Special Spaces

Carter’s make over was a huge success. We spent the day painting, staining, putting together bunk beds, hanging shelves and installing window treatments. There were over 30 enthusiastic volunteers helping to transform the family’s home.

A major part of the day went to putting down new flooring and painting the room to look like a hockey rink.

They are going to be home in two hours, we better get these window coverings hung !

Mitch Danforth was the designer as well as carpenter and mural hanger. His excitement kept us all happily working hard. Carl is the artist that painted this awesome mural of Carter and his family at a Hurricane’s game, it was the WOW of the room !

I think seven of us put this bunk bed together and dressed it in about 15 minutes. Carter really wanted this so his cousin could sleep over with him.

The room, all done, complete with laptop and signed Carolina Hurricanes memorabilia.

Stormy came out to meet the family and see the big reveal. I think he liked the bunk beds too.

Katie Martin is the director of the local chapter, Special Spaces of the Triangle. She worked so hard planning, organizing and getting donations for Carter’s room, it was such a pleasure working with her and getting to know her. I look forward to helping with another room in the future.

If you want to see a lot more photos, go to their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SpecialSpacesOfTheTriangle

There are currently 22 chapters in the US. If you are interested in helping, contact an affiliate near you http://www.specialspaces.org

Enjoy your room, Carter. We were blessed to be a part of it.

Inspiration Photo

Most of us are very visual and that is why photos and sketches are so helpful for communicating between client/designer and workroom. The pink shade below could be called a relaxed roman shade, a balloon shade or a london shade.

When the designer sends me a photo and says, “ I want this but with less folds at the bottom, “ then I can make this…………. and call it a modified london shade.

Or we can work from sketches to design the perfect window treatment for you.

photo from JVT Directory of Window Treatments

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.

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 !

Installation of the Week

My favorite fabric of the week is Schumacher's "Zanzibar Linen Print" it has great colors and gorgeous leaves and flowers. We installed these draperies this week in a commercial building. The window is recessed so there is no room for finials. With windows like this you just butt the rod into the wall. We used 3" diameter rods for a substantial look.

The conference room had a bay window with 5 angles so I made it in separate pieces so we could transport it. I backed the fabric for the box pleated valance with a black stabilizer to help it hold it's shape and put a 3/4" bias band on the bottom.


Here's the window before : What a big difference !

Would you like to see window treatments for a log home ?

My Mom and stepdad built a log home last summer in the country. It has a huge wrap around porch with rocking chairs and ferns. I took some pictures while we were there this weekend to share with you. We went and picked out 2 puppies for them yesterday, they loved playing with Zoe ! Aren't they adorable ?

I made these draperies for the living room and dining room. The first time I saw this fabric from Pindler and Pindler I fell in love with it. It was really pricey so we just ordered enough to do cornices and we used a solid linen for the draperies. They are lined and interlined and are on a traverse rod to open. This is a really good way to use an expensive fabric and still get the most impact.

This is my Mom's room, she wanted a soft feminine space. We chose a nice floral with a handsome peacock printed on it and put tassel fringe on the bottom of the valances. The draperies are lined with blackout lining so it can be really dark anytime of the day.
This roman shade is on the back door in the laundry room. It is a sage green toile with a beautiful braid at the bottom.

I had this painted for them at Christmas by a local artist (Mr. Stitches' Dad) haha, ok, I've never called him that before and it really makes me laugh out loud !
He is a wonderful artist and I just described what I wanted in the painting and he did this fabulous still life and it is hanging in the great room and looks so good in their log home.
I'll post more pics later, I just wanted to show the window treatments for now. Do you like it ?

Custom Home Furnishings Academy

This weekend I attended classes at the Custom Home Furnishings Academy in Charlotte, NC. www.CFHacademy.com It began as a drapery school 10 years ago and now offers classes in sewing, upholstery, installation and business classes.

I took these photos of samples window treatments at the school while I was there. Adding trim and fringe can make such a difference in the look of a valance.
This one had all the bells and whistles..... The top is arched and goblet pleated. There is bullion fringe on the bottom and as you raise the shade the bottom arches as well. They had hundreds of samples on display, these are just a few. Enjoy ! I ran across this poem and thought it was cute...

A Well Dressed Window
By: Christine Trebendis

Many Clients want advice
To cozy up their home.
And often all it really needs......
A well dressed window to set the tone.

It frames your view of the outside world
And will impact the room's decor.
For many a dramatic focal point.
The "wow" when you walk through the door.

So many styles to choose from;
Whether valance, swag or jabot.
To be combined with panels, shades or blinds;
Beautiful together or even alone.

Layers upon layers of fabric;
Blanket your home in warmth and style.
Your room will have that finishing touch;
To sit down and stay awhile.

If you're lacking in the talent
To create this on your own.
Check out the internet or yellow pages.
It's time----pick up the phone.