In just a few weeks, Jen Talbot Design will be attending Boutique Design New York (BDNY)! Spanning November 12-13, BDNY is the leading trade fair and conference for hospitality’s boutique and lifestyle design community—bringing together designers, architects, purchasing agents, hoteliers, owners, and developers.

This year, JTD is honored to share that our Principal and Creative Director Jen Talbot as a featured panelist! 

On Monday, November 13 at 1:30 pm, Jen will be participating in the panel Manifesting a Brand into an Experience: A Conversation with Collaborators and Creators. Jen will share her personal experience in building and maintaining a successful, distinctive brand as part of a wide-ranging discussion. The conversation will be moderated by Gina Deary, Principal at KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group.

The other panelists include:

• Stefanie Hajer - Creative Brand Director, Interiors | KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group

• Carolyn Hosna - Vice President of Marketing | White Lodging

If you’re attending BDNY and would like to connect, please drop us a line! Email us at contact@jentalbotdesign.com.

We all secretly have a little flair for the drama or wish we could live our alter ego persona. We are embracing the Barbie craze with our own spin and honoring some of the greats. All of these people feel connected to the nuanced aspects of JTD. Which alter ego are you? Elton John, David Bowie, Iris Apfel, Vera Wang or Jane Goodall.

We recently launched a new video series on Instagram called The Design Brief. In each video, Jen will be covering less-addressed topics and take followers behind the scenes to learn more about JTD’s process.  

The Design Brief will explore a wide range of themes,  including the three successful components to a project; talking through our multifaceted research process; and best practices for designing custom furniture.

For an exclusive look into JTD’s creative process, follow @jentalbotdesign on Instagram.

A few weeks ago, our studio hosted the Advanced-Level Ceramics class from a local high school. Jen shared her journey from installation artist to Owner & Creative Director of Jen Talbot Design. She also shared tips about how you can make a living by utilizing your creativity and passion. We even broke out the slide projector so the students could see Jen’s early work as a studio artist and understand her path to her current career in design.

Jen also discussed the benefits of how the students can access their innate gifts when considering their career or next steps. 

When we take a moment to reflect on our early experiences and identify when we’ve felt true joy, it can help uncover our true purpose, talents, and desires. As children, we were completely free and unadulterated by society pressures and youthfully blind to what we should be doing and thinking. There is so much power in returning to this kind of thinking—whether as  high school students considering their futures, to professionals at any age considering their next chapter. 

It was a great day supporting the next generation of creatives!!

8 Tips for Surviving High Point Market

For those in the interior design industry, High Point Market is a true highlight of the year. Serving as a trade-only show for interior designers, the Market occurs each fall and spring (JTD typically attends once a year).

High Point is a great reset for the year. It provides a chance to get inspired; discover new products; physically engage with items we’ve been interested in—like sitting in furniture we have been looking at online all year or seeing lighting in person from a proportional perspective; as well as an opportunity to establish meaningful connections with vendors in person.

The Spring 2023 Market just wrapped, and we had an absolute blast—and learned a few lessons along the way. Here are several bits of advice to maximize your Market experience:

1. Book your hotel, airline, and restaurant reservations early. Things can book up almost a year in advance, especially for hot restaurants like Printworks in Greensboro.

2. Keep your appointments limited.

We like to book a couple early morning appointments each day in order to keep the majority of our schedule open and flexible. You may find yourself lingering longer in a showroom than you anticipated, and you wouldn’t want to cut that experience short for an appointment.

3. You do not need to rent a car. High Point is laid out a bit like a theme park for designers, with showrooms in different buildings sprawled within a 12 block radius. There is a user-friendly trolley system and of course, ride-shares are an easy option. And this may be a no-brainer, but wear comfortable shoes—you will be on your feet for 8 hours straight, and they will thank you later!

4. Map out your visit before you go. This is the best way to maximize your time. We typically spend no more than 2.5 days at High Point—any more time and your brain is too full to process all the fabulous items you’ve seen. Visit the larger furniture showrooms on the first day, and leave the main building and Market Square toward the end of your trip. Market Square is a great place to discover new small vendors. We always have a specific goal in mind ahead of each Market, such as exploring new rug sources or hunting down exciting mid-level furniture options.

