Shop Talk: J. Pocker’s Custom Notice Board for The Editor at Large Office

When we recently learned about J. Pocker's custom notice boards, we had to ask Robyn Pocker, President of J. Pocker, if there were any recent projects that she could share with us.

As it turns out, The Editor at Large has a new office and a J. Pocker custom notice board was one of the first design decisions made.

"When Julia Noran of The Editor at Large stopped in to ask about a bulletin board for their new offices, we were delighted and full of suggestions!" said Robyn. "It had to be really large and very functional, so we explained all of the options, which included covered linen, pretty fabric with decorative ribbon trim, among many others. The best solution for her turned out to be a traditional cork and a fun frame!"

"Think how useful one of these might be for your space," Robyn added. "We use them in the store to announce events, and in my office to keep track of everything—inspirational images, a photograph of me with Prince Charles, photographs of my grandchildren, spring-time events, and more! Photographs on my phone are handy but a photograph in front of me every day works wonders to make me smile every morning!"

We also got the chance to chat with The Editor at Large’s President Julia Noran about the J. Pocker addition in her new office and her experience working with Robyn.

"After working with Robyn Pocker on my notice board, I wondered why I had ever gone anywhere but J. Pocker for my framing needs!" said Julia. "She made the experience so easy and fast, and she was incredibly pleasant and professional throughout the process. After giving her a one-sentence description of my space, she quickly pulled two frame options—one of which I had secretly selected prior to our meeting. Mind reading is not a bad skill to have in this business! She asked a few questions, jotted a few notes, and sent me on my way. A few days later, a nice gentleman showed up with my neatly packed board, which he unveiled to be one of the most stylish notice boards I’ve seen!"

Visit J. Pocker at the DDB to explore the options for your own custom notice board—and be sure to send us your pictures!

Meet the Designer: Heather Hilliard of San Francisco (Part 1 of 3)

At the designer portfolio review hosted by The Editor at Large at Studio Baccarat’s Limited Engagement showroom, three guest editors selected their favorite portfolios to receive a free submission to publications through EditorAtLarge.com.

One of the all-stars selected was Heather Hilliard of Heather Hilliard Design. We decided to learn a bit more about Heather's work and what she's been busy with.

GDG: How did you get started in the interior design world?

HH: I majored in Art History in college and while in school, I worked at the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute of Contemporary Art. After graduating, I worked at the Philadelphia Museum of Art where I experienced incredible access to all curatorial staff, behind the scenes special exhibition planning, day trips to New York galleries, museums and artist studio tours. While walking from my office to other departments, I passed through the American Art gallery and glanced at the amazing silver collection before crossing through another corridor where I always noticed Charles Wilson Peale’s trompe l’oeil of his sons Titian and Ramsey Peale. I walked across the Museum’s great hall, under the enormous Alexander Calder mobile, through the 20th century galleries, passing works by Georges Braques, Brancusi and up the stairs through the European Paintings Gallery right by Cézannes and others from the post impressionist period. The constant exposure to great art on a daily basis continues to seep into my overall design and color sense!

GDG: Can you tell us about a project you're excited about these days?

HH: I’m proud to say that I’ve been selected to participate in my third Decorator Showcase event in the San Francisco Bay Area. This year, I’m designing the library at the San Francisco Decorator Showcase event where my team and I have just finished the library in the gorgeous Italian villa style home!

GDG: Tell us more about it!

HH: I loved designing this library because the moment I walked into the space, it captured a sense of warmth drawn from the rich colors of the nearby Presidio forest. My inspiration was found in the silvery colors on the underside of Eucalyptus leaves on the property; the browns of Japanese maples; the dark ochre of the redwood tree trunks and clay roof tiles. I knew instinctively that this room would come alive with luxurious natural materials of wool, silk velvet, leather, linen, horsehair and rich woods in order to create a soft worn-in look. Special emphasis was placed on comfortable upholstered furniture that is understated, tailored and timeless. One would feel comfortable reading the paper reclining on the sofa with the family dog or hosting guests for cocktails around the fireplace!

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo to hear more about Heather and Heather Hilliard Design. Heather will tell us which room she loves to design and about her crazy project with an 89-year old client.

Meet the Designer: Kristine Paige Kamenstein of Jackson Paige Interiors (Part 2)

Kristine Paige Kamenstein of Jackson Paige Interiors was one of the three top picks of the designer portfolio review How to Catch an Editor's Eye, hosted by The Editor at Large at Studio Baccarat’s Limited Engagement showroom. Kristine tells us more about how Jackson Paige Interiors grew to such success and what she and her four-year old twins love to do together when she isn't designing interiors.


