For more than 40 years, Lamps Plus, Inc. has been serving customers with top-of-the-line service, selection and value. As the nation’s largest lighting retailer, Lamps Plus carry all the top brands alongside thousands of exclusive and patented designs in lighting, home furnishings and décor. Lamps Plus Professionals Manager, David Gray, shares how Lamps Plus works with interior designers, professional lighting styling tips, and best practices for sourcing the right lighting for a client project.

Lamps Plus will be hosting an Ivy Webinar on Wednesday, February 21 at 12:30 PM ET / 9:30 AM PT to discuss lighting solutions your clients will love. In this webinar you will learn how to provide educated lighting recommendations, the types of lighting for different rooms, and lighting trends we’re seeing right now.

What’s Lamps Plus, Inc.’s design mission?

DG: Our mission from the start has been to provide an unrivaled selection of lighting and décor with the best design, quality, and pricing. Part of that has been to design and manufacture our own product that you can only find at Lamps Plus. They are exclusive designs, at the best price for our consumers.

Lamps Plus, Inc.

How do you typically work with interior designers?

DG: Once a designer registers for a free Lamps Plus Professionals membership (a 5-minute sign-up), she or he will be given a dedicated Account Representative. Through this one-to-one relationship, the representative is available to assist with finding products and product information, following up on orders and service situations, finding the best pricing, shipping methods, and more. When designers’ reps are not available, we have a large team of trained agents ready to assist in their absence. The goal is to save our designers not just money but significant time as well.

Lamps Plus, Inc.

Who are the most popular lighting brands on LampsPlus.com?

DG: Our exclusive products are sought by customers “in the know,” so our own brands are extremely popular.

These include Possini Euro Design, Franklin Iron Works, Vienna Full Spectrum, John Timberland, Color Plus, Pro Track, Casa Vieja and more. In addition, we carry a grand array of lighting suppliers including Currey & Co, Hinkley, Tech Lighting, Feiss, Minka, Crystorama, Uttermost, Corbett, Cyan Design, Robert Abbey and hundreds more.

Lamps Plus, Inc.

Can you name some examples of timeless lamp and shade styles?

DG: A number of styles have been invented in the past few decades. It’s hard to tell what will be “timeless” in the future. Traditional styles have given way to a resurgence in Mid-Century Modern, Post-Modern and Industrial designs. The possibilities of LED technology eliminate many of the restrictions that have guided style in the past. We have new opportunities to invent ways to provide light to our spaces. For anyone looking to add popular lighting choices to an existing space, you can’t go wrong with a simple contemporary torchiere or drum-shade table lamp. Portable lamps are just that – portable. When a portable lamp lacks the appropriate style for one space, it’s time to relocate it to somewhere where the fixture can be more appreciated.

Lamps Plus, Inc.

What are some good lighting and style tips for decorating with lamps?

DG: Consider function, size and style when incorporating lamps.

1. Function: What room are you lighting? Consider using soft and comforting styles for the bedside; designer looks for entertaining areas; and bright, hardworking designs for a home office or work space.

2. Size: For reading lights, the bottom of the shade should be eye-level when you are seated. For accent tables, save surface area by choosing smaller designs with typically smaller footprints. In general, look for designs that will be proportionate with the surfaces they sit upon.

3. Style: The main rule for style these days is that anything goes. So choose designs that are in line with the rest of your décor, from contemporary and transitional for your modern spaces to traditional looks for classic comfort.

Lamps Plus, Inc.

Can you offer interior designers some tips of best practices for sourcing the right lighting for a space?

DG: Here are some quick tips to keep in mind:

1. Lighting is about creating contrast, not necessarily brightness.

2. Too much light in one place is just as bad as not having any light at all.

3. LED is the way to go, but know what you’re getting into.

4. Go ahead and hire an electrician to add the right fixtures, outlets and controls.

5. Have a sufficient budget for lighting, and plan for it from the beginning.

Lamps Plus, Inc.

In your opinion, how has technology impacted the interior design industry?

