In The Studio~The Details Of A Custom Window Treatment

Posted on November 18, 2011 | 2 Comments

“To create something exceptional, your mindset must be relentlessly focused on the smallest detail.”

Giorgio Armani

The materials-A jewel tone stripe with a golden damask over weave from RM Coco and a decorative gimp for the finishing details.

RM Coco is one of my preferred vendors. I have their complete library in my studio.

A quality custom window treatment will have the edges perfectly finished. In our workroom we add self covered micro cord for a clean and professional looking edge.

At a mere 3/8" wide, this decorative trim, also know as gimp, is the finishing touch to this couture window treatment. Gimp is from Trend Fabrics. This one treatment requires 18 yards of trimming.

Trend has an extensive selection of braids and trimmings.  This gimp is available in a variety of colors.

Decorative trim enhances the edges and highlights the colors in the fabric.

A pair of cascades, the pleated sides of a window treatment, are perfect mirror images of one another. Following the same pattern is essential for custom. The pleats highlight various stripes of the pattern for variety.

Components of a custom window treatment are constructed separately. These pieces are waiting to be artfully pleated, folded and pressed into the finished design.

Centering the fabric pattern is pleasing to the eye and enhances the overall design.

Are you ready to bring some design details into your rooms? Contact me today to begin transforming your house into a home you love to live in.

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Posted in Design Details, In the Studio

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There Won’t Be A Regular Blog Post Today~Window Fashion VISION Has Arrived!

Posted on November 15, 2011 | Leave a comment
Window Fashion VISION

There will be no regular blog post today. Window Fashion VISION arrived in the mail! Coffee break is defiantly going to be longer than usual. Delving through the latest trends, design, details, fashion and inspiration may take the entire afternoon.

Do you have a VISION for your windows? Contact me today to begin transforming your house into the home you love to live in.

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Posted in A Few of My Favorite Things

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Custom Pillows~The Essential Accessory To Home Decor

Posted on November 14, 2011 | Leave a comment

Sharing a few  favorite pillows I’ve made.  All are unique,one of a kind custom pieces of art.

Pillows in all shapes and sizes

Pillows for a sectional sofa

Color block pillows

Exquisite Custom Made Pillows

Pillow made from antique crazy quilt

Tween Dream Pillows

Multi Fabric Pillow for Back of Chaise

European Shams and Decorative Throw Pillows

Tailored Bed Pillows and Throw Pillows

Daybed with Ruffled Pillows and Bolsters

Extra Large Sofa and Floor Pillows From a Collage of Fabrics

A mixture of fabrics and trims create this rich pillow collection

Each pillow is unique with its own personality

Twisted pleats, gathers, scallop fringe, decorative cord, tassel trim, rosettes and brush fringe are just a few of the details that make these pillows "Jewelry of Decorating"

If you need help and your decorating brain has gone to fluff, pillow fluff that is, then contact me and I’ll create just the right pillows for your room. Yes!…….you can have them for the holidays too!  Oh and they make a FABULOUS gift for the person who has everything.  Let’s have some pillow talk!

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Pillows, Pillows and Pillows

Posted on November 11, 2011 | Leave a comment
Pillows, Pillows, Pillows

Let's talk pillows. How do you use them in your home?

How many pillows do you have in your home? (No, I’m not talking bed pillows here)

Where are they?

What sizes and shapes do you have?

What’s your favorite decorative pillow?

What’s on the inside, the fill?

When was the last time you cleaned your pillows?

Do you even know how to clean them?

How do you use your pillows?  Are they just pretty to look at or do they serve a purpose?

I’m working on an article about pillows.  I have lots of great photos of these home decor jewels to share.

I really want to hear from YOU!  How do pillows play a part in YOUR home? Please leave a comment below.

If you need help and your decorating brain has gone to fluff, pillow fluff that is, then contact me and we’ll create just the right pillows for your room. Yes!…….you can have them for the holidays too!  Oh and they make a FABULOUS gift for the person who has everything.  Let’s have some pillow talk!

Pillows in every size and shape to move around for your comfort.

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The Iconic Scalamandré Zebra

Posted on October 27, 2011 | 1 Comment

Every Fabric Has A Story

Earlier this month I attended Design Boston 2011 at the Boston Design Center. Between all the inspiring speakers, I was snapping pictures left and right since all the showrooms had the best of the best displayed.

Scalamandré Wallpaper and Umbrella

Vignette in the Scalamandré showroom at the Boston Design Center

The Scalamandré showroom caught my attention with this bold art deco wall-covering of zebras and arrows.  I love the playfullness of the motif and the tension the color combinations bring.  Not to mention, zebras are my daughter’s favorite animal. (I brought her home a mouse pad with this pattern on it that was in my goodie bag). Yes, even designers get goodie bags when they go to design parties!

Scalamandré Zebra Umbrella

Zebras and Arrows dance across this Scalamandré umbrella

Researching the design for this blog post has taken most of this rainy/snowy New England afternoon.  What a story this is!

The wall-covering was originally designed by Flora Scalamandré in the 1940′s for Gino’s Restaurant in New York City.  A kitchen fire destroyed the wall-covering in the 1980′s forcing a re-release of  the classic design.  In haste to reopen the restaurant, the new wall-covering was put up despite one tiny flaw.  One of the printing screens left out a stripe on the baby zebras hind side, making it look like it’s pants were falling down.

The New York establishment became an American tradition frequented by celebrities.  The tradition ended in the closing of the restaurant in 2010 but the iconic zebra lives on.

Now don’t zoom in on these pictures looking for the missing stripe.  The pattern was reproduced again in 2007 with the missing stripe back in the proper place. There’s a little controversy over leaving the mishap in the pattern or correcting it.  What do you think?

Scalamandré has continued the popularity of their iconic zebra pattern by producing wall-covering, fabric, umbrellas, tote bags and even mouse pads.

Would you like to have some zebra fun in your home?  How fun would this paper be for a powder room, one wall of a child’s playroom or a few pillows for the sofa?

Contact me today to begin transforming your house into a home you love to live in.

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Posted in Favorite Fabrics

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