Throw Pillows

Don't you just love decorative throw pillows ? You can rotate them around with the seasons. I know I have a closet full of them. They can be made with a self cord if you want simple and durable or with tassel fringe or brush fringe for a dressier look. When I was at the custom home furnishing academy
they had these pillows hanging on display.
I like to use a pillow form that is 90/10 feather/down for heavy weight fabrics and 75/25 for light weight silks. They are nice and squishy.

Hope you have a great Labor Day weekend !

Ashton South End

While I was in Charlotte at the Custom Home Furnishings Academy I stayed at The Ashton. It is a luxury high rise in the heart of the historic South End district – an unprecedented $2.3 billion mixed-use redevelopment. A vibrant and emerging pedestrian, yet transit-friendly neighborhood. South End is home to Charlotte’s most desirable galleries, design studios, boutiques and restaurants, and just minutes from Uptown’s Bank of America Stadium and Time Warner Cable Arena.


Ashton mixes classic design with upbeat modernism. It’s an emerging “it” spot – the ideal locale for the urban sophisticate who thrives on energy and seeks out the unique and intriguing.


The kitchen was gorgeous. We made a fabulous dinner complete with corn on the cob Paula Dean style, slathered in mayo and rolled in parmesan cheese..... yum !
The dining room looked out over downtown. It was really pretty at night.

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.

Tree Wall Decal

Well, 6-7 hours later we think we're finished with the cherry blossom tree decal. There are about 700 individual flowers stuck on there. The first pic has the flash on and the second has the flash off. The last pic is the other side of the room, I'm trying to decide if I should put a chocolate brown fluer de lis between the windows. They sent one in with my order...... I guess they knew it was my birthday ! What do you think ?