Lifestyle Wrinkles

Color Me Christmas

2010-12-05T14:14:00.000-08:00

Twenty days more before Christmas and WCBC still gets calls for an in-home consultation from clients hoping to redecorate their homes in time for the holidays. We try to accomodate everyone but not all were promised delivery before Christmas. For hard window treatments our timetable for delivery and installation is 15 to 25 working days, and that includes scheduling an installer. For soft window treatments like draperies, custom accessories, and furniture, we allow 25 to 45 working days depending on the size of the job. During christmas holidays, our installers are hard to schedule, Most of the real professional ones are booked way ahead of time. There were times in the past, customers who bought window coverings from Lowes or Home Depot would call us for installation jobs but we just couldn't help them.

After a sales call last saturday, my daughter and I went to pick up my granddaughter for our previously arranged date to spend time together, go to the mall, buy her christmas and birthday presents, and possibly her sleeping over. I said possibly, because both her schedule and mine greatly depend on whether she has an early swimming lessons the next morning or a previously arranged playdate with her friends. At my end, she understands, that my schedule depends on whether someone calls for an in-home consultation. I'm glad that she is flexible to changes.

The Tanforan mall was packed. People from all walks of life were there to enjoy the joyful feeling you get when you're inside a mall. Mothers, fathers, children from all ages, grandpas and grandmas were spending time together eating, shopping, window shopping, or just plain people watching. I saw bags and bags of shopping items being dragged by kids and adults alike, which seemed like an endless shopping spree.

The mall was decorated nicely and some stores were colorfully adorned with greens and reds, gold, silver, white, an indication that christmas is here. Intense colors that colored me christmas. Didn't we just have thanksgiving? I still haven't put away some of the boxes where we kept all the dishes we used last thanksgiving and now it's almost christmas. Seeing the intense christmas colors, the positive christmas energy from people's faces, it was hard not to be in the spirit of christmas.

After having lunch/dinner at the food section, we all went to shop for my granddaughter's christmas and birthday presents since I will not be in town for our family christmas get-together this year, I will be traveling to visit my family (nieces and stepdaughters) in Las Vegas and if time permits, go to LA to see my sister and her family.

Countless Blessings To Be Thankful For

2010-12-01T01:49:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving came by so quickly and we have a lot to be thankful for. Inspite of the stagnant economy, we are still receiving countless blessings everyday in our day-to-day encounter with life's realities. Looking around us and looking beyond our comfort zone and seeing the less fortunate in other worlds make us appreciiate our own life, good health, food on the table, good family and friends, job opportunities, peace, and love.

White Christmas

2009-12-10T04:18:00.000-08:00

The recent winter storms blanketed parts of the country with white snow including some parts of California, Nevada, and Texas. I live a few miles from the San Francisco International Airport and this part of the Bay Area is really cold. Santa Cruz mountains and Oakland hills were unbelievably capped with snowflakes.. It's Winter Wonderland in California!?

This was an inspiration in decorating our christmas tree this year. My daughter and I agreed on this theme and she had her first hand in decorating a christmas tree from buying the fresh tree to putting the last ornament. Inspiring her to hone her decorating skills, she was designated the one in charge of decorating the house, the christmas tree, and buying gifts for everyone, in preparation for christmas.

I advised her that her taste will improve through the years and that she should develop an "eye" for fine art. I encouraged her to read books and magazines related to interior design i.e. Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, and any reading materials featuring the latest trends in style, color, and design.

She went out in the cold with a friend the other night and bought a towering fresh pine tree which gave our small house a chrismassy smell in the air. We went to a craft store to check out some items we needed, unique ornaments, and rolls and rolls of white silvery ribbon. The color we chose were all white, silver, and some light greyish tones. We were going to have a white christmas.

