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I’d like to thank my friend Ann Alderson, owner Staging South Tampa, LLC (http://stagingsouthtampa.com/) for the inspiration to this blog.  She tweeted the following to me, “The difference between something good and something great is attention to detail.”   Think about it, this truism could apply to almost anything but it is particularly appropriate for the world of designing window treatments. 

Window treatments can be mediocre or stunning depending on the details.   There are many details that are important and will make the difference in a successful design.  But realize, these details also have a price tag so be prepared.

 The first pay attention to the type and quality of the lining that is used for the drapery or valance.   A basic liner is good but it might not be great.  Consider a quality blackout liner that will help conserve energy by keeping the sunlight out and preserve the fabric from fading.  An upgrade to the blackout liner is to use a quality liner with an interliner.  This detail works especially well when the fabric is too thin and requires additional body such as in silks and the faux silks.  The interliner provides body that is otherwise lacking.  Also, if you choose a less expensive face fabric, the interliner could give the finished product a more expensive look.  Ask your decorator/designer what they recommend and do pay the extra few dollars for the best liner you can get. 

When fabricating drapery, look for the following detail a 4-5 inch double bottom hem and 1-2 inch double side hems.  These are finishing details used by the pros. 

Workrooms typically finish cornice boards with gimp to marry the lining with the face fabric.  The top of the cornice should be finished with the face fabric especially when the cornice can be seen from a second level.

In my designs, I like to use a tiny (1/8 inch) self welt to finish edges on decorative valances when there isn’t any decorative trim such as fringe, tassel fringe or cording and 1/2 inch welt on cornice boards.  When adding welt it helps to define the edge and the design of the decorative valance or cornice. 

Details include the fabric selection.  Every fabric has a “best use” and should be a consideration when designing a window treatment.  I often recommend selecting the fabric first and the design will follow.  In any event, your decorator/designer should marry the fabic with the design to get the best result.

Installation is the final detail that is often overlooked.  You or your decorator/designer will hire a professional who has been trained and knows how to make appropriate on-site adjustments when required.  We in the trade often times say “fake it to make it”.  The installers have the tools and supplies for proper installation.  The last task for the installers is to ”dress out” the treatments to look their best. 

These are a few of the important details when designing and installing custom window treatments.  It makes the difference between good and great!  Let’s strive for great and the result will be fabulous simply fabulous!

What do you conjure up when you think of pinch pleat drapery?  Oh yes, what my grandmother had on her windows forever.  Don’t dismiss this wonderful window treatment that can be a wow and offer great functionality.

On the practical side, drapery provide a good solution when a room requires privacy or sunlight protection.  If you require minimal privacy but want some light to come into the room, consider using a sheer fabric to diffuse the sunlight.  For complete sunlight protection, ask your workroom to use a blackout liner.  This liner prevents any sunlight from penetrating the face fabric.  When using light fabrics such as silks or faux silk (polyesters) for the face fabric consider interlining to add body and fullness.

Today, drapery is very effective in the design of a room’s decor.  Long beautiful drapes add drama and can be very glamorous as seen in this room design by Thibaut’s Residence Collection, Frotolla Silk (available through the trade.)

There are many style pleats.  Below is an example of a traditional pinch pleat drape.  The drama brought to the design is the fabric selected as well as the length of the drapery.  The drapery is hung on a decorative traversing rod.  Window fashions including the rods have come a long way over the years.  Note the beautiful wood rod and finials complete the finished look of the drape.  It’s not something my grandmother would have had in her home.

Above a minor variation of a traditional pinch pleat drape is a continental sometimes called a French or Parisian pleat where the pinch is at the very top of the pleat.  It is a subtle change but works very well when using rings on a rod.

Change the header and the design becomes more streamline.  For this look, consider a butterfly pleat or inverted pleat.

Want a more contemporary look then a grometted panel might be the answer.  Here a stunning gromett pleat drapery complete the decor.  Three solid silk fabrics were married together to complete the design.  The solids were sewn horizontally eliminating any vertical seams.

Another contemporary design is a ripple-fold drape.  Unique hardware creates a stylish contemporary pleat for the drape.  This design is available exclusively through the trade.  Call a local decorator or designer in your area to learn more.

If you would like an over the top look, a stunning finish would be a goblet pleated drape.  A button is added as a decorative detail to complete the look.  The goblet pleat is best used when you do not need a working drape but purely a stationery decorative drape. 

