Tuesday, 2 September 2014
Monday, 4 August 2014
PATTERN ALERT: IS CHAIN LINK THE NEW TRELLIS
Since the moment, a few years ago, when Kelly Wearstler’s Imperial Trellis hit the scene, the trellis pattern has become a staple for most soft furnishings vendors. Intersecting lines have intertwined in an unending variety trellis designs ranging form simple to elaborate. Now, it seems a new trend is emerging of a trellis stipe or chain link for lack of a better name.
In this new version of the classic motif the interlocking pattern runs in a directional stripe as a border or as a repeating stripe.
The overall design of these chain link patterns is more sleek and sharp in its delineation with harder angles and thinner surface width.
Simplicity is the key and these new patterns seem to be more about exploring the relationship between positive and negative space rather than creating an equality in it.
Harder lines and angles make for a more modern look.
Even the DIY world is picking up on the trend with stripes of trellis linking in chains down one wall as a highlight.
Here sections of wood trellis are used to create a striped effect.
Rugs USA
This rug design shows a more rounded take on the design giving it a retro feel.
Alternating shapes run in vertical stripes within the trellis create a strong graphic pattern in this drapery panel.
This pillow follows the trend by using a trellis embroidery pattern to create a stripe as an embellishment.
Although his fabric featured on chairs from CR Laine is a complex pattern the central motif runs vertically creating a striped effect at the center.
Schumacher
This wallpaper pattern overlaps a chain link pattern in a simple graphic design.
Trina Turk
Designer Trina Turk imparts a tribal feeling to this faceted design. Tribal and modern southwest designs are popping up everywhere and take these patterns in a whole new direction that imparts an ethnic vibe.
This intricate pattern created with the applique of decorative trim on the face of this pillow has an almost aboriginal look that blends well with new emerging trends.
This wallpaper from Anne Spiro in Australia also feels as if it were taken straight from a piece of aboriginal folk art. I think we will see the evolution of this chain link look into bolder and more colorful ethnic designs as these design trends come full circle.
Tuesday, 22 July 2014
Dolce Gabbana Takes on Traditional Home Design Motifs
I am thoroughly obsessed with the new Sicilia collection by Dolce Gabbana! It is a stunning take on handcrafted Italian tile designs and traditional Majolica patterns. As we all know home décor often follows fashion trends but this time the designers are taking their cue from a traditional home décor theme and imagery.
The fabrics are digitally printed to capture all of the nuances of tile glazing and colors and the designs come to life with the addition of jewels and gilded crowns. This trend of using bold colors and bright contrast is in line with what seems to be happening now in home décor. Manufacturers are showcasing bright colors in primary contrasting hues for a knock out effect that is a welcome relief to the bland color we have been seeing for the past few years as we have dug out of the recession.
The use of bright colors in fashion and in home décor usually signifies an upturn in the economy and a positive attitude about the future.. Since I am Sicilian I am especially drawn to these motifs and of course to the beautiful scenery captured on the Isle of Capri.
This particular collection not only shows bold choices in color and pattern but it seems to be a return to classicism and the comfort of deeply rooted cultural design. It reminds us that the richness of life doesn’t always come with financial excess, sometimes it is rooted in the simple images of our culture and history.
As you can see in these close ups the digital printing process has really come of age with its ability to capture all of the minute detail and texture of the original tile designs.
This is one of my new surface and pattern collections that I just debuted for manufacturers at Surtex in May. It will soon be out in the marketplace on a number of home décor products. I was really struck by the the similar motifs and the traditional yet current feel of both of them. We are seeing trend this play out all over the Home Décor market.
I may not be able to afford a Dolce Gabbana couture original but I can afford a pretty plate or two that will take me back to Capri . Yes, I have been there - I went on a romantic private boat ride around the island with my fabulous hubby who immediately got sea sick and remained green the whole 1 1/2 hour ride around the island but Rodolfo our boat captain and I had a wonderful time. The hubby still won’t get on a boat to this day!