DG: LED technology has created a wide range of possibilities for lighting while other technology has changed how information is distributed about those possibilities. The biggest technology change for the interior design industry is how much information is available, where it comes from and how it affects the job of the designer. Nobody can absorb all the information available and the array of possibilities exists beyond anyone’s ability to take full advantage of them. Today’s technology makes our information filters the most vital piece of the marketplace puzzle. It’s more important than ever for good interior designers to be outstanding filters, to consolidate the most potent information from all sources and to best serve their clients with the most appropriate and timely answers.

Lamps Plus, Inc.

Why is it important for interior designers to embrace modern tools like Ivy to bring their business operations online?

DG: In a deep and endless sea of new possibilities, it is vital to form relationships with suppliers of information and products that can be trusted, while consolidating resources into a trove of useful choices. Industry leaders like Ivy Mark and Lamps Plus can bring design professionals a compendium of sorted, accurate, filtered, time-saving and valuable solutions and answers.

Lamps Plus, Inc.

What’s Lamps Plus Inc.’s focus for 2018?

DG: The Lamps Plus Professionals team has expanded significantly. With this comes a continued commitment to client services. We aspire to be part of each designer’s team by working hand-in-hand with designers from start to finish, on multiple projects, throughout the year.

Lamps Plus, Inc.

Here at Ivy, we’re more than just an interior design software. Our mission is to provide interior designers with the community, resources and tools needed to manage your business beautifully. Are you searching for a business management tool to help streamline your workflow as an interior designer?

Dear Ivy Family,

Over the past several days we’ve received your feedback about Ivy joining Houzz and we wanted to take this opportunity to answer the most common questions we have received.

To begin, Houzz co-founder Alon Cohen wrote our community the below letter to address your questions to Houzz.  

Below Alon’s letter you will see our answers to your questions. If you have any additional questions, we’re here for you! Just shoot us an email (lee@ivymark.com and alex@ivymark.com).

We’re grateful you took the time to share this feedback and we’re confident that this is the best path for our Ivy community.

Much love & gratitude,

Alex & Lee

To the Ivy Community,

I want to start by saying that I’m excited by this opportunity to better serve the trade. You raised several questions over the past few days that I would like to personally address.

I was quoted in an article this week saying that designers are not business people. I want to first apologize to all designers out there, and also share some context to what was said. The point I was trying to make, obviously not with the best choice of words, was that we want to help designers spend more time being creative and doing what they love, and less time on administrative tasks.

I work closely with design and creative professionals all day and admire their ability to create beautiful and functional things. Since starting Houzz, I’ve spent every day admiring the amazing designs and creations of this industry, and wanted nothing more than to empower the trade and help it be rewarded for its talent.

Now I’d like to address the concern that Houzz will use the designer’s client information in Ivy proposals/invoices/POs to market similar products to their clients. Let me be clear: we will not do that. Period. Not in emails, not in phone calls, and not in ads. Our goal is to help you grow your business and become more profitable by streamlining your operations.

We hear you on the tags that are displayed on photos. As a result, we’re making a change to the way photos are displayed, and hiding the tags whenever a designer’s photos are displayed to homeowners in their local area. We hope that this, in addition to our partnership with Ivy, will help demonstrate our commitment to the needs of the trade.

Last but not least, we’ve been asked how we will strengthen the design trade through this acquisition. We know a more seamless workflow and higher margins on product are important to you and we have started working on both. Our mobile developers are already hard at work on an Ivy app for iOS and Android.

Since my wife Adi and I started Houzz in 2009, our focus has been on connecting home professionals with potential clients and to make the process of working with current clients more productive. We promote working with designers in many ways, including in our editorial articles, TV advertising, the “My Houzz” video series where celebrities work with designers they found on Houzz showing the importance of their work, and more. Every day, thousands of homeowners hire designers and other pros after seeing their work on Houzz.

I hope that these points answer some of your questions. We are certainly not perfect, but we are sincere. We want to empower the trade and to use technology to make things better for this industry.

Alon

Questions & Answers Regarding the Houzz Acquisition of Ivy

Q: Will Houzz use my confidential client data/information on Ivy to sell products to my clients or remarket to them?

