Drapery Design

Jay's Hell-Hooks

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 01:57:00 +0000

Helser Brothers is known for quality decorative iron hardware but the brothers Jay and Mark are also pretty funny guys as evidenced by Jay's post on the Helser company blog today titled "Bloody Walmart Hell-Hooks".

Anyone that has ever set a drapery pin by hand will enjoy the honesty and humor (and pain!) in this posting. The end results? Don't skimp on the drapery pins!

Check it out at www.whyhelser.com

Thanks Jay.

You have conducted the ultimate drapery pin CSI!

As Simple as Black & White

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:44:00 +0000

www.eleganceredifined.com

Color is a mysterious thing.

It has been proven that color can do many things from calming your mood to stimulating your appetite.

Choosing a color for interior design (be it paint, fabric or other finishes) can be a difficult decision.

It isn't as easy as just picking a red or blue.

Colors vary by hue, shade, value and can be warm, cool, saturated or muted.

Color choices are very personal, intimate and biased.

Current trends and fashion influence color as well.

Whew, makes you want to just kick the color buckets and keep it as simple as black and white.

www.decorpad.com

In Style magazine

www.unique-baby-gear-ideas.com

www.farm4.static.flickr.com

Better Homes and Gardens

Kathy Ireland

In Style Magazine

Arches

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:27:00 +0000

www.wf-vision.com

Arched windows are a beautiful architectural element. From grand Georgian mansions to charming country cottages, arched windows have a pleasing and timeless shape. Often the room has one arched window as a focal point with other, standard windows in the room. This presents a challenge to the Interior Designer of how to treat all the windows while maintaining consistency and balance.

The workroom professional must draft accurate patterns when making treatments for ached shaped windows, this includes having a pattern of the arch shape and clear measurements of the width, shortest point and longest point. Materials for constructing mounting frames and cornices include bendable plywood which is also called "wiggle board" and FirmaFlex, a bendable fiberboard (www.rowleycompany.com) which is lightweight, flame retardant and moisture and mildew resistant. Other hardware options include decorative iron rods which can be bent to fit the shape and the rings of course must be secured in place by welding or with small pins and holes.

There are basically two arched shapes; a true half circle or an eyebrow shape. The effect of an arched window can be achieved over a standard window if there is room above to raise the center of the treatment. This can make a boring room more exciting!

I have put together a collection of window treatment designs for arches below. Notice how some of the arches are treated with panels that are straight across the top. This allows for more clearance and for the option to traverse as arched treatments can not traverse opened and closed. If a working arched window treatment is desired it must be lifted from the bottom so you will often see Austrian, Balloon or Roman shades in arches or the use of tiebacks or Italian Stringing.

www.finestradecorativehardware.com

From the book Scalamandre', Luxurious Home Interiors by Brian Coleman, photography by Dan Mayers

From the book Fabrications by Katrin Cargill

www.washingtonspaces.com

Hunter Douglas Easy View www.hunterdouglas.com

www.redraperies.com

www.style1decor.com

www.ideas-for-home-decorating.com

www.style1decor.com

www.bhg.com

www.denverpost.com

www.deanfountain.com

www.whyhelser.com

www.allaboutdrapes.com

www.coveredincurtains.com

www.allaboutdrapes.com

www.ideas-for-home-decorating.com

www.salvo.co.uk

www.elegant-window.com

www.bhg.com

www.traditionalhome.com

www.redraperies.com

Horizontal Stripes

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:00:00 +0000

I recently made draperies for a bedroom using silk fabric with wide, horizontal stripes. I loved the bold look and how it made the small room feel so much bigger yet cozy all at the same time. Using stripes horizontally certainly isn't anything new; rugby shirts, Pendleton blankets and beach towels are just a few of the timeless items we are all familiar with. It is a simple concept that looks fresh and modern and is showing up on everything from cakes to iPhones.