Thursday, 19 June 2014
My new quilt fabric collection ~ Sweet Things
Sweet Things is my newest collection of quilt fabric for Northcott. It’s a fun collection of luscious pastries, cupcakes, candies, and delectable edibles that is perfect for celebrating life's special moments.
The talented team at Northcott have put together some great patterns and ideas for the collection including the use of their favorite accessory twinkle lights which you can actual sew into your project for some added pizzazz!
It is so fun working Northcott to design quilt fabric because you get to be whimsical and just get creative. It’s very different from designing home dec fabrics! We start with the original motif designs and then add textures, stripes, toss prints, etc. to make a well balanced collection for quilters specific needs.
You can see the whole collection here and find a retailer near you who will be stocking it.
Sunday, 1 June 2014
Are You Ready to Profit Through Your Own Signature Products?
Today I’m thrilled to be able to share more in depth info on my fantastic new class on designing and selling your own line of signature products which I will be teaching along with my partner in crime Deb Barrett at the Atalanta’s Mart at the Deco Zone on July 7 from 1 – 6 pm.
Many of you probably know that I design my own signature product lines and work closely with manufacturers to develop their product lines.
You may also know that I have written four books and have helped build the massive design image library for Studio from Minutes Matter Inc with all of my illustrations from my books. But did you know that books and software are considered signature products? There are so many ways to distinguish yourself and elevate your personal and business brand through the development of signature products. It has never been easier or more profitable for an individual designer or small retailer to capitalize on this lucrative segment of our industry.
Signature or Private Label product offerings are not just for super star designers anymore. You can be the master of your own destiny in a new and exciting field.
Here is the class outline for our half day event in Atlanta - it is so full of information, step by step, instruction, resources, and even one on one consultation time with Jackie, that you will walk away with everything you need to get started.
BUILD PROFITS & ELEVATE YOUR BUSINESS WITH SIGNATURE PRODUCTS
JACKIE VON TOBEL AND DEB BARRETT
July 7, 2014 1 – 6 pm AMERICAS MART - ATLANTA
Take advantage of new technology and services available today to easily design, manufacture, and sell your own “signature” product lines to your customers.
Would you like to open a whole new stream of revenue for your business by offering signature fabrics, pillows, decorative throws, upholstery, candles, trays or any number of beautiful high quality décor items to your clientele that reflect your design aesthetic and signature style? Deb Barrett and Jackie Von Tobel, the creative team behind The Soft Design Lab can show you, step by step, how to enter into and profit from this lucrative market while using it to elevate your brand at the same time. Signature products not only add to your bottom line but they impart a level of professionalism and expertise to your business that sets you apart from your competition. Don’t be left behind, join us and get your beautiful signature brand ready to sell!
Jackie Von Tobel is an award winning product designer, author and interior designer who has self-produced signature product lines as well as licensed signature lines through established manufacturers in many home decor product categories from fabrics, drapery hardware, tabletop, gift, garden and many more. She will share her industry secrets and show you how to follow her lead into his lucrative sector of the industry.
This class is an intensive crash course on signature product design using newly available fulfillment resources that can enable you to create product offerings to your clients on a short run basis. Many of these new resources eliminate the need to buy inventory or stock product. Jackie will show you how to utilize print and produce on demand services that automate fulfillment for you direct to your customer’s one item at a time. You will lean the basic techniques and skills needed to easily design signature products and bring them to market. Use these products to turn your website and blog into a profitable source of residual income through product sales while growing and promoting your brand at the same time.
Here are just some of the product categories that will be discussed:
Fabric
Rugs
Upholstery
Home Décor Textiles and Accessories
Wall Art
Wallpaper
Tabletop
Gifts
CLASS OUTLINE
What are signature custom products?
Soft Goods
Hard Goods
How offering your own signature products can generate residual income.
Why are signature products a necessary part of today’s successful designers arsenal?
Designer case studies – a lesson in visionary thinking.
Bloggers
Designers
Product selection – deciding what products are right for you?
Choosing your level of customization.