Here are some tips to decorate your christmas tree:

Choose a theme and a color scheme to work on, or go for the traditional tree, which could bring the memories of the christmasses past.
Get all your materials ready: tree, ornaments, lights, garlands, ribbons, star, etc.
Put the skirt under your tree before you start decorating.
Start putting the lights first. Some start from the bottom going up but I prefer starting from the tip of the tree going down. ( I prefer decorating my tree at night and I keep the lights on while I'm working on the tree.)
Put the ornaments next, the ribbons and the garlands. Normally I put the garlands at the end, but because the garlands we used for our christmas tree were made of different sizes of ice beads or chunks of icelike heavy material, we positioned them next after putting the lights
On the top of the tree, you can put a star or any of the materials you use for your theme. Sometimes, I just make a big bouquet of ribbons on top of a tree, or an angel, or whatever is the theme.
Wrap your gifts with unique wrappers with stripes, big dots, plain color, poinsettia, adorned with an interesting ribbons and simply made with a nice bow or neatly curled ribbons.
Unless you're decorating someone else's tree, I think decorating your own tree is personal. Use your own creativity and style.

Decorating your House for the Holidays

2009-12-04T03:43:00.000-08:00

If you haven't done anything yet, start bringing out those different ornaments, glittery balls, ribbons, and decide whether you want to use your artificial tree or opt for a fresh one this year. If your budget is tight, using your old decorations and your old artificial tree will do. On the other hand, if you are willing to get new ones and you're able to do so, go ahead. Christmas comes only once a year and the time spent together with your family and friends, in the sanctity of your home, at this time of the year, will be memories you are passing down to your children and grandchildren.

After you've decorated your tree, the outside and inside of your home, start planning your christmas dinner menu. You may want to design/decorate your christmas dinner table days ahead. Bring out your precious china, your silverware, crystal glasses, and crisp table linen and runners that you plan to use. This is the time you can use your grandmothers' or your mother's fine china, crystal glasses, and silverware. Be creative and bring out the decorator in you.

Sprucing up your home for the holidays is fun to do with the family. Setting up the dinner table together with your children before your chistmas dinner and allowing them to slice, peel, or contribute any effort in their part for the completion of your meal that evening will remain in their memory forever.

I would like to share some photos of the table settings I did with the help of my children during last year's christmas eve dinner and lunch celebration. . I love setting the table and dressing it up with the resources that I have collected through the years. I love simplicity in design and I try not to go overboard. The table settings are informal, but dressy enough to celebrate christmas.

The Season of Giving

2009-10-23T01:18:00.000-07:00

Hunter Douglas' fall 2009 promotion, "The Season of Giving", offers generous rebates from September 25 to December 15. The unprecedented savings with no minimum or maximums on most popular window coverings include the Duette Honeycomb Shades, Silhouette Window Shadings, Luminette Privacy Sheers, and Pirouette Window Shadings.

This promotion can save customers $25 to $600 per window creating a beautiful and comforting setting at home to enjoy this coming holiday season. This is a great time to decorate your windows and avail of the latest innovations and generous rebates in window coverings only Hunter Douglas can offer.

October is National Window Covering Safety Month. From September 25 to December 15, Hunter Douglas is giving FREE upgrades to LiteRise Lifting System, which does not have dangling pull cords that could strangle little children or pets. To ensure safety, customers can get this FREE upgrade without paying extra for surcharges. This FREE upgrade can be availed with the purchase of Vignette Tiered Modern Roman Shades, Duette Honeycom Shades, and Applause Honeycomb Shades.

With a fantastic fall promotion like this, why not make your home shine this holiday? Let us not allow the bad economy and recession stop us. Let's give everyone in the family a lift, by gearing up our home for the holidays. Call your window coverings specialist and dress up your windows. After all, your home will be where your family and friends will be spending time this holiday, a place where all of you will be gathered, enjoying the season, and making beautiful memories together.

Design Collage

2009-07-08T02:45:00.000-07:00

Big Changes at WCCA

2009-06-18T00:58:00.000-07:00

It was only recently when I received an email from Window Coverings Association of America advising me that its' Executive Director, Mark Nortman, was going for his interim leave of absence. I do not know Mark Nortman personally, but I have talked to him before, over the phone, when I first joined the WCCA. He was very gracious and he explained to me the mission and goals of WCCA and how it can help my business.

