing yourself to everyone else robs you. Your art and journey simply cannot be compared to anyone else’s. Followers on social media do not determine success, sales or important relationships. Invest your time wisely. You will get there when you get there. There is room for you.
Lastly, where do you see House of Gleason in the next few years?
Love this question! As we have made cocktail napkins over the last 3 years and are now embarking on tabletop and more entertaining accessories, I can see House of Gleason evolving into a lifestyle brand. From home decor to perhaps even fulfilling those childhood fashion dreams after all. The world is our oyster over here.