Curated designs
Semi-custom designs
Fully original, custom, designs
Copyright Law – what you must know to avoid infringement.
The Basics – what skills do you need to be able to design your own signature products?
Research and Development
Design Acumen
Artistic Talent
Graphic Design, Photoshop, Computer Skills
Financing
Overcoming your skill shortage through outsourcing.
Graphic Design
Photoshop
Art Rendering and Illustration
3D Product Development and modeling
Packaging Design
Order Fulfillment
Point of Sale Systems
Accounting
Source Directory – How to find the right manufacturer for your business.
Order fulfillment – How do you get your product to the customer.
Selling Online – exploring DIY full service websites versus building your own independent site.
Marketing your products through:
Blogging
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Industry Hub Sites: Houzz, Todl, etc.
Etsy
Pinterest
Trade Showrooms
Trade Shows
Capitalize on your signature products to elevate your business brand.
Create Your Personal Plan of Action and Goal Chart.
1. A detailed and comprehensive overview of the DYI signature product development and design marketplace including key design and development sources, manufacturers listings, and fulfillment options that will allow you to design , produce, market, sell, and make a profit from, private signature product sales.
2. We will guide you through the myriad of possible product options available to you and help you determine what are the key products or product for you and your particular business.
3. You will develop a plan of action that you can put in place immediately to start you on your way to product development, production, and sales. You will receive a one hour phone consultation with Jackie after the event to discuss your strategy and implementing your action plan.
As part of your class materials you will receive:
Digital Resource Guide and Directory
Digital Outsourcing Guide and Directory
Class Notebook and Digital Manual
Swag Bag ( full of Goodies)
One hour phone consultation with Jackie after the seminar.
$499.00 per person ~ Wine & Cheese Reception Immediately Following the Class.
Because of the intensive nature of this class and the amount of material we will cover over the course of five hours the class size is limited so be sure to sign up now!
Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to get ahead of the pack and start designing your signature products today.
I can't wait to see you all in Atlanta!!!
Jackie
Thursday, 22 May 2014
Soft Design Lab Live kicks off at the Atlanta Gift Market
Are you planning on attending the Atlanta Gift Market, July 7 – 15, or do you live in the Atlanta area? If so don’t miss Jackie and Deb’s fantastic classes at The Deco Zone.
First up is our class on designing and producing signature product for your business.
Have you every thought of producing signature products of your own for your business but don’t know how to get started? Whether you are interested in simple promotional items with your companies logo to a full line of home décor fabrics or pillows this seminar will give you the in-depth knowledge, processes and sources to make your products a reality.
BUILD PROFITS & ELEVATE YOUR BUSINESS WITH SIGNATURE PRODUCTS
Friday July 7, 2014 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Take advantage of new technology and services available today to easily design, manufacture, and sell signature product lines to your customers. Would you like to open a whole new stream of revenue for your business by offering signature fabrics, pillows, decorative throws, candles, trays or any number of beautiful high quality décor items to your clientele that reflect your design aesthetic and signature style? Deb Barrett and Jackie Von Tobel, the creative team behind The Soft Design Lab can show you, step by step, how to enter into and profit from this lucrative market while using it to elevate your brand at the same time. Signature products not only add to your bottom line but they impart a level of professionalism and expertise to your business that sets you apart from your competition. Don’t be left behind, join us and get your beautiful signature brand ready to sell! Followed by wine and cheese reception.
Jackie Von Tobel is an award winning product designer, author and interior designer who has self-produced signature product lines as well as licensed signature lines through established manufacturers in many home decor product categories from fabrics, drapery hardware, tabletop, gift, garden and many more. She will share her industry secrets and show you how to follow her lead into his lucrative sector of the industry.
This class is an intensive crash course on signature product design using newly available fulfillment resources that can enable you to create product offerings to your clients on a short run basis. Jackie will introduce you to new resources that eliminate the need to buy tons of inventory or stock product and show you how to utilize print and produce on demand services that can automate fulfillment for you direct to your customer’s one item at a time. You will lean the basic techniques and skills needed to easily design signature products and bring them to market.
