Forging Vision: The Art of Collaboration in Design & Metalwork

Casey: 00:00:32

Hi, I'm Casey.

Rainey: 00:00:33

And I'm Rainey. Welcome to the Reframing Design podcast. If you're a new designer, a seasoned designer, a homeowner, or a home enthusiast, you are in the right place.

Casey: 00:00:44

We are going to talk about all things design. Our stories, our opinions, our experiences, and we're probably going to chase a few rabbits down a few rabbit holes.

But one thing we can guarantee, we will not talk about politics.

Rainey: 00:00:59

Hi.

Casey: 00:01:00

Hi.

Rainey: 00:01:01

Hi. It feels like we've done I feel deja vu. A little Groundhog Day for now on a Tuesday.

Casey: 00:01:08

How are you, though?

Rainey: 00:01:09

I'm so good. How are you?

Casey: 00:01:12

Good. I'm good. I'm glad I'm here.

Rainey: 00:01:14

Yeah.

Casey: 00:01:15

We've never really done an afternoon filming, by the way.

Rainey: 00:01:17

This is a little weird.

Casey: 00:01:19

I know. I don't.

Rainey: 00:01:20

Is it better or worse?

Casey: 00:01:21

I think I liked it because it made me feel like I got all my stuff done. So now whatever happens, you just have. I don't have this, like, pending.

Rainey: 00:01:29

Pending things sitting over. Yeah, I like it. Yeah. And you've been really busy. You had an install yesterday. How did that go?

Casey: 00:01:35

Oh, my God. That was so fun. That was so.

Rainey: 00:01:38

I just saw a little in your story.

Levi: 00:01:40

Wow.

Casey: 00:01:40

It's one of those that you plan. Yeah, I journaled about that one. So I yesterday just like, how it was gonna go in a really positive. Right.

Segment intending of the how the day wants to go. And it went. Just spend it. And I was so tickled.

Rainey: 00:01:56

So I was excited that I got to see you in the parking lot with your son. Yeah.

Casey: 00:02:03

Inappropriately dancing for you.

Rainey: 00:02:05

Oh, it was a great dance.

Casey: 00:02:06

I loved it. How was your shopping for the accessory shopping? It looks like you have filled up the studio. It's insanity over there.

Rainey: 00:02:15

It's. If everybody could see my studio right now, it's insane.

So we did all of the buy the accessories through market and trade resources, kind of the cool things that fit this project and things that we haven't seen 100 million times, you know? And so it's found shopping now and found shopping. I don't know if this is this way for you, but it can go one of two ways.

You can find 492amazing things that would cost $1 trillion, or you can find very few things, and you're like, what are we gonna do now? Cause I just hate when everything's the shining new.

Casey: 00:02:56

I know. I know.

And because you just went to market and you got to see all those new, new things, which I cannot wait to see what you've found and stuff because it is those. We have seen the same stuff for a while.

Rainey: 00:03:07

For a while.

Casey: 00:03:08

So it's almost like you could see it at the. We're just gonna say it Marshall's Home Goods or TJ Maxx. And then you also see it at our very high end boutique.

And it's the same kind of whatever it is, like a metal glasses or whatever's gonna go in that bookshelf to make it interesting. Yeah. The price point's different and you have to scavenger hunt. But it's sort of that, like some of those moments.

Rainey: 00:03:29

Can't do them again.

Casey: 00:03:29

I love antique stores for that stuff. You can do cooler stuff because. And it's anyway. And it's just amazing.

Rainey: 00:03:37

And it brings a whole different vibe to the project. Right. And I think it's really important.

And it's really important to make sure that you prep your client to make sure they have money left over to do that because that's really expensive. But it is the thing that brings the storied wow factor.

Casey: 00:03:52

Yes.

Rainey: 00:03:53

Super important. So we did well yesterday. We found something really, really cool. But it came in a set of two, and the set of two priced us out.

So we tried really hard to talk them into selling us just one. And that was a no. But I understand that. I tried really hard. I used all of my things.

Casey: 00:04:14

Was it in iron or metal or anything like that? Because we might have a person here who could make you a duplicate. This might not be ready for this.

Rainey: 00:04:20

May. Yeah. Oh, that brings us to today. But first we got to talk about our wins. Like, what is your win?

Casey: 00:04:28

Honestly, Yesterday was a huge win. It was just, you know, from the start with this particular client, it was. Everything was just spelled out the way, you know, I wanted it.

It was one of those where of course I wanted to work with them. They're really darling clients. But I was like, you know, where we at? Where are we at? I don't necessarily if it's not the right fit. And it worked.

And I kind of implemented a few things that I hadn't tried before and that worked. Which I loved. Getting 80% of the money at the very beginning of the. In their. Their investment goal was right on track.

And the construction went well, like every piece of it. So installing yesterday. And I mean it was. It was empty when we walked in yesterday, except for one piece that had to get delivered on a Saturday.

And of course Stash won't. You know, they're not open. And then their piano, which we built a room around. And so to Walk in at.

I think we finally got there at 11 and we walked out at 4. So five hours fast. It was fast as.

Rainey: 00:05:28

And it was just you and Josh and the staff and I mean you and Jake and the.

Casey: 00:05:33

Was there and then Stash.

Rainey: 00:05:34

And then Stash.

Casey: 00:05:35

But Stash came highly prepared and there were five of them at one point. So you know, Beau's hanging on and.

Rainey: 00:05:43

Stash is your commercial receiver.

Casey: 00:05:46

Yep. Real. Yep. And they were fantastic. And as a matter of fact, like, like four swivels that did it. We weren't sure if they were on the truck.

That moment where you're like, please, please, please be on the truck. Anita called us first thing on yesterday morning. They were on the truck. They went to Stash. They sent another truck back to grab them.

So we didn't have. Cause there were things that weren't ready, but we had to get it in because travel and everything else and I knew, but it just worked.

When we walked out, it was like, holy.

Rainey: 00:06:11

That was a win. This is.

