Fabric Friday

I’m working on something whimsical today…..

Kitty Toile meets Laura Ashley.

This Scalamandre fabric is “Killkenny Cats”, they are having a tea party and frolicking in the garden.

I’m still a fan of toile prints in small doses. Back in the day (I’m officially old enough to say that) this is how we did toile bedrooms, everything from the walls, windows and bedding was in toile.

                                                 Source: traditionalhome.com via Alison on Pinterest

 

This is the perfect amount for me now……… I’m not sure who did this room but I love it and the relaxed romans make the space.

                                                                         Source: google.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

                                                Source: alixofbohemia.blogspot.com via lilitan on Pinterest

 

Ha, I found these on Pinterest and I actually own a pair, might have to wear them today !

Are you a fan ?

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.

Headboard Smorgasbord

Say that 3 times really fast !

I just finished my first diamond tufted headboard. My #1 tip: Don’t drill your thumb nail ! I’ve sewn it with the machine, stapled it to a cornice and now drilled it, hazards of the job I suppose.

This one also had a 2” shirred band all the way around the outside.

Traditionally, the diamonds are taller than they are wide, I used 7/8” buttons on this one.

Beth, at The Stories of A to Z is looking for ideas so here are a few more of my headboards………..

With a double row of nail heads:

Funky shape and fat cord:

Smooth border:

Beth has some great ones posted if you are looking for ideas go to her blog.

Creative Camp Day 3

Day one and day two were just warm ups for the busy day I had on day three.  My first class was “Headboards”, taught by Gillian Wendel. She had some very creative samples like this one that had nail heads and a faux iron insert by Tableaux in a black truffle finish that was donated by Amore Drapery Hardware.

We all made sample size headboards with buttons to take home.

Whew, a complete mini headboard in 4 hours, we were working fast ! A group photo at the end of class……

My afternoon class was “shaped specialty firmaflex cornices” taught by Karen Barnes. Here she is with some samples of shaped cornices.

I love this bendable fiber board and can’t wait to use it again. Once you heat it up enough you can curve and shape it.  It’s also lightweight and would be perfect for a large cornice. Here’s my finished sample……….

That evening we had a presentation about roman shade safety by Mary Ann Plumlee, she is working on a new shade system that will be available soon. After such a busy day we needed to wind down by swinging in the full moon……..

Just one more class left and then it’s time to go home !

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.

N is for “Nail Heads”

The ABC’s of window treatments

We have been seeing nail heads used on furniture forever.  Here are some ways to use them in other places around your home.

Outline a funky shape on a cornice………….

                                             Photo by Rosenfeld Interiors

Add detail to a roman shade and valance…………………

                                                           Photo by Liz Ware

Make a pattern on your wall……………

                                     Photo by Jeffrey Bilhuber

Border your headboard with a double row……………

Just in case you need to add some bling to your bling………….. upholstery tacks with interchangeable heads.

                                                       Photo by Diamond Head

Consider this my before pic, after coming soon.

Want to accessorize your windows ?  Send me an email to Tammy@bgcustomwindows.com

U is for Upholstered Bed

So, I skipped ahead a little bit to share an upholstered bed that I just made last week.  My client wanted a bed like the one in the picture above.  She picked out a beautiful, shimmery fabric, brushed nickel pyramid shaped nail heads and mahogany tapered feet.

The king size bed was made in 4 pieces and assembled on site.  At a height of 62” I said many prayers about it making it up to the third floor !

Here’s a close up of the 400 individual nail heads.  Just a heads up if you are thinking about trying them……. they not only have to be lined up evenly but they have to be “squared” with each other too.
 
I think I’m ready to do another one…………… Who wants one ?

Stop by Between Naps on the Porch to see all the before and afters...



I'm hosting a giveaway this week so be sure to follow if you don't want to miss it !

Spin Art, Lampshades, Record Bowls………..