Architectural Digest

Photo by Susan W. Schurz

www.openhouse.homegoods.com

thecakedecorator.blogspot.com

www.dinglife.com

www.nellhills.com

Elle Decor Magazine

www.accentmagazine.com

Domino Magazine

www.redraperies.com

www.bhg.com

www.blountdesign.com

A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon

"...we'll take a cup o' kindness yet, for auld lang syne"

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:07:00 +0000

Happy New Year Everyone!

I was trying to think of a drapery-design inspired New Years theme for this blog entry. My first thought... New. New fabrics, new trims, new design ideas. Another idea was "out with the old and in with the new" but in the Interior Design industry everything old is new again so how could I choose?

The next obvious theme idea was "party" and the first thing that popped in my head was the old joke of a reveler having a bit too much champagne and dancing on the bar with a lampshade on their head (I have to admit I have never actually seen this phenomenon in person...the lampshade part

anyway).

And what a great idea it turned out to be. I am fascinated by the styles, techniques and designs of lampshades from simple laminated chandelier shades to Victorian masterpieces and sleekly crafted, modern shades.

Lamp shades are truly an art and a study in form & function, design and craftsmanship.

Best Wishes to you and your loved ones for a joy filled, healthy and prosperous 2010.

The Art Nouveau, peacock feather design above is from Filigree Lamps, www.etsy.com

Bold printed shades from www.love-eco.co.uk

I saw the antique shade below in a fitting place, a stately turn-of-the century castle home. I was delighted to see the bow-tie banding that I have incorporated in many modern pillow and drapery designs.

A modern twist on a traditional chandelier is to wrap it in an organza shade. www.shadesoflight.com

Pleated pyramids from Shadez of Michelle www.etsy.com

There is true beauty in a tradtitional Shantung Silk lamp shade. www.brownslampshades.com

Needlepoint and redwork embroidery used for pretty vintage looking shades. www. lakeslampshades.com

A shade crafted from wood. www.woodshade.blogspot.com

A simple way to add a little detail to a plain shade.

Quaintrelle and Things www.etsy.com

I saw this pleated shade at a design center in St. Louis and was inspired to create a similar style drapery heading.

Pleated petticoat silk shade with bead trim. www.shadesoflight.com

Victorian Shades from www.hoylelamps.com

Striped ribbon creates a pretty effect.

www.inspireco.com

Gingham with ruffle and little flowers.

Perfect for a teen's first dressing table

www.shadesoflight.com

Woven Ribbon from Kam Lamp Company

www.etsy.com

Fun and bright small shades. Bird Wing Productions

Atomic fiberglass shade within a shade.

www.meteorlights.com

Bacon Lampshade. What can I say?

Eco-friendly wool felt lamp shade from www.love-eco.co.uk

Linings and Interlinings

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:45:00 +0000

Lining and Interlining materials play an important role in the overall function and beauty of custom window coverings.

Some of the benefits of using lining materials:

Adding lining helps to control light, provide insulation, gives a consistent appearance from outside the home, protects face fabrics, adds fullness and adds body allowing face fabrics hang, drape and perform better.

Wow! That's a lot of benefit out of something so reasonably priced.

Adding a layer of flannel interlining increases the insulating qualities of your window treatments.

Bump interlining combined with sateen lining give this smocked panel a luxurious finish.

Blackout lining allows this drapery panel to keep a true color, matching the wall paper. It also lets you sleep late and blocks the sun's harmful UV rays protecting interior furnishings.

French Blackout is a lining method where a layer of black lining material is placed between the interlining and outer lining. This provides blackout with a very soft and high end finish.

Thanksgiving Inspired Interior Design

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:34:00 +0000

Thanksgiving is in a few days and I am looking forward to spending time with family but truly, isn't it is all about the food? Turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie... oh my, can interior design make you hungry?

Start off the evening by giving a toast with an elegant vintage cocktail. A cranberry damask drapery whets the appetite. Learn more about classic cocktails with the modern book; Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails. www.tedhaigh.com

Warm, cozy, fluffy and white; it must be mashed potatoes. Can I have seconds?

