Power to the People

It is amazing what technology has done to change our lives! Now, mentally I do not consider myself "old" (checking the calendar - the reality might be a "sort of"). But it wasn't so long ago that I did not have a phone with me whenever I left the house. Now, like most people, I feel naked if I am without that 2 3/4" x 5 1/2" lifeline. Why is that? We survived quite well for years without being constantly attached...

One of the incredible things these little technology wonders now have the capability of doing is to control our window treatments! Always the innovator, Hunter Douglas has designed an app can allow the homeowner the ability to manage their PowerView motorized window shades right from their smart phone or tablet. Providing you with energy savings, security and convenience whether you are at home - or not!

I've seen an uptick in the requests for motorization over the past few years. You can motorize just about any type of window treatment. Often, customers request motorizing to control window treatments that are difficult to reach...

The center drapery in this room is set up and far back, making it virtually impossible to open and close unless you climbed onto a ladder each time. While the homeowner was able to operate the very tall drapery flanking the center manually, they opted to motorize the center to control the light and privacy in their large family room.

 

This customer chose to motorize their two walls of Luminettes by Hunter Douglas in their living room. Not because it was difficult to reach, but strictly as a convenience. I have found not only the younger, tech savvy homeowner is opting to motorize their window treatments, but the older consumer as well. It makes their lives easier and eliminates the "heavy lifting" of treatments that may take some physical strength or flexibility to move. This was the case with one of my customers recently - an older couple needed to control the light in their great room, yet both were incapacitated and confined to large recliners during the day. Motorization gave them the flexibility to control the glare off the television and give them privacy when needed. 

 

Predicted to grow exponentially over the next several years, motorization is no longer just the big boy toy. With the emphasis on child and pet safety, motorization has become a very viable alternative. Like the price of big screen TV's, we have seen the cost of motorizing our window treatments drop from being an unattainable luxury to an option to be considered for any room in your home. The power is in your hands!

Let the Sun Shine In

Over the past few years I have seen a resurgence in drapery. By the way, drapery is the correct term, not drapes - "drapes" is a verb not a noun. But I digress. I'm so glad to see drapery as a current trend! Not only are you providing wonderful insulation against cold and heat, but it affords you the opportunity to show off some beautiful fabrics that can pull a room together with color and/or pattern.

I recently completed a job for one of my favorite clients - she and her husband built a lovely home that backs to a country club golf course. They enjoy a fabulous view from the two story great room and from their master bedroom. Which is great, most of the time. When they moved in, we installed Hunter Douglas Alustra Silhouettes with PowerView motorization. The Brio pattern is the prettiest pattern offered in Silhouettes and we used it in different colorways throughout their first floor.

Except that still left the master bedroom upper specialty shaped windows uncovered. Not great for those weekend mornings when you want to sleep in! When Lynn and I met to discuss this challenge, we both agreed that keeping as much of the window open when they were up and around was important - they didn't want to lose that fabulous view! Contributing to that challenge was the slope of the ceiling. We couldn't bring any kind of drapery rod far out from the window because of the angle of that ceiling.

Our answer: ripplefold drapery! Unlike traditional pleats, ripplefold drapery allows for a tighter stackback so more of the glass can be cleared. It's a simpler, more contemporary look that is used frequently in urban lofts, but translates well to a transitional style like Lynn's.

 

With the tight amount of space available for the drapery when opened, the ripplefold stack allowed most of

the glass to still be visible.

 

When closed, the strong light that pours in on sunny days is no longer streaming directly at those trying to sleep.

 

The luxurious deep folds sit under the custom Designer Metal Ripplefold Rod, because the ripplefold system is a snap tape system that allows for maximum stackback. With a ripplefold drapery, you can also reduce fullness to give even more clearance or increase fullness for a sheer fabric.

 

This style has quickly become one of my favorite recommendations - it brings Grandma's draperies into 2017. It's about time, don't you think?

When Pricey is (K)not a Good Idea

This is the end result of a master bedroom we just completed for a retired couple in Barrington. My photography doesn't do it justice - it's better in person! The wife really wanted green to be her main color in the room, despite the protests of her husband! So to keep them both satisfied, the green could not be too pastel. Nor did they want it too dark. If you've searched for green fabrics recently, you know they currently are not easy to find. Originally, we did find three beautiful choices all within one book. The drapery fabric we chose is Robert Allen Ponderosa Pine/Fountain (and also used in an accent pillow).

Ponderosa Pine/Fountain by Robert Allen

We chose to use the light fabric at the window, over the newly installed wood blinds, to keep the windows light and bright, while using more of the green on the bedspread. More practical, plus more impact visually.

Kilties/Fountain by Robert Allen

Kilties/Fountain is used in two other accent pillows. The customer wanted a throw bedspread, so there were several yards of fabric involved.

Her first choice was:

Knot Along/Dew by Robert Allen

Knot Along/Dew out of the same Robert Allen Color Library book. Beautiful fabric - except for two major challenges - 1. it is 85% linen making it a costly choice and 2. it is 85% linen making it a very wrinkled choice for a bedspread!

I liked the idea of a tack quilting for a fabric of this type, but I needed a more user-friendly and a more budget-friendly choice. 

Using a basic cotton duck from Carole Fabrics (Daydreamer/Chambray) and using a tie tack quilting in a white of the same pattern (Daydreamer/White), we achieved a look that was similar but of a better scale than the original choice. 100% cotton will perform beautifully in both looks and wear and we were able to stay within budget! 

And, both wife AND husband were happy!

"Once You've Gone Custom..."

"You'll never go back."

I heard this declaration many years ago, when I was just starting my interior decorating career. And it's true! After you've seen and felt the real thing, the off the shelf stuff is just a poor imitation.

Why?

Breaking it into 3 main reasons:

1. Choice
There are certainly more options out there with online shopping, but with custom - the world is your oyster! I carry 1000's of fabrics right in my van with access to 1000's more. Any shape, length, width or configuration is yours if it is physically possible!

2. Quality
Double turned hems on a drapery give it weight and substance. Two and one half times fullness minimum gives you a luxurious richness that will cover your window with dramatic folds that play to the light. Ready made drapery won't offer you anything close to that.

3. Finish
With a quality drapery, you always need a quality installation! A professional with the proper tools and a keen eye that can install the rods at the proper height, dress the fabric to make it look camera ready and allow you not to have to break a sweat is worth every penny and more! Your window treatments will be with you for many years to come, why not have them look their best?

I recently completed a job for the front window of a fabulously popular restaurant in downtown Barrington. The interior is cozy and warm, with a bit of a Tuscan flair. The owner had originally installed ready made drapery panels that he purchased as a temporary fix from a popular home furnishings chain. Unfortunately, the rod sagged, the panels dragged, the white lining streetside did nothing to add to the first impression of the eatery and the panels themselves were constantly being pulled and played with by the children of the restaurant patrons.

Looks like their laundry is hanging in the window!

When the restaurant owner called Eddie Z's, we worked with him and determined how to give him a better version of the same look. Chocolate brown velvet, this one from RM Coco, still was a great choice as the drapery fabric, but pleating the drapery allowed us to board mount and secured tiebacks keep busy little hands from undoing the beautiful folds. The custom length sits just above the sill and a chocolate brown drapery lining from Carole Fabrics makes the drapery look as appetizing from the outside as it does inside. All in all, a delicious design!

Nice and subtle - blends right in!

Think about making a design reservation for your custom look - you'll be glad you did!