Jackie Von Tobel Interview

                                       

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Jackie Von Tobel at the High Point Furniture Market.  She is an amazing interior designer and has published two books that cover everything you ever need to know about window treatments and bedding.  Her window treatment book has over 1,300 gorgeous full color illustrations.   I bought this book last year and it is the first one I go to when needing inspiration.

Her most recent book is The Design Directory of Bedding and has over 500 pages of unbelievably beautiful bed treatments. It’s full of drawings of  bed coverings, skirts, pillows, headboards and canopies that are works of art.

Jackie has designed a line of fabrics that I am in love with. They are available on her website and are made of natural and organic materials. These are a few of my favorite’s, the first one is named after her daughter, Angelica.  Isn’t that so sweet !

             

 

         

She also has lots of gorgeous pillows, I love this paisley one.

What an awesome home office and look at those fancy sewing machines !

 

Minutes Matter is a design software for space planning and rendering window treatments.  Once the illustration is finalized, simply add dimension lines to create a workroom and installation spec sheet. 

Jackie’s drawings are available as an add on module to the Studio program.  You can easily add her designs and any fabric to a photo of your window.  It’s a wonderful tool for those that have a hard time visualizing the end result.

  

I really enjoyed meeting Jackie, she was so sweet and nice enough to let me interview her for my blog.

1)  As a child you sewed draperies and bedding for your dollhouse.  Did you ever fabricate window treatments for your clients ?

JVT - I always sewed my clients pillow fronts, decorative throws and other fun stuff and then I sent them to the workroom to have the zippers put in because I hate that part!  I've sewn many window treatments for my own home but for my clients I always used a professional workroom.  My workrooms always did a fabulous job for me and made many of my most difficult designs look easy to make.  I truly admire the skill and dedication it takes to become a workroom professional.  Without them my designs would remain on paper.  All through my career as a designer my favorite moments were drapery installations.  They were like watching my dreams become a reality.

2)  I realize this is probably asking which one of your children is your favorite but, which sketch from your book is your favorite treatment ?

JVT - The illustration on the cover of my window treatment book is probably my favorite because it shows a treatment that embodies my signature style. I love to layer different fabrics over one another to create a very dimensional look that also has several levels of functionality.  I also like to expose the decorative hardware used so you can really see the beauty of the rod and rings. That illustration has all of those elements. 

3)  I know you just returned from the furniture market in High Point.  What was the highlight for you ? 

JVT - Of course I love the new products and beautiful showrooms but for me my favorite part of market is getting together with old and new friends and sharing stories about the biz.  The Tweet Up at Global Views was very fun and I got to meet many online friends in person for the first time.  It was a thrill to meet you in person after talking to you via my blog for so long.  I find it funny that I only recognize people by their online names.  If they only say there actual name I have no idea who I am talking to but as soon as they mention their web name I instantly recognize them. 

4) You've worn many hats throughout your career.......... designer, speaker, artist, author.  Is there something else you would like to do that you haven't done yet ?

JVT - I feel like I am already doing so many things in my career that I had never envisioned myself doing.  It has been a blessing to have these opportunities but I think one of the most important things in life is to be open to change and to not be afraid of taking risks as it might lead you down roads you would never have traveled on your own.  I am really enjoying designing product and hope I have the opportunity to do more in that area.  I have a new marketing system with Minutes Matter, The Power of Marketing which should be released this summer and new JVT Bedding modules for Studio which will be available at the end of the year.  I am also writing two new books that will be released in 2012, The Design Directory of Soft Furnishings Volumes I & II.  They will cover many categories including upholstery, slip covers, table linens, etc.