I’m taking a break from my alphabet series to fill you in on some projects I’ve been working on for the guest/music room.  I have been trying to come up with some unique art and I found a post on Blue Hydrangea about spin art and I knew that was exactly what I needed.

I wanted to make the art on records since it is a music room and Mr. Stitches is a DJ.  After a trip to the thrift store to find an old turntable was a bust I remembered that my son had a spin art machine when he was little and found it in his closet (he never gets rid of anything) A couple of washers, a pencil and some super glue and it was ready to spin a record.

My friend Eva and I put it inside a cardboard box so it wouldn’t splatter all over my kitchen.  This reminded me of when I was little, my Dad worked for IBM and we did this at their family picnic every year.

Here they are over the bumblebee yellow buffet/dresser.  My Dad is going to help me cut some picture molding to make a frame to go around them.

Today I covered the lamp shades with Trina Turk’s Sunglasses print in a very dark grey. If you want a tutorial, Janell has a great one at her blog Isabella and Max.

I ordered this Live What You Love print from made by girl and put it in a $10 frame from Big Lots and used some of the roman shade fabric for the mat.  I’m trying to decide if I should paint it white……. what do you think ?

The record bowl was super easy.  I just put it on top of a bowl and let it melt in the oven for 3 minutes.  It’s probably toxic, not recommending you do it ! But I have seen them sold in gift shops for $40.00.

I found the little bedside tables on Craigslist and covered them with the headboard fabric.

I was going to say I need some guests but I just found out my niece is coming today !

I’m linking to Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage.

H is for Headboards

The ABC’s of window treatments

Upholstered headboards are not window treatments but bedding is something that I make so I’m going to include them in my alphabet series. 

I just finished the headboard for my guest room, it’s covered in a pvc fabric and has nickel nail heads that measure 13/16”.   There’s a close up of the fabric in my Fabricut post.

The mirror over the bed was made from a sculptured sunburst I found at Home Goods and spray painted silver then added an automotive mirror from Auto Zone.

I thought I’d share some of my favorites with you.  The headboard below has a simple curved shape and tufting.

                                                                    Image via Decor Pad

I thought this shape was really unusual, it’s simple but has a big impact.

                                          Image via Deco Pad

My friend Sarah at StoriBook Designs is getting ready to make this headboard with scroll cutouts, can’t wait to see hers !

                                                      Image via House Beautiful

This one has a very gentle curve and two rows of contrast cording.

                              Image via Lotus Blue

Fabrics can be solid, geometric or floral, there’s a shape for every fabric design.

                            Image via Serena and Lily

This is an upholstered bed that I’ll be making for a client next week, I’ll post pics once it’s finished.

To see more of my headboards and instructions, go HERE

I’ll be posting over at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday.

F is for Fabricut

The ABC’s of window treatments

Fabricut is one of the largest, most progressive distributors of decorative fabrics in the world and is one of my go to fabric lines.

Lillian August is a textile and furniture designer whose collection is traditional with an uptown vibe. The pattern on this chair is Tea Ceremony in Brown Patina.

These fun fabrics are from their Bella-Dura Indoor/Outdoor collection, which is environmentally friendly. From top to bottom they are Ambiance, Scrollwork and Fantasy Island.

 

Couldn’t you see a glamorous dressing room with these black and cream fabrics used as portiere curtains. 

Left to right:
Crystal City: Black Pearl
Valli: Ivory
Random Scribble: Tuxedo

Oh, how I love a creamy neutral room.  In pictures only because that wouldn’t fly at my house with animals, kids and koolaid.

Wreath Imperial in Peridot covers this Ritz Chair with the drapery in Belle Epoque: colorway Aquacitrine. 

I’m using this Fabricut faux leather Pattern Melbourne in my guest room for project #3.

Here’s a sneak peek of the headboard.  As soon as UPS gets here I’ll be adding some nickel nail heads !

As of last month they have acquired Stroheim from JAB and that will extend their reach into high end textiles and wallpapers.