Casey: 00:06:13

I want to do this every damn day.

Rainey: 00:06:15

I'm so happy for you. I would clap that it'll reset our sound equipment.

Casey: 00:06:21

No need.

Rainey: 00:06:22

I'm so happy for you.

Casey: 00:06:23

That was fun.

Rainey: 00:06:23

So we had. This is. This is a new win for me. Something that just happened yesterday.

So we are about to install just this gigantic, overwhelming, amazing, spectacular project. And we had efforted everything to make sure everything's here. Everything's here.

And then yesterday, while we were looking for found things, Connor, the lead on this project, lead designer, looked at me and he goes, you know, I don't know. I don't think is the dining room art on our spreadsheet like is. Did something. Do we have that? And he looked and he goes, oh my gosh, Rainy.

So there's a whole lot of things that happened. But the long story short, it didn't get officially ordered. And the minimum time with this vendor is two weeks, period. I mean, it's just two weeks.

And so I got on the phone and I was like, part of, part of the communication was definitely on me. Of course everything's always ultimately on me, but so I begged and begged and begged and she called me at like 7:00' clock last night.

And our rep, which is a reason why you have great relationships with your reps, because they love you and know you and want you to have nice things.

Casey: 00:07:54

That's it. I need a stinger butt for those. Yep, it's true. Yeah.

Rainey: 00:07:58

And she said, rainy, if you pay for it right now, we will get it to you next Tuesday. And so this morning at 9 o', clock, I was at our framer. I had all the specs of what this art is gonna be. We picked the framing.

So the glass will be cut, the framing will be there, and within two hours, they'll turn it and we'll hang it that afternoon for final staging on Wednesday, since the photo shoot starts Thursday. And so that is a win. I mean, relationships and life are important, right?

Casey: 00:08:27

Absolutely.

Rainey: 00:08:28

In our industry, they're also important.

Casey: 00:08:31

I do not that relationship is life are not as important.

But in those moments, like sometimes I feel like I couldn't find I could fill my house with people for a great party for, you know, but I wouldn't think who I would ask to take my dog to the vet sometimes. Right. But I know who I'd call for all. You know, so it's all the things I love that, that. That relationship moment and that they come back.

Because you've been good to them, though. Yeah. So is this framer the same one who's done your. Some of these pieces that are in my head all of. Right.

But you're gonna have to share in the show notes or something if you wanna share them.

Rainey: 00:09:04

Oh, my gosh, they are just amazing. And Scott was like, I walked in with and I must have looked like a deer in the headlights. And he goes, my favorite person is here, and she's needy.

I was like, I am. Could you tell the look? But anyway, so that is a great se what we're doing today, which is so exciting.

Casey: 00:09:27

Yes.

Rainey: 00:09:28

Right.

Casey: 00:09:28

So can't wait to get him back.

Rainey: 00:09:29

We have Levi Stovall, who owns Peck and Company. And Pecking company is a vendor that is new to me and has been spectacular. And he does some really, really cool shit.

And so we said, can you come and be on our podcast and talk to people and other designers about what it is you do? And he said, I sure will. And if you need me to come twice, I will.

Casey: 00:09:58

And if there's a third time, well, I don't know about that.

Rainey: 00:10:00

That's it.

Casey: 00:10:01

So excited. I can't wait to hear.

Rainey: 00:10:02

So excited to introduce him to you and talk about what he does. And so we'll reset the stage and bring on.

Casey: 00:10:10

Let's go.

Rainey: 00:10:10

All right. Oh, welcome, Levi. You are here again to tell us about all the wonderful things that you do. And thank you for that. We cannot thank you enough.

So the first thing is, is tell us, what in the world does packing company do?

Levi: 00:10:34

Well, that's a good question. The answer is something I'VE been struggling with for years. I've kind of refined it down to. We are glorified blacksmiths.

Really high end metal manufacturing for interior designers and architects. We build everything from beds, vent hoods, fireplace screens, consoles, interior exterior lighting and drapery hardware.

Casey: 00:11:00

So. Wow. I want to see pics of everyone. Yeah. And in the. In that broad. I know the.

Well, I guess we can start with the company and how long you've been with Pekkako and kind of your journey to get there. I want to see pictures too.

Levi: 00:11:15

Sure. So my journey with Peck and Company, I would say, or towards Peck and Company started in high school.

I took a metal fab class and just fell in love with the process, everything about it.

And when I went to art school in Boston, Massachusetts, I got a job at a fabrication shop doing spiral staircases, balconies, you know, fancy ironwork. And the guy really took me under his wing.

tting together proposals. And: 2009

I sort of was working with another company that was outsourcing a lot of iron work to Monterey or from Monterey. Then I got a little lonely being a one man show. I found Peck and Company and I started there as a project manager, sales.

ck started pecking company in: 1987

And he kind of joked from the beginning that this is the guy that's going to buy me out. He was nearly 70 at the time.

gether a proposal and January: 2019

Casey: 00:12:46

That's insane.

Rainey: 00:12:47

That. And you were in another location right when that happened?

Levi: 00:12:51

uary of last year. I bought a: 25000

Casey: 00:13:02

Sorry.

Levi: 00:13:02

Relocated in October.

Casey: 00:13:04

That's ins. So wait, I want to go back though, because I think you. The high school. The metal in high school. What is this? Like, how did you get into that?

Just because it's such a not what tell us that journey. Just because it's nothing. Standard metal shop. Or maybe it is, I don't know.

Levi: 00:13:20

Well, at the time I was already. I had already intended to pursue a career in fine arts.

Casey: 00:13:25

Okay.

Levi: 00:13:25

So painting, drawing, sculpting, I was always Very, you know, hands on. And so when I took the fabrication class, it was, it was almost like a whole nother medium for me.

Rainey: 00:13:36

And so it's like wood shop or home EC or something like that.

Casey: 00:13:39

Okay.

Rainey: 00:13:39

It was one of your classes during the day.

Casey: 00:13:41

I love that your school had that though. That's really cool.