A: Houzz will not use the designer’s client information in Ivy proposals/invoices/POs to market similar products to their clients. Houzz’s goal with this partnership is to help you grow your business and become more profitable by streamlining your operations.

Q: Why did Ivy think Houzz was the best partnership for them?

A:  Houzz is the best technological partner in the industry. Houzz also provides the financial and recruiting capabilities for Ivy to more quickly grow its team and functionalities.

Q: Why did Houzz want to acquire Ivy?

A: Houzz knows it needs to do more to support designers. Providing a tool like Ivy and making it even more powerful for designers is important to Houzz because it wants designers to truly see Houzz as a source of support and growth, which has always been part of their mission. There is work still to do for Houzz on that front.

Q: Is the direction of Ivy changing? What are Ivy’s short-term & long-term goals from a business, leadership, brand & trade community standpoint?

Our mission is (and always has been!) advocating for the design trade and we’re pumped to now have the resources to deliver on our promise to our full potential. We now have the backing to hire the best engineers to build upon & improve Ivy features (hello, QuickBooks!) and organize more community trade shows & events. The Ivy Team will continue to be led by yours truly, Ivy Co-Founders Lee Rotenberg and Alex Schinasi.

Q: Will the Ivy software, documents, and client dashboard remain Ivy branded?

A: Ivy is a distinct brand and product with its own site and login. We plan to keep the Ivy software, documents, and client dashboard Ivy branded.  

Q: Why did we hear the acquisition news from other sources before we heard the news from Ivy?

The announcement was planned for a certain time with the first post intended for the Ivy community on fb, with news outlets agreeing to publish simultaneously. Unfortunately one trade publication mistakenly broke the agreement and published their piece early. Once the publication realized what they had done, they immediately took down their story.

Q: What if I’d like a refund on my Ivy Membership?

A: Any existing Ivy Member’s refund policy remains the same.

Q: I chose not to be a part of Houzz, does this mean I now will need to be?

A: No. You do not need to have a profile on Houzz or use houzz.com to access Ivy. The functionality of Ivy will be available on the Ivy website, and all materials will be branded with the Ivy logo.

Q: How does Houzz support the trade?

A: Houzz created a global market for interior design services and has shown consumers the value that interior designers provide to their clients.  Houzz also publishes articles regularly to educate consumers about the value of hiring professional help.

Houzz has launched a trade program to help designers buy products with a trade discount. This is a new program and Houzz is working diligently to increase the discounts offered to designers and improve the service to the trade.

What a ride it’s been! Before we say anything else, thank you! From our early adopters that joined when we had nothing but a dream and a basic product, to our IvyMark community who gave us creative ideas, encouragement, and feedback as we grew, and to everyone who has stuck with us as we’ve made progress, and mistakes, we want to say thank you for your patience, guidance, and loyal partnership as we’ve worked to build the platform you trust.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR OUR MEMBERS

The Houzz team shares our vision of empowering the design trade, and we’re excited about what we will be able to do together for our members. With Houzz, IvyMark will be able to continue on our mission, now with the resources to create an even better platform so that you can make more time for design.

While this partnership is big news for us, it won’t change the heartbeat of IvyMark. The IvyMark team that you know and love will continue to support your needs and the needs of the IvyMark community.

Our journey is just beginning. Similar to the early days, we’re relying on you, our core, as we further develop our software to support your success and creativity. We can’t wait to hear your feedback as we continue to optimize the IvyMark you know and love.

WHY WE’RE EXCITED

We’re delighted to join forces with Houzz, a natural fit for IvyMark when it comes to innovation, culture, and user base.

Houzz will allow us to continue on our mission of modernizing the way interior designers do business, while introducing IvyMark to a massive audience and opening the door to new opportunities. More than 1.5 million active home renovation and design professionals in over 65 categories — including more than 200,000 designers worldwide — use Houzz to showcase their work, build their brands and reach new clients. We are excited to bring the power of IvyMark’s software and community to more professionals!

The excitement doesn’t stop there. Houzz and IvyMark both have strong engineering teams in Tel Aviv! This made joining Houzz an even bigger no-brainer.