   “How to Make Goblet Pleat Curtains” By Genae-Valecia Hinesman  http://tinyurl.com/ybg58my  Below a Chigaco Townhouse design by Alessandra Branco (http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/chicago-townhouse-design-1009?src=rss) features a stunning use of the goblet pleat.

Decorative hardware continues to evolve to meet the needs of decorators and designer who create new and interesting window fashions.

Large stylistic patterns are in vogue in today’s home decor.  You might have noted that fabrics used in design today have a very retro look.  Patterns are bold and colorful. 

Note in the example above that a traditional damask print has been stylized where the pattern is a much larger and more graphic in design. 

An advantages to larger prints is that the scale compliments homes that have high ceilings.  Larger scale prints add drama to your rooms design.  Designers use large prints in small ways such as on pillows on a sofa or a small accent chair in a room. 

This chair features a Thibaut design, Residence-Baron.  Note the large scale and colorful design adds to the whimsical and lighthearted design.  Yet this chair will stand the test of time with its simple and neat curves.

In a bedroom, large graphic prints can be used on a wall with the many selections of wallpaper available.

Note the wallpaper used on the wall above.  This wallpaper is a Thibaut Design, Filigree-Madrid (www.ThibautDesigns.com) and is available through interior designers and decorators.  Also note in this design the use of metallic.  Metallic finishes are popular in today’s home decor.  Metallics are used in fabric, wallpaper, tiles, accessories as well as paint finishes.

Colorful designs are also a trend in fabric design.  Below are colorful prints by Duralee (www.Duralee.com).

Lavender and purples are featured colors in the fall selections as well as shades of grey.

The above prints are Thomas Paul designs by Duralee and available through the Trade.

Today, home decor is fun.  Let your imagination go and surround yourself with the colors and patterns that makes you feel good when you walk into your room.

Sliding glass doors are a challenge to dress for many homeowners.  But don’t despair, there are new and exciting shades, blinds and soft treatments that are functional and aesthetic.

For the budget conscience, vertical blinds are the most widely used solution.  Manufacturers such as Graber offer interesting options such as the one below.

These verticals have wonderful textured cloth panels to add to the interest of the window.  Verticals are custom made to order to fit the sliding door and can be mounted inside or outside the frame.  

A recent adaptation of the verticals are sliding panel tracks where the panel is much wider than a typical vertical.  The panel width is 12 inches or wider depending on the size of the sliding glass door.  These also work as a wonderful room divider when mounted to a ceiling.

The example above is a solution from Jessitt Gold, available through decorators and designers.  Panel tracks can be wood, fabric, or wovens.  For more selections, consult a designer, decorator or window fashion store.  These experts can help with the selection, measuring and installation.  They can make recommendations on the best solutions for your needs.

An option to verticals is shades.  Shades provide a contempory flair to a rooms decor.  Shades can provide privacy and sun control depending on the fabric selected.  Below is an example of  solar shades by Phifer.  Solar shades protect your home from the heat but do not provide privacy.  These shades can be motorized for ease of use.

If you select shades as an option but would like to have a more traditional look, consider adding a decorative cornice or valance above.  Valances and cornices hide a shade when in the up position to soften the look.

The sliding door shades above are Phifer 5000 Series which assimilates a woven but is a synthetic fabric.  The homeowner selected these shades because they wanted sun control and the ability to see the outdoors when the shades were drawn.  Privacy was not needed.

Traditional drapery have become a popular choice in recent years.  Drapes can be lined and interlined to provide privacy and sun control.  Traditional drapery can provide a contempory or traditional look depending on the fabric and header selected.

Plantation shutters are a clean solution to consider.  When using plantation shutters on windows in a room, complete the decor and use the shutters on the sliding glass door. 

Lastly and more recently, manufacturers have taken horizontal shades and turned them on their side to accomodate the sliding glass door.  An upscales version has the appearance of a sheer drape but the function of a vertical shade.  Below is an example from Jessitt Gold.

The window coverings industry continues to develop unique solutions for sliding glass doors and windows.  Consult a local designer, decorator or window fashions store in your local area to get solutions that meet your needs. 

Every year I am amazed as to how many clients wait to the last minute to update or renovate a room for the holidays.  Now is the time to beat the holiday rush! 

Most custom drapery workrooms have cut-offs for deliveries for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Usually they require 4-6 weeks for delivery which translates to a cut-off for Thanksgiving of October 15th and for Christmas of November 10th.  I usually play it safe and recommend a cut-off of September 30th for Thanksgiving and October 31st for Christmas.  That way no one is disappointed.