Levi: 00:13:44

Yeah, it was a great class.

I mean, the, you know, odd thing about it was out of 5,000 students, I was the only one interested in a NASA sponsored program where they were going to teach us how to tig do. A sponsorship scholarship and then a job offer after school. I was the only one out of 5,000 students interested.

So they went to one of our rival schools.

Casey: 00:14:05

That's. So then, wait, five out of 5,000 kids, one only you. The other I got to know. All those kids ended up. But like, so what did.

Levi: 00:14:15

Well, to be honest with you, had I taken that course and had I pursued it, I'd probably just be still behind a hood, you know, welding away for somebody.

Casey: 00:14:24

Oh my gosh.

Rainey: 00:14:25

So what's a tig?

Levi: 00:14:27

It's just a. It's one of the processes in which you can fuse metal.

Rainey: 00:14:31

So do you work with all. Does your shop work with all metals?

Levi: 00:14:35

We're really driven by design, you guys. So whatever's in you, tell us what you want and if we don't know it, we're going to learn it.

Our bread and butter is really traditional blacksmith work. But about 10 years ago, we had a client come in, say they wanted something built out of brass. We learned how to fabricate brass.

We work with brass, stainless, copper, steel. We do plating, powder, coating. We have over 150 finishes, faux finishes to choose from. We do all our paintwork in house.

Casey: 00:15:10

So you work with designers? Just designers in build. How do you. If somebody just off the streets found your beautiful 25,000 square foot place, I would say it's.

Levi: 00:15:19

The percentages is probably close to 85% designers, 10% builders, 5% homeowners.

Rainey: 00:15:27

Okay, interesting. And your favorite, I'm guessing, is to work with designers because they have a vision, right?

Levi: 00:15:34

They have a vision. They're very great at managing expectations. You guys have the resources and the know how to get things from point A to point B.

A chandelier hung by a certified electrician, or how to move a 350 pound table base that gets a 500 pound stone top from point A to point B without it getting beat up. So it's. You guys are definitely the preferred.

Rainey: 00:15:59

We are. We're the.

Casey: 00:15:59

That's amazing. Okay. So with the chandelier, do you guys. And you said mentioned lighting, but do you do the actual electrical?

Levi: 00:16:06

Yes. So we do start to finish fabrication, prep paint, electrical. We can get items UL certified.

Rainey: 00:16:14

For gas or electricity.

Levi: 00:16:15

Yes, gas. Getting stuff UL certified for gas is not a big demand, but we do wire everything using UL certified components processes.

Getting it certified is just a little extra step, just depending on what's required.

Rainey: 00:16:35

Okay, so my introduction. So I've got two projects in house with you guys right now, and then two coming. But my first thing was a custom vent hood.

And it was very interesting to me that we created sort of the box for this vent hood and then you guys created sort of a sideways U shaped almost skin for it. You didn't come and do the measuring. We had to do the measuring for you.

Levi: 00:17:03

That's correct.

Rainey: 00:17:04

And which was an interesting part of the process and I totally understand why.

And then the second thing, I went to your location and it's this shop and you just walk in and I compare it to like if Alice in Wonderland walked into a metal shop. It is on the walls, hanging in the air, everywhere. There's these things on racks that are just amazing. And you're just like walking.

I mean, I just had to. My. My jaw was on the floor. And then you go into this little side room that you guys have set up so nicely with.

Meeting T. And I met with Jose, who I think is your like, lead.

Levi: 00:17:42

Yes, project lead.

Rainey: 00:17:43

Project lead. And so what I brought to him was we have this client and one of their things hobbies is leather working or leather tooling.

And so they made chaps for a costume party. It was a Midnight Cowboy costume party, but they went over the top with these chaps.

And so they wanted to display them sort of like art, but also be able to use them again. So of course, I'm an interior designer and every interior designer out there there will understand this.

My first thought is, oh, I take it to a framer and they put it in a shadow box, right? They just tack it. Well, you can't take them out and put it back in number one.

Number two, chaps are like ginormous, especially when they're hung properly and the legs flare out. And so this door to this thing was gonna be bigger than, than like a walkway. So it was a no go. So I brought him back, laid him here in the studio.

And Connor reminded me, raini, you've got to figure out these chaps. And I was like, oh, my gosh, I just met with Peck and company about this ven hood. Maybe they can make me something.

So I jumped in the car and met with. With met with Jose and he drew it. It wasn't a very detailed drawing, but it was like, this is what we can do with. We can do a narrow waist holder.

And then at the bottom we'll create these standoffs that'll hold the legs from the back and it'll look like the chaps are free floating on the wall. And then you can take them off at any time and just put them right back on so easily. All I know is all the things he said sounded spectacular.

I was like, yes, yes.

Casey: 00:19:26

2.

Rainey: 00:19:27

Yeah, right, right, right. But when he told me the cost, I was like, we will take one. And people seem so thankful for the one rushing them for us. Right.

Because what is your lead time? Your typical lead time?

Levi: 00:19:40

Typical lead times eight to ten weeks.

Rainey: 00:19:42

Eight to ten. And they're doing these in like two and a half.

Casey: 00:19:45

Oh my gosh, that's amazing. Yeah.

Rainey: 00:19:46

So. But they're going to be spectacular and I can't wait to share them.

And then the other thing we have coming up is we're going to lift a buffet and a couple of nightstands because sometimes we find the perfect thing and they're low, especially if they have European design or they're for like a bedside nightstands that are for a platform bed or something. But they're the perfect design and so you just need to lift them. So we're gonna have you guys make some legs and stuff for us.

But anyway, unbelievable, unbelievable resource.

Casey: 00:20:19

So to that point, so the. Well, the vent hood sounds amazing and then you've got the chaps holder and then you've just got legs.

So kind of a vast jump from kind of grand and then very not utilitarian. They're going to be amazing, but like smaller scale. Thank you. You'll do anything.

Like is there any scope or any job where you're like that's either too small or too big or have you come across that?