THANK YOU…

Where do we begin? We couldn’t have arrived here without you.

Thank you to our members that make the IvyMark community a beautiful (and unexpected!) byproduct of a workflow software. This has been the sweetest surprise from our collective success.

A loyal user base and great product propels a startup, but we wouldn’t be where we are today without our investors. From Tal Barnoach of Disruptive, James Currier, Gigi Levy, and Stan Chudnovsky of NFX Guild, Rami Bercha and Chemi Peres of Pitango, and angels like David Marcus and Scott Flanders, thank you for believing in us and believing in our dream. Without your backing, we wouldn’t have been able to effectively deliver on our mission.

Then, there are the people that gave us continued guidance to navigate the tricky situations startups face. Being a part of NFX’s Guild gave us the insight to see things differently – from James Currier’s wisdom on network-effects and Gigi Levy’s tough love, to the tribe of founders that make up the Guild that serve as an invaluable sounding board when building IvyMark. Then there’s Roee Adler, our unmatched advisor and guru. He is our sounding board when we need a second pair of ears.

A big thank you goes out to our families that emotionally supported us along this entrepreneurial journey. You never held us back, only pushed us further down this path.

And last but not least, there’s the IvyMark team. We really wouldn’t be here without our team. Beyond just your expertise, your bottomless enthusiasm for our mission, your very late nights at the office, your strong bonds to your colleagues, and your tireless drive to build innovative tools let us become an industry leader in under two years. You are our family and we’re so excited to be on this next chapter with you.

We’re honored that you’ve all been with us on this journey so far and hope you’re as excited as we are for what’s coming next.

Much love,

Lee & Alex

Here at Ivy, we’re more than just an interior design software. Our mission is to provide interior designers with the community, resources and tools needed to manage your business beautifully. Are you searching for a business management tool to help streamline your workflow as an interior designer?

We sat with Christiane Lemieux, Founder & CEO of The Inside, a platform who truly understands the value of injecting personality and beauty into interiors. The Inside celebrates the diversity of style, designing a line of made-to-order furnishings in a variety of designer fabrics. Their estimated lead time is just three weeks, two weeks for production and one week for delivery. Lemieux shares with us The Inside’s design mission, production process, and the importance of embracing modern technology.

Lead Image: Photo by Gieves Anderson Photography, Design by Peter Som 

How did The Inside come to be?
CL: I launched The Inside, a line of made-to-order furnishings in a variety of designer fabrics, because I saw a major gap in the retail market for accessibly-priced furniture that had personality. Our mission is to deliver a product that appeals to everyone – from the minimalist to the maximalist – to ultimately make their homes feel good, so they feel good.

What’s The Inside’s design mission?
CL: To make custom furniture that’s easy, affordable, and fun.

Photo by Gieves Anderson Photography, Design by Peter Som

How does The Inside manage to produce custom furniture in less than two weeks?
CL: We have spent a lot of time developing a specialized supply chain that allows us to make custom furniture efficiently and quickly. And it’s all made in the USA. It’s the secret sauce. We also employ digital printing and modeling techniques which enables us to have amazing patterns fast.

What’s your production process like from inspiration to production?
CL: We have a very open studio atmosphere where we discuss what’s inspiring us and then develop how that inspiration translates into pattern. We work with our textile designers to develop the perfect colorways, scales, and repeats, and then we digitally model onto our frames. From there, we select what we think people will love most and merchandise it onto our site. Once a customer places their order, our Chicago-based factory puts the piece into production, packs it up, and ships it out via FedEx.

Photo by Gieves Anderson Photography, Design by Peter Som

Currently, what are your best-selling categories?
CL: Beds are a best-selling category, but our Cocktail Chair is especially loved.

The Inside partners with designers, tastemakers, and enthusiasts to bring a variety of inspiration home including Clare V. X and Peter Som. Do you have any other exclusive capsule collections in the works?
CL: Our most recent collaborations were with The Everygirl and Maisonette, and we have some very exciting collaborations on the horizon – stay tuned!