Pumpkin Inspired Room Design. Taking the draperies up to the ceiling makes this monochromatic room design more dramatic. Do you have room for dessert?

Historic Textiles of Williamsburg, VA

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:38:00 +0000

I recently attended a symposium on textiles for historic interiors at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. The speakers were phenomenal and I learned many new things about old things. The topics covered textiles for floors, beds, walls, windows and as used for useful household objects.

One thing I learned that I have never considered before was that fabric was precious. It was treated as a treasured item and every bit available was used. Hemming was tiny to conserve fabric and pattern match as we know today was not a priority because it used more fabric.

Enjoy these photos of reproduction textiles and decorative arts from Colonial Williamsburg.

Italian Stringing

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:16:00 +0000

Italian Stringing allows a drapery panel to be pulled back without the use of tiebacks or holdbacks. It can be functional, opening and closing with the use of lift cords or tied off at an attractive level.

To create Italian Stringing a series of rings is hand sewn to a finished drapery panel in an arc from the leading edge to the top, back of the panel.

A cord is run through the rings and when pulled up the panel is pulled back. The cord can be secured to a cord cleat or a cord lock (such as you would use on a shade) can be used.

The location of the ring placement will determine the finished look as shown in the sample below. If the row of rings is up high more light will be allowed into the room and if set lower on the panel you will achieve a more dramatic, sweeping panel design.

Italian Stringing can be used for any size window but keep in mind that large windows will be difficult to operate and a fixed Italian Stringing would be a better option.

When pulling back a panel with Italian Stringing the fabric will bunch up tightly at the beginning of where the rings are sewn. If a more relaxed drapery panel is desired with softer and more controlled folds here is a clever idea. With the use of the Pleat Control System from Rowley Company you can plan the spacing of the folds. This system includes special rings and bead chain which allows for easy adjustment.

Sample with Pleat Control System used to control folds available from Rowley Company http://www.rowleycompany.com

The Dog Days of Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 18:51:00 +0000

When decorating a home where pets are part of the family it is important to remember the furry children when planning the design. By creating custom pet beds, crate covers and more you can include the family pets in way that is charming and attractive in the overall room design.

Dog beds range from a simple pillow to elaborate, finely crafted furniture. New materials allow for pet beds to be stylish and easy to clean. There is something for every taste from a Contemporary K-9 to a High-End Hound, a Retro Retriever or a Traditional Terrier.

Have fun with pet decor, it can add a bit of whimsy and become a conversation piece all while providing a nice, soft spot for the loved pet to rest and play.

Modern acrylic pet bed from www.thepetproject.com

www.squidoo.com

Chinese inspired bed from www.mattresszine.com

www.hepperhome.com

Mongolian Pet Tent www.beyondthecrate.com

Layfayette Pet Furniture from www.beyondthecrate.com

Marie Antoinette style from www.beyondthecrate.com

Eco-Slumber from www.pawdigs.com

www.beyondthecrate.com

Canopy bed from www.gofetchpetbeds.com

Cabana from www.beyondthecrate.com

Upholstered bed from www.bigdogbeds.com

ZenHaus dog crate www.dogbedworks.com

Bamboo pet bed from www.gofetchpetbeds.com

Traditional sleigh bed from www.gofetchpetbeds.com

And if YOUR bed is your pet's favorite place to take a nap....

www.dogbedworks.com

Colorful print collars keep the pampered pooch stylish outside of the home.

www.dogcollarboutique.com

And for the Human who is paying for all this dog design a chair upholstered in

William Wegman fabric for Crypton Fabric.

www.empiredesignstudio.com

Upholstered Headboards

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:24:00 +0000

I remember the first upholstered headboards I made back when I was in college and working at a custom drapery workroom. They were a lot of work but I enjoyed having a project that I could work on all by myself and then at the end of the day I could stand back and say "Wow, I made that"!