Levi: 00:20:45

I think the main thing is just managing the client's expectations. I mean, trying to quote out a stand for some chaps when we've never built that before is a little bit difficult.

So we try to give you an approximation and then we can argue about.

Casey: 00:20:56

Price later, we can arm wrestle for it.

Levi: 00:20:59

But oftentimes, I mean, same from the fine arts. You know, you can make a sculpture but if there's not a good way to display it, you know. So that's for the chaps.

For geodes, we did a Series of work for the MFA for display shadow boxes, you know, basis for shadow boxes, frames for different sculptures, you know, so we're getting our hands on stuff that feels illegal, you know, and then we're making a $350 baseboards.

Rainey: 00:21:32

I want to have a job where somebody says, what are you doing? You say, I do stuff that feels illegal. Oh, my God.

Casey: 00:21:41

It's a goal that needs to be a bumper sticker. It's coming your way from Etsy. No, that's insane, though. But. But the base is going to be $350.

And the piece that's it's holding is like, priceless or whatever. In so many ways, these chaps or whatever. The thing is, whether it's truly that or a sentimental moment. So that is really, really cool. Cool.

Rainey: 00:22:01

That is awesome. Is there. Is there a thing that you've made, I'm wondering, that just really sticks out that you're like, that's my favorite thing I ever made.

Levi: 00:22:10

You know, it's like children. I've got. I've got two kids. You can't really pick a favorite. But on certain days, there's some that.

Casey: 00:22:18

Are more than better.

Levi: 00:22:19

My main thing is just how much you appreciate the work. That's. That's where I get fulfillment is. Is when we exceed your expectations.

Rainey: 00:22:29

There was a couple in. When I was.

We were about to design the chat holder, and they had brought in, like, this antique, really cool table, and they were asking you guys to make a match. And it was interesting to hear Jose talk to him because they're like, we can absolutely match this design.

But if you want the finish to match, this has been. This metal has been aging. It has a patina on it that is, I don't know, 150 years old.

We can't match that, but we can refinish both of them to have the same finish. And so do you have a lot of requests like that?

Levi: 00:23:04

Yeah, Patinas are a living finish. I mean, that's a science that we're not too savvy with. But as far as. Yes. Matching, locking in, I mean, we can. We can foe it to look the same.

But if you. Yes.

You have 150-year-old brass patina tomorrow, it's gonna be different just from you bringing it to us and putting your hands on it is gonna speed up that process.

Casey: 00:23:26

So to that point. Cause I think a lot of people don't maybe understand which metals do patina and which don't.

Or are there any that don't like, you know, we're familiar with copper, obviously and what that can do and be. But are all patinas, are all metals patinaing over time into that drastic as like a copper?

Levi: 00:23:44

Well, like I said, the patina's a science that we're not too familiar with. But yes, I mean, every. Everything does change over time.

Even if you have a P of steel that's got a lacquer coat on it, it's going to kind of go from that cold steel look to more of a rustic, you know, orangey hue to it underneath. Brass, copper, zinc obviously is a great one and love that. So they, they all kind of do fun things. You can patina stainless, you can patina steel.

So they all will take a patina. But it's kind of like we don't supply wood tops, we don't do marble tops, stone tops.

Because your idea of good marbling or wood grain or not placement is completely different than mine. We stay away from it. Patina is kind of the same metal.

Rainey: 00:24:28

Is your lane okay?

Levi: 00:24:29

Yeah. Metal, faux, finishing it, getting it, you know, painted.

We do an automotive three coat process with epoxy that, you know, really locks that, that finish in there.

Rainey: 00:24:41

So it's amazing. And so I'm interested. So you went from being in the shop all day, every day to now you're the owner and you have to do the owner things, Right?

Do you miss being in the shop? Do you get time in the shop?

Levi: 00:24:55

Today is definitely one of those days where I feel like I have a kick, kick me sign taped to my back. The city of Houston stopped by. They had some questions.

Casey: 00:25:05

They taught me how to do any legal stuff.

Levi: 00:25:08

Sorry, we're doing some property tax protesting right now. So, you know, there's that stuff that's not so fun, so somebody's got to do it. I guess I might as well be the one to throw myself on the grenade.

Casey: 00:25:21

So rough.

Rainey: 00:25:21

But you do get time in the shop?

Levi: 00:25:23

I do, I do.

And to be honest with you, I mean, my kids grew up in both shop locations, so we even love to come in on the weekends and just kind of kick tires and look at stuff. And it's a good time for some photo ops and just memories.

Casey: 00:25:37

That's really. So will you let them play with it and kind of make. So what is sort of the safest? I don't know, application.

Not application even, but just tools for them to be able to do. Because I think that's cool for kids to be able to. I mean, some of it's so bendable. Can they just do stuff with their hands and.

Levi: 00:25:54

Yeah, I mean, I haven't gotten too much into the shop with letting them play with, you know, metal or power tools just yet. They are.

Rainey: 00:26:01

How old are they?

Levi: 00:26:02

Seven and five.

Casey: 00:26:02

Oh, yeah. Power tools, probably not.

Levi: 00:26:04

Yeah, that's like till at least 8 especially.

Rainey: 00:26:07

I started that at 2.

Casey: 00:26:08

I don't know what's wrong with me.

Levi: 00:26:11

At home it's a different story, you know, but there's a liability issue. But both my, both my kids are very artistically inclined. We've got a little art station for them at home. They're just always creating.

So I'm confident one day my daughter will run the business and my son will be working for her.

Rainey: 00:26:28

I love that. Say, son, be careful. You're gonna be calling her boss.

Casey: 00:26:33

Which one's older?

Levi: 00:26:34

My son.

Casey: 00:26:34

Okay.

Rainey: 00:26:37

So is your wife artistic?

Levi: 00:26:40

She is. We actually met at the Art Institute of Boston and both her parents are artists.

Casey: 00:26:45

Oh, wow.

Rainey: 00:26:46

So what does she do in the art world?