5. Don’t skip the vintage.

One of our favorites is 214 Modern Vintage, a thoughtfully curated collection of one-of-a-kind items from a range of vendors. It’s a bit off the main area, but definitely worth the visit.

6. Take a ton of pictures. Rather than keeping a written list of what products you have seen, stop and take a picture of the name of each showroom as you enter, then take a picture of each item that you’re interested in and its tag. That way, you can track what you saw, and it serves as an easy reference. Once back in the office, we upload all of our images so that our full team has access to all the products we sourced.

7. Bring an external charger. Your phone camera will constantly be open and will drain your battery quickly.

8. Have fun, and enter the experience with an open mind. There is so much to see at High Point, and you never know what will spark your creativity!

JTD was formed in 2016 by Jen Talbot. An internationally recognized, multidisciplinary American designer establishing a reputation for innovation and ingenuity, where she actively takes notes from her installation art practice. Jen created conceptual narratives through ephemeral, performance-based installation art, consistently utilizing the human form as a part of the sculpture.

With this rich creative lineage, Talbot sees each space compressed like a work of art and carefully crafts a visual composition into each space. Talbot often uses color or the absence of color, to function as a visual catalyst.

The deep network of artists, artisans and vintage merchants, make up a support network critical to the success of our work. Realized through layering of open + solid shapes, linear + irregular line and elements of the hand made. Our goal is to build an innovative environment relevant to each client, customizing the work to the needs of the people inhabiting the space.

Clients that seek innovation and a fresh design perspective grace her client list and include the heir to Bergdorf Goodman, VP of Kate Spade, the editor of a major magazine, Boeing and Silicon Valley Execs. In 2020, while people around the world sought new footing, Jen broke into the international design scene as an Instagram micro-influencer. Her projects have been published in seven international design magazines, including Arch Digest, ELLE DECORATION Netherlands, Modern Luxury, Marie Claire, and Living, ETC.

Working with luxury residential clients in NY, LA, San Francisco and Chicago in all ranges of project sizes, from new build, gut reno to furniture selection. Jen has 20 years experience in the hospitality industry and 8 years in product design. And in 2021, Jen launched her own product line. Studio Line, a collection of artisan fabrics, wallpaper, select furnishings, and accessories that draw from Jen’s rich past experiences as sculptor, installation artist, and product designer.

The bedroom space is such a highly personal room. People are riding the trend of primary bedroom that feels LUX, which naturally implies luxury and relaxation. Clients are craving an almost sacred space they can loose themselves in and forget about the stresses of the day. Other than that, it is personal in how that translates, either deep dark, moody vibe or bright and airy.

I have an unspoken formula for creating balance in design. I liken it to creating a painting and see the each space as a compressed composition. Critical to not get stuck using all the same type of shapes. Meaning be sure to incorporate some solid, some open, some woven or irregular, some angular. If there are too many pieces that are similar the space can become one note and stale. I like to also use color or the absence of color to function as a visual catalyst. Apply color carefully and thoughtfully.

I wanted to share with you a few things we have learned by participating in a showhouse, I wish someone would have shared with us.

1. Showhouse are an incredible opportunity to showcase your work without a clients tastes to consider. 100% creative freedom.

2. Go all in. This is a chance to showcase your style and is amongst other designer. Other designers will be closely scrutinizing your work.

3. If you do it right, it will be expensive. For a bedroom, expect to spend between 20-30K. You can get many pieces donated or on loan from vendors, but you still have to consider costs for custom pieces, labor for paint and wallpaper install, etc. Consider a small space your first showhouse, rather than requesting a large living room you will have to furnish. The designer pay all the expenses of everything that goes into designing the space. Often there are sales from the pieces in the showhouse that help offset the cost upfront, but to do count on it. Part of the proceeds go to the charity.

