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.
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.
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
Instagram is the best place to source fresh work. I still love Pinterest as a search engine for visuals, but it has become a bit stale for new current work that is happening in the design world.
There are a couple go to’s of our first place to be inspired.
Doors are the best first impression and impact for not only the curb appeal but overall look of the home. Doors in the last 5-7 years have become a major design feature and no longer an after thought.
I typically lean a little more modern on doors, because we know they have been thoughtfully planned an executed. It’s about edited the impact of the front of the house and creating a lasting impression, the same can be for interior doors. Interiors doors can become the design showcase for any space.
We are so grateful for all of the incredible people we have been gifted to work with in 2019 and the last TEN years!! A TON has changed in my life in the last 10 years. I have cultivated and nurtured two strong, beautiful daughters that are just starting to come into their own, ended one business to start a new one, have been published multiple times in national publications and have continued to be authentically me and people have finally begun to take notice! I am exorbitantly blessed in my life as a creative person, mother and entrepreneur. Let’s GO 2020, I am READY for you!
End of the year wrap up with the move to neutrals that you will begin to see more in forefront this year. They have been gone since the late nineties and they are about to make a come back in full force. But like all come backs, they will be refreshed and reworked!
Pierre Frey- Tarangire 2. Kravet Couture 3. These Walls 4. Kerry Joyce Textile- Sandstone Channels 5. Custom Cabinet Front- Intelligent Spaces
We always love great hardware at JTD. We are continually on the search of good looking selections that also will not break the bank. The hardware budget can get out of hand quickly because there are some many pieces needed, especially in a kitchen.
Here are our TOP 5:
This one may take a long time to come from AUS but worth. Beautifully crafted.
We look at a lot of designers work from all over the world and across all creative fields- fashion, interiors, home goods, furniture, therefore we are able to see new trends emerging. There a different stages of trends. First they may start in another country such as Australia, little bits and hints of the trend starts to surface. Next, designers will start to embrace and begin to include in interiors. Lastly, it will reach the everyday consumer, such as we may start seeing the trend on the shelves of Target.
Here are our Top 5 trends to look out for in 2020.
SNAKES. Like them or not they are coming. We are loving this Frida wallpaper from Relativity Textiles.
Tigers- Animals never really go out of style, but right now they are everywhere. The Tiger in particular. We love this vintage guy.
Curves. Gone are the sharp corners and grid patterns, make way for the curves in furniture, pattern and print. This Horseshoe Side Table is a great example of how the trend has already integrated into “ready to wear” home furnishings.
Blush color or what I like to call it Dirty Pink. It’s not too bright and a bit muted. Love this wallpaper from These Walls from a recent install we did for a clients powder room.
Textured wall treatments. Is a great way to add interest without adding pattern, especially when you want to incorporate pattern in the furnishings. Love how this custom textured wall treatment turned out from Valhalan. We had them custom color match it to a Benjamin Moore paint and cut in 18 x 18 square sections which we installed every other square rotated to create more visual interest. The paper was originally intended to create almost stripes, but thought it would be more interesting if we broke up the lines.
Frida Snake
2. Tiger
3. Curved Horseshoe Side Table- CB2
4. Blush Color- These Walls wallpaper
5. Textured Wallpaper- Valhalan
We are so honored to be selected to participate in the Lake Forest Showhouse 2020. The Lake Forest Showhouse raises funding for the Infant Welfare Society. The showhouse is coveted invite of top designers in Chicago and the event and overall show is attended by influential Chicagoans.
We are planning to continue to be true to ourselves and stay in our lane which is curated modern spaces.
We are cooking up some great plans that incorporate custom wallpaper and show case local artist talents. Thrilled to include a couple of these insanely talented artisans.
Not sure when my love of wallpaper will end. I have spent countless hours sourcing new indie designers with a fresh perspective. Just when I think I have seen it all I come across classics. I love the place of discovery. Current wallpaper crush and a few selections from Peirre Frey and Dedar and a few of my other current favorites.
Stairs often become an after thought in the process of a home reno. We love carving out interesting moments in every space and the stairs are a great opportunity to highlight the beautiful transition from one level to the other.
A couple of our favorite examples below…
Image above from recent project. Stair leads into lower level family room.
This is one of our favorites we did for a clients entryway. The black and white stripe makes a bold statement.
A room is typically defined by its walls: four flat planes that intersect with flooring and a ceiling. When it’s dumbed down, it can feel rather boring. At some point there will be a debate about the finishes. Paint? Or wallpaper? Will the walls and trims match with a single color (v. classy), or should they contrast for more definition? Of course, if you’re feeling spicy there could be an accent wall.
Let’s not be confined by these lines. Let’s push the envelope a bit further…
What if we treated walls like an open canvas and played with the geometry? This may feel a bit avant-garde, but color blocking extends the boundaries and allow a room to make statement. The key is to be deliberate in the application. Take a look and tell us what you think:
The room takes on an overall neutral base color. Large swaths of paint extend from the ceiling and horizontally, and when they collide a blend emerges. Source Link
A room can’t go wrong with a pristine white canvas, but adding a bold color like these shades of green brings in a sense of edginess. Source Link
The Hoxton hotel in Amsterdam merges 17th century design with retro fixtures and color palettes. The rooms are detailed to perfection, but the hallways are not to be missed. Source Link
This brass sconce layers beautifully with stripes of warm, earthy red and blush tones. Source Link
Color doesn’t always need to be applied in blocks. Photographer Omar Sartor’s portfolio includes a minty eclipse. Source Link
I know we are not the only ones completely girl crushing on Kelly Wearstler. Let’s breakdown why we love her:
The Colors Are Just Right- She has an innate balance and eye for the right color. For example, It always seems like fresh new shade of cream. She is not inviting the wheel, she just demands for excellence in tweaking until it in 100% right.