Levi: 00:26:49

She is now working with the company, with Peck and company. She's managing the social media marketing side of things and then she'll be getting more involved with our first dibs sellers page.

Casey: 00:26:59

Okay, so that's great to know for people who maybe aren't in Houston, but you ship everywhere. If any designer can just. Especially since they can just send measurements.

Levi: 00:27:06

Yeah, yeah.

So as far as shipping goes, I mean we really, again, that's why we prefer working with designers because you guys know all the movers, all the packers, all the shippers.

But yeah, if somebody in New York's buying a table from us, you know, we can link them up with some local companies that will actually come out, crate it, freight it and get craters and freighters.

Casey: 00:27:24

There you go, there you go.

Levi: 00:27:25

Craters and freighters. That's the one.

Rainey: 00:27:26

Good friends.

Casey: 00:27:27

Gosh, that's so. But so Boston for her. Is she from Texas too?

Levi: 00:27:31

She's from Connecticut.

Rainey: 00:27:32

Oh.

Casey: 00:27:32

What does she feel about. How's she like it out here?

Levi: 00:27:35

She is. I don't think she could ever go back to the north.

Rainey: 00:27:40

Really.

Casey: 00:27:40

Okay, good.

Levi: 00:27:42

Summers maybe. Summers, not so much the winters.

Casey: 00:27:44

Okay, winters that. But I mean you've got both extremes on those too.

Rainey: 00:27:48

So tomorrow when we're going to have I think the heat index of 105, she's going to be thinking, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Levi: 00:27:56

They've already got a little trip planned. My mother in law now lives here in Houston. They've got a trip to go visit back home and so. But this is, this is where I thrive. I'm cold blooded.

Casey: 00:28:06

I like to this is it for you. Like a lizard out there. That's awesome.

Rainey: 00:28:11

So I have a question. Since I do the measurements or I tell Jose that I want this chaps holder that floats on the wall. How do you guys measure, make sure.

What are your processes to make sure that you deliver what's in my brain?

Levi: 00:28:33

Sure.

Rainey: 00:28:34

Sort of share a brain. And you're sort of protected in that way. What is that process?

Levi: 00:28:38

Well, like you said, Jose did a little sketch for you that's kind of to make sure we're on the same page when we're doing the quoting process. When it comes time to do an order, we actually Jose brought to the table when he came on several years ago, SolidWorks.

So we're actually able to put together a 3D isometric drawing of what you're going to get along with all of our shop drawings. And so not only do you get that, you get the little write up description of what we're going to get. But we do QC every step of the way.

Fabrication, prep, finish, final inspections as well. And the client has the opportunity to come in to the shop, see things. Even if we have a question, yours is gonna be a great example.

We'll probably mock it up in the shop. Come, you come in, take a look at it and you can say, I.

Casey: 00:29:22

Want a little bit of this, a little bit of that, since it goes.

Rainey: 00:29:25

On the wall in, I don't know, six days. How's Micah mine coming?

Levi: 00:29:30

Augustine's working on it.

Casey: 00:29:31

I'm excited. I love Augustine.

Rainey: 00:29:33

And then you had, I received that email and I had to sign off on it before you guys. And you did have a range for me. You did not have a solid quote.

And it was because it was not like drapery hardware that we can all understand and quantify. It's something brand new and that we've dreamt up. And so you were like, this is the range.

Levi: 00:29:55

It's what I call a weird ask.

Rainey: 00:29:57

A weird ask.

Levi: 00:29:58

You know, we build. We have clients who come in with photographs, magazine clippings. A lot of folks come in with just an idea in their head and we're sketching it out.

But when you're building a table, you can kind of compare to a similar design and get a good idea on as far as legacy goes, what it costs for us to build at time, material, etc.

But some of these weird ones where you don't really know is it going to take three or six hours in fabrication to get this thing to do what you want it to do.

Casey: 00:30:26

And so would you ever come up? Because. So I, I love my measuring tape. It's so big and it goes in every purse I have. But I don't always trust my measuring.

I mean, there's been so many times where I've hung, you know, done measuring myself for the curtains, first instance. And then. And they're just like, oh, God, please grow. Please grow before she walks in and sees it's two inches up. Yeah, but so do you ever.

Would you, for a fee, come out and do that measurement or no. You just.

Levi: 00:30:57

We, we will.

Casey: 00:30:58

The people who are coming to, you.

Levi: 00:30:59

Know, to be honest with you, we prefer we start at the be or. Yeah, start at the end. I guess whoever's going to be the one installing it really should be involved in the early process.

They can actually get you the measurements.

Oftentimes they can build you a template that gives them an opportunity to talk to us about how we're going to make it, what they need as far as brackets, mounting locations, etc. So there's, there's a lot that goes on. As you know, that's what you had.

Rainey: 00:31:27

Our millwork guy, you had a build a box, talk to us about the template or the box for the vent hood, and then he took the measurements and gave them to you. But I thought that whole process was really, really interesting. And then I also learned you do not do installation.

We are happy to give a couple names and let people suss it out, but you are not installing that bad boy.

Levi: 00:31:48

That's correct. About 50% of our business is actually drapey hardware, so we primarily work with drapey workrooms. But, you know, they're.

They're doing the measurements, they're doing the sewing on the rings, they're doing the installation. So that's a big part of right there. We just really have to trust the measurements, trust the client, then know what they're doing and.

But yeah, as far as fabrication goes, you know, furniture, light fixtures, oftentimes you need a certified electrician to hang a chandelier. Oftentimes on a table, you'll have. You'll still have wood or stone that's going on it. So that'll need to go to those guys.

So we're really kind of the early stage, hands off home bodies. We just do what we're told kind of guys.

Casey: 00:32:34

So then with the workroom, for instance, that process, the designer obviously check, you know, orders or designs the rod, and then are you then in cahoots with the workroom? Because they know, okay, this is a fabric. So we need these rings to be X, because the rod needs to be X to hold this or whatever.

So you're then with them talking and deciding. So the designer doesn't necessarily have to carry this entire.