The demand for upholstered headboards dropped in the late 1990's when bed styles became all about the wood, the frame and the presence in the room such as four poster beds with huge posts, sleigh beds and large, carved headboards.

But now upholstered headboard are back and more popular than ever. The styles range from funky to formal, contemporary to elegant. The shapes, fabric choices and upholstery methods are numerous and exciting to see. Upholstered headboards fit well into modern and uncluttered decor but are also right at home in a traditional room.

The beauty of upholstered headboards is obvious, it just feels good to sit against padded upholstery and fabric offers texture, pattern and color, all things that make a room inviting. An upholstered headboard also offers many more options; the fabric is chosen to fit the room decor and can be monogrammed, patch-worked, quilted, tufted, embellished or manipulated in any way imaginable. Another idea is to use a simple duck or canvas covered headboard and use slipcovers. This option allows for changing the slipcover just as you would the linens and the slipcover could be washable if the right fabrics are chosen.

I have put together a group of upholstered headboards that are inspiring and interesting. I hope you enjoy.

Soothing and peaceful bedroom with simple tufted headboard. www.veranda.com

This headboard has an elegant but rustic design. www.housebeautiful.com

Beautiful shape to this tailored headboard. www.bhg.com

A dramatic shape and plentiful tufting. www.homeportfolio.com

Headboard doubles as a room divider. www.bhg.com

Striking red velvet shaped headboard makes a bold yet comfortable statement. www.housebeautiful.com

Princess inspired tufted headboard and footboard. www.wellappointedhouse.com

Pink velvet tufted headboard with crisp black and white. www.americangypsyliving.com

Stripe tufted tall headboard reminds me of a mattress on the wall. Source: Domino Magazine

Kids twin pocket headboard. www.hsn.com

Pretty poster with tufted headboard. www.housebeautiful.com

Deep tufted headboards, footboards and side rails. House and Garden magazine, May 2006

Clean and simple headboard from www.headboardsandsinteriors.co.uk

Lovely floral headboard with shirred border edge. www.bhg.com

Pretty shaped headboard with contrast welt cord. www.calicocorners.com

Monogrammed headboard from the workroom of Elizabeth Gerdes www.stitchabovetherest.com

Damask shaped headboard with subtle tufting. www.decorpad.com

Clean and contemporary headboard. www.housebeautiful.com

Channel tufted headboard. www.housebeautiful.com

Cargo Pocket headboard. www.hsn.com

Black patent leather, tufted headboard. Photo by Paul Costello for InStyle magazine.

Wingback Headboard www.stylefeeder.com

Shower Curtains

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:37:00 +0000

Bathrooms have become as beautiful as kitchens with high end surfaces and cabinetry. Master baths with soaking tubs and walk through or glass enclosed showers almost resemble a car wash with a multitude of shower heads, computer controls, sound systems and more. But there are still many bathrooms with the perfect shower or tub opening suited for a shower curtain.

I have always enjoyed making shower curtains as a way to soften the cold surfaces and to add color and pattern to the bath. The heading can be flat and have button holes or grommets for rings. Shower curtains can also be pleated and hung from any style of hardware from pole rods with rings to track systems. Top treatments can also be used if the opening is tall enough to allow for good proportions.

When using shower curtains you must be practical. Will the shower be used often? You may want to explore some of the popular fabrics created for outdoor use that can withstand moisture and washings.

For a luxurious style a beautiful fabric curtain tied back with a tassel can be very elegant paired with a more practical shower curtain underneath. Layering is smart and for ease of use two shower rods can be installed, one for the liner and one for the decorative layer.

Enjoy these pictures of shower curtain styles for inspiration and ideas of how to dress the bath.

