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Hi – we are Margaret and Chris Helthaler. We founded Standing Impressions as a way to blend our professional and creative lives.
Margaret is an artist and educator with thirty years of experience in the graphic design industry. Her art is informed by a deep attachment to nature and the rural landscape. She enjoys exploring photography and other media.
Margaret shares her images as high-quality imprints on ceramic tiles, hardboard, and aluminum.
Chris worked in the insurance industry for over twenty-five years. Not long ago he traded his long commute for the joys of woodworking. The practice evokes childhood memories of building a house with his parents and little sister.
Chris makes our frames, candle holders and cocktail tables.
We both draw inspiration from our home in upstate New York’s Catskill/Hudson Valley region, but we come at it from different perspectives. Margaret grew up in a farmhouse that was built by her great-great-grandfather, while Chris is a transplant. His parents got the idealistic notion to leave Wallington, New Jersey to build a house in the Catskills. Chris spent the weekends and summers of his youth working on the home.
The Origin of our Cocktail Tables
One day, while admiring a small table that belonged to Chris’ mother, Margaret commented she would like to create a similar piece. She is fond of the square format, so it was easy to envision her work printed on the 6×6-inch tile inlay. Margaret thought the table offered a unique way to display art.
Soon after, Chris connected with professional woodworkers to develop a prototype. Then Margaret set about learning how to make the tiles.
About our Tiles and Tables
Margaret uses dye-sublimation imprinting to produce our tiles. The process creates a beautiful and durable image on a specially coated ceramic tile.
When possible, Chris handcrafts our tables with locally sourced hardwoods. Our signature design stands approximately seventeen inches tall with a twelve-inch square top with a 6×6-inch tile inlay.
The tile can easily be removed and replaced with another for seasonal changes or updates in decor.
We welcome custom tile and table orders. Please contact us to discuss your needs.
See our FAQ page for more information.