Levi: 00:32:57

Oftentimes what they'll say is the designer's helmet, and they're going to pick a finial and a finish. So that's really makes life so much easier for you. You just kind of come in and get to do the fun stuff.

They get to take all the liability as far as measurements, incorrect ring quantity.

Rainey: 00:33:11

So that's got to be the same for like a table. If you're going to have a stone countertop, you don't know how much that's gonna weigh.

You have to find out how much that's gonna weigh to make sure that your table base is structurally sound or that's not gonna cantilever or whatever. Interesting.

Casey: 00:33:27

Yeah.

So then if in fact, has there been a moment where that hood, like something went awry in a measurement and you go for that scan to go on, and it's just like more often than not.

Levi: 00:33:38

Yes.

Casey: 00:33:38

Okay. What happens there is that. I mean, it's not about pointing fingers, but are you like, okay, yeah, we've got it. We'll. Can you. Can you add to.

Levi: 00:33:47

That's a beautiful thing about steel.

You know, once the cabinets are in, if that hood is cabinet to cabinet, and you know, the cabinet guy and the vent hood guy started at the same time, they better hit that nail right on the head.

But if that opening is off, half inch vent hood doesn't fit, it's going to be a lot easier for us to cut, add, subtract, whatever the case may be, put everything back together, finish it back out so it fits right back in there. Versus ripping out a whole wall of cabinets.

Rainey: 00:34:17

I'm always interested in this because I know where I stand in my career. Have you ever wanted to quit doing what you're doing? I know you're like 12, but.

Casey: 00:34:32

You gotta see this, see his face. We know you're not because we did the math. You were born in 87, but you do you have a. This business is good for you because you're 38.

Levi: 00:34:41

Keeps me young.

Rainey: 00:34:42

Thriving.

Casey: 00:34:43

Yeah.

Levi: 00:34:43

Keeps me young. I mean, I've always been an entrepreneur. In high school, I was screen printing, I was making T shirts, record labels, CD covers. You know, it was.

It was always great leaving the lunchroom with, you know, $300 cash. You know, having missed lunch, you know, I'd be a little bit hungry, but that was all right. But so this I love that I love it really is a great fit.

I mean, I actually was having the discussion with my wife last night. Couldn't see myself doing anything else. I have a very visual brain. Every time I even try to picture something, it just doesn't. It doesn't appear so.

Casey: 00:35:27

I think that says it so well because people, you know, our industry's similar. And so if I ever even.

There might be one or two things, but it's definitely still in the same moment of this, like, to picture yourself in this other thing. Like, we're visual and we can't picture it. I love that you even said it like that because it's totally true.

We envision all kinds of random shit all the time. And if that's one thing you can't pick out, that's cool. Would you ever. When.

Maybe when the kids own it, just go back to just creator and kind of hands or.

Levi: 00:35:56

I honestly get the. The satisfaction now I've got such a talented team that it's almost like the. The company's become my. My project, my art project.

Rainey: 00:36:07

So, you know, how many employees do you have?

Levi: 00:36:09

21.

Casey: 00:36:10

Wow. Okay. So when you started back in. Am I doing the math? It was 19. 19. How many were you. How many were there?

Levi: 00:36:22

About 24, I believe.

Casey: 00:36:23

Okay.

Rainey: 00:36:24

How many when you started at pac?

Levi: 00:36:26

Anywhere between 21 and 24.

Casey: 00:36:28

Okay. So it's been a big operation for a very long time. Well done, Bill.

Levi: 00:36:32

Yeah, yeah. It's a great.

Rainey: 00:36:33

Know that it was that big of a thing because when you go in there, you might. So the two times that I've been there or three, I've only seen maybe five or six people. But that's because I guess they're in the fabrication.

Levi: 00:36:47

Yeah.

Rainey: 00:36:47

Or the development part.

Levi: 00:36:49

Correct.

Casey: 00:36:49

Okay, so then in that. Okay, so how many are creatives are. How many are drawing and 5.

Levi: 00:36:57

Administrative staff, sales, drafting, purchasing, and the rest are fabricators, prep finishers, electricians. I've got shipping and receiving. So shop foreman. You know, there's just a lot of little. Little moving parts.

Casey: 00:37:14

That's amazing. Where does your. Where do you get your metals from? Or where is that top secret, you know, Other places.

Levi: 00:37:23

Yeah, yeah. It all really depends on the job. So, you know, sometimes, you know, a real simple table just has one inch square tubing.

Depending on, you know, the design that's in your head, you may want like a real squared edge mechanical tubing.

One inch square tubing is one inch square tubing, but they come in all different shapes and sizes, so it really depends on the job, you know what it's being used for? Is it more structural, was it more mechanical or architectural? Steel. So there's actually quite a few vendors.

We're buying materials from New Jersey to Galveston.

Casey: 00:37:57

Oh, wow. That's really cool, though.

Rainey: 00:38:00

So I've never really thought about that before.

So when I walk into a restaurant, the first thing I do is find out if there's sound absorption in the space and how the person, either the architect or designer, dealt with sound, impending sound doom, or if it was ignored. And you'll find that out when you're at the restaurant for just a few minutes. But it's one of the first things I look at.

Do you just constantly walk around and look at things that are made of metal and identify the materials and how they're made?

Levi: 00:38:33

Oh, yes.

Casey: 00:38:33

Yes. I bet your eye is so, like, in the critical eye in the best way, but yes.

Levi: 00:38:39

I mean, you know, no job is perfect. I mean, every job that we do, I criticize. How can we do it better? Especially since most of what we do is a prototype. Right.

I mean, you're coming in with an idea, we make it. Can you improve upon it next time? Yes.

And so that's why I'm constantly looking at and comparing how we do things versus what I'm seeing out in the wild. And I try to adopt and implement some of that or just ask questions. Social media is a great tool. Cool, too. I mean, there's so many different.

You know, I'd say.

I'd say competitors, but in reality, you know, especially in the art world, you know, if I'm Picasso and you're Van Gogh, are we competitors or, you know, we're all.

