Category Archives: Rooms

Room of the Week-Into the Garden

Springtime all year round

Garden Room

This garden room brings the outside in for a whole year of enjoyment. The custom window treatments are draped open swags that seem to float across the tops of the windows like a soft cloud floating by. Hunter Douglas Country Wood blinds in white provide sun, privacy and energy control while preserving the view. Chair cushions, placemats and napkins are the finishing customized details.

Spring flowers may be slow in blooming but this Holden, Massachusetts home has a room to enjoy the garden all year round.  The client picked up the wrought iron garden set at an auction, had it sandblasted and refinished in a beautiful verdi gris.  Plush custom-made cushions make it comfortable. The walls are reverse stenciled with a leaf motif.  A dark green area rug with scrolling leaves anchors the room.

What do you think of this room?

Would you like to have a room like this in your home for your family to enjoy 365 days a year?  Contact me to begin making your house the home of your dreams.

Elegant Arch Top Window

Custom made elegant swags and panels dress this arched top window for a home office/library in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.  A few weeks ago I wrote about this project In The Studio.  The yardage and rendering have become a reality.

Elegant Arch Top Window Treatment

Elegant Arch Top Window Treatment

Take a look at what this window looked like before.

Arched swags

Swags are shaped to the arch top window drip with glass beads and feature jabot in the center finished with a large tassel.

Tassel

A full tassel hangs from the center jabot

The glass beads on the swag shimmer in the light

The glass beads on the swag shimmer in the light

Arch swag meets panels

Detail showing how the arched swag hangs over the stationary side panel.

Here is the rendering I showed my client so she could see how the design was going to look in her room.

Rendering of arched window

Rendering of approved design with specification details

Looks pretty close doesn’t it?

What do you think about this custom window treatment?

When you are ready to make your house a home with beautiful custom window treatments please contact me.

Room of the Week ~ Irish Heritage

Pour yourself an Irish coffee and we’ll play a round of cards. Best of Luck!

A game table and window seat provide extra seating in this Worcester, MA dining room.

Irish Heritage

Game table area with silk taffeta relaxed Roman shades, tapestry window seat and custom area rug to reflect the client's heritage

Custom Area Rug

A one of a kind custom area rug was designed to reflect the client's Irish heritage. A simple choice of coordinating carpeting material made into the area rug design make this a very affordable luxury.

Window Seat

Window seat with tapestry cushion and silk down filled accent pillows. The bay is treated with stationary relaxed Roman shades that pick up the colors of the stained glass artwork.

Silk taffeta relaxed Roman shades that are lined and interlined have soft and bunchy folds at the bottom. Glass bead trimming catches the sunlight.

Contact me today to transform your house into the home of your dreams.

8 ½ Steps to a Romantic Bedroom

Note-I wrote this article for my Ezine a few years ago.  I have reprinted it each year since, because we all need a little reminder to keep the love alive.   If you would like to copy it would you please show me some love and link it back to me for credit?

XOXO,

Marie

Happy Valentine’s Day

The bedroom is the most important room to a romantic couple.  It is your own little sanctuary away from family and work demands.  Your bedroom should be calm, clean and uncluttered.  The decorations set the stage for the mood of the room.  Paying attention to some simple details will transform your room from just a place to sleep to a lush romantic getaway.

  • 1. Get rid of the clutter. A cluttered room makes for a cluttered mind. Eliminate the distraction of bills, laundry and kids toys.  Pack away everything that does not say “love” into boxes and put them someplace else in the house.  (Under the bed works fine too.)
  • 2. Make an inviting bed.Invest in the best mattress that your budget allows.  You spend 1/3 of your life in bed; you might as well be comfortable.  Splurge a little on your bed linens.  Sheets that are worn and scratchy are just going to be irritating.  I like cotton flannel to keep us warm in winter and luxurious cotton sateen for summer.  Add a down filled or fluffy fiber filled comforter for an inviting look.

    Romantic Bedding

    Romantic bedding with lots of pillows and a custom throw

  • 3. Pillow talk. In addition to your sleeping pillows, add lots of throw pillows in various shapes and sizes.  Use luxurious and sensual fabrics.  Pillows create the romantic ambiance of a bed that you just can’t wait to jump into.
  • 4. Candle light. Place lots of candles around your room. Use different sizes and colors.  Be sure they are in a safe and fireproof place.  Light them all, turn off the lights and feel the warmth and sensuality of flickering light.
  • 5. Something pretty to look at.Flowers are nature’s gift of romance.  A few simple flowers will brighten up any room.  Float rose petals in a glass bowl.  Keep the decorations simple but meaningful.  Dig out the valentines you gave each other in the past, frame a picture of the two of you when you were first dating, add anything that has special meaning to both of you.

    LOVE Flowers

    I saw these flower over on Design Sponge. Click on the photo for a closer look.

  • 6. Heavenly scents. Entice even your nose in the bedroom.  Studies show that vanilla is the most appealing scent to both men and women.  Burn scented candles, put out a bowl of potpourri, lightly spray the sheets with your favorite perfume.
  • 7. The sound of music. Do you have a special song?  What played at your wedding?  Special music will trigger happy memories. Make a play list on your ipod and plug it into speakers.  A favorite CD you both like will work too.  No radio stations with interrupting commercials.
  • 8. In case you get hungry.Bring in a tray of plump juicy strawberries, smooth dark chocolate and tickling bubbly champagne.  In addition to how yummy they taste, the colors, shapes and textures are beautiful to look at too.

    Romantic Pink Cupcakes

    Even cupcakes can be romantic. My daughter Amy made these.

  • ½. You. The most important thing you can do for your partner is take care of yourself.  Get plenty of rest (just not tonight with this romantic bedroom you’re creating!), eat healthy foods, get some exercise and spend time enjoying what you love to do.  I have given you all the necessary steps to decorate your room for romance.  Now go find your other half!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

When it’s time for you to transform your house into a home you love,        contact me.

Copyright 2012 Window Designs etc. by Marie Mouradian


Window Treatment Wednesday-Cornices, Swags, Decorative Hardware, Luminettes and Silhouettes

Upholstered box cornices top a four panel slider and three windows in this open floor plan family room in Sutton, MA.  Draped swags soften the straight and hard lines of the cornices.  Decorative iron rosettes complete the corner details of the swags.

Living Room from above

Looking down on the Family Room from the second floor loft.

Hunter Douglas Silhouettes on the windows provide privacy and sun control.  A simple wave of the remote control raises and lowers these battery operated horizontal shadings.

Cornices, swags and Silhouette

Remote control Hunter Douglas Silhouettes topped with a swag draped cornice.

Hunter Douglas Luminettes on the slider provide privacy, sun control and a warm softness to all the glass.  One touch of the wall switch rotates the vanes and traverses these vertical sheers.  The Luminettes are powered by direct current.

Luminette, Silhouette and CorniceFamily Room slider and one window

If  you would like to transform your house into a home you love, contact Marie.