4. Do not expect to get press or new clients from this experience. Think of this as a great portfolio piece.

5. It’s an honor to be asked to participate, great chance to network and give back to the selected charity.

We will be participating in our second showhouse. The Adler on the Park Chicago Showhouse 2022, opening on April 30th and open all the weekends in May. Check out a little preview of our Bedroom 2 in the second residence. Custom bed we did with layered side detail and Dedar Tiger fabric. For tickets link to here.

In the last 4 years we have moved to creating more custom furniture because there are better lead times, we can control the quality and creativity of a piece. The success of custom furniture is finding the right upholster or vendor that will listen and willing work with you ideas and ability to execute the craftsmanship.

The first thing we do is figure out the high impact areas that make the most sense for investing in a custom piece. i.e. Does the space create challenging that would be best addresses with a custom piece?

The concepting and drawing is one of the most critical parts of the process. Ensuring the proportions are correct with seat heights, depth. It is important to listen to the guidance of the pros to know about proper seat fill and structure for the achieved comfort level for the needs of the client. We learned a ton by listening to our upholster and reworking with his guidance.

The sit test if one of the most critical parts of the process to make sure all the dimensions on paper translated to the right sit feel and and comfort. Any changes to the framing and seat cushion shape or construction need to be made at this point. We have learned from experience the slight angles needed in either the back slop of the sofa or the back cushion needs to be slight sloped for optimal comfort. We have had to had framing reworked, which cost us additional because we had no slope in the drawing. At this stage the the frame will be finished, but not much else. After the sit test the rest of the cushions will get completed.

The most rewarding parts is the finished product and delivering it to the client!!

First of all, patience is the best practice when entering into a renovation project of any kind. At the end of the day you are dealing with other humans as a collaborative effort to create a beautiful space. Covid has also create a headache for all supply of plumbing, tile, etc. Best advice, is make a plan and purchase early and then start any construction once the items have arrived or close to arrived. This will limit the time your bathroom is torn up and will reduce disruption. You will also have to embrace the dust. Construction dust is very fine and floats and hangs in the air. Even when the crew sweeps and cleans at the end of each work day, expect to be dealing with the dust.

If you have other construction projects in your home, this is the time to do it. It is easier to get a team to come out for a larger project, stay focused until it’s complete. Also most clients that have lived through the dust and construction typically do not want to live through it a second time.

Working from home and spending more time at home than we all have in 10 years has caused a surge in homeowners wanting to renovate and rethink their home space. This year will be remembered by the series of unforeseen challenges with supply chain issues that caused a pile on of delays. We have spent an average of an extra 3 months longer in a clients home. Appliance are currently at a 6-9 month lead time with no relief insight. The solution for that is vendors are proving loaner appliances and then when the proper one comes it the place holder gets switched out. It’s not as pretty but it allows projects to move ahead with timelines.

We just wrapped up a new build we have been working on for the past year. It always a pleasure to take a vision from beginning to end, rather than just renovating a space.

The reciepe for great composition is balance of open shape and solid shape.

Selecting tiles for your bathroom is a long term commitment. The product with installation is often the most expensive line item on the remodel quote. There are so many styles and colors to choose from that it can be an overwhelming decision. With these thoughts in mind, many clients request classic white subway tiles. This style is featured in nearly every design magazine, blog, and HGTV show, and after this much exposure it feels, well, a little bland. This doesn't mean you should shy away from these durable, budget friendly ceramics. Instead, opt for an unusual size or play with the pattern layout. Here are a few ideas to create a stand out space:

The basketweave pattern alternates the tile direction. Make sure the tile dimensions have a nice ratio or the tiles will not line up properly. A 3x9 or 4x12 tile will create rows of 3, whereas 3x12 tile will have rows of 4.

Image Source: J Miller Interiors

COVID has really slapped us in the face and made us rethink our home space. Everything from clutter, home office make over and e-learning situation for the kids. We are reevaluating our home sphere, because, let’s be real we could be sheltering in place for another year. The pandemic of the 1918 lasted for 3 years.

We wrapped up this basement over haul right before everything was shut down. We dug down 3 feet to make a 8ft ceiling into 10ft ceilings, so it truly became a lower level vs a basement space. We equipped it with a golf room simulator, full bathroom, lounge area, ping pong table, built in bunk beds and wet bar with full fridge, for an edgy teen space.