Don’t have artistic skills? – no problem, Jackie will show you how to use stock image resources, affordable local talent, and starving artists and students to help you create and produce your vision.
Use these products to turn your website and blog into a profitable source of residual income through product sales while growing and promoting your brand at the same time.
Product categories that will be discussed include:
Fabric - Home Décor Textiles and Accessories - Wall Art - Wallpaper - Tabletop
Attendees will also receive these valuable resources:
A one hour post-class phone consultation with Jackie to fine tune your product design plan. Detailed source list Step by Step instructional digital handbook
Brainstorming session and wine and cheese reception following the class from 6PM – 7PM
Learn More or Sign Up Here Today !
attendance is limited
Wednesday, 14 May 2014
Chinoiserie Takes High Point by Storm
Classic design motifs and genres are making a big comeback and Chinoiserie is at the forefront of this movement. If you‘ve followed me for any length of time you will know that it is probably my favorite historical element to mix into interiors for a dash of the exotic. It’s clean lines and bold colors make it a natural compliment for todays vibrant interiors and todays forward thinking manufacturers are serving it up in large doses.
Global Views had several vignettes featuring bold Chinoiserie prints paired with a vibrant tangerine palette and bright white accents.
C.R. Laine went all in with the majority of their showroom sporting one derivative or another of the popular style. Their front window was a great example of how manufacturers are pairing these traditionally busy prints with modern styling to create a lively mix of culture and contemporary design. Silhouettes and simplified prints bring the motifs into a more relevant form for todays designer and consumer.
Décor 55
Simplified Asian style toiles were in abundance and most often paired with zebra prints for a touch of contemporary exotica. Décor 55 a semi custom, drapery manufacturer showed off this pairing with their high quality ready made panels complete with interlining and superior workmanship!
Surya
Always on trend – Surya debuted a beautiful painterly selection of vibrant Chinoiserie styled pillows in a large range of colors and styles. Printed on silk these pillows raised the bar for Suryas extensive pillow program.
Wesley Hall
The Wesley Hall showroom never disappoints and it was clothed in a wide assortment of Chinese décor from lamps to art, upholstery and drapery; they truly embraced the Eastern vibe. We fell in love with this trellis style “lantern” fixture.
In our last post we discussed the broad use of Greek Key trim by vendors and Wesley Hall was among those who used this classic element to tone down the busy visual of Chinoiserie prints and add a tailored edge as seen in the trim applied to the dust skirt of these lovely chairs. Never underestimate the power of a little bit of trim!!
While they do not sell the wall art that adorns the showroom we have to give a shout out to the design team for providing a complete theme throughout their vignettes with superbly chosen wall décor that brought the rooms home.
Thibaut has always had a selection of Chinoiserie patterns in their line up but their new Enchantment Collection features a diverse blend of traditional Eastern motifs and graphic patterns that create a fresh, trend forward coordinated look.
From beautiful embroidered medallions to a boldly graphic toile, there is something for everyone in this well defined selection.
Terms you should know
Chinoiserie French for "Chinese-esque", Chinoiserie is a recurring theme in European artistic styles since the seventeenth century, which reflect Chinese artistic influences. It is characterized by the use of fanciful imagery of an imaginary China, by asymmetry in format and whimsical contrasts of scale, and by the attempts to imitate Chinese porcelain and the use of lacquerlike materials and decoration.
Chinoiserie in a broader scope refers to a mixture of Eastern and Western stylistic elements for both the decoration and shape. The style held particular favour during the Rococo period and the court of Louis XV, with which its fanciful, ornate and idyllic imagery is commonly associated.
Toile or Toile de Jouy is the term for a style of decorative pattern consisting of a plain ground color with an overlayed pattern usually depicting scenic subject matter which is most commonly printed in one color. Modern toiles can be multi colored, rendered in silhouette, or colored in reverse with the background being a dark color and the toile pattern done in a lighter color. Toiles can be used on fabric, wallpaper, and other decorative surfaces.