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 !

E is for Embellishments

The ABC’s  of window treatments

Embellishments are details that we add to our window treatments to make them more interesting and to express our style.

Fringes and tiebacks are the most popular way to add detail and emphasize curves. I made these sheers from a Kravet fabric that has flowers embroidered on it.

Pillows are a great place to showcase embroidery and this one has antique French metallic embroidery on yellow silk moire fabric. 

                           Photo from B Viz Design

Greek key trim is used to outline the panels, valance and coverlet in this bedroom.  I can’t remember where I found this picture, tell me if you know ……….

A hand pleated ruffle is a nice detail for the bottom of valances and on the edges of duvet covers.  Notice the valance below also has a cording on top of the ruffle.

I can’t wait to do an applique like this one that Susan Kostelecky showed our WCAA group at a recent meeting.

Buttons are a nice touch on these london shades by Sally at Holbrook Hills.  They can also be used on pillows, valances and panels.

I can think of at least ten other embellishments but I’m going to save some for the rest of the alphabet !

What’s your style …………… Plain Jane or Jazzed up ?

Window Treatment Ideas

Many of you have challenging window configurations and aren't sure how to treat them.  The window below is one example of a wall of windows with a door on the end that needs to function.   Notice the window butts to the wall on the left, leaving no room for a finial. 

My client did not need privacy and just wanted decorative panels at the window so we decided to leave the door untreated so they could still access the sunroom.  We opted  use decorative end caps on the outsides and finials on the insides with individual short 2" diameter wood poles instead of one long pole.

These panels are topped with a tabbed, jagged edged valance that is attached to a wood pole. Wooden beaded fringe accentuates the bottom of the valance and the tiebacks. This is how the valance looks before mounting ..............

Here's a close up of the after.............

Hopefully this gives some of you some ideas.  I love sharing solutions to window dilemmas.

I've started tweeting so I'd love for you to click on the little blue bird on the right if you tweet too !  We can twit together.

Master Bedroom Redo

One of the hazards (or perks) of being in the drapery business is that I’m forever changing things.  I see new fabrics or styles and I want to start over.  I really don’t get the story about the cobbler’s children not having any shoes because if I were a cobbler we would all have even more shoes than we already do !

This what my master bedroom looked like before the redo.  I quickly made these window treatments and bought wood blinds when I first moved into the house.  The rods were too short and made the windows look small.  I made this duvet cover from suede fabric and it was so heavy it would slide off the bed at night !

This is the after view:  Ahhh, much better.

I ordered 4 yards of  Trend fabric and added a 23” banding to the bottom of my panels.  I put the same trim between the two fabrics that I used in my study for the upholstered wall panels. HERE


The panels were a deep rod pocket but I changed them to a euro pleat.  I added crinoline to the header and pleated the panels at the very top instead of down 4” which is a traditional pinch pleat.  This allowed me to move the rod up 2” closer to the ceiling.
 
I used 4’ wooden poles in Dark Walnut and end caps instead of finials.  Here’s an old trick to hang panels without using rings…….Put screw eyes in the bottom of the pole and hook your pins to them and you don’t have to buy rings !

I took down the wood blinds and made silk roman shades with blackout lining and added a tassel fringe to the bottom.  This duvet came from TJ Maxx, the lamps and nightstands were Christmas presents.

Here’s another shot of the cherry blossom wall decal, you can see how we did it HERE .  The little arm chair is high on my list of things to paint and possibly reupholster, although I still love it with the velvet leopard.

Did I mention how much fun I’m having with my new camera.  It’s a Nikon D 60.

I got tired of chasing Zoe out of the room and let her stay for a few pictures.  She is quite the star !


I quickly made this sham Friday afternoon with scraps from the workroom. 


This is the view from the bedroom into the master bath.  My Dad replaced the original cabinet with these vanities and sinks from Home Decorator’s Collection .

Doesn’t it make the windows appear much larger ?

Do you think I should change the fabric on the chair ?
I’m linking to these parties:
Metamorphosis Monday, Make it for Monday, Make your Monday and Funky Junk Interiors SNS .

Installation of the Week

This is the last installation we did before Christmas. I made side panels and sheers for this family room. The panels are stationary and are made from a Westgate fabric with a beaded tassel fringe trim on the attached valance. The hardware is a 3" double traverse rod in bronze from Select Drapery Hardware . The sheers are on a bronze colored traversing rod behind the wood rod.

