Jen Talbot Design
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The Sketch Book Files

Meet Jen!

Jen's spot for inspirations, inside her life as designer and artist. I share progress, tips on sources, spaces that inspire and how to push the boundaries of every space.

Be brave, and go for it.

xo, Jen

Posts in Chicago Interior Designer
The Anti-Trend: Black Hardware
The Anti-Trend: Black Hardware

Author: Sydney Piwowar

Everywhere you look you see it - brass hardware! It is one of the biggest trends in both the design and fashion world, we love the classic warmth it provides. At JTD, we respectfully choose not to follow the trends sometimes though. I want to introduce something we are calling the "anti-trend" - BLACK hardware. Yes, black. While its not conventional, it is the perfect alternative for an edgy flare. If you don't believe me, see below and let these amazing pieces inspire you! We have pulled together a few of our favorites and curated a images that will inspire you to choose black hardware on your next project. 

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Chicago Interior Designer, Hardware, Jen Talbot Design, residentialJennifer Talbotbathroom, bathroomdesign, blackandwhite, blackandwhitebathroom, blackhardware, cabinethardware, chicagodesign, Chicagointeriordesigner, dark cabinets, kitchen, kitchendesign, kitchendesignideas, lightcabinets, modernbathroom, modernkitchen
Top Indie Fabric and Textile Designers
Top Indie Fabric and Textile Designers

Author: Sydney Piwowar

Im going to let you in on one of our BIGGEST trade secrets, we have a top secret list of our favorite up-and-comers. One of our responsibilities as a designer requires constant research for new furniture, fabric, and finish designers. Our knowledge of unique artisans is one of the biggest reasons why you hire us. As artists ourselves, we appreciate the creativity and hard work that many of these Indie designers put into re-defining textiles and the classic patterns. Please see our current Top Indie Fabric and Textile Designers list below.. Remember to spread the word to give these artists their much deserved credit as you won't see these designers in mainstream fabric shops. 

Imogen Heath

Eskayel

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St. Frank

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Savanna Hayes

indie fabric 4.jpg
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Quercus & Co. 

The Foundation Shop 

James Malone Fabrics

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Holli Zollinger 

Caryn Cramer

artist, Chicago Interior Designer, Jen Talbot Design, residentialJennifer Talbotfabric, Indiedesigner, jentalbotdesign, pillows, textiles
Top 5 Media Consoles you NEED and WANT
Top 5 Media Consoles you NEED and WANT

Author: Sydney Piwowar

Now-a-days media consoles are mostly about aesthetics as most people no longer use DVDs and VHS players have gone extinct. There are still some needs for storage though as the modern family probably hides video and board games here. We have created a "Best Of" list according to 5 categories - including closed storage, open storage, bar storage, vintage charm, and funky flare. See our top 5 list below. 

Best of Closed Storage

Brooks Cradenza by Croft House

Best of Open Storage

Thea Media Console by Burke Decor

Best of Bar Storage 

Guell Bar Cabinet by Baxter

Best of Vintage Charm

Porthole Console by Bobo Intriguing Objects

Best of Funky

Plissé by Baxter

Chicago Interior Designer, Jen Talbot DesignJennifer TalbotBar Storage, chicagodesign, Chicagointeriordesigner, Closed Storage, Console Table, interiordesign, Media Console, moderninterior, Open Storage, Unique Storage, vintagefurniture
Best Counter and Bar Stools
Best Counter and Bar Stools

Author: Sydney Piwowar

The perfect bar or counter stool requires a balance of aesthetic, lumbar support, and seat comfort. We have curated a few of our favorites below that we believe contain that perfect harmony. 

1. Phase Design — The Bride's Veil Stool 

2. Gabriel Scott — Bardot Stool

3. Palecek — Pratt Stool 

4. Lawson — Fenning — Elysian Barstool

5. Interlude Home — Darcy Stool

A backless stool allows for cleaner, more streamlined views as you can tuck it fully under a table or counter. This is perfect for spaces where you don't want to overcrowd the room visually. Here are a couple of our favorites!

1. Interlude Home — Colton Adjustable Stool

2. Mr. Brown — Lorca Counter Stool

3. Noir — Diora Brass Stool

4. Lawson Fenning — Orsini Stool

Chicago Interior Designer, Dining Room Design Ideas, residentialJennifer TalbotBar Stools, chicagodesign, Chicagointeriordesigner, Counter Stools, interiordesign, moderninterior
Timeless Brass Door Hardware
Timeless Brass Door Hardware

Author: Sydney Piwowar

Brass is all the rage now, but at JTD we dont like to get stuck in the trends! Here is our guide to the best brass door hardware for a classic, timeless look. 

