Neutral Draperies

Our installation of the week this week included lots of neutral drapery panels. The breakfast nook was a beautiful linen mounted on wrought iron hardware from the Helser Brothers’ Artigiani line. 

All of the panels are interlined with bump, which is a really thick cotton added to give body and protect your fabric.

The living room panels were banded on the leading edge and the top with a contrasting fabric.

They frame the outside view perfectly…….

Here is a close up of the Euro pleat and the 1 1/4” rod with cannonball finial.

Custom window treatments can be the single most important element in pulling together your decorating scheme. 
Contact me to provide you with up to date window treatments that you are excited about.

Gold Drapery Rods

Gold and brass, it’s coming back. Love it ? Hate it ? Still trying to eradicate it from your home from the 80’s ? Some kitchen and bath designers say that it’s gaining popularity. I won’t go so far as to put it on fixtures but I am LOVING it on drapery rods !

The gold rods in the bay window in this sitting room by Tom Stringer Designs look delish with the chocolate walls.

 

Source: traditionalhome.com via Tammy on Pinterest

 

 

 

Also looks great in a more neutral room with cool colors………..

Source: houseandhome.com via Tammy on Pinterest

 

Looks great in a traditional setting with a coordinating chandy…..

 

 

 

Source: housebeautiful.com via Tammy on Pinterest

 

Ya’ll know how much I love the pink and gray combo; the gold is perfect with it.

Source: houseandhome.com via Tammy on Pinterest

 

Emily Henderson rocked the brass rod with deep blue velvet.

Source: amberinteriordesign.blogspot.com via Tammy on Pinterest

 

 

Source: houzz.com via Tammy on Pinterest

 

Meredith Heron used them in the bay window with bold, patterned draperies.

Source: isuwannee.com via Tammy on Pinterest

 

The wood face of my Somfy motorized track is already painted, just need to make up my mind on the fabric choice.

It works in a modern or traditional setting. So, have I convinced you yet ? Do you love it ?

Custom window treatments can be the single most important element in pulling together your decorating scheme. 
Contact me to provide you with up to date window treatments that you are excited about.

Blushing

Blush…. It’s not quite pink and not quite nude. I’ve had this color on my mind lately, which led me to do some reading and searching about it. I found some beautiful images that represent this romantic color well. Aren’t these peonies and macaroons SO beautiful ?

                                                           Source: stylemepretty.com via Tammy on Pinterest

                                                            Source: kissthegroom.com via Tammy on Pinterest

It represents romance……………………

                                                                      Source: stylemepretty.com via Tammy on Pinterest

 

There is a sweetness in this pastel shade…….

                                                             Source: luellajune.com via Tammy on Pinterest

 

Wouldn’t you feel calm in this space ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Via The Skirted Rountable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A blush is a physical reaction designed to get our attention.  It’s the way to know that we have stumbled and need to redirect our steps.  Let’s hope that we never lose our ability to blush …………

Before and After

Today I’m sharing a before and after of my client’s guest room, with the most frequent guest being her granddaughter.  This was before the bedding and drapery but after we installed the plantation shutters.

The custom fitted, outline quilted coverlet is fun without being too juvenile. It’s a pattern that will grow with her. The striped dust ruffle is gathered and attached to the wood rails with velcro.

It’s much warmer now and flows with the rest of the home.

My favorite part is the twisted iron rod and triple scroll finials from Helser Brothers, Inc.

What’s your favorite part ?

Custom window treatments can be the single most important element in pulling together your decorating scheme. 
Contact me to provide you with up to date window treatments that you are excited about.

Showing some LOVE

I’m in love with this room by designers MassuccoWarnerMiller.

                                         Source: massuccowarnermiller.com via Tammy on Pinterest

My favorite part is the banded box pleated valances. I’ve made many box pleated valances over the years but the mitered banding makes this one over the top (in a good way)

                  

                                                      Source: massuccowarnermiller.com via Tammy on Pinterest

 

Are you loving banding too ?

Custom window treatments can be the single most important element in pulling together your decorating scheme. 
Contact me to provide you with up to date window treatments that you are excited about.

Fabric Friday

This week I have a fabric on my worktable that is exciting and beautiful….Fabric Friday worthy !

It’s called “Tribal Thread” and the pattern reminds me of an antique suzani.

The colors are wedgewood blue, sky blue and cream with raised embroidered emblems in Federal Blue. Because of the embroidery, the whole curtain will be sewn by hand and lined in blackout lining so the threads  don’t show through in the sunlight.

These panels will also have a 2” border of blue linen down the leading edges and Euro pleats at the top.

They are going to be keeping me company in the workroom for quite a while ………….. good thing they’re so pretty.

Do you love it ?

Custom window treatments can be the single most important element in pulling together your decorating scheme. 
Contact me to provide you with up to date window treatments that you are excited about.

How To Cover a Two Story Window

Q. I have a two story wall of windows ……. Do I have to mount my draperies all the way at the top ?

A. No, you may hang them right above the first set of windows !

Q. I have a triple window and want to use stationary side panels …. Do I have to use one long rod all the way across ?

A. No, you may use two shorter rods, one at each end !

We installed these Euro pleated white linen panels last week. They are hanging from  7/8” black iron rods with end caps by Helser Brothers. My workroom has been full of neutral linen lately, more to come later.