Casey: 00:39:17

We're all. I love that we talked about the same passion, Right?

Levi: 00:39:20

Yeah. So. But what practices are they implementing, what processes? And a lot of times you can reach out to some of these people, messaging them, and.

And they'll give you real, real answers.

Casey: 00:39:30

Oh, that's. That's really nice.

I was going to ask if you have competitors or who in this industry, locally or otherwise, that it's that you kind of come up against sometimes as far as, like. Because it's a very niche in what you're doing, it seems very niche.

Levi: 00:39:46

I mean, so we. We stay away from, like, branch gates, balconies, stairs.

Really anything that's going to require you to go out there and do field measurements, do installations, stuff like that, because spiral staircases, you know, curved wall, stuff like that. That requires a lot of fabrication in the house, making a template, and that's Very scary with travertine and stone and wood.

Rainey: 00:40:05

And you're not doing it.

Levi: 00:40:06

We don't want to know.

Casey: 00:40:07

I love that. Yeah, it's a lot of pressure. Yeah.

Levi: 00:40:09

But with a lot of those guys, same. I mean, they'll. They'll reach out to us for.

Maybe they are building a staircase, but they need an intricate part forged, you know, a particular design. So we may only be 5% of that project, but it's kind of like.

Rainey: 00:40:23

Like a monogram or something.

Casey: 00:40:25

Yeah, yeah. Because like, you know, everybody's. The iron doors that were all. They're very ornate and people are like, not wanting those quite as much.

But, you know, if you say, cut that out of an iron door and then you have this ledge, and so what do we put in it?

So that would be something that you could create that could go in and take that place to retrofit that door so you're not having to redo the whole entire door.

Levi: 00:40:49

And that's actually the beautiful thing about the iron doors is those do just lift right off the. Those hinges. They can be brought to us. We can cut that piece out, add a new piece. We could even prefab it, knowing those dimensions.

So that's kind of what we have thought about. So I'm going to implement.

Casey: 00:41:02

Well, because I might be. I might be doing this with you together. Because there's a door anyways. Because that's the question.

So, for instance, let's just, you know, play if that was the case and say we templated it and you knew and you had to take the doors off. But people live there and their house has all their belongings, so you don't want it off for too long. How long then to just put it in and.

Levi: 00:41:25

Whoa.

Casey: 00:41:25

I love to say run a bead and get that thing back in.

Levi: 00:41:28

That's correct.

Casey: 00:41:29

Back installed. Is that.

Levi: 00:41:30

Well, if. If you and I played our cards right, you could give us that template of that opening. We could prefab the piece. Prefab it, prep it, finish it.

Door comes in. All we have to do is tack that in there, fix, touch up those welds, and it can go back in same day.

Casey: 00:41:44

That's. I am.

Rainey: 00:41:45

That's what I'm talking about right now.

Casey: 00:41:47

There just. You just made me so. And my clients so happy that we don't have to do the.

Rainey: 00:41:52

I'm pretty sure this is happening.

Casey: 00:41:54

Yeah. Yeah, that's.

Levi: 00:41:56

Yeah. Nobody likes the plywood doorway with the chain keeping it locked at night.

Casey: 00:42:00

That's not a look anybody wants to walk up to.

Rainey: 00:42:02

Everybody loves that night, right? Nobody's kids, maybe. So this has been so fascinating. I've learned so much more about you and what you do and intrigued by it all.

And it's got me thinking, how can I use you more as a designer to take cool things to my clients? So I'm curious, is there anything else that you want us to know about you, your family, pecking company that you haven't already told us?

Levi: 00:42:30

from the Design Center. We're: 8321

We have a tremendous antique iron collection. A lot of those pieces can be modified and retrofitted. We call it Purgatory. It's kind of waiting for its, you know, the next chapter of its life.

And some of my favorite projects have come out of there.

But really we just encourage folks to get, get involved in the process, to not be afraid to come down with an idea, even if it's sketched on a napkin. You know, we'll take care of them start to finish.

Rainey: 00:43:12

And what is your Instagram handle again?

Levi: 00:43:14

It's Peck Underscore and. And Underscore Company.

Casey: 00:43:18

Oh, okay.

Levi: 00:43:19

Pecking Company.

Rainey: 00:43:20

And you post projects and all sorts of things there?

Levi: 00:43:22

Well, to be honest with you, you post projects.

Casey: 00:43:27

Okay. And are you guys currently on cherish or.1 dibs. I'm sorry, first dibs.

Levi: 00:43:31

First dibs. Yes.

Casey: 00:43:33

I just made up a new business. Are you on there now? I know you said Jordan was going to be maybe starting more, so.

Levi: 00:43:40

But we're looking to. We put on some test items, but yeah, we're looking to basically get our inventory on there so people can actually take a look at it.

We're heading into those 110 degree days.

Casey: 00:43:50

Yeah.

Levi: 00:43:51

Nobody wants to be out in the sun lifting heavy iron.

Casey: 00:43:54

No, no. You included. I'm sure. Even though you love the filtering, this has been so fantastic. My head is on fire.

Rainey: 00:44:02

On fire with all of the ideas.

We cannot thank you enough for coming by the studio and talking to us and helping to sort of reframe what we think about bringing custom items to our clients. And so.

Casey: 00:44:16

And it doesn't all. I love that you even gave. And it might have just been a throw out number, but $350, say for a base that's gonna hold this statue up.

Cause not everybody, you know, you hear custom and you hear what you do, and it's eight Weeks or something. It does evoke something like.

Rainey: 00:44:30

So I can tell you, my Chaps shoulder is nowhere near 300.

Casey: 00:44:33

Well, I have no doubt. No doubt. But if somebody did have something that just needed lifting and it was a simpler process, it's not going to say, be like a Chaps holder.

It's not.

Rainey: 00:44:42

Right. It's not gonna be a car.

Casey: 00:44:43

Right.

Rainey: 00:44:43

The cost of a car.

