Recently, we had an opportunity to dress a newly constructed custom home, fitted with Hunter Douglas Vignettes, Duettes, and Provenance Woven woods throughout, with the additional pleasure of designing beautiful window treatments for the homeowner’s master bedroom.

The client’s master bedroom featured a wall of windows, each trimmed with elaborate decorative wood trim and an exquisitely carved fireplace.  The walls are warm glazed….The view outside was breathtaking and was definitely a feature to be enhanced by the window dressing.   The client expressed the need for privacy and room darkening, yet does not want to sacrifice the beautiful view or cover the ornate trim.  The master bedroom’s soft color palette graced the custom bedding and fireplace seating with bronze silks, rose textured weaves, and floral patterns. 

After listening to the clients’ desires for her windows,  we began sketching stationary inside mount shades,  with a center tuck to allow  a soft contour for uniform elegance.   We further discussed the added enhancement provided by the Hunter Douglas Powerrise Duette shade; providing privacy and light control, with the comfort of the remote control automation.  The client was impressed with our ideas, and we were now prepared to elaborate further on our design.

The Hunter Douglas Powerrise Architella opaque shade, in a soft Beach Shell Panache fabric, was featured as the first layer.  The radio frequency remote control could be programmed with two channels to allow the main windows and seating area to operate independently of each other, or together.  The Hunter Douglas Architella in the Powerrise automation adds flexibility in light control with the ease of a single remote control. 

The stationary relaxed Roman shades, with a center tuck for added fullness creates a slight swag finished look.   The fabric chosen for the continuous line of inside mount full bodied shades was a dupioni strie silk in a rich cabernet, adding exquisite detailing with the braid beaded tassel on the hem.  The combination of elements creates an elegant conversation piece, each beautifully framed by the window’s decorative wood trim detail. The Roman shades were properly lined with Napped lining which adds the proper fullness, body and structure for the shade.  The fabric folds were enhanced by the natural beauty of the dupioni strie silk fabric.  The installation details were carefully planned from the start, considering the radio frequency remote control specifics, and the design details to maximize beauty and function while utilizing little window space.  The installation went perfectly and the client is more than pleased with her enhanced view and versatility.

Custom Drapery Designs considers every detail when designing cohesive beautiful drapery designs to complement our client’s exquisite interiors.  We have a great time working with our clients, and would like to share our design challenges and successes…..

Our client recently remodeled the front exterior of her home and was now addressing the the formal dining room, with an interest in interior cohesiveness and highlight the window’s curved architecture, further enhancing the home’s curb appeal.  The dining room decor was warm and welcoming, accented by ornate glass sculpture, mixed candles, and decorative table runners.  In the center of the room was an over-sized antique round table with great personality, featuring unique individual style seating.  The dining room was noticeably dressed with sage walls, coupled with elaborate leaf and gold swirl wall covering, embellished with a beautiful over-sized metallic gold framed mirror.  Our client was interested in capturing bold elegance with creative expression in our design.  The formal dining room was full of character and we were delighted with the challenge.

For the first layer, we decided on a wide louver custom painted shutter with the hidden tilt operating system.  The clean horizontal lines and smooth contours of the frame would beautifully highlight the large window’s architecture and provide optimal light filtration and privacy while entertaining.  The dining room window was centered with wide spacing on each side.  We decided to fill the empty space on either side of the window with wide width drapery and add additional impact with dramatic custom hardware with a mounted height to compliment the decorative molding and window frame.

An exquisite stenciled metallic gold, Damask pattern on gold dupioni silk fabric became the inspiration for the drapery.  The stenciled Damask pattern presented a perfect ages appearance, complementing the antique decor.  The drapery design resembled ball gown elegance with top pleating, with unfettered folds of fabric.  The subtle soft feel of the dupioni silk allowed the pinched pleat folds to slightly pucker and reflect cascades of light.  Long, elegant, fluted custom hardware, with an antique mottled gold finish, balanced the empty space above the window with an ornate bold finial.  To be considerate of the project’s overall expense, without sacrificing quality in design, the wide width panels were softly lined with Napped lining, creating beautiful fullness to just slightly break on the floor.

The installation magnified our vision as the subtle Damask dupioni silk dressed beautifully with the delicate puckers, which captivated the light and perfectly balanced bold dramatic style throughout the room.  Our client was impressed with the blend of elegance with the exquisite shutters, created by the hidden tilt.  The formal dining room window now balances a smooth blend of antique metallic color in perfect harmony with the room’s welcoming decor and should add great ambiance for her next dinner occasion.

We look forward to the opportunity to design drapery as a timeless work of art; considering the home owner’s personality, budget, and lifestyle, while complementing the interior and enhancing the outdoor view.  Visit our website and portfolio at www.CustomDraperyDesigns.net and Custom Drapery Designs/Facebook.