Photo by Gieves Anderson Photography, Design by Peter Som

Who’s on your wish-list to collaborate with?
CL: I have so many – from my favorite artists and graphic designers to great interior designers. 

How important is content and social media marketing to the growth of your brand?
CL: I think it’s non-negotiable now. Social Media is part of any business, especially a visual one like ours. Also, we especially appreciate when customers post the pieces they customized on their Instagram feeds – it helps with brand building, but we also love that we’re building a community.

Photo by Gieves Anderson Photography, Design by Peter Som

In your opinion, how is technology impacting the interior design industry?
CL: I think technology is totally disrupting it from platforms like Ivy to services like Homepolish and Havenly – everyone wants a beautiful home and technology is going a long way to make that happen efficiently and affordably. It’s a truly exciting time because it seems like everyone really wants their homes to be designed and considered, and that’s a beautiful thing!

Why would interior designers embrace modern tools such as Ivy to bring their business operations online?
CL: It’s absolutely necessary to have a digital presence, as any business. Tools like Ivy make everything efficient and leave more time for the creative process, something all designers want more of.

Photo by Gieves Anderson Photography, Design by Peter Som

What’s The Inside’s focus for 2018?

CL: We are looking forward to some meaningful trade collaborations and new categories like sofas, bedding, and wallpaper. We are so excited to help designers make interiors exactly the way they dream them.

Here at Ivy, we’re more than just an interior design software. Our mission is to provide interior designers with the community, resources and tools needed to manage your business beautifully. Are you searching for a business management tool to help streamline your workflow as an interior designer?

This January, Ivy Designers were all about bright white spaces with brass and gold finishes and furnishings.

Ivy Design Firm Caitlin Wilson Design – San Francisco & Dallas

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeBDmJghFFj/?taken-by=caitlinwilsondesign

Ivy Design Firm Darla Powell Interiors – Miami

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeWQvHan8Wr/?taken-by=darlapowellinteriors

Ivy Design Firm Park & Oak – Chicago

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdvUL6oFahj/?taken-by=parkandoakdesign

Ivy Design Firm Farmer’s Daughter Interiors – Southwest Saskatchewan

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeBXVCmlj97/?taken-by=farmersdaughterinteriors

Ivy Design Firm Tharon Anderson Design, LLC – New York

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdjIz24hp7T/?taken-by=tharonandersondesign

Ivy Design Firm Megan Bachmann Interiors – Burlingame / SF Bay Area

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeYociUAm2D/?taken-by=meganbachmanninteriors

Ivy Design Firm JDP Interiors – Los Angeles

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeOYN7MB2XG/?taken-by=jdpinteriors

Ivy Design Firm Savvy Interiors – San Diego

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeOGIxMnf-P/?taken-by=insidebysavvy

Ivy Design Firm Kristen Fegale Interiors – Dallas

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdfmK1qnQwm/?taken-by=kristenfegaleinteriors

Here at Ivy, we’re more than just an interior design software. Our mission is to provide interior designers with the community, resources and tools needed to manage your business beautifully. Are you searching for a business management tool to help streamline your workflow as an interior designer?

Hang Out With Your Ivy Ladies!

Ivy Designer Lounge

Monday, January 29 – Tuesday, January 30 from 8am-5pm | Building A, Showroom A216

Join the Ivy Ladies at the Las Vegas Market Ivy Designer Lounge to kick-back, re-fresh, and re-charge in good company. Come say hello anytime! If you’re an interior designer not yet using Ivy for your firm, schedule your personalized demo at the Ivy Designer Lounge here.

Henna Happy Hour

Sunday, January 28 at 4pm | Jaipur Living Showroom (B-424)

Kick-off Las Vegas Market January 2018 at the Jaipur Living Showroom with a festive Henna Happy Hour, co-hosted by Jaipur Living and Ivy. Enjoy vegetarian hors d’oeuvres by All About Catering with a surprise signature cocktail. RSVP here.

Check out these must-attend parties, events and seminars

The ABC’s of Shopping All of North America & Expand your Design Palette

Sunday, January 28, 2018 from 11:00am – 12:00pm | Building C Seminar Room, C174

Speakers: Glen Peloso, Grafus

Designers can be intimidated by the process of buying internationally and importing product. This will break down the process from finding product, purchasing, pricing and getting it into your projects.