When searching for furniture the natural inclination is to analyze how it appears from the front. Dining chairs, however, are different because they are tucked under the table where it is difficult to appreciate that view. Let's remember that dining chairs are usually approached from the side and back. Adding unexpected details to the backside of a chair makes them more dynamic and interesting.

Product Source: Bartoli Design

Bartoli Design's 1085 uses Italian leather for the back and seat. The natural hide is softened and folded around the frame, then pinned with a nautical tie-rod. The folding plays with the natural properties of leather textures by revealing an under layer of subtle suede material. 

Product Source: Flexform

The Crono by Antonio Citterio blends comfort and elegance. The armrests flare at the perfect point for elbows to relax. The back is hand-woven with cowhide cording, creating a visual pattern of solid and void. The upholstered seat invites the diners to linger long after the final course has been served. 

Product Source: Vonnegut Kraft

A traditional chair has a relatively square shaped seat with four legs in each corner. But what if the seat is round? Vonnegut Kraft's designers play with this concept.  Kana Chair's main structural frame becomes legs, arm rests, and back in a fluid movement. Lucious mohair is upholstered on the cushions. 

Product Source: agrippa

As designers we often dive head first down the rabbit hole, searching for the perfect product. We develop intense crushes along the way. The Sara Bond arm chair sparks that fire. Available in walnut, ash and oak, the wood is lovingly carved into spectacular curves with delicate valleys. The weight is balanced, and the back is sculpted for maximum comfort. Each chair is handcrafted in the Mediterranean city of Valencia, Spain. #swoon

One of the most rewarding parts of being an interior designer is scouting for artwork. We usually tackle this near the end of a project, but occasionally we'll work the entire design around a particularly standout piece of work, allowing it to shine in the spotlight. More often these "finishing pieces" serve as jewelry. They can tell a story, tie the larger elements of a space together, and complete the overall look. Our advice is to look for art that resonates with you. Typically we collaborate with local galleries, but this can be limiting because there is a historical lack of diversity represented here. Instagram is an excellent resource to connect with artists directly, particularly for commissioned pieces. Following the “Black Art Matters” and “Support Black Artists” hashtags has lead us to some remarkable artists of color. Whether we’re enjoying their work in a local museum or our own homes, as designers, we recognize our role in introducing clients to a world beyond their own and supporting artist of all backgrounds.

Bisa Butler uses quilting to create vibrant images. Her work portrays story-telling through the experiences of African Americans, often through portraits. Butler’s artist statement explains that the art of quilting is a piece of her heritage, a necessity in that “enslaved people were not given large pieces of fabric and has to make do with the scrapes of cloth that were left after clothing wore out.” Now she can reclaim the technique and use it as artistry that is also educational. Her work “Safety Patrol” was recently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Bisa Butler “Safety Patrol”. Image Source: Art Institute of Chicago

Bisa Bulter “Wangari Maathai.” Image Source: Claire Oliver Gallery

Nick Cave blends together a spectacular array of materials that become wearable sculptures. Covered head-to-toe, the wearer’s body is completely enveloped. The Soundsuits, though visually whimsical, are born from a “dark place”: the need to protect one’s self. They hide all identifiable traits that can be judged, like race and gender. Cave’s artwork comes to life in his performance exhibitions, where movement is choreographed with music and the suites themselves rustle, jingle, and sway. One of his one-of-a-kind pieces can be seen locally at the Chicago St. Jane Hotel. The “Hustle Coat” is a nod to the entrepreneurial street salesmen that sell replica luxury jewelry. The black trench coat in lined with gold and silver chains, faux diamond encrusted watches, and gem embellishments.