Custom window treatments can be the single most important element in pulling together your decorating scheme. If you would like up to date window treatments that you are excited about send me an email.

Before and After of the Week

I have a different type of before and after for you today. My son finally decided to cut his long hair !

Before:  He couldn’t see a thing…………

After:  Big difference, the clouds parted and the sun came out…..

While he was getting his hair cut he told the stylist that she had an important job because she helped people feel good about themselves. He said, “Like when my Mom makes drapes and shades for people, it makes them happy.” 

There are many reasons that we cover our windows from privacy to safety and energy conservation but the best benefit is how happy you feel when you are in your home.

As a window treatment consultant I do everything from meeting with designers, measuring, sketching, estimating fabric yardages, bookkeeping, sewing and scheduling the installer. Then comes my favorite part …….. installing the  job and seeing how thrilled the homeowner and designer are ! 

                                                    Image via Hunter Douglas

So whether you need window coverings to block the sun or warm up you room, be prepared to ooooh and ahhhh !

Custom window treatments can be the single most important element in pulling together your decorating scheme. 
Contact me to provide you with up to date window treatments that you are excited about.

Why should you work with an interior designer ?

They can visualize the end result.

I just finished a job for one of my designers that turned out beautifully despite the concerns that the homeowner had after she brought the fabric home.  They got a great deal on a very expensive fabric  but she was worried that she wouldn’t like it and could only focus on the birds in the print.

Her designer had the vision to see all the fabrics, paint and wallpaper come together.  We chose a quilting pattern that really highlighted the design.

Do you see one bird on these draperies ?

It’s now her and her husband’s favorite room in the house !

Custom window treatments can be the single most important element in pulling together your decorating scheme. 

Contact me to provide you with up to date window treatments that you are excited about.

M is for M’Fay Patterns

The ABC’s of window treatments

I make a lot of my own patterns but when I want something different I like to use M’Fay patterns.  Their full size patterns are on durable white paper with detailed step-by-step instructions. Alteration instructions, yardage guides, fabric suggestions and workroom hints are also included.

This photo shows one of their drapery swags made by Rebecca Rumpf of Custom Interiors by Rebecca.  I love how the swag is pointed and has little bells on the sides.

This Parisian swag made by Interiors by Kelli is simple and elegant.  The edges are slightly scalloped and the center is raised to draw the eye up.

                                                                                                                                                       

 

Barbara Erwin made this fun Moroccan valance in a black and white check with a large banding of black to accentuate the shape.  This would look great in a kitchen or laundry room.

                           You can get creative and add layers too.

London shades are really popular right now and this one by Donna Migdal at DM Drapery and Design is a great example of pattern placement.  You can also have a contrast fabric inside the pleats.

                                                       All photos from M’Fay

M’Fay is a great resource for my fellow seamstresses both professional and beginner. 

Don’t own a sewing machine ? Don’t know how to sew but want to have beautiful window coverings that make you smile ?  Send me an email !

Installation of the week

I took an unexpected blogging break but now I’m back and ready to catch up with all of you. 

These draperies are an example of a semi custom treatment.  My client bought white silk ready made panels and 3 yards of orange silk.  I made a 2” banding and applied to the leading edges of the panels.  The banding is inset 1” from the edge.

I also sewed two panels together so they are nice and full, now she has a custom look at a fraction of the price. 

In her bedroom I made a custom bed and she needed a custom roman shade to fit the arch window.  My installer and I made a template of the window and my woodworking man made a beautiful arched board. 

I was at Tobi Fairley’s new blog this morning (It’s beautiful, check it out if you haven’t already!) and found out that Essie has named one of their new fall colors after my blog, wasn’t that so nice of them !

J is for Jabots

The ABC’s of window treatments

I had a really hard time coming up with something for the letter “J”.  Jabots and Jackie Von Tobel was the only thing I could think of and since I have already done a post on Jackie ………. jabots it is !

According to WFCP jabots are additional pieces of a top treatment, often shaped like a tie, cone, or cylinder, which are used between and over swags as decoration.  I use the term jabot interchangeably with cascades, which are often seen on the sides of swags.  The first summer I ever worked in a workroom I’m pretty sure I called them “jags and swabots”

I’m not sure who made this but the picture above is from M’Fay, where you can order patterns for window treatments.  It’s a nice simple tail.

The zig zag shape is accentuated when you add fringe to the edges and I highly recommend it.  These are both lined on the back with the main fabric.

 

In the bedroom below, designed by Armando Guereca,  a contrasting plaid fabric is used on the back of the jabots.  Notice there isn’t a fringe but they did use a solid bias banding on the edge.

                        Image via Window Dressings

                                              Image via All the Best

This 1962 photo shows Jackie Kennedy’s dressing room in the White House.  The jabots are about one-third the length of the overall treatment, which is another pleasing length. 

There’s your drapery terminology for the day !