The smaller window was covered with a roman shade with the same fabric and fringe at the bottom.

In the cigar room we installed wood blinds in a mahogany finish for privacy and fixed shades over top. The shades are made of fabric from Morocco with a ball fringe on the bottom and leather covered rods on the top. I think this is one of my favorite treatments ever !


Lastly, I added these gorgeous tiebacks to the draperies in the pool room.

I'll be posting this at BNOTP for Metamorphosis Monday so be sure to stop by........

Installation of the Week

When does working on a Friday night not seem like work ? When you are hanging out with your parents and installing draperies in their new great/family room. My Dad just completed renovating the sun room and family room to one big great room. He is so handy and can do anything.

I used a paisley fabric for the panels and a coordinating stripe for the valances to keep the room fun. Using fringe and trim is like adding jewelry to your outfit. The onion fringe added a lot to the overall look of the treatment. The back wall was 27 feet wide so it took all 4 of us to lift the board up onto the brackets. It was massive !


While we were there, I recovered the dining room chairs in Fabricut's Ormonde, color: copper. They look really pretty with the orange walls !


My Dad always reads my blog. I know he will be excited to see his room on here...... I love you, Dad !

Tassel Party and Pillow Tips

I made a new tassel for the tassel party that Cheri is having over at It's So Very Cheri. I made this one with a giraffe that I got from the Dollar Store. I added layers of bullion, brush and ball fringe.

This was the third tassel that I have made, go HERE to see my very first attempt and to see what I use for the inside.

I made some pillows with iron on transfers last weekend and Karen@StrictlySimpleStyle wanted me to give some tips for making them. I was going to either use a stencil or the iron on transfers. After looking around at AC Moore I decided to buy the transfer paper and download some images from the internet. I found free images you can use at Icon Etc. and finally decided on these king and queen crowns and little flourishes with a retro stripe. I couldn't get it to enlarge to the size I wanted so I just made it as big as I could.

Tip #1. Enlarge your image in photoshop to get it to the size you need.
Tip #2 Cut as close as you can to the image. They say to leave 1/2" around it but it does have a clear shiny spot around it.
Tip #3 Once you put your iron down don't lift it until the image is set or it will move.
Tip #4 They have transfer paper for white fabrics and one for black or dark fabrics so, use the right one for your fabric.
Tip #5 You can easily make these reversible by putting something different on the back.

It's really easy, give it a try.........

My First Tassels

I've been bitten by the tassel bug ! There are so many gorgeous tassels here in blogland that I got inspired to make some. I read about making them one day and when I tried to find the blog to give her credit....... I couldn't find it ! Oh, I just found it ! Heather at Be Tasseled gives a great tutorial on how to make tassels.

I have boxes, tubs and drawers full of trims and fringes in my workroom just waiting to come out and play. What is so great about this project is that it doesn't take much of each trim.

I have been saving the spools that my giant thread comes on for years because I knew they would come in handy for a project. I couldn't bring myself to throw them away and now I'm glad I didn't. They make a perfect base for the tassel after I cut it down to about 4" with a hack saw.

This is my first tassel after the second row of bullion fringe. It looked a little flat so I ended up turning the fringe upside down and that gave it lots of body.

This is it after a couple more rows of tassel fringe. I added the long tassels between the short ones because they matched the braid perfectly. The last step was to tie a heart button onto a piece of ribbon to hang down from the middle. Not bad, but I thought I could do better........

After seeing the tassels at The Nesting Place, I knew I wanted to perch something adorable on top. So I went searching around the house to see what I could find. I found a cherub candle and put a screw eye in the top and used Gorilla Super Glue to attach him to the tassel. That's him waiting for his glue to dry up there. What can I say, I like my tassels shaken, not stirred !


I don't think I'll be going into the tassel making business but I think lots of people will be getting one for Christmas ! I may even do a Give Away !

This will be posted over at Transformation Thursday and Shanty 2 Chic so go check out all the projects.......


Just wanted to let you know that my home will be featured in Cheri's Cottagey Home Tour at Its So Very Cheri on Friday ! She is doing A LOT of great giveaways !