By Katie Leslie
Ballard Designs, an Atlanta-based home decor company, has signed interior designer Suzanne Kasler to produce four collections of home decor products, the parties confirmed Friday. The move marks the first time the 26-year-old catalog and web-based retailer is working with an independent designer to create exclusive signature pieces.
Kasler, also of Atlanta, has collections with luxury manufacturers including Hickory Chair, Safavieh and Visual Comfort lighting. This is her first effort with a mid-market retail line, thus introducing Kasler to a new audience looking for more affordable buys.
Her collections are still in the development stage, Kasler spokeswoman Janie Wilburn said.
Ballard Designs mails more than 30 million catalogs each year, said James Pope, director of business development and retail. The company is known for French and English reproductions created by its in-house team of designers.
Kasler will first be seen in the March/April 2010 catalogue, for which she is styling six to eight spreads, he said. Her new home decor products will debut in August 2010.
The retailer will also sell Kasler's new book, "Inspired Interiors" (Rizzoli $50), Pope said.