1. Bonne Mazou — Goutte Ovale

2. Buster and Punch — Brass Door Lever Handle

3. Schoolhouse — Rome Tall Door Set

4. Joseph Giles — FONTEYN Solid Brass Handle

5. Rocky Mountain Hardware — Metro Entry Set 

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6. Emtek — Octagon on Circle 

7. Nanz - N° 1599AB

8. Rocky Mountain Hardware — Flute Passage Set

9. Chant Hardware — Flush Pull

10. Rocky Mountain Hardware — Edge Passage Set 

Brass, Chicago Interior Designer, Hardware, Jen Talbot DesignJennifer Talbotbrasshandle, brasshardware, chicagodesign, door hardware, interiordesign, jentalbotdesign
Look Up — Attention Seeking Bold Ceilings
Look Up — Attention Seeking Bold Ceilings

Author: Sydney Piwowar

Growing up, my mother told me that as people, we have the tendency to look down a lot. She said to look up and it will give you a whole new perspective on the world. Design is similar. It is not limited to what sits on the floor in front of you and the walls around us -  it includes the ceiling too! At JTD, we do not limit ourselves in this way, we consider the entire architecture of the space when designing. 

We have curated a few of our favorite ceiling installations that are begging for your attention. These show stoppers will inspire you to start looking up. Let us know what you think of these inspiring, bold moves! Do you have the guts?

Chicago Interior Designer, Jen Talbot Design, residentialJennifer TalbotCeiling Design, chicagodesign, Chicagointeriordesigner, interiordesign, painted ceiling, wallpaper ceiling
Loft Living — Adams St Install
Loft Living — Adams St Install

We are so excited about our recent install- we can barely contain ourselves. The space previously was a dated space stuck in 90's, with rounded walls and random suspension cable tracks lights. We gutted the loft, including every bathroom, ripped out the old gym style railing with a fresh clean modern version and replaced a curved wall leading into the master bedroom with a open concept steel and glass wall- punctuated by a dramatic white curtain.

We still have yet to professionally shoot the space. Stay tuned that is slated for end of August!

Chicago Interior Designer, Custom Doors, customfurniture, Dining Room Design Ideas, Jen Talbot Design, lighting, living room, residentialJennifer Talbotchicagodesign, Chicagointeriordesigner, jentalbotdesign, loft, rehab, renovation
Accent Pillow Trends
Accent Pillow Trends

We can not say enough how much we love the addition of accent pillows in a space. Accent pillows add warmth, character, personality, humor, drama and an opportunity to refresh the space quickly.  I am not one for seasonally themed pillows but a refresh to my living room, guest bedroom or master can completely change the tone and design direction. We love good pillows and are constantly on the hunt for a fresh selection. Scroll down for a few of our favorite spots to shop. I also often image a perfect pillow, color way or pattern that I can not find, so we source the fabric and have them made. It only take about 1.5 yards of material and a trip to your local dry cleaner to get a custom pillow made!

Our top places to shop for pillows.

1. Etsy
2. Lulu & Georgia
3. Burke Decor
4. Wayfair
5. Furbish Home
6. Kudd Krig Home

Chicago Interior Designer, Jen Talbot Design, Modern Living Room, residential, StylingJennifer Talbotaccentpillows, bench, built ins, Custompillows, jentalbotdesign, pillows
Color Palette Inspiration — Camel and Blush Pink
Color Palette Inspiration — Camel and Blush Pink

We love starting a new project with fabric and wallpaper selection. Opening a package of freshly sent samples is the best mail at the office. We love sourcing fresh prints and colors from new lines that are typically a small business run by an artist putting their ideas into print and paper. 

A couple of our new favorites are St. Frank, Skinny Laminx, Imogen Heath, Adelene- Simple Cloth. Check out a couple inspiration boards we are working on for upcoming projects. 

artist, Chicago Interior Designer, customfurniture, Jen Talbot Design, Kitchen Mood Board, Pink Bathroom, residentialJennifer Talbotchicagodesign, Chicagointeriordesigner, fabric, inspiration, interiordesign, interiors, jentalbotdesign, moderninterior, wallpaper
Deep Colored Walls — Powder Room, Family Room, Library... Oh My!
Deep Colored Walls — Powder Room, Family Room, Library... Oh My!

California can have it's light, breezy SoCal vibe with all white walls and boho splashed in. Fresh exciting, bold things are happening with deep, dark colored walls. Paint or wallpaper are all in.

Think of London library vibe.

Shake of the norm. No wall is permanent. Be brave and go for it.

xo, Jen

bathroom, Chicago Interior Designer, customfurniture, Jen Talbot Design, Modern Living Room, residentialJennifer Talbotbuilt ins, chicagodesign, Chicagointeriordesigner, jentalbotdesign, library, navy, navywalls, officedesign, powderroom