Las Vegas Market After Party

Sunday, January 28, 2018 from 10:30pm – 11:59pm | Hakkasan Nightclub at MGM Grand Las Vegas

Complimentary entry with Market Badge until 1:00am.

Inside the Mind of Jeff Lewis (0.1 CEU)

Monday, January 29, 2018 from 1:00pm – 2:00pm | Building B, WorldView on Sixteen
Jeff Lewis is known for his obsession with detail and immaculate style. Hear Jeff share insight from his extensive and successful career in design and business. Join Lynsey Humphrey, designer and Founder of Design Kollective, as she leads this discussion with Jeff. Audience Q&A will follow Jeff’s moderated one-on-one engagement. Meet & Greet event will follow in the Alder & Tweed showroom, Building B, B158.

Best of the West in Life & Style (0.15 CEU)

Monday, January 29, 2018 from 3:00pm – 4:30pm | Building B, WorldView on Sixteen

Speakers: Audrey Woollen, Olivia Korenberg, Jenn Pablo, Heather Bullard, Ginny Macdonald, Kelly Nutt and Ryan Saghian as moderator
Join REstyleSOURCE and guest moderator Ryan Saghian, of Ryan Saghian Interior Design, as they discuss West Coast “Life and Style” with a curated panel of taste-making influencers and designers. This season, guests will include Audrey Woollen of Urbanic Paper Boutique, Olivia Korenberg & Jenn Pablo of Two Fold LA,Editorial Prop Stylist & Producer Heather Bullard, Ginny Macdonald, stylist and interior designer at Emily Henderson Design and Kelly Nutt of Kelly Nutt Design. You won’t want to miss out this on intriguing look at what’s hot in West Coast lifestyle and design from these industry leaders, and how each interprets West Coast style into their own signature look and brand.

Abbyson Presents: Digital Design Darlings

Monday, January 29, 2018 from 4:30pm – 5:30pm | Abbyson Living, Building B, B170

Speakers: Erinn Valencich, Lori Paranjape, Natalie Reddell and Shayla Copas

Mastering Social Media + Growing your Design Business, featuring design’s digital darlings. Don’t miss this lively conversation with four influential interior designers who have found the “sweet spot” at the intersection of digital and design. Special guests include Lori Paranjape, Shaya Copas, Natalie Reddell and Erinn Valencich who will share their secrets and strategies to help you grow your social media presence—and ultimately, your interior design business. Enjoy cocktails, canapés & conversation in Abbyson’s Showroom. Guests are asked to RSVP to events@abbysonliving.com as limited space is available.

Jackie von Tobel for Left Bank Art

Monday, January 29 at 4pm | A254 & A229

Celebrate industry expert Jackie von Tobel’s latest art collection with Left Bank Art!

SELLINGreen, Jaipur Style (1 CEU with IDCEC)

Tuesday, January 30, 2018 from 11:00am – 12:00pm  | Jaipur Living Showroom, Building B, B-424
Learn the many ways in which SFC’s Jaipur Living makes SELLINGreen easy, with a profound commitment to people as well as plant and profit. This CEU answers the questions most commonly asked by customers, in simple and compelling ways, helping you build your business. What’s the difference between green and sustainable? Who’s interested, and when will they start asking for it? How much are they willing to pay? Why should you act now, and can it make a difference? Learn how to initiate, advance and close a sustainable sale among ordinary customers. RSVP here.

Course number: 103186. Designation: Health, Safety, Welfare. Subject Code: 2. Interior Design / 12. Sustainable and or/Environmental Design

Pantone Presents: Inspiring and Expressing Color: Defining the Essential Color Trends for Home in 2018 (0.1 CEU)

Tuesday, January 30, 2018 from 1:00pm – 2:00pm | Building B, WorldView on Sixteen

Speakers: Patti Carpenter, Pantone Color Institute & Global Trend Ambassador

Color palettes for 2018 break free from traditional thinking. Colors are revitalized, hues are mixed in novel combinations and new color directions instantly and effectively express a fresh approach. While commerciality is still critical, taking a more unique approach to color will help you stand out from the mainstream. Join Patti Carpenter, Pantone Color Institute Trend Team Contributor and Global Trend Ambassador as she reveals the key color trends for 2018 – where they are coming from, why they are happening and where they are headed in the future, plus get an inside glimpse into the selection of Pantone’s 2018 Color of the Year.