Remember to explore your options and express yourself!

As the new year rolls to full swing, we enjoy taking a moment to reflect on our favorite projects:

Our client’s challenge for this project was to transform an ordinary guest room into an elegant romantic oasis.  The room featured a large queen bed and equally large twin windows.  We worked closely with our client to determine the best color story for the room.  During the work session, the client fell in love with a floral linen fabric which became the inspiration for the bedding.  With the direction we needed, and inspirational fabric in hand, we further developed the design plan for both the bedding and drapery.  To coordinate with the linen floral base fabric, a wide color block silk was chosen as the ruffle bed skirt and Euro shams; with additional fabrics in shades of coral, buff, and sienna as accent pillows.

After completing the bedding ensemble, our goal was to create equal brilliance in blended color and elegant style; making a grand impression to those who visited.   The twin windows were centered on the far wall.   The window’s light control and privacy concern were already addressed with the installation of wood blinds.  

Utilizing a library of drapery books and photos from previous projects, we were able to determine a design to perfectly dress our guest room windows.  With the sketches drawn, we paid careful consideration to the fabric choices, and jewels for the window.  Inverted pleat balloon shades, in buff dupioni silk, were the foundation connecting the two windows as one.   

The balloon shades were an outside mount, full-function design, allowing the guests to have further light control.  To frame the balloon shades, we chose double width panels in color block sienna silk.  Exquisite beaded tassel fringe trimmed the lead edge of the panels.  We decided to mount the panels high to increase the height of the room and maximize the dramatic presence.   Beautiful custom finish hardware in limestone with gold highlights was the perfect choice to enhance the wall color.  Coordinating decorative carved holdbacks in the same finish gently held the panels to a slight break on the floor.  We placed simple rosettes at each pleat for an additional decorative touch.  Gracing the sides of each panel were large tassel tie backs.  The silk fabrics were properly lined and interlined for a full body and graceful fold.

The client was extremely pleased with the finished blend of beautiful color and texture. We added just the right elegance in trim detail.  We created a design for the room which was far greater than she had imagined.  

Drapery panels frame any window style, complement outside landscapes, and express the homeowner’s personality and interior very simply by choosing design elements, i.e. drapery heading, hardware, fabric and linings which are very personal and artfully chosen.

The drapery heading is the finish at the top edge of the drapery panel.  The drapery hardware completes the drapery design; defining as a work of art by incorporating beautiful ornate metals, wood stains, brushed finishes, and modern polished chrome with clear acrylic accents.  Breathtaking fabrics, such as eyelet, embroidery, and incredible texture in silks, linen, velvet, and polyester blends enhance the dramatic impact.  Proper lining is a valuable consideration when designing the custom panel.  Interlining and Napped lining offer the best structure and couture full body for a beautiful finish and long life. 

Custom Drapery Designs has been featuring a series highlighting creative, inspirational headings.  We hope you may find a drapery heading which may inspire your next project. 

I can walk into stores like Home Depot and Target and completely forget my list….. Or need only a few items and purchase so much more. The shopping choices are endless.  When just passing through the front door, the experience becomes breathtakingly overwhelming….in a good way!  When shopping for window coverings, the experience can equally be breathtaking with overwhelming options; such as colors, fabrics, styles, trims, and hardware. 

How does one make a purchase decision considering all of these choices?

We recommend the homeowner first determine their style preference. For example, do they prefer the more classic traditional, modern contemporary, Country French, Western or Mexican style interior? Consider your lifestyle; whether you prefer a formal, informal, or casual living space? 

Discover, as you explore your design preference, by looking through home decor magazines, interior decorating style books, blogs, or the internet. 

When the personal lifestyle preferences are defined then consider the assistance of a professional drapery designer to assist filtering these choices.  Someone who will listen to the client, works with the budget preference, and considers the window’s architecture for the best style recommendation.   

We recommend shopping designer’s websites to find the best personality and experience to fit the homeowner’s needs. Our website is www.CustomDraperyDesigns.net.

Currently, Custom Drapery Designs is featuring different options for the creative drapery panel.  Possibly one particular style highlighted in this series may be the exact look desired.  

Remember to explore your options and express yourself!

The smocked heading is making a comeback in drapery headings, establishing an eloquent, handmade look. Couture quality smocking is hand tacked for precise diamond shaped form. 

For a more casual look, and essentially more affordable, the smocking design is less structured, but just as charming.  The decorative touch of the smocked header is established with pinched pleats stitched at specific points to create the intricate latticework.

