Greek Key Trim

Whether it’s on furniture, rugs, pillows or window treatments …. Don’t we all love the Greek Key design ? It’s classic and timeless but at the same time it’s modern ! My client wanted a clean and simple top treatment to go over her existing wood blinds.

We were thinking about putting 1” stainless nail heads along the bottom of the cornice but when I showed her the Greek Key trim she immediately fell in love.

This one is by Highland Court and is a silk jacquard.  It is inset 3” from the bottom and sides.

Dining Room………..

Living Room………..

Sorry for the blurry pics, I forgot my tripod !

Custom window treatments can be the single most important element in pulling together your decorating scheme. 
Contact me to provide you with up to date window treatments that you are excited about.

Linking to Kim’s Party at Savvy Southern Style

Jackie Von Tobel Seminar

The Triangle Chapter WCAA hosted a design seminar featuring Jackie Von Tobel.  She taught a class on quick rendering where we learned how to sketch window treatments.  It’s an essential skill when you are trying to communicate to a client what their treatment will look like.  I’ve always been pretty good at sketching but it was so interesting to see how she does it because I’m such a fan of the designs in her book, The Design Directory of Window Treatments.

The afternoon class focused on techniques and trends in creative window treatments and was full of great tips. 

Some of the members of our group chose a design from her book and created a vignette based on the sketch. I picked this one which is a cornice that has two very different panels.

This is my completed vignette mounted onto the display wall that my Dad helped me build (thanks, Dad!) The under panel is shirred on a sash rod and the over panel has a swagged heading.

Each member of the planning committee received  1 yard of fuschia silk fabric from Greenhouse Fabrics (one of our sponsors) to make an accessory of their choice.  We have such talented ladies in our group. There were blouses, belts, scarves…….. I made a necklace from 1” styrofoam balls and a tube of fabric.

          

I’ll make another necklace soon and post the instructions on In Stitches.

Custom window treatments can be the single most important element in pulling together your decorating scheme. 
Contact me to provide you with up to date window treatments that you are excited about.

Creative Camp Day 3

Day one and day two were just warm ups for the busy day I had on day three.  My first class was “Headboards”, taught by Gillian Wendel. She had some very creative samples like this one that had nail heads and a faux iron insert by Tableaux in a black truffle finish that was donated by Amore Drapery Hardware.

We all made sample size headboards with buttons to take home.

Whew, a complete mini headboard in 4 hours, we were working fast ! A group photo at the end of class……

My afternoon class was “shaped specialty firmaflex cornices” taught by Karen Barnes. Here she is with some samples of shaped cornices.

I love this bendable fiber board and can’t wait to use it again. Once you heat it up enough you can curve and shape it.  It’s also lightweight and would be perfect for a large cornice. Here’s my finished sample……….

That evening we had a presentation about roman shade safety by Mary Ann Plumlee, she is working on a new shade system that will be available soon. After such a busy day we needed to wind down by swinging in the full moon……..

Just one more class left and then it’s time to go home !

Custom window treatments can be the single most important element in pulling together your decorating scheme. If you would like up to date window treatments that you are excited about send me an email.

N is for “Nail Heads”

The ABC’s of window treatments

We have been seeing nail heads used on furniture forever.  Here are some ways to use them in other places around your home.

Outline a funky shape on a cornice………….

                                             Photo by Rosenfeld Interiors

Add detail to a roman shade and valance…………………

                                                           Photo by Liz Ware

Make a pattern on your wall……………

                                     Photo by Jeffrey Bilhuber

Border your headboard with a double row……………

Just in case you need to add some bling to your bling………….. upholstery tacks with interchangeable heads.

                                                       Photo by Diamond Head

Consider this my before pic, after coming soon.

Want to accessorize your windows ?  Send me an email to Tammy@bgcustomwindows.com

L is for “Lambrequin”

The ABC’s of window treatments

Our window treatment word for the day is “lambrequin”.  A lambrequin is basically a cornice with legs.  They are made of wood and then typically padded and covered with fabric but you could also use wallpaper or paint.  This style frames the window and looks good with a trim on the edge.

                                              Photo from Elle Decor

This historical drawing from The Smithsonian archives shows sheers and draperies layered underneath the lambrequin as well as ornate carved wood molding on top.

I love all the different shapes that you can design.   They can be traditional, modern even Moroccan depending on the shape and the fabric you choose.

                                      Photo from Jackie Von Tobel

Interior designer Elizabeth Payne used a lambrequin in this years Kips Bay Showhouse covered with an Osborne and Little fabric and a small beaded trim on the edge.

 

 

I’ve done many over the years but this is the only photo I could find.  I made this one in three pieces to fit into a bay window and mounted faux roman shades underneath. 

They can work in kids rooms if you have the right fabric.  I made lambrequins for my son’s nursery and my niece’s room in my preblogging days so I don’t have pictures of them.

Tips:

1.  It’s very important to get the proportions right so draw it to scale first.

2.  Use a tightly woven fabric and pay attention to the placement when designing the shape.  Plaids and stripes are the most difficult.

3.  Pay attention to projection when you are installing over shades or drapery.

Now I’m in the mood to make one !

 

C is for Cornices

The ABC’s of window treatments

Cornices are typically made of wood, padded and upholstered with fabric.  One great thing about cornices is all the shapes they can be made and embellishments that can be added.  The cornice below is arched like the window and has tassels and tufting for extra detail.

By Holly Bucciarelli Designed by Monica Rissler

This sketch shows a cornice with a straight bottom and a formal shape at the top. 

Source Jackie Von Tobel

A pagoda cornice is flared out at the sides and brings an Oriental influence to the room.

                                                  Cornice by Merlyn Corcoran

Always consider the print on the fabric when planning the shape of your cornice.  The contrast cording on the edge really pops !

                                                 By Taralyn Ferrell

This is one of my favorite designs because it could be used in a contemporary or traditional room depending on the fabric. 

                                           Source Classic Elegance

This one is clean and simple but what makes it special is the quilted fabric and the tapestry bell pulls on the ends.

                                                Source Classic Elegance

I made this animal print cornice for my Dad’s sitting room 15 years ago and I bet he will have it another 15 years. 

Remember this saying, “When you buy quality you only cry once !”

I consider cornices a timeless choice for covering your windows so I’ll be linking to Paula Grace’s Timeless Tuesday Party.

Would you like to see window treatments for a log home ?

My Mom and stepdad built a log home last summer in the country. It has a huge wrap around porch with rocking chairs and ferns. I took some pictures while we were there this weekend to share with you. We went and picked out 2 puppies for them yesterday, they loved playing with Zoe ! Aren't they adorable ?

I made these draperies for the living room and dining room. The first time I saw this fabric from Pindler and Pindler I fell in love with it. It was really pricey so we just ordered enough to do cornices and we used a solid linen for the draperies. They are lined and interlined and are on a traverse rod to open. This is a really good way to use an expensive fabric and still get the most impact.

This is my Mom's room, she wanted a soft feminine space. We chose a nice floral with a handsome peacock printed on it and put tassel fringe on the bottom of the valances. The draperies are lined with blackout lining so it can be really dark anytime of the day.
This roman shade is on the back door in the laundry room. It is a sage green toile with a beautiful braid at the bottom.

I had this painted for them at Christmas by a local artist (Mr. Stitches' Dad) haha, ok, I've never called him that before and it really makes me laugh out loud !
He is a wonderful artist and I just described what I wanted in the painting and he did this fabulous still life and it is hanging in the great room and looks so good in their log home.
I'll post more pics later, I just wanted to show the window treatments for now. Do you like it ?