Fit for a King or a Queen complete with a tufted tub (matching toilet seat available).

www.greatinteriordesign.com

Synthetic suede cowhide for Western decor or your favorite Cowboy.

www.cowboyhomedecorsite.com

For the inner broadway star in you, a curtain and a spotlight.

www.ballerhouse.com

A simple solution for a small bath.

www.allyxbdesign.com

Always a perfect choice for a traditional bath. A fresh white pique shower curtain with a scalloped edge and monogram detail.

www.cobblecourt.com

A clever use of a fabric design to create a scalloped detail and tabs with buttons and welt cord.

www.bhg.com

Very cool. Moveable wall from www.trendir.com

Pretty white shower curtains with stitched details.

www.theblissful.com

A cheerful striped outdoor shower curtain.

www.realestate.msn.com

Turn your favorite photo into a shower curtain.

www.photoshowercurtain.com

Flamenco shower curtain with layers of ruffles.

www.anthropologie.com

Feminine chenille shower curtain is perfect for a girls bath.

www.brookegiannetti.com

Having the shower curtain go all the way to the ceiling makes this small bath appear larger. www.apartmentthearpy.com

Keep those shower curtains tidy with your own curtain-kitty-cleaning-system.

photo by Adam Clay www.flickr.com/photos/adamclay

The Humble Little YoYo

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Fri, 29 May 2009 03:12:00 +0000

What was once considered an old-fashioned quilters technique has now become popular as an embellishment for everything from clothing to soft home furnishings. Yoyo making is an easy technique to learn. Each yoyo is made by gathering a circle of fabric around the edges and bringing the gathers up to the center.

Yoyo's can become a beautiful embellishment by varying the sizes and materials, adding buttons or jewels or by combining them in interesting patterns.

To speed up yoyo making use a grommet or button press to cut out the circles.

Yoyo embellished cocktail dress found at Sak's.

Button yoyo's used for tufting a quilted coverlet. Susan W. Schurz www.tavernhill.net

Feminine yoyo belt from www.etsy.com could make a lovely tieback for simple curtains.

Spacing silk yoyo's along a tailored banding brings a unique look to the leading edge of a panel by Susan W. Schurz

Creative yoyo assortment from www.calamitykim.typepad.com

Pretty pumpkin faux silk panels with button yoyo leading edge.

Toni Hollinsgworth, A Fresh Approach, Columbia, SC.

Monochromatic wool yoyo pillow www.etsy.com

Black and white yoyo collection www.etsy.com

Elegant yoyo handbag www.etsy.com

Simplicity historic dress pattern with yoyo embellished skirt overlay.

Fun with the classic Duncan Yoyo and cello with Classic Yo-Yo Ma.

Favorites from Vision09-IWCE

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Sun, 17 May 2009 01:20:00 +0000

The premium trade show of the year for window coverings professionals ended today. I enjoyed meeting many talented and hard working business owners from all over the world. Here are a few of my favorite things from Vision09, International Window Coverings Expo.

Butterfly crewel from MDS Fabrics

Crewel velvet from MDS Fabrics.

Holdback from Finestra Decorative Hardware and fabric from Kasmir.

Artefice hardware from Helser Brothers

Swing Arm rod from Helser Brothers

Wallpaper from Vahallan Papers

Vahallan Papers

Brimar pleated tape with tassels.

Brimar finial collection.

Printed Sheer from Almedahl

Square Grommets from Rowley Company.

Grom-A-Link, new product from Rowley Company

Terms

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:24:00 +0000

I have a great collection of historic and vintage design, decorating and sewing books. A good friend helped me learn how to use the internet as an excellent source for even more information from days gone by. I find the descriptions, advice and illustrations fascinating.

In the ad below you will see the term "window treatments" used. I always assumed that this was a more contemporary description for draperies and curtains but the ad, from 1903 proves that the term is much older than I thought. I also found the term "window furnishings" used in a book from 1919 titled The Practical Book of Interior Decoration in the chapter titled "Windows and Their Treatment".

Another interesting tidbit was found in the 1910 book titled House Furnishing Advertising by William Bordsodi where bed comforters are referred to as "comforts" and "comfortables". I have never seen this charming term before. Here is a quote from the book. "When the thermometer begins to hover around the zero mark then comfortables are the order of the day, or the night rather.