Window Coverings Association of America is the only non-profit trade organization founded in 1987 serving the window coverings industry on a national level. The WCAA helps its members through educational and sales/marketing programs, and providing great opportunities in networking among members and experts in the window coverings industry.

Today I received another advise from WCAA that they are moving their office to Gold River in California. It is now headed by the new Executive Director, Jenna Abbott. Jenna is currently the owner of Sew Elegant, a design firm based in Sacramento, California for a little more than 8 years.

Amy Schaeffer, the efficient administrative assistant to Mark Nortman, apparently will not join them in their move to their new location in River Gold, California. I wish her all the best and luck in her new job search.

Although I was saddened by the big changes, I am pleased to welcome the new Executive Director, Jenna Abbott, in her new endeavor. I hope that she continues the challenging job of providing education, sales and marketing programs, and the many opportunities and support that all members could benefit from the organization.

Welcome aboard Jenna!

A Hole in the Wall

2009-06-17T20:28:00.000-07:00

Without any window covering or treatment enhancing the role it plays in transforming the aesthetics of a room into one that soothes our appeal and personal comfort, a window is just a "hole in the wall".

Nowadays, one can get lost and confused in choosing the right window coverings for their windows. The window coverings industry has evolved from the time when a simple curtain that hangs on a metal wire was functional, to a five-layered drapery treatments complete with cornices, lambrequins, sheers, shades, blinds, top treatments, jabots and cascades, etc. There's also the choice of using hard or soft window treatments or incorporating both in order to achieve a certain architectural charm and character.

Some may even go for the minimalist look or the modern-day metal , wood, or faux wood blinds with decorative tapes, window shades with beautiful patterns, fabrics, and textures, vinyl or wood shutters with vanes that go up to 4 1/2" to give a better view of the beautiful scenery outside, or the silhouttes, the vignettes, the luminettes, and the pirouettes. There are so many to choose from.

Not only do we have to choose the right window coverings or treatments for our windows. It is also good to know which companies offer the best warranties, just as choosing a reliable professional decorator/designer to do the job is so vital. Check out if their services have warranties. When the project is done, keep your receipt, ask for a written warranty, and keep a copy of their contact information.

Using your window treatment as a focal point in your room can make a statement. It can make the room warm, cozy, comfortable, and interesting. The effect it will have on its occupants is more important as long as it does not create any aesthetic restrictions.

One can easily do the project themselves, but hiring a professional interior decorator/designer specializing in window treatments can make life easier for you. Choose one that has a wide experience and had been in business for a long time. Check out their BBB ratings. Google their names to check for business ratings. Ask for referrals from friends and colleagues that had their windows redecorated. Make a research. Do your homework and be prepared before you start investing in a project.

According to Karla J. Nielsen in her book "Window Treatments', the benefits of covering our windows are for 1) privacy, 2) safety, 3) glare control, 4) sound absorption, 5) comfort, 6) energy consumption and 7) aesthetics. The principles of good design in window styling are proportion and scale, balance, rhythm, emphasis, and harmony. In her book, I also learned that the elements of good design in window styling are space, light, color, texture, pattern and ornament, and form or shape.

After you have done your research, after you have asked your friends and colleagues who have recently redecorated their windows for referrals, you can now start shopping around. Whether you have decided to do the project yourself, or whether you prefer to hire a professional window coverings decorator/designer to do the job, it is going to be a lot of fun. After all, those "holes in your walls" will no longer be, after you dress them.

Staying in Business in a Competitive Market

2007-10-16T18:27:00.000-07:00

After my stint as a Decorator Consultant at the Custom Decorating Department of Montgomery Ward in Daly City, California in 1989, when the management decided to phase out our department, it didn't take long for me to decide that this was the career and business I wanted to embark in for the rest of my life.

My previous job was a good training ground for running a business. My duties and responsibilities as the Executive Secretary/Administrative Assistant of Borden International, Inc. , a multinational, regional office in the Far East, which handled the distribution of the dairy milk products in Singapore, Malaysia, Hongkong, Bangladesh, Taiwan, South Korea, Philippines, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Thailand, was practically running the business when my boss, the Regional Manager, was out of the country.