Casey: 00:44:44

Yeah.

Rainey: 00:44:45

Yeah.

Casey: 00:44:45

So I think so. That's nice to know that. Yeah, baby. Designers or whoever it is, can just be.

Levi: 00:44:51

And all of our pricing, you know, it's. It's like I said, it's. It's our best guess. But somebody can easily say, hey, well, how can we get this to meet my budget?

Because there might be details that we're putting in there that you don't know or care about. We treat all our welds, you know, by basically making them go away.

We try to grind sand, bondo, smooth them out, you know, make it nice and smooth and pretty. But we do have different detail levels. Detail level 1, 2, and 3. So that a lot of that is really just that communication.

Casey: 00:45:20

Okay. That is huge.

Rainey: 00:45:22

Yeah.

Casey: 00:45:22

Thank you for sharing that.

Rainey: 00:45:24

Well, thank you again.

Levi: 00:45:25

Pleasure.

Rainey: 00:45:25

I know you've got a business to get back and run, so thank you so much for coming in and seeing us and look forward to doing more business with y'.

Casey: 00:45:33

All.

Levi: 00:45:33

Looking forward to it.

Casey: 00:45:34

Hopefully that's. That meeting today with the city goes just as you and Perfect. You get that exemption like you're hoping.

Rainey: 00:45:40

Yeah.

Casey: 00:45:41

We're so grateful for you. Thank you, though. Tr.

Levi: 00:45:42

Thank you very much.

Casey: 00:45:43

Thank you. Oh, my God. That was so freaking awesome. Okay, so then the cameras turned off, and then we got this other stuff.

Rainey: 00:45:51

And then we got this other stuff out of him.

Casey: 00:45:54

We are, like, more excited about, like. Okay, so he's done. We finally, like.

Rainey: 00:46:01

Yep. We just said goodbye to him, but he stood here and he talked to us about a couple of things.

Casey: 00:46:04

Yeah.

Rainey: 00:46:05

And one of the things that he shared was that after he graduated from high school, I think, and before he went to Boston College, was that the timeline something? Or maybe while he was in high school, his mom was very interested in some ornate decorative mess.

Casey: 00:46:22

I think it was that he was doing the ffa. So the reason the metal shop was basically childlike. Doing all of the grids. What are they? Oh, God. He said it.

Rainey: 00:46:33

The rails for the gates.

Casey: 00:46:34

For the gates, and then the tracks on the ground. So it's very rigid and a little bit more rudimentary. So he didn't get the. So then she Took him.

Rainey: 00:46:43

So, yeah, so I guess at school he did. He did. He said they were basically using us in that high school class as child labor, which I thought was so funny.

But then his mom took him so to see some other things and a whole new world opened up to him, which sort of led him down his metal path. So when he freaking goes back to interview with Bill Peck, it was a four hour interview.

And during that interview, it hit him that that was the place his mom had taken him. And she said. He said to Bill, you're going to hire me. This. I'm supposed to work here.

Casey: 00:47:18

This is an expletive, which is the best thing ever.

Rainey: 00:47:20

He told him.

Casey: 00:47:21

And he did tell him because it was a four hour interview.

Rainey: 00:47:24

And then he said his W was calling him like 27 times because she thought he had been kidnapped and killed. Because I think the interview was from like 8pm to midnight or something crazy.

Casey: 00:47:34

But the fact his mom took him to. So he could see the more ornamental side of the. Of the, you know, the screens and the scrolling and that. Things that are not this, like very square.

Rainey: 00:47:42

And it was Bill Peck.

Casey: 00:47:43

How crazy. And now he owns the company and it's the universe, dude.

Rainey: 00:47:48

I just can't even. His mom took him there though, and his mom took. What a great mom.

Casey: 00:47:54

Great mom.

Rainey: 00:47:54

I know. So if Levi's mom is listening, you're fantastic.

Casey: 00:47:59

You just gave that. Yeah, I mean, you knew back then.

Rainey: 00:48:03

So amazing.

Casey: 00:48:04

Such a gift. I love that.

Rainey: 00:48:05

But I'll tell you.

One of the most important things that makes designers from good designers to great designers is the makers that we engage with and the way that we use what it is that they're good at.

And they stay in their lane like Levi does, and they help us to create things that we design sometimes in our sleep or we don't even know where they came from, but we get to gift this to a client as a brainchild. And what a great interview, honestly.

Casey: 00:48:38

He reframed how we look at these pieces that we thought we had outgrown, don't work in the space, all of these things that he can lift, bulk up. Yeah, he just. I'm tickled pink in these doors. I can't even tell you. I can't wait to get these.

Rainey: 00:48:52

It's gonna happen.

Casey: 00:48:53

Get that. Scroll out. It's gonna happen.

Rainey: 00:48:54

It's gonna happen. It really is. Well, thank you so much for joining us.

If you wanna tell us what you think about this episode or tell us other things that you'd like to hear us talk about, please reach out to us@helloeframingdesign.com or you can follow me.

Casey: 00:49:10

Ainierichardsoninteriors on Instagram and I am cassandrabrandinteriors on Instagram and you can either message us if you wanted to, like Rainey said, say anything or the art we don't have on ones when we're doing our interviews. But again if you are interested now in art or have something you'd like to share, please let us know.

We would love to have your stuff here and share but we would love that wherever you could listen to your podcast.

Rainey: 00:49:35

Yes, like us, subscribe, share. Because that's how we get to do what we love. And we hope you enjoyed this episode even half as much as we did.

Casey: 00:49:44

I loved it. Light on fire, rain on fire.

Rainey: 00:49:46

I see you next time friend.

Outro: 00:49:50

That's a wrap for this episode of the Art of Interior Design. We hope you had a blast and found some inspiration to bring your dream space to life. Feeling inspired to start your own home transformation?

Contact us at helloeframingdesign. We want to help you make it happen. Don't forget to subscribe, share and leave a Review this show was edited and produced by Truth Work Media.

Until next time, remember, your space is your story. Make it beautiful.