If there’s one person you want by your side in this design industry, it’s Jackie von Tobel. Our dear friend, Jackie, re-defines what it means to be a generous partner, contributor, and industry triple threat. She’s an award winning interior designer with over twenty years of experience and a passion for learning all corners of the design world. Jackie is a leading authority on soft treatment design and construction and travels extensively teaching at various trade shows, schools, and design centers across the country. She’s a product designer and artist as well!

Jackie discusses her artistic vision, her latest art collection with Left Bank Art (catch her at LVMKT!), and her relationship with interior designers.

Lead Image: Jackie Von Tobel for Left Bank Art

Jackie – how did you get where you are today?  

That is a complicated question!  I had a full-service interior design firm with a large showroom in Las Vegas for many years and I loved the process of design, particularity the creative output and the ability to design our own custom products for our clients. However, after a long run, I became a bit stifled by the everyday management and non-creative workload that came with working on large multi-million dollar projects and high-end homes. I longed to spend more time in purely creative and artistic work which has led me to write a series of illustrated reference books for the trade; The Design Directory of Window Treatments and The Design Directory of Bedding which became the standards for the industry.

At the same time in 2007, the economy in Las Vegas had taken a turn for the worse and I had a big decision to make in renewing my showroom lease and continuing to operate my Interior Design firm, or, striking out into the unknown and following my heart to pursue more creative outlets. I followed that inner voice that told me to let go and take a risk and I closed my design firm without having a clue what I would do next. I knew I wanted to design products in multiple categories and I set out to learn the skills that I would need and to make the contacts that would allow me to succeed at that goal.

Fast forward ten years later and I have secured over 30 licensing contracts including the award winning Jackie Von Tobel Collection for Helser Brothers, tabletop for big box stores such as Peir I and Hobby Lobby, my own fabric collection, The Haute Trends Collection for Feizy Rugs, and my newest collections of art with Prestige Art and now Left Bank Art.  In short, it took some time. But ultimately, I had undaunted faith that I could succeed at my goal. I put in a ton of hard work, a massive amount of networking, gave back to the industry as much as I was gaining from it, and tried at all times to stay true to my own artistic vision while not folding into the pressure to blend in.

Jackie Von Tobel for Left Bank Art

Can you explain your artistic process?   

My process begins with researching emerging trends, colors, and consumer behavior and applying that where it is relevant to my designs. Once I have zoned in on a theme or style, I dive in with tons of sketches that I refine through a series of re-draws into what the final design will be. I work a lot in Photoshop, and over the past few years, I have made it a priority to learn the program inside and out to use it on an expert level. This skill has really allowed me to stand apart from many other designers trying to break into this field. I also hand draw and paint most of my work in watercolor gouache and acrylic which has allowed me to cultivate a strong recognizable “signature look” that is apparent across all of my products.

How has living in Las Vegas inspired your work?

Las Vegas is a wonderland for designers with world class hotels and restaurants designed by some of the most talented artists, architects, and designers in the world. It is ripe with inspiration and it is always changing and adapting to trends. I grew up in Vegas and my family had a chain of large home improvement and hardware stores that I spent my early years working in. There was a lack of design resources here for years and it made me look to unconventional materials, many of which I found in our hardware stores, to solve my design dilemmas. I continue to think out of the box when designing product and I like to incorporate the unexpected.

