Custom Quality in the Details

A constant question, not always vocalized, but much too often left unanswered: why is custom drapery so expensive?  What is the value of custom drapery over department store ready-mades?  Great question!  Glad you asked.  The Answer?  It’s all in the details. 

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First , consider the individual windows and the optimal desired style. What is the ultimate goal with the window dressing? Maybe to accent the home’s architectural element? Frame a well manicured landscape or hide possible problem areas? Or maybe even increase energy efficiency?   The design’s degree of difficulty will affect the labor price.

Second, the infrastructure matters.  Proper lining should be considered per the design and face fabric.  Interlining, a flannel cotton fabric, adds volume and softness, increases the structure, and protects the face fabric from the outside elements.  Napped lining, regular lining fused with interlining, is a great alternative to interlining.  Some styles which need to hold their shape, such as Roman shades, looks best with belle note duet, a thick flannel cotton fused with a regular lining.   The proper choice of lining per design will dramatically affect the finished look by enhancing the structure.

Third, the extra attention to specific design details by the drapery designer and drapery workroom can’t be found in store bought ready-mades:  Things like hand sewn beads, and hand stitched work such as tacked seams and diamond shaped smocking, or delicate trims and tassels, all with precise window measurements to insure perfection in balance and scale.  These hand sewn details are what adds character and personalizes each custom design. 

Fourth, the enhanced value in using quality fabric and custom finish hardware makes the price difference a worth-while investment. Quality designer grade fabrics have been tested for durability, pattern print and color quality.   Fine designer grade fabrics have vibrant use of color and print quality, interesting textural details, and subtle fabric weight.  For the finishing touch, consider the importance of hardware: pairing fine fabrics with custom hardware, with beautiful carved details, to complete a custom quality finish. These print varieties, color variations, and overall high-quality goods simply won’t be found in store bought ready-mades.

Fifth, understand the importance of working with a professional drapery designer when developing custom drapery.  A drapery designer will guide you through the decision process, and insure proper fabric choices, custom elements, balance and scale in the design.  There are many details to manage throughout the development process, and working with a drapery designer will insure accuracy and a worry-free process through to installation.    Find a drapery designer you feel listens to you. Someone who expresses creativity, presents a design personally tailored to fit your family’s lifestyle, works with high-end workrooms, and has a proven reputation of effectively managing projects through to installation.

Ultimately, it is a very personal decision when developing a budget for custom drapery.  It is important to work with a reputable drapery designer and workroom, and determine the optimal design and budget that works for you. Remember, quality custom drapery exudes excellent work, and personal attention to your every detail.  High-end custom drapery is held to a different standard and you are paying for that value.    

Custom drapery, having considered all the quality details, is a work of art.