I love arts and interior decorating/design, so I enrolled myself in a correspondence course in interior design, after which Window Coverings By Chris was born in June 1993.

Like any small, independent business-owner, the business faced numerous challenges in the beginning. Evolving from a home-based business to a storefront in San Mateo Avenue in San Bruno, California from 1993 to 1996, we had to make a major decision to move our business back to our home and do business the "Shop at Home" way, in order to cut down on our overhead expenses.

Doing business in the San Francisco Bay Area was a great challenge. Home Depot and other big department stores like J C Penney and Macys were capturing our market share, with their weekly sales and big discounts. Our storefront exposure was not enough and we definitely could not afford to give more discounts. Something extraordinary had to be done to beat the big guys, if we wanted to stay in business.

Feeling the need to know more about our products, it was imperative to attend seminars, conferences, and design shows offered by the big manufacturers, associations, and experts in the industry. Knowledge is power. One particular bid we made on a project in Hillsborough, California was won, after proving to our client our point, by showing her a video from the manufacturer confirming our statement, that the shades she chose to cover her 28 windows should not touch the bottom of the window, if she chooses to have them inside mounted. The other bidder who lost, stated otherwise.

Things/Adjustments To Do to Stay in Business in a Competitive Market:

1) Cut Down on Expenses/Simplify

Moving back our business to our home was a big decision. It was also a great help in slashing down our overhead expenses. Quickbooks Pro software replaced the bookkeeper. We took care of maintaining our books, prepared our own income tax returns, filed them online through Turbo Tax, and hired my son and daughter to do part- time jobs for the company.

Earlier in the business, we hired different installers, decorators, and part-time office workers. We simplified by maintaining one good professional installer (with a good crew), no longer hire decorators, and our Shop-at-Home services are now directly handled by my son, daughter, and myself.

2) Give Extra Good Service

My Shop-at-Home services included a lot of freebies without an obligation to buy, aside from the convenience of shopping at the comfort of their homes. We bring all the samples to them.

We handled any concern/complaint of our clients as fast and as quickly as we possibly could.

Our extra services are big and little things we do for our clients. We have helped some clients with problems concerning the products, installation, and services they purchased from other local dealers who never return their calls.

3) Add More Exposure

The storefront exposure from 1993 to 1996 was not enough, but it was a good start. The exposure we were expecting from the yellow pages book directory ad we had, no longer generated the results we wanted, aside from their costs escallating yearly.

In the late 1990s, times were changing and we knew we had to go with the flow. We had to keep abreast with the new technology, innovations, trends, and study the demographics of what kind of customers buy certain window, floor and wall coverings, and certain types of furniture, and accessories.

Nowadays, serious buyers will most likely use the computer to research online, rather than browse the pages of a heavy, thick, outdated directory book. We went serious on putting up our website and listed the name of our business in every relevant site we could find: San Francisco Citisearch, Local2Me, Better Business Bureau, Window Coverings Association of America, and Yellow Pages Online, etc.

4) Know Your Products

Attending seminars, conferences, trade shows offered by big manufacturers and associations, and experts in the field, greatly helped in widening our product knowledge.

5) Learn and Keep Abreast with Technology

Who doesn't have a cell phone, computer, or a digital camera? If you don't and you're in business, get them immediately. You'll see the wonders of those necessities, what they can do for you, and how they can change your life.

6) Be a Member of Associations and Organizations Related to your Business

Memberships in associations and organizations related to your business like Window Coverings Association of America, Better Business Bureau, etc. are a great help to your business. Not only can they keep you abreast with the industry, they can educate and refresh your knowledge in your business, and also get you a chance to network, meet other business-owners and experts in the field.

The things we did to stay in business, proved that making adjustments were necessary. Having survived and overcome the early challenging years, Window Coverings By Chris is going on its 15 th year and still thriving.

*Article published March 2008 Newsletter of Window Coverings Association of America