 There is still time to place a special order for furniture.  Most manufacturers promise delivery between 8-10 weeks.  Otherwise, visit a furniture showroom for in stock purchases.

For major renovations such as kitchen and bathroom remodel ask yourself the question, “Do I need the project to be completed for the holidays?”  If so, I recommend planning to spend at least 1-2 months in the planning stage before any demolition is begun.  With that in mind, if you need the project to be complete for Thanksgiving, you probably should complete your planning no later than September 1 and for Christmas no later than October 1.  Depending on the scope of the work, even this timetable might be tight.  If so, delay the demo until after the holidays.  Use this time to plan so the project is ready to start in the new year.  Planning is the most important part of any major renovation project.

Do you have a home renovation project or facelift you’d like to share?  Give us your comments.

As I travel through neighborhoods, I enjoy looking at homes and the various color combinations that are used on the exteriors.  I am amazed at the many combinations used some good, some not so good.

I have made the following observations for homes that execute successful color and curb appeal.  The color of the facade is a complimentary color to the roof tiles/shingles and the trim is an accent color that enhances the detail of the trim.  Rarely do I see a home that is painted a color almost the same as the roof as an appealing combination.  Too much of one color does not accent the homes architectural features. 

 To add to the curb appeal, the house color chosen is one that blends with the neighborhood.  Additionally, the plantings are pruned and the beds have mulch or stone for texture.

When selecting a color for your home take note of what color palette your neighbors are using.  Have a sample of your roof tile/shingle or a picture for reference.  Since the roof is a major portion of color that will be seen from the road, the color selected should work with the roof.  The last color to be chosen will be the trim.

 To get ideas for your home look at homes as you pass by and take note of the colors on the roof, facade and trim.  Try to pick houses with the same roof colors as your own.  You will begin to see that you are attracted to a certain color palette.  Next go to the internet.  Go to websites such as www.BenjaminMoore.com for information and stop by local paint stores for samples.  Talk to your painter for his/her input.  There are professionals that will give you a color consultation for a fee.  This consultation can be money well spent since the cost to paint your home can be sizable and a mistake can become costly.

Are you planning to paint the exterior of your home?  Have a question?  Write your comment/question. 

Attached is a custom bedroom decor for your consideration.  Classic Interior Solutions has the fabric to make custom window treatments.  We are sharing our ideas.  You can reach us at 407-782-0652 for more information.

custom-transitional-bedroom-design.doc

The current trends in window treatments are more simple, elegant and timeless.  A return to simple panels where the fabric speak for itself is a popular trend.  This trend will stand the test of time.  To update the look of panels consider a new header treatment such as a butterfly pleat, grometts or the new ripple fold.  The mantra “less is more” is a good one to follow when designing window treatments.  Take notice of the window treatments in your next home decor magazine.  Some of my favorites include House Beautiful, Traditional Home and Southern Accents.

Green design is everwhere and always a consideration when addressing window treatments.  Designers pay close attention to creating designs that maximize energy efficiencies and use ”green” materials.  Organic fabrics such as cotton, silk and linen fabrics rather than man-made materials are the preferred materials of choice. 

Another consideration is to incorporate motorization especially on windows that are hard to reach such as over a bathtub for privacy or on a second story in a family for TV watching where sunlight and glare are issues.  The use of batteries eliminates hard wiring so these can be used in most applications.

What is your story?  We’d love to hear from you.

Have you noticed that fashion and home decor have similar trends?  If you take a look at the fabrics featured in today’s fashions you will see that fabric in home decor follows color and graphic design in fashion.  How can you apply your fashion sense to your home decor?  Look in your closet to identify colors that you love.  Put these colors on the walls or in your window treatments.  Surround yourself with color that makes you happy!

Identify the designs or graphics you like in your wordrobe.  Seek these designs in wallpaper or fabrics for pillows and bedding or an occasional chair.

Remember, your surroundings are a reflection of you just as much as the clothes you wear everyday.  Express yourself!

We’d like to hear from you to learn what colors you like and how you use them in your home or apartment.

Here is a great idea for a do-it-yourself project by Leona Gaita owner of Gaita Interiors!http://www.gaitainteriors.com/blog/  To order Thibaut fabric and wallpaper used in this project, call Classic Interior Solutions at 407-833-3710. 

Tell us about your do-it-yourself projects.