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?

It's Deja Vu All Over Again

This is a kitchen I designed for my client, Holly, probably 20 years ago. The wallpaper, the florals and the balloon shades probably give the time period away. But, look at the colors - rose and blue.

So, it with no further ado that I share Pantone's Colors of the Year for 2016:

Wow! 20 years later - they are back! And why not? Rose Quartz and Serenity. They are soothing, comfortable, soft hues that evoke a sense of calm in these turbulent times. And in our "keep it until it rots" Midwestern sensibility, these colors are sure to be quickly embraced. Chances are, many of the accessories that worked with this color scheme 20 years ago are still in use! 

In the case of Holly's kitchen, (did I forget to mention the windows flanking the slider have rose pleated shades under the valance?), how could we update the look to bring it into 2016? If the wallcovering were staying, changing out the handles on the cherry cabinets and installing new light fixtures would be an inexpensive update. Removing the original window treatments and installing a neutral Duette Architella Honeycomb Shade by Hunter Douglas on the small windows with a coordinating Vertiglide on the slider would keep the softness and allow the room to open to the outside. I'd replace that balloon with a much simpler treatment and push it all the way to the ceiling to further open the expanse of glass. Possibly a stripe or even a banded solid would be a good choice. And instead of the laminated tablecloth (she had little children at the time, kept the table practical), I might coordinate custom chair pads with the top treatment and use placemats instead.  

So, if you find yourself looking at home decor or women's clothing in the next year and start to feel like you've done this before - chances are, you have!

Nailed It On The Head!

Nailheads are hot! Furniture for sure. Headboards? You bet! (Eddie Z's does custom headboards!)

But why not take them a step further? This cornice is topping a Hunter Douglas Powerrise Alustra Silhouette in my customer's craft room. She was looking for something different with a little bit of whimsy. We found just the ticket!

Using a pebble grained faux leather from Trend Fabrics and a square nailhead that we angled to turn them into diamonds, we turned a simple shaped cornice into something special. So cute!

There are so many options available with nailheads - size, shape, finish - use it as a border - or why not as a unique design in the middle of a cornice? Maybe an initial?

This creates a truly one of a kind treatment that doesn't add much to the bottom line, but adds a huge amount to the impact in the room. A cornice with nailheads could work in an office, a child's room, a family room or even a craft room (as seen above). As a side note, Eddie Z's is completing the craft room above with custom storage from our closet division, so this room will not only look fabulous, but  also function beautifully!

TransFIXING Transoms!

I've been working with people for many years covering their windows, but there is one kind of window all are reluctant to cover at all. TRANSOMS! That window above the window that you paid a little extra for. It brings an added architectural detail to a room and lets extra light in without (usually) affecting privacy.

Normally, I will accomodate the customer's wishes. Sometimes, if it's a patio door with the transom above, we cannot because there is nowhere to put a center support for the treatment below. But look at the windows in the photo of this two story family room. We installed gorgeous Hunter Douglas Vignette Modern Roman Shades in the Etched pattern on the lower windows only, leaving the transoms open. The Stoneware colorway was perfect for her contemporary room with lots of gray. It looks beautiful!



Except......the light coming in from the transoms (and the upper windows) causes tremendous glare in the room, making the television and anyone sitting across from you difficult to see. Because you can't lengthen the Vignettes  (you can only start from scratch), we needed a different solution.

Easy solution for the upper windows - we are installing the same Vignettes in the Etched/Stoneware pattern but adding the Powerrise feature, so they can open and shut them with the push of a button! Next step is the transoms. We will be tinting them in the spring, which will not only aid in reducing the glare, but also the fading of her beautiful new furniture and dark wood floors.

Sometimes getting what you want, like open transoms, can bring about challenges! Fortunately, we can find a solution!

Chicken Marsala Sounds Good for Dinner!

Pantone announced its' Color of the Year for 2015 last week as Marsala.

In a company press release, Pantone described the color as “a naturally robust and earthy wine red.” While last year’s Color of the Year, Radiant Orchid, “encouraged creativity and innovation, Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

   Courtesy of Pantone

 

“Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors.”

 

Great fall choice for nail polish, and my husband makes a great chicken marsala, but I'm still wrapping my head around seeing that color in interior design.

 

Wait! Is it just me or do you see a deeper, richer version of MAUVE

in the color of the year? What's old is new again!

 

 

It's Limbo Time!

So, you've decided to add draperies to your room as the crowning jewel to cap off your beautifully designed living room, dining room or whatever room. You're making a wise move! Not only will they complete the look of your windows, but you will have the added benefit of giving an extra bit of insulation on the outside edges of the window. You'll be stopping that early winter chill from leaking into your room!

The question becomes: how low do you go?

Are your draperies going to traverse? Unless you want them to do dual duty and sweep your floors as well, they will need to hang off of the floor. 1/4" to 1/2" is generally a good length - they will be able to move freely yet still maintain the luxurious, long look.

Are they just side panels? This gives you a few more options. If you have pets, you may still want to hang above the floor for easier cleaning. If not, there are 3 other ways you can go:
 

Brushing - the hem of your drapery just touches the floor. This also has the built-in benefit of keeping your beautifully dressed panels in place.

Breaking - 1" to 2" touching the floor. Think of the way a man's pant hits his shoe.

Puddling - as much as 12" on the floor. This was a popular look in the 90's when "more is more" ruled. Great spot for your kitten or puppy to cuddle up! Also needs to be restyled whenever you vacuum.

Think about how you want the room to feel. There are no real rules other than the more length, the more formal your window will feel. Family room casual or holiday only dining room formal, you won't go wrong by going down to the ground!