The Proportions Are On Point- She plays with scale, that is with intent and creates interesting visuals. For example, by creating a back of a chair that seems over sized and even disproportionate to the rest of chair is interesting.
Draws From History- She pulls inspiration from line, shape and textures from her travels to Morocco, France and Italy, etc. If you know architecture the lines she uses are simple shapes distorted, again by scale, to create something innovative. She also pulls inspiration from vintage pieces from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. These are not decades that have been reworked so much that they seem tired. Unlike our friend mid-century modern, that has been living among us for 20+ years. It is so dead. The 70’s and 80’s feel fresh again. Of course she is also extracting the best parts of your eras and modernizing it.
At the turn of the 20th Century, the Neoclassical Revival was in full swing. Chicago deeply embraced the movement. It represented stability and rebirth after a devastating fire ripped through the city. A style that was once reserved for public buildings trickled into residential homes.
From Hyde Park to the North Shore, our team has several projects on the books to revive these 100+ year old beauties. Rather than replicating a bygone era, we are pumping in fresh ideas. Say goodbye to stuffy wingbacks in dark corners, and hello to soaring ceilings with epic crown moulding! Take a look at our inspiration:
Salvage the intricate moulding and add quirky artwork.
Layer with modern furnishings and accessories. Source link.
You don’t have to live in the Sistine Chapel to enjoy a mural in your home. Overscaled wallpaper can offer the same flair. Check out Ashley Woodson Bailey’s collection of dramatic florals. Source link.
Parquet flooring in bad shape? Consider playing with a more modern pattern, like chevron. Source link.
I will forever have a soft spot for vintage rugs. But at one point in time and perhaps in a near future they will all be collected and sold. They will be gone. It has been harder to and harder to find the special ones that stand out from the usual. Here are a couple we have loved and used over the years. This is my favorite source.
Wilmette Livingroom
Adam St Loft
Wilmette Family Room
Bucktown Modern
In my early career, I starting by doing solely kids spaces, so when I get an opportunity to create one for a client it’s a natural place to slip into creatively.
My biggest goal is always a room the child can grow into. Mixing fun, educational, interactive elements that can be swamped out for a teen make over when the time comes.
We just wrapped up an install for a client in Hinsdale and love the results of this playroom. First image is where the ideas started and image two is a quick Iphone shot. Scroll down for source list.
Accessories are the key to rounding out a space. It is a critical piece to create a “well lived in” feeling and to personalizes a room. Accessories are much like a great pair of heels or chunky cuff bracelet to punch up a look. We are forever on the search for great accessories and have a private Pinterest board devoted to special finds we stumble on in our research in designing a home.
The happy combination of accessories is size, texture and layering. Key to any well styled accessory book shelf or coffee table is:
4-5 small to medium solid shapes.
Open and woven shapes, such as small sculptures, baskets, etc.
No glass vases. Solid colors create better silhouettes. Mix of the color and shapes, unless you are going for an intentional all white look. It will feel more organic and natural if they are different sizes and shapes.
Personal items, such as a clients collection of vintage coins or memories from travels.
Coffee table books and varied sizes of decorative storage boxes. These make great opportunities to create height.
Check out a couple of our current obsessions.
Author: Sydney Piwowar
Endless times have clients requested the cloud sofa. While the 100% down feather filled cushion wrapped in your “custom” choice of upholstery sounds lovely on paper, it does function as lovely in real life. Clients are often drawn towards the modern and relaxed look of the cloud. While there is nothing wrong with modernity and a relaxed setting, this sofa creates a lot of stress due to its construction.
The first, simpler issue is that the oversized frame makes it difficult to install in homes - you need to double check your door widths to ensure it will fit in your home.
Taller clients, or those that like to cuddle up and watch movies on their sofa, are often attracted to the oversized depth of the sofa. Deep cushions are actually one of the things RH is famous for. While you may think the cloud is cuddly and wraps you like a hug, your grandmother or great aunt might think different. Comparable to a bean bag chair, this sofa sits very low to the ground and is very hard to get out of.
Its 100% down feather cushion fill does not help with this either. Each time you sit on it, the feathers relax and compress, similar to your down feather bedding. Only issue is that since there are so many feathers needed to fill it, its own weight compresses it down and doesn’t allow it to fluff back up after you sit up. As a result, each sofa cushion should be regularly fulled after every use to ensure it keeps its fluff. If that wasn’t annoying enough, try lifting one of those cushions yourself. If you don’t believe how much these feathers can weigh, stop by an RH near you and try for yourself. You are NOT going to want to lift that daily.
This blog post isn’t meant to bash Restoration Hardware. I simply believe you have the right to know these things that sales associates won’t share with people willing to spend $14K on a sofa.
Since I am being honest with you, I should tell you that 100% linen upholstery on this sofa is also a nightmare. Since the sofa does not bounce back once you sit in it, the fabric stays depressed and wrinkles with every touch. Not to mention, linen is also a stain magnet for children.
To summarize, remember that bigger is not always better. Remember to check your cushion fill to ensure you have the appropriate balance of synthetic materials and down. It should be noted that the exact percentage will be different based off of personal preferences. And always bring home a sample of fabric before you agree to custom terms of agreement. Rub it on your dog to see how much hair it collects, let your two year old play with it for an afternoon and see how hard it is to clean - you will not regret it.