Jackie Von Tobel for Left Bank Art

Tell us about your latest series/collection…  

My new collection with Left Bank Art is twofold. First, I have several series of coastal watercolors done in a loose and painterly hand, depicting sea plants corals and shells. Some of these are embellished with gold or silver leaf to add dimension and richness. I like to work in large sets of nine or twelve in a collection so the buyers have the maximum flexibility when choosing for their customer. The second collection I am thrilled to say has really struck a chord amongst buyers. They are digital collages of richly colored dark florals taken from “Old Master” Dutch and European paintings of the 17th and 18th century. I isolate individual blooms and elements form over twenty paintings and re-imagine them into fluid, more contemporary compositions that bring new life into these brilliant masterworks from long ago. There are many pieces in the collection and each has its own personality and draw to the buyer. My favorite is a large collection of twelve framed botanicals that will cover an entire wall. I plan to hang it in my dining room soon. Look for more of my new work that will debut at High Point Market!

How do you market your product design and art?   

For the most part, I rely on the manufacturer to promote and market the product that I design for them, although, I back them up as vigorously as possible. Social media plays a big part in that these days, as does making regular visits to the design markets and taking part in speaking opportunities. It is vital for anyone producing signature collections to be visible at market; to represent your product and connect with key buyers and clients. It is also important to live your brand. By that I mean that your social media, presentations public appearances, etc. should all reflect your brand aesthetic. I go as far to always wear florals and bright colors as that is the mainstay of my design style and I am sure to always be consistent with my message and my brand.

Jackie Von Tobel for Left Bank Art

Based on your knowledge of the industry, how has technology or social media changed the way artists and designers do business?  

I cannot even begin to describe how impactful technology has been for the industry, and for myself. Technology has transformed the way we work everyday and has made the level of work that can be generated by any individual superior to what most of us could without it. I personally could not have had the success that I have had as a designer, author, and product designer without it. Social media has brought designers out of the sometimes lonely bubble most of us work in and allowed us to network easily with our peers across the world. Technology is building a powerful group of professionals that are finally realizing that there is power in numbers and hopefully will lead to some standardization of practices in our industry. I look at Ivy as a leader in that realm and I can’t wait to see what Ivy does next.

Do you attend markets? If so, what’s your market strategy? 

I am a big believer in markets and I have been an industry advocate for years. As the Co-Founder of Soft Design Lab, The HPMKT VIP Experience Tour, and The LVMKT Market Red Carpet Tour, I have dedicated much of my time over the past four years to bringing hundreds of designers to markets that have never attended before and have shown designers how to navigate markets successfully while building networking peer groups. My strategy is to plan ahead and take advantage of the online market resources to create a plan of attack of what showrooms and events you want to attend so you aren’t going in blind. Reach out to your community of peers and meet up with other designers who are planning to attend. It’s much more fun and productive to take on market with a wing man than on your own.

If you’re heading to LVMKT this January, make sure to join me to celebrate the launch of my latest collection with Left Bank Art on January 29 at 4 PM, Suite A254 & A229. They throw a heck of a party so don’t miss it!

As an artist, how do you typically work with interior designers?  

As a product designer and artist, I do not work directly with artists. I work with my manufacturing partners to develop and produce product and then leave the sales to them. That is why it is so important for me to connect personally with designers one on one through education, our tours, and other events so I know what they are looking for in product. This helps me to produce work that is relevant to them and their clients.

What are 3 tips of “best practice” you can offer interior designers for choosing the right artwork for a space?  

Art is so personal and what is meaningful to one person is not necessarily meaningful to another.

Help your clients choose pieces that “have legs”, meaning that it will be relevant over a long period of time. Fads do fade and art is something that you should collect for the long haul.

Variety is the spice of life so mix it up with different mediums, subjects, styles, and colors. Nothing is more boring than a whole house full of huge abstract statement pieces.

Size does matter so just because big canvases are in right now doesn’t mean that is right for every client. Sometimes a collection of smaller works can be more impactful than one big grand gesture. Be sure the work your client chooses is size appropriate for the space and isn’t overpowering.

Jackie Von Tobel for Left Bank Art

What are your artistic goals for 2018?  

I hope to expand into more categories of product including furnishings, lighting and bedding and to build on my collection for Left Bank Art. My ultimate goal for 2018 is to break into textiles and wall-coverings with a signature line. A girl can dream!

Jackie von Tobel