Greetings from the Pillow Pusher! Baby Viz here taking over the blog this month to tell you a little about my role at B. Viz Design..

Three years ago this month I officially began working with my mom to help keep the pillow business alive. Let’s just say that after nearly 25 years, Mom was starting to feel exhausted. Coincidentally it was just about the same time that I decided to move back home after living in Colorado for a few years. Mom likes to say it was just in the nick of time...

If you’re reading this, you probably already know that these aren’t your typical pillows we’re selling. Our designs are truly one-of-a-kind works of art, each with their own history. In fact, I often feel more like an art dealer than a pillow pusher. It never ceases to amaze me when I think about how these incredible creations were made or the hands that made them in the past. Sharing those stories with our clients is one of my favorite aspects of the job, I call that “Pillow Talk.” It just thrills me to see a customer’s enthusiasm grow after learning not only about the textile’s history but also about the work our seamstresses do to save the fragment.

When I first started “pillow pushing”, I was on the road A LOT! Good thing I love to drive. It was a wonderful way to meet many of our collectors and a great chance for me to see friends along the way. Another perk of road tripping with Mom was having countless opportunities to learn from her and some quality one-on-one time to brainstorm and strategize.

After a few months on the road together, I began to feel more confident and thought I was ready to journey out on my own. Mom and I were headed north to Charleston after wrapping up a lovely pillow show in Sea Island, Georgia, when I can specifically remember telling her not to worry, that “I’ve got this road thing down.” A moment later and we saw a giant sign saying “Welcome to Florida!” We both fell out laughing. That’s another of my favorite things about working with Mom, we laugh a lot while making treasured memories.

Growing up, the textile hunt lingered in the background of every trip we took as a family. I can’t tell you how different it is now that I’m invested in the business. The first time I went on an official buying trip with Mom to France, I felt like my senses were on fire. That was when I really got into textile hunting. Mom always says you have to find the diamond in the rough and y’all wouldn’t believe what kind of “roughs” Mom has gotten us into!

I remember my first big textile score. It was in a brocante we stumbled upon by chance. I saw the piece before mom did and quickly ran over to inspect the tapestry. It was the most gorgeous tapestry fragment. When I picked it up I shouted “oui!” I was so proud and giddy with excitement. It was such a special piece and had all of the colors I know our customers love. To this day, those are some of my favorite pillows we’ve produced. Maybe because I was able to experience their full lifecycle - from discovering the textile, to repairing the fragment, to repurposing it into a pillow, and finally selling them. The B. Viz Design Circle of Pillow Life.

The drive from New Orleans to our family home on Lake Bruin in St. Joseph, LA is about three and a half hours and at this point I feel like I can almost do it blindfolded - not that I’d ever try! On these trips I’ll pick up Mom’s latest designs from the studio and deliver them, along with all of the pillow components to our seamstresses. Before leaving, I’ll grab whatever work’s been completed so it can be photographed to put online and finally, I’ll bring the pillows back with me to the Atelier.

There are a lot of moving parts in this pillow pushing business but that’s definitely one of the most important aspects of our work - keeping everybody else working! That’s what motivates me and Mom the most. The seamstresses in our tiny little town are absolutely crushing it. The quality and craftsmanship is so fine and only gets better and better. Everytime I pick up a pillow, I’m blown away!