Does it seem to you that life comes at you in fits and starts? For me its either sheer boredom or everything happening at once. That’s what’s going on around here right now. After two years of preparations and delays my third book, SLIPCOVERS, is finally almost ready for its debut next Spring.
It’s all dressed up with a new, fresh look and format as well as a nice, durable, soft cover so it wont weigh 8 pounds like my other books. I have a new editor and book designer for this one so I am really excited to see what they come up with for the interior design. I will share it with you as soon as I get the previews.
French Knot finial 
Shield scarf holder ~ available with or without tassel 
The Pagoda Finial – JVT for Helser Brothers
Something very exciting is on the horizon for those of you who love drapery hardware and are looking for something new and fresh to offer your clients. I’ve been working with Helser Brothers for two years to develop a new collection of drapery hardware and it’s finally almost ready to launch.
I’ve just finished all of the renderings for the catalog which will feature only hand drawn illustrations of the images in use instead of the usual photography. Of course the hardware itself will be photographed and shown in great detail so you can see exactly how it will look in your project.
The process of designing a full line of hardware has been so much fun, mostly because I am working with such a great group of people at Helser. For those of you who don’t know Helser Brothers is a family owned company run by two wacky brothers who love what they do and it is evident in their work, their exemplary customer service and the quality of everyone else who works with them. I’ve been working closely with their team to develop a classically inspired, modern and fresh collection that has something for everyone.
It starts off with a my rough design sketches like the one above for the Pagoda finial ( you know how I love the Chinoiserie!)
Those sketches then go to the CAD draftsman and he and the brothers Helser work it into a design that will fit all of their existing hardware elements such as poles and brackets, etc. From there they commission 3D molds of each piece to see how they look in reality and then the permanent casting molds are made. These molds will be filled with Zinc to ensure the sharpest and smoothest possible finish for each piece manufacturer. It’s been a long but very educational process.
I will be debuting each design here over the next couple of weeks so be sure to stop by and see what’s next!
Here’s some green for you. Take a look at those gorgeous tab posts holding up the bed drape. I wonder where you can get those?
Coming very soon; The Jackie Von Tobel Collection for Helser Brothers Inc.
We’re just putting on the finishing touches on the catalogue and the entire collection will be ready soon. I can’t wait to show it all to you!
In the meantime here’s hoping you are enjoying the luck of the Irish……..
