31 Mar Two Little Secrets and The Inspiration Behind Modern Look Book

It’s no surprise by now to anyone that is keeping up with our studio and the blog, that Deborah Main pillows are hitting the national scene one more time and are headed to TWO amazing places: High Point Market in N.C. AND Design On A Dime in NYC.  I haven’t filled you in on all the details yet, but that’s because I’ve been scrambling to keep up and get everything ready – design pillows, sew pillows, launch new website, create new press kit, write new pillow tags – you name it, our studio has been bustling with activity and many, many dear colleagues are helping out for the 2016 national push for the Deborah Main brand.  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

So please keep reading our blog and watching for our spring newsletter (sign up for both HERE) coming out at the end of April, to take advantage of the exciting and fun promotions we’ll be offering throughout the year. You don’t have to be a customer (yet!) but you’ll only know about the specials if you’re on the list. And that means we’ll be communicating more with you, our future and loyal customers, friends, and followers.

We are SO excited and really feel that 2016 just might be our break out year….and this is in large part to YOU, and all your support behind our little Austin, Texas studio!!! THANK YOU!!

But none of this would be happening if not for me speaking up and putting myself out there.  I know you think, “Oh, it’s so easy for Deborah”, but in reality it’s not.

 It takes a long time to build relationships and to build confidence in a brand new industry that when I started I knew nothing about. In fact, it’s taken me 12 years!!

But today I feel different. Go ahead and take a peek at some of my earlier blog posts HERE to see what I’ve learned along the way.  Today I don’t feel like I have to prove myself anymore.  I’ve been making gorgeous pillows for 12 years now, and just in ONE month they will debut at High Point market, the largest home furnishing market in the U.S. AND New York City at one of THE events of the year Design On A Dime, benefiting Housing Works and sponsored by Elle Decor. No I haven’t won the jack pot. It’s damn hard work and I still have 10 more new accounts to secure this year, but things are moving forward and that is at least the right direction.

Here’s a sneak peek (not yet available on our website and better photos coming soon) of one of our new pillows using our vast collection of vintage French trim where I collaborate with talented wood turner Jeff Hornung of The Walnut Log Studio.  Some of you may know I absolutely LOVE wood and my collection of vintage French trim, so this is a dream come true!! And my inspiration for the collection occurred last year in Dallas at a talk on Color Trends by the delightful Patti Carpenter, shown HERE on Editor At Large.  More on that story in future blog posts. But I’m super stoked and can’t wait for you to see this design in NYC!!

Little Secret #1: I have this tiny statue of a foot by my bed.  I received it from one of the showrooms at Las Vegas Market tour that I did with Jackie Von Tobel (you know, the tour that I haven’t had a minute to write any more about except that I met two of my idols, Christopher Guy and Thomas Pheasant). They gave us each a little foot to remind us new designers, new brands, to keep moving forward one step at a time toward our goals. It was a very simple gesture on their part and I’m sure they have NO idea how I’ve taken it to heart. I look at that little foot every day and in the morning give it a few steps and I’m on my way charting new uncharted territory for my brand, Deborah Main.

Now, you see why I’ve been SO excited and working like crazy to make this all come together.  In April I’ll talk more about my wonderful experiences of working long distance with two top international interior designers, Jonathan Legate and Kelli Ellis.

But for today’s blog post I wanted you to hear from Heather Karlie herself, the creative entrepreneur behind 20th Century by HKFA and Modern Look Book.

But first, a behind the scenes story.  And this is what I learned when I went to the Las Vegas Market from name brands like Christopher Guy, Thomas Pheasant, Julia Buckingham, Global Views, Brandon Smith of D Coop Media, Christopher Kennedy, Jackie Von Tobel, and many many more.

We all start in the same place, with a dream. And we learn and grow and make mistakes along the way. We take risks. Some work out. Some don’t. But never for a minute think that some famous interior or product designer or artist didn’t start, and struggle, just like you and me.  From an idea (and a wild and crazy idea I might add) comes the passion to do what we love! Go for it NOW!

Heather Karlie Vieira of 20th Century by HKFA started with an idea and it has grown into a highly curated business of antique and modern vintage finds that she hand-selects herself. Her own personal story made me think of mine and how we have to start somewhere and just keep on truckin.

Little Secret #2: So, my little secret is that I was up late one night and I happened upon this Modern Look Book concept and I thought, hmmm, that’s interesting…what’s that all about? I knew Heather Karlie was a dealer of vintage and antique furnishings, but I’ve never met her so I really didn’t know her background. And then, I read her personal story at 1 a.m. and I was feeling kind of down and discouraged and I emailed her my thoughts.  To my surprise she answered the next day and before you knew it I was one of the brands in her inaugural Modern Look Book.

My point?  You never know what leads to what.  I reached out to Heather at a vulnerable moment in the wee hours of the morning with some personal self doubts about my brand and she reached back.  And then it all took off from there. Thank you Heather!!

PG: What inspired you to create the Modern Look Book concept?

HK: Modern Look Book came about through relationships and friendships – it’s the ultimate in collaboration. My favorite interiors are ones that blend vintage finds with contemporary and custom pieces. That being said, I wanted to present this look, so I began with my showroom at High Point Market. I asked four wonderful colleagues, Deborah Main, Clintel Steed, Michael Penn and Martyn Feller if they would join me on this inaugural run. And all said, YES! I really couldn’t be happier to work with such amazing, creative talents!

PG: What do you hope to achieve with interior designers by debuting this concept at High Point this April?

HK: The Interior Designer community is who I have to thank for the Modern Look Book concept. Designers are the ultimate collaborators. It’s my hope to show the Interior Designer community that Modern Look Book is taking a page from their book on collaboration. I’d like to present a well thought out, cohesive interior from four distinct artists and brands alongside my collection of vintage finds. And I hope that this will inspire Interior Designers to continue to look to Modern Look Book for fresh, new, exciting artists and brands!

PG: How do you think the four artists/brands you selected complement your curated selection of vintage, antique and modern finds?

HK: This inaugural Modern Look Book collaboration features four incredible artists and brands –

Deborah Main and I are long time social media friends, following each other on various sites, and always supporting each other. Her creativity and use of vintage fabrics is really special.

Clintel Steed and I met many years ago in the New York City gallery of one of my clients. I was honored when he asked me to sit for a portrait in 2007 and we have been great friends ever since.

Michael Penn and I met back in Philadelphia through his fiancee Natasha, with whom I went to High School. I had always admired his photography, but it wasn’t until 2010 when he snapped a photo of me and my husband in Old City Philadelphia, that I began to know his amazing street photography.

Martyn Feller and I met well over ten years ago in New York City, where he was working as a model. Martyn had a great interest in all things vintage, so it was no surprise that we became fast friends. His incredible brand, Montauk Style, is as gorgeous as it is luxurious.

Sharing the history, is a big part of what I do as a dealer in vintage, antique and modern finds. The history. The story. These four artists and brands are also part of my story. A story that I am still writing and rewriting. And I couldn’t be happier than to have them as part of it!

Thank you so much Heather for sharing your story and ours in Modern Look Book!  Here’s a few more of Heather’s vintage finds below.  If you are an interior designer or retailer, here are the details all about Heather and her Booth #34 at the Antique & Design Center. Be sure to stop by!  Till then, stay tuned for more next week. XOPG

Note: Photography by, and with permission from, Heather Karlie and respective artists and brands.