The pencil pleat heading is very similar to the smocked drapery.  Uniform, tailored vertical folds identify the classic pencil-pleat heading. This timeless look works with any weight of fabric.

 

Drapery photography provided by Custom Drapery Designs portfolio and Better Homes and Garden’s Window & Wall magazine. 

Are you interested in drapery panels with a more modern, fresh appeal?  The traditional drapery panel is a classic, but what else is there?   Custom Drapery Designs is beginning a new series featuring creative new ideas for drapery panels.  As the series promotes creative pleat styles, consider your own personal style and explore new ideas.

Pleats more commonly used with traditional drapery are the European tuck pleat, French pleat, Goblet pleat, and the traditional pinch pleats.  Classic styles, coupled with beautiful fabrics, and proper linings, are timeless elegance for the wall.

Let’s consider making a few changes.  Here are this month’s featured styles:

The Ballerina Goblet pleat is the traditional Goblet pleat with a twisted self welt cord, or decorative cord trim wrapped as a ballerina’s toe shoe at the neck of the pleat.  This ornate detail adds an unexpected twist with elegant appeal.  Another custom feature would be to simply add a covered button to the stem of the Goblet pleat.

The Scrunch header is a variation of the European tuck pleat with scrunched fabric dressed as a small swag effect between each pleat.  This can be designed with a monocromatic single fabric or with complementary fabrics which feature the beautiful scrunch swag just below the pleating. 

The Fold-over header is a narrow valance attached to the top pinch pleating.  The valance pulls away slightly for an added dramatic presence and looks fantastic when additional custom features are added, such as a petite decorative cord or tassel trim, to complete the design detail.

The desired finished look can be easily influenced by the drapery pleat or header while incorporating beautiful custom touches such as custom finished hardware and elegant decorative trim details.  Additionally, the drapery’s width, choosing one width, 1 ½ width or wider, provides additional impact.  

Explore your options and express yourself!

Look for more great ideas as our drapery pleat series continues….. 

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.

I often spend my quiet time sifting through fashion magazines, seeking inspiration and creative direction. Apparel fashion and drapery fashion have a lot in common. Both feature ornamentation and structure.And both are both influenced by color and fabric trends from the simple to very ornate, like fur accents, ruffles and pleating, suede and leather, zippers and grommets!

I recently enjoyed thumbing through the pages of the September issue of InStyle magazine and noticed again just how much drapery design resembles fashion design.Fashion is always new, fresh, and inventive.As if fashion has a personality all its own; free spirited, uninhibited, and confident.As I focus on the most current looks in drapery design (because it is my job to be current), I am impressed by the wonderful influences and endless similarities between drapery and fashion design.

Here are some drapery trends you may recognize from the pages of your favorite fashion magazine:

• Color! Expect to see color- bright, fun and intense.Saturated pinks mixed with a range of greens, inspired neutrals, earth tones in taupes and yellows, grays, charcoals, graphite, warm ivories and straw.Traditional color trends continue to regain strength such as shades of blue, black and white.
• Texture is exploding with subtle options such as crewel in linens and silks, and now velvets!Textured basket-weave and open-weave cottons and linens; brilliant color with large crewel damask patterns; graphic jacquards with a variety of textures; and sheers embellished with pearls, sequins, and beautiful embroideries.
• Structure is crisp, sculptural detail, tailored, and balanced.Create structure with gorgeous custom finish hardware, textured sheers, and wide-width panels featuring decorative pleat styles such as French pleat, Goblet pleat, European tuck pleat, traditional pinch pleat, pencil pleat, and box pleat, just to name a few.The ideas are endless for creative tailored pleat styles!The right lining for your drapery is critical to the construction of building custom panels. Proper lining adds volume and softness, protects the fabrics from the elements and supports the design’s structure.
• Ornate features are what create the couture quality of custom drapery.Hand-sewn beads, obscure details and hand-stitched work add character to a drapery panel. Beaded fringe, pearls and sequined fabrics; textured silks or sheer overlays with tiny self-welt details; spliced fabrics with trim accents; tiny covered buttons; French pleats; tassels and trims; ornate custom iron or wood-carved hardware…..this speaks custom, unique and very personal.
• Draping creates shadows that play with light and enhance the fabric’s subtle beauty.In today’s fashions you will find deep v-neck blouses and draped skirts.Pleated, gathered and ruffled silks, wools, and brushed flannel flow with such beauty.It is this beauty and natural flow of fabric which has drawn me to love working with fabrics.

I am loaded with exciting ideas influenced by this Fall’s fashions. My mind is teeming with images of color combinations and inspirational style. Trends aside, what I find to be most important when considering custom window design is this; express your style through timeless beauty, high-quality, perfect balance, custom details, a subtle blend of color and texture, and most of all…express yourself!