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In this episode, I’m speaking with Eileen Applebaum, the founder and creative director of Threads Soft Goods. Eileen shares her unconventional path from being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) at a Big Four firm to becoming a prominent figure in the interior design and retail industry. She discusses the concept of “dynamic tension“—the delicate balance between business acumen and creative expression—and how it has defined her 35-year career.
In the world of interior design, there is a pervasive myth that one must choose between the left-brain rigor of business and the right-brain flow of creativity. Eileen Applebaum, the founder of Threads Soft Goods, spent 35 years proving that the most sustainable success actually exists in the “dynamic tension” between the two.
Applebaum’s journey didn’t begin at an easel, but at a ledger. Despite a childhood obsession with redecorating, she initially earned a degree in accounting and passed the CPA exam. Though she realized within twenty-four hours of starting at a Big Four firm that it wasn’t her calling, she stayed for three years to earn her certification—a move that provided the foundational “armor” for her future entrepreneurial ventures.
Her subsequent twenty-year tenure at Crate & Barrel served as a “retail laboratory.” Rising to become a buyer for textiles and rugs, she mastered the efficiencies of large-scale production. However, as the industry shifted toward a more “ruthless” corporate model, Applebaum sought a return to ethics and craftsmanship.
Today, Threads Soft Goods represents the pinnacle of that evolution. Eschewing the industry’s reliance on synthetic “performance” fabrics and digital printing, Applebaum remains a purist. Her collections are defined by heritage techniques: hand-beaded metal embroidery, silk Shibori, and natural fibers sourced from artisans in India and the Philippines.
By partnering with Brownley Curry of Currey & Company, Applebaum has merged her boutique creative vision with high-level organizational structure. Her recent move to the New York Design Center marks a new chapter, proving that in a world of fast-moving trends, there is still a massive appetite for products with a soul, a story, and a spreadsheet-certified foundation.
The Unlikely Beginning: Despite a lifelong passion for interior design, Eileen initially followed a practical path, earning an accounting degree and passing the CPA exam. She describes her realization that accounting wasn’t her calling just one day into her professional career, yet she fulfilled her three-year commitment to secure her certification.
The Retail Laboratory: Eileen’s transition into design began at Crate & Barrel in Cambridge, MA, where she worked as a salesperson while attending design school. She eventually spent 20 years with the company, rising to become a buyer for textiles and rugs, an experience she credits with teaching her the efficiencies of large-scale production.
Threads Group vs. Threads Soft Goods: Eileen recounts the evolution of her business, starting with Threads Group in 2007, which focused on selling to mass retailers. She eventually pivoted to Threads Soft Goods in January 2024, shifting away from mass markets to focus on high-end, boutique-scale luxury products for interior designers and high-end boutiques.
Artisan Craftsmanship & Natural Materials: A hallmark of Threads Soft Goods is its commitment to handmade, natural materials. Eileen emphasizes her refusal to use synthetic performance fabrics or digital printing, opting instead for heritage techniques like silk Shibori and hand-beaded metal embroidery sourced from partners in India and the Philippines.
The Importance of Community and Ethics: Eileen highlights the role of long-standing relationships and ethical business practices in her success. Her partnership with Brownley Curry of Curry & Company has provided the organizational structure and “armor” necessary to scale her vision while maintaining creative control.