Tailored Panels

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:07:00 +0000

There are many styles of pleated headings for panels. A flat, tailored style of pleat is known as an inverted pleat or box pleat. It is made by stitching in pleats with the fullness to the reverse side of the heading instead of to the front like with a French or Goblet pleat. I have put together some of my favorite tailored panel styles which all have unique looks but the techniques are very similar. Enjoy!

Tailored panels with decorative hardware and button detail. www.bhg.com

Bamboo and linen blend material used for a tailored panel. www.greenyourdecor.com

Oragmi style tailored panel. The inverted pleats are hand stitched open making a diamond design. www.anthropologie.com

Inverted pleat with a "twist" by Susan W. Schurz

The creative tailored treatments below are from www.windows-and-more-by-chrystal.com

The Incredible Egg

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:18:00 +0000

Easter is a holiday filled with inspiration. Renewal, rebirth and hope. The egg is the perfect symbol. In interior design the classic oval or egg shape can be seen in everything from egg and dart moldings to decorative hardware, fabric prints and furniture.

A beautiful way to treat an oval window with lace and nailhead edging.

www.camillemoore.com

John Ragsdale finials from Finestra Decorative Hardware www.finestradecorativehardware.com

www.lomme.com

The Egg Bed is a contemporary cocoon with lighting, music and massage built in.

Eggs in a nest baby bedding. www.myretrobaby.com

Fabric covered Eggs from www.etsy.com

Faberge Egg inspired fabric.

I love this mod egg design fabric. www.tulapink.com

Egg and Dart molding

Pretty overlapping ovals print www.laurabeedesigns.blogspot.com

The Egg Chair, originally designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1958 is a classic.

And just for fun.....Men in Black in Egg Chairs

White on White Decor

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:55:00 +0000

Some may say white walls are boring.

But I think choosing white can be very trendy, confident or even daring.

A white color palette can be traditional....

www.veranda.com

Or clean country chic...

www.countryliving.com

A white color palette can be vintage inspired...

www.notooshabby.com

www.countryliving.com

Or just simply romantic...

www.rachelashwellshappychic.blogspot.com

White on white decor can be ultra modern.....

www.decoratorshome.blogspot.com

And last but not least one of my favorites.

The Grasshopper chair, what a stunning silhouette.

www.langeproduction.com

Welcome Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:04:00 +0000

I was very excited to see the Cedar Waxwings arrive today for their annual berry feast with the Robins. That combined with the beautiful daffodils blooming in the flower beds and along the edge of the woods has made me feel very optimistic about the upcoming months.

The feeding frenzy of the Waxwings reminded me of trying to meet a deadline. They were working at eating berries like it was a job, a project that needed to be completed by days end. One interesting thing about Cedar Waxwings is that they are social birds, they will share berries and actually pass them along from beak to beak to their feathered friends. This networking is the key to success.

And the daffodil decorates the landscape. It is a beautiful embellishment against the leaves and branches. The daffodil reminds me of a tried and true window treatment design. A style that is welcoming, traditional but new all at the same time. This room with it's daffodil yellow accents reminds me of the promise of spring. We can always turn to nature for inspiration.

www.traditionalhome.com

Ceiling to Floor

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:00:00 +0000

I thought it would be interesting to look for treatments that were ceiling mounted. Not just raised to the ceiling but mounted into the ceiling.

Raising window treatments above the window is well known as one of the unofficial "rules" of interior design but all the way to the ceiling and mounted into the ceiling takes confidence and the correct proportions to make it work (and lets not forget a good, experienced professional installer).

The bed in the picture above (www.dominomag.com) has sleek ceiling mounted hardware which is a perfect contrast to the patterned panels which are clean and elegant as they fall to the floor. The omission of a headboard and minimal furnishings makes the bed panels more dramatic.

