Window Treatments 101

It is a good time to review 2 of the basics of window treatments for you.
1. Fullness= This is having more fabric on the window either in pleats or gathers and not just flat fabric on a rod. Fullness is a good thing! It keeps whatever you are putting at your window from looking skimpy. Custom sheers are made at 3 to 1 fullness. That means if you have a 50" wide window the workroom will use 150" worth of fabric for that width. Custom draperies are usually done at 2 1/2 to 1 fullness. So if you use ready-made treatments, be ready to add extra pieces to get enough fullness on your window. Some ready-made treatments are 1 1/2 to 1 fullness- very skimpy.
2. The Look= This one is easy and often overlooked. No one would take a man's shirt out of the wrapper and put it on. It has folds and wrinkles! The same with your window treatments. Before you hang them, make sure they are pressed and looking good. My installer steams and dresses down every fabric treatment we put up. Now you know that you have to do the same!

Look at the wonderful fullness put in the 2 drapery styles shown here. That is how they all should look!

Another Thought About Draperies

I saw some drapery panels with attached valances that had an initial monogrammed on the valance. It was so uniquely beautiful. I would love to try that! Just another idea for drapery treatments I am passing along to everyone.

To Do Draperies or Not??

I am getting this question from my clients more frequently. It would seem that the era of minimalist treatments at the window is slowly changing. The styles and designs from my workroom reflect that emerging trend. I love them! There are many styles available that are not your mother's pinch pleated antique satin draperies. The look has been modernized for today's homes. More at the window also translates to better coverage and energy savings. Lots of air exchange takes place at even the best of windows. Draperies help stop that and look beautiful also.I think this is a win-win for everyone! So next time you are contemplating a change of window treatments, consider 21st century style draperies.

A Few of My Favorite Things

I hang my “Christmas swags”. It seems I can never get interior décor out of my mind. Even my Christmas decoration names sound like window treatment styles! All they are is just 3 strands of Christmas décor beads that I drape softly over the top of my windows-right on top of the draperies and then loop the ends over the rods. The color and the glimmer of the beads is beautiful. The beaded garland is available where Christmas decorations are sold. Strands of evergreen garland or ornaments strung on ribbons also make great swags. Try your hand at making your own Christmas window treatments.
You will just love this beautiful and unusual decoration from “across the pond” in Europe for your table. Get a group of 6-7 Christmas balls and remove the top loop part. Put a small artificial single flower down in the balls with a sticky dot on the bottom of the ball. It becomes a round vase for the flower. On a sturdy plate, spread out some stone or glass chips to cover. Use sticky dots on the bottom of the glass balls to anchor them on the plate amid the stones. A few tips on creating this look- choose a color theme for the balls, flowers and stones, usually one floral spray will suffice for the arrangement and use your imagination to come up with different materials or garland that you can nestle the balls into. A picture is worth a thousand words, so here is a completed one for you to use as a guide.
I love decorating- whether I am designing for a client’s home or creating a beautiful mantel for the holiday season. That’s me! I’m cooking up more design goodies for you. See you in the next issue. Always remember to decorate with joy and happiness.

Make a unique wreath this year!

I am a wreath lover! I use varieties of them year round. So naturally when I saw this DIY wreath in my CB2 catalog, I was hooked! The possibilities are endless.Instructions can be found at http://blog.cb2.com/?s=DIY+wreath. The size you want your wreath to be determines the number of ornaments you need. Other supplies are a coat hanger and ribbon.

As you read about this wreath, consider also that you can use other types of ornaments or decorations and achieve the same result. You could use sleigh bells, angel ornaments, Santas etc.

New Idea for Christmas

This time of year I am poring over the holiday catalogs and Christmas idea magazines that come my way. This peaked my interest and I had to pass it along to you!

I have found a hardwood stocking holder at Improvements. It is very nice looking and will not mar your beautiful mantel or get in the way of your garland. No nails needed either! It is the best of both worlds. It can be found at http://www.improvementscatalog.com/.

Holiday Design 2009

It is just around the corner and I want to make all of you the stress-free host or hostess. These are things I do in my home this time of year and I know they work very well.
Lets start with the table. You will probably need extra chairs. Use what you have around the house and tie them together with decoration. Festive ribbons and fabrics can be tied to the back of the chairs. Small grapevine wreaths also work well. Just like that you will have a coordinated table look.
Keep the table clears for your guests and their plates by using a sideboard or countertop to set your dishes and platters on. Let them serve themselves buffet style.
More holiday tidbits to follow later!
Linda