Tag Archives: Massachusetts

Room of the Week ~ Cozy Oasis

Posted on January 26, 2012 | 1 Comment

Cozy up with a cup of tea as you armchair travel to exotic places 

A place to sit, read, dream and reflect

This anti room off a formal living room was designed as a garden room with three walls of windows and a tile floor.  The Worcester Massachusetts homeowner wanted a warmer feel for quiet conversation and reading.

The window treatments are mock relaxed Roman shades.  The bottom swoop makes them more relaxed than straight fold Romans.  The shades are stationary so they are more like valances.  The fabric is a rich chocolate-brown dupioni silk.

A Hunter Douglas Silhouette window shading protects the furnishings from harmful UV rays while still letting in the light.

The room gets its pop of color from the love seat that is reupholstered in the warm fiery shade of Tangerine Tango.  Down filled pillows of the window treatment fabric are trimmed in black brush fringe to pull the room together.

What do you think of this room?

Where would your armchair adventures take you?

Contact me to begin transforming your house into the oasis of your dreams.
 

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Posted in Rooms, Specialty Rooms, Window Treatments

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In The Studio~Madelyn Valance Accented In Tangerine Tango

Posted on December 13, 2011 | 2 Comments

Madelyn Valance Ready To Be Installed

On the work table-Dust board covered in matching fabric.

Unless decorative hardware is used, most custom window treatments are mounted onto a dust board that is attached to the wall.  I believe every aspect of a window treatment should be custom so I cover the board with matching fabric.

Yes, I am that particular about the details and hey you never know who might be peeking to see how your gorgeous new window treatments are installed!

Four button detail

In order for this style to stretch the entire width of the window a seam is required.  A false placket and buttons hide the seam and become a design detail.  Notice how the pattern matches up perfectly.

The print fabric is a linen and rayon blend from RM Coco , one of my preferred vendors. I have their complete library in my studio.

A jabot is flipped back to show the accent fabric.

Printed fabric is always more interesting combined with a coordinating  fabric that highlights one of the colors in the main fabric.  This classic custom window treatment adds a touch of the stylish Tangerine Tango~Pantone color of the year for 2012.

Micro cord in the accent fabric finish all the edges~another custom design attention to detail. The accent fabric is from Trend it’s available in a variety of colors.

Completed custom Madelyn valances are hung in the studio awaiting installation.

Valances are hung in my studio with special under mount clamps before installation so I can inspect them to be sure everything is just right.  Note-I have placed the treatments in the opposite position they will be installed, the longer cascades will be towards the ends not the middle.

If these custom treatments look this good in my studio, can you just imagine how stunning they will look hanging in your home?  Maybe I’ll reveal that in tomorrow’s post!

Are you ready to bring some Tangerine Tango into your rooms?

Leave a comment or shoot me an email and I’ll show you how to transform your house into a home you will love in 2012.

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Posted in Design Details, In the Studio

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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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Field Trip ~ Soho Arts Co. – Artful Living And Giving in Hyannis, MA

Posted on August 17, 2011 | Leave a comment

Window Shopping on Vacation

What does one do when at the beach and it is raining?……Go shopping of course!  Betsy Young, owner of the Soho Arts Co., has a keen eye on taste and all things unique.  Here are a few things on my wish list.

A fun frame

This cute frame is such a fun use for left over fabric. These rosettes are reminiscent of my grandmother's yo yo quilt. Remember those? How cute is the name of the company too?

Cotton rugs

They stock a vast selection of cotton rugs that would be great on tile or hardwood. The stripes are so summery.

Nautical knobs

Soho Arts Co. carries so many unique knobs and pulls that would make accessorize any piece of furniture for the beach cottage.

Sand Dollar pull

This sand dollar knob would work especially well on cottage white kitchen cabinets.

Beach shadow boxes

My daughter and I were inspired by these beach shadow boxes. What a creative way to display the treasures found on the beach. We are always in search of sea glass and heart rocks. This may be a project I tackle with all the free time i am going to have when she leaves for college!

Scarfs

A full array of colorful scarfs creatively displayed at Soho Arts Co.. Draped over a pine table or around the waist of a plain dress, these are sure to add a punch of color and style. My decorator eye sees these made into simple café curtains in a cottage bedroom. They would give just enough privacy and you could watch them blow in the breeze.

Not so plain tee

This classic white V neck tee is not so plain when dressed up with this soft scarf.

Soho Arts Co.

One of my favorite stores on Main Street, Hyannis, MA. Their tag line is "Artful Living and Giving"

Stop in on your next visit to Cape Cod.  It is well worth the trip!

www.sohocompany.net

What are some of your favorite things this week?  I would love to hear from you.  Please leave a comment below.

What?  You don’t have any favorite things about your house?  I can help you uncover the simple hidden treasures to make your house into the home you love to live in.  Contact me today.

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Posted in A Few of My Favorite Things

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Did You Know……I Do Custom Bedding Too?

Posted on June 17, 2011 | Leave a comment

One aspect of the Etc. is custom bedding

A quick post on a Friday evening before I leave the studio.

I recently purchased new software that will help people envision their custom bedding options.  I would guess that you never thought of the hundreds, yes hundreds, of choices to cover your bed.

Pillow options for custom bedding

I spent the afternoon playing working on these pillow options for a 8-year old boy’s room in Holden, MA.  The tailored coverlet will have cording along the top edges so it will be fool-proof when he makes his own bed.  I’m giving him 3 pillow options, a bolster, 2 European shams or 1 wide European sham.  

Which option would you choose?

RM Coco Fabric

This beautifully textured woven stripe from RM Coco is the fabric we selected for the bedding.

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

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Posted in Bedrooms, Design Renderings

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