Obviously panels are the most popular style of window treatment for a ceiling to floor application. In the photo below (www.southernaccents.com) designer Barry Dixon (www.barrydixon.com) has used pleated panels on a round iron rod which creates an intimate space. If the panels were drawn it would become a grown-up hideaway.

Portiere

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:29:00 +0000

(www.bhg.com)

(www.atlantahomesmag.com)

The basic definition of portiere is a "curtain hung over a door". Portiere curtains or panels are a beautiful way to treat an interior opening. This may be an opening near an exterior door to help eliminate drafts, a door to a master bath to provide privacy or just as a decoration between a living and dining room to provide a beautiful and dramatic softness and drape.

Just like when dressing windows, door casements can also be dressed with any style of panels, valances and more. Probably the most common image that comes to mind when doorway curtains or portiere are mention is in historic interiors such as Victorian decor. The most famous drapery moment in film was when Scarlet O'Hare remade Miss Ellen's green velvet portiere into a dress (and of course the Carol Burnett parody is perhaps one of the funniest comedy scenes in television history).

A more simple door curtain is popular fo many different types of homes from Arts & Crafts to Japanese. With simple Arts & Crafts inspired decoration, the pair of panels below are not only an attractive accent but can be opened and closed to keep out drafts, block light or create a private room where a swinging door would not fit.

(www.annwallace.com)

This traditional Japanese door covering is called a "noren" and consists of very simple, flat woven panels with a split in the center.

(www.dharmacrafts.com)

One method for fabricating Portiere is to make a double sided panel. In other words the center seam becomes the leading edge with one panel for one side to match that room and the other panel to match the opposing room colors and decor. This is shown in the sample below (sample by Susan W. Schurz).

When installing on hardware the drapery pin hooks share an eyelet in the rings except for the drapery pin in the very center, it will have it's own eyelet/ring. This provides a double sided panel that looks great from both rooms.

Consider installing portiere in rooms without windows. This will give the softness and warmth that drapery panels provide and is a beautiful way to frame an entrance with color and pattern.

Romance in the Bedroom

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:37:00 +0000

www.branca.com

Valentines day brings thoughts of romance so I ask,

"What exactly makes a room romantic"?

First, color. A muted color palette is soft and relaxing. Candlelight makes a beautiful accent in a room with soft colors.

Second, style. Romantic is not stuffy or structured. It has a relaxed elegance that is comfortable and cozy. Down pillows and duvets, soft linen materials and velvet accents all fit into this category.

And lastly privacy. Layered window treatments to cut out outside noise, offer ultimate privacy and a layer of blackout allows the valentines couple to sleep-in late. A canopied, draped bed offers a more intimate private nest.

Romantic rooms are not just for couples. Everyone deserves a soft, relaxing romantic spot to reduce stress and to make each day special.

The Fringe Obsession

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 04:30:00 +0000

I shared on this blog a few months ago about my love of fringe (see "I Love Fringe" 10/22/08). It seems like everything is fringed from hand bags to jewelry and of course home furnishings. When I saw fringe glasses (made famous by Beyonce) I just had to add them to this blog as evidence that fringe doesn't have to have a purpose or even be practical. I would describe this look as sheep dog chic!

Master Bedroom Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:29:00 +0000

From the relaxing hues to the luxurious furnishings, this Master Bedroom at the 2008 Washington D.C. Designer house has it all. When you enter the room the calming color palette allows you to exhale and forget about the stress of the day. The combination of window and bed treatment styles such as the soft cornice's and drapery panels at the windows, flat and simple shades, boxed bed valance and panels, upholstered headboard and tailored bed skirt provide visual interest and is a testament to the value of a talented custom workroom.

Designer: Kelley Proxmire

Photography: Morgan Howarth

To see more pictures visit www.dcdesignhouse.com

Happy Holidays!

noreply@blogger.com (Susan W. Schurz) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 03:15:00 +0000

(photo: Country Living)

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season filled with peace and joy,

love and laughs and the time to relax and enjoy it all.