There are more than 50 Shades of Grey

I'm looking outside my office window right now and at first glance, I see a very grey and gloomy day. But looking further, I notice how it makes the fall colors just POP! The greens that are still hanging on, the yellows and golds, and the reds and oranges!

Whether the racy book prompted the trend or just that it is time in the cycle, but grey in home decor is everywhere! Whether it's walls or furniture or windows - grey has become the new neutral, (finally!) overtaking the beiges in popularity.

And just like nature, grey can be a backdrop to a bright splash of color in your home.

 

Personal note: this is a treatment I did for a customer about 18 years ago. I recently caught up with her to finish an adjoining room and was thrilled to find this looking great after all this time. Grey is still very much in vogue and looks elegant against a black backdrop with just a punch of red.

 

  Abdendriel/Citrine from Robert Allen

 

Yellow makes a terrific combo with cool greys, warming a color that can be considered cold and unflattering. This is a pairing found in the spring and fall collections of our fabric lines. And you can even update one of those beiged-out rooms by adding grey. The neutral and neutral combination of grey and beige is stylish and sophisticated and a great way to update without starting from scratch!



Look beyond the grey skies and see the color that emerges from that backdrop!

She's Got Legs...

To quote ZZ Top "she knows how to use them". What does this mean when you're talking about window treatments? Most windows end somewhat short of the floor, generally 24" or more. You can treat the window itself with some kind of hard treatment, like a Duette or a Silhouette, and that's great, but stand back and take a look. Why does it feel like something is missing? Because it is like a body cut off at the knees, or worse yet, at the hips! It needs legs!

This was a very formal space with very deep windows. The customer wanted a simple roller shade for privacy. But the room would never have been complete without the addition of the faux silk drapery panels (and the marvelous pagoda style cornices to complete the oriental theme). Not only did the drapery panels add softness to a room with many hard surfaces - think about a typical dining room - lots of wood in there! - but it gave that much needed vertical line to offset the chair rail that cuts the room into two pieces.

As simple as this sheer treatment is, the "legs" that reach to the floor, give weight and more importance to a rather nondescript window in this dining room. Yet, because of the choice of the sheer rather than a heavier, lined drapery, the window still feels light and airy. Simple or ornate, framing your window with drapery panels completes not only the window, but the entire room.

Morale of the story... stretch your "legs" and your windows will be in much better shape!

Color Your World - 2013 Style

Color trends are a fascinating study into the psyche of America and the world. As I have spoken of previously, the Color Marketing Group determines what will be hot and what will not based on world politics, social trends, ecology and even entertainment.

What we are beginning to see and what will be emerging in the next year are pastels. Soft, not in your face, can be used as a neutral, pastels. Benjamin Moore has announced its color of the year for 2013 is Lemon Sorbet - http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/color-of-the-year-2013.

Take a look at some of the new fall fabrics. Yellow, which you could not find for many years unless you were looking at children's fabrics, is back! We're seeing this soft as butter yellow paired in fabrics with grey - which is not the stuff of baby nurseries! Instead, this touch of sunlight warms the cool, sophisticated grey tones that are replacing all the browns we've been seeing these past few years. A sense of optimism and simplicity permeates these new tones. You feel warmth and comfort just stepping into the room below! And after the turmoil we've been through as a nation with the economy in recession - it's nice to see that things are now looking up!     

              

Room by Benjamin Moore



Baubles, Bangles and Beads, Oh My!

I've been thinking filing a post about baubles, bangles and beads as part of contemporary design for a while now. So when I walked into a customer's home this past week to help her complete her newly redecorated space, I found myself truly inspired!

http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod691015&cm_ps=modal_add_to_cart-_-none-_-other_items_you_may_like&categoryId=cat1701013

This chandelier has such a sense of fun - the ornate, very traditional crystals combined with the contemporary rustic orb - I love it!

Which is my point - you don't need to be Queen Victoria to add a touch of elegance to your decor - it doesn't need to be much - just some trim on a pillow or a lampshade or the bottom of a cornice is all you need to bring some bling to your space! Women accessorize their clothing by adding earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets. They do so much to complete and complement the look. They boost self-esteem because you just know you look great! Think of your decor in the same way. Without the right accessories, the room feels incomplete. Plants, artwork and tablescapes are just the beginning. Take it to another level by layering trim onto your windows.

This is part of the Beaded Accents Collection available through Eddie Z's. Options galore to add a bit of sparkle to your window, pillows or bedding and give it that truly custom look. The cost to add these little extras is not prohibitive and will give your window or the entire room that WOW that catches every guest's eye and the finishing touch that makes you feel fabulous!

Ikat Anyone?

Ikat - you're seeing it everywhere, in women's fashion and home fashion. Where is this trend coming from and what is ikat anyway? Ikat is defined as a dyeing technique used to pattern textiles that employs a resist dyeing process similar to tie-dye (and who among you hasn't tried tie-dying a t-shirt?) on either the warp or weft fibers. We've seen it before - maybe that's why I get the "I feel like I've stepped back into the seventies" reaction from many customers when I present them with an ikat pattern as an option for their room. This trend is a way of reaching back to an earlier, simpler decade, yet giving a nod to the more complex, global culture that is today's world.

The fabric above is Ikat Fret in the Mango colorway from Robert Allen. Besides the striking pattern, it gives us that wonderful punch of the orange that is currently so popular. This fabric would be a pop of color in pillows or a fabulous graphic statement in side panels in a casual room like a family room. We've so "overbrowned" ourselves - from the chocolates, to the taupes to the beiges - that a bit of bright and bold - even in small doses - works to bring a room to life.

Don't be afraid of patterns like ikats - they make a room, and the people in it - feel happy!