Nick Cave “Hustle Coat.” Image Source: St. Jane Hotel

Nick Cave “Soundsuits” Denver Art Museum 2013. Image Source: Public Delivery.org

Nich Cave “Soundsuits” Denver Art Museum 2013. Image Source: Public Delivery.org

The artwork of Kehinde Wiley is a juxtaposition of the hip-hop movement and Old Masters paintings. This blend stems from his childhood growing up in South Central LA during the 1980s.  To escape the neighborhood turmoil, Wiley spent his weekends attending art classes where he learned the techniques of still life and self- portraiture. As his education in art and world events grew, his topics began to address modern issues like politics, sexuality, and race. In 2017, Wiley was commissioned to paint the Presidential Portrait of Barack Obama. The work stands out among its fellow residents in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. Wiley uses a botanical background, thick with greenery and punctuated with flowers that symbolize different regions of the world. The subject is seated in the foliage, and the expression captures the thoughtful charisma that Obama is known for. Throughout Wiley's portfolio, there is a noticeable trend for highly stylized wallpaper-like backdrops with highly realistic, yet vibrant, figures that recall the Renaissance era.  

Kehinde Wiley “President Barack Obama.” Image Source: National Portrait Gallery

Kehinde Wiley “The Two Sisters.” Image Source: NPR.org

Elan Byrd first studied fashion design and textiles at esteemed universities in New York and London before transitioning her focus to sustainable home decor. The fashion industry has been identified as a leading contributor to consumer waste, with cheaply made garments heading quickly to landfills. Byrd uses her love of textiles to weave renewable fibers by hand. The mediums include vintage grass cloth from the 1980s, linen, and raffia. Her creations are a practice of meditation, a tangible and decorative connection to nature. Byrd describes her work as bringing “a sense of calm and serenity.” We love the range of textures and earthy, neutral tones.

Elan Byrd “Growth.” Image Source: Elan Byrd

Elan Byrd “Sacred Journey.” Image Source: Elan Byrd

Elan Byrd “Steps Under The Sun.” Image Source: Elan Byrd

We found the work of Briana Arrington in the Instagram rabbit-hole. Based in Philadelphia, her focus is illustration and graphic design. Arrington’s art is an exploration of identity, creating a broader representation of people seen in America. According to her bio, she hopes “that her work reaches someone who may look like her, see the world like her or has gone through similar experiences.” Our favorite pieces are from her Photo Remix collection, which layers the photography of DVVINCI with her fanciful digital illustrations.

Briana Arrington and DVVINCI “Enfin, Je M’aime.” Image Source: Briana Arrington

Briana Arrington and DVVINCI “Sandbox Ruler.” Image Source: Briana Arrington

A style that was born in antiquity is being revitalized once again. The fluted pattern is historically found on structural columns of Greek and Roman architecture, like the Pantheon in Athens. During the Neoclassical era of the 18th century, woodworkers reduced the design to human-scale by carving the pattern on chair legs, table aprons, and decorative spindles. Today designers are extracting the design and applying fluted wood to wall panels, fireplace surrounds, and furniture bases. The style retains a rhythmic form, but it's less restrained. Instead the linear detail commands the design as a focal point. Soon our studio will document a vanity with fluted drawers and an installation of fluted ebonized oak as a living room feature. Stay tuned for those reveals, and until then, enjoy some of our favorite inspirations.

Image Source: Yael Weiss Interiors

Image Source: Rowson Kitchens

Image Source: Artilleriet

Image Source: Nathalie Deboel

Image Source: Unova Coworking

It can take years of travel and scouring local galleries to assemble an exquisite art collection. What if the main architectural feature of your home was designed with this in mind?  A sculptural plaster staircase creates an instantaneous wow factor. Even Botticelli would be inspired by these curvaceous beauties. Focusing on the beauty of a utilitarian part of the home can take the design to the next level. Yes, even stair should be beautiful.

Designed by Delphine Krakoff. Image Source: Architectural Artifacts

Designed by Bernardes Arquitetura. Image Source: Bernardes Arquitetura

Designed for landscape architect Fernando Caruncho. Image Source: Architectural Digest

Unknown Designer. Image Source: Pinterest

Designed by Serena Crawford. Image Source: Serena Crawford

We are having a mini crush on cobras at the moment. In all fairness they are having a moment and now that they are on our radar, of course ,we have been seeing them everywhere.

Here are a couple of our favorites:

Etsy- Wood King Cobra

Brass Cobra Door Pulls

Brass Cobra Wall Scone Candle Holder

Vintage Cobra Lamp