GDG: Do you have a favorite story from those first few years of starting the company?
KPK: Of course! Things really started to pick up for us. One day, we were sourcing antiques on Melrose Place and the next day we were changing toilet seats. We designed the 2,500 square foot master suite along with the conversion of the garage for a cat’s playroom! One of our most memorable parts of the job was when our first clients hired us to hand-select and design two 15-foot-tall Christmas trees. We came up with themes for each tree and selected an enormous amount of ornaments, lights and other decorations. We spent an entire day on ladders in separate rooms, with Christmas music blaring between us! It was a great way to get in the holiday spirit!

GDG: What are a few things you’re busy with now?

KPK: After recently completing two projects in the Pacific Palisades, we are actively working on two more projects in that area, two in Beverly Hills, and one in Hancock Park. The Palisades projects are both new construction—one is in collaboration with William Hefner Architects and the other is with Rockefeller Partners Architects. We’re enjoying all our projects right now, especially because they are so varied in style, running the gamut from contemporary beach house, to Cape Cod traditional, to Spanish revival. The variety allows us to explore many different design and architectural elements, including finishes, materials, and furnishings, and to keep abreast on new products. Despite the loss of my close friend and partner five years ago, Jackson Paige Interiors truly continues to grow and thrive.

GDG: What is your favorite room to design in a home?

KPK: My favorite room to design used to be the powder room, as it is tucked away and you’re able to make it quite dramatic and whimsical—it's a surprise where people least expect to find one! However, my favorite area has shifted to the kitchen/family room area in a house. It really is the hub of the house, and I love the challenge of tying this area in to the more formal areas of the house and using it to showcase and highlight the unique needs and personalities of each of my clients!

GDG: Can you share a fun fact that most people don't know about you?

KPK: My love for design doesn’t end at the threshold to the home! I also love to garden and grow hydrangeas of all colors. At our family home, we grow herbs, vegetables and citrus in our Hollywood Hills backyard. My four-year old twins and I love tending to the garden on the weekends and, very luckily, I have a husband who loves to cook, so he benefits as well. We all enjoy the fruits of the labor!

Stay posted to GoDesignGo to meet the other top two designers from the designer portfolio review, How to Catch an Editor's Eye.

Meet the Designer: Kristine Paige Kamenstein of Jackson Paige Interiors (Part 1 of 2)

At the designer portfolio review hosted by The Editor at Large at Studio Baccarat’s Limited Engagement showroom, three guest editors selected their favorite portfolios to receive a free submission to publications through EditorAtLarge.com.

One of the all-stars selected was Kristine Paige Kamenstein of Jackson Paige Interiors. We decided to learn a bit more about Kristine’s work and how she got started.

GDG: How did you get started in the interior design world?

KPK: Prior to Jackson Paige Interiors, I studied design and managed design showrooms. However, as the saying goes, nothing beats experience like experience, which in my case meant actually working on design projects. Creating a design on paper is only one part of the equation; managing its evolution is where the real challenge comes in. A designer’s ability to be flexible, change courses and find solutions is constantly tested.  This is something no classroom teaches.

GDG: Were there any people who really helped you along the way?

KPK: Yes! There have been many people who have been enormously helpful and influential along the way. Foremost was my business partner and Jackson Paige Interiors co-founder, Sasha Jackson Premoli, who also managed a design showroom. We started the firm together over 12 years ago. Sasha had an aversion to the word “no.” She relentlessly encouraged us to take the many risks we took to start our business, which, ultimately, led to many early successes. She regrettably passed away five years ago from metastasized cervical cancer. Our firm feels very strongly about donating a portion of our proceeds to the Prevent Cancer Foundation in her honor.

GDG: How did you and Sasha grow Jackson Paige into what it is today?

KPK: It's a crazy story, really! The initial couple of years of our career was constant contradiction. We were really fortunate to be hired early on to design custom lampshades by a couple that had recently fired their designer. When our lampshades came out beautifully, they hired us to source some accessories, then to do their powder room. Pretty soon we were in charge of the entire 18,000 square foot project!! Knowing how lucky we were to be handed the reins of such an enormous project, we did everything we possibly could to make it perfect!

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo to hear more about Kristine and Jackson Paige Interiors. Kristine will tell us more about the path the company took toward success and what some of her favorite rooms are to design.