Window Wednesday

I realize that technically it is Thursday, but it has been such a whirlwind week so far and I have lots of things to share.
On Tuesday we spent 7 hours installing window treatments. You can only imagine how many rooms that was in 2 different homes.
This photo was taken with my iPad, and I thought I'd share it, unprofessional as it is.

The simple valance and stationary panels were chosen because the fabric had so much personality. We couldn't iron or steam the treatments and I thought it might be a nightmare but it wasn't. We took it out of the package it was shipped in and hung it up and it looked fabulous.

The fabric was a sort of beaded tucked silk, that was sooo gorgeous. I can't imagine how the workroom managed to sew around the beads.

We joked that the workroom will be hesitant to open any more packages from me!  I still haven't figured out how they managed to sew this with a machine, but I did note that the side hems were hand sewn. These treatments really were a work of art!
Fabric by RM Coco

An anniversary in New York

Just returned from a weekend in New York City where we celebrated our wedding anniversary. We stayed at the Andaz Hotel which was a total delight. The staff, the location on Fifth Avenue, the amenities -- all were perfect.
I know you shouldn't choose a restaurant based on the way it looks, but on a previous trip to NYC, as soon as I spotted the unique architecture of the arches or awnings made of tree branches, I knew I wanted to try this place.

Fabio Cucina Italiana was as interesting inside as it was outside. The meal we had was fantastic. The service was wonderful and the décor was intimate and romantic.  We will return.

The Seduction of Brown

Well I will have to warn you, right off the bat, that these photos are a little hard to see.  Photographing a window in the daytime is the most difficult thing. So I will start with a close up of the gorgeous brown faux silk fabric.

There were actually 2 layers of fabric - one layer was very sheer - held together by the embroidered swirls.  You can see that the wall color was a neutral tan  and the Finial Co. hardware was in Rose Gold.
Here's the before:

Such a pretty living room, but a little bare.
We added stationary side panels to soften it a bit.

The after picture is so hard to see, so I took a second shot:

Now we are anxious for the newly reupholstered chairs to arrive. The chair fabric is a tweed of red, green and brown and will be the finishing touch for this very clubby living room.

A Little Lesson in Color

No, this isn't a color theory post! It's just a little something I thought of to guide you in your next decorating project.
I was in High Point a couple of weeks ago and soon I will write a post about the trends I saw there. For now I will share a picture of a vignette I saw that sparked a conversation between some other designers and myself.

Now the good news is that there was color everywhere in High Point.  The sofas above are from a new collection from Tobi Fairley for CR Laine.  It was a gorgeous, cheerful collection and we all loved it! These orange sofas were fabulous with their nailhead detail and those Lucite legs!
The question came up whether we would actually use that strong of a color on a piece of furniture (no less TWO!).
My answer was no.  While I love orange and have used it a lot in my own home, this is so striking and vibrant and I think it might be too much in the room of a regular sized home.  Look at the volume of "air" around it! And this was in a very large showroom with huge ceilings. The pale grey wall color helped tone it down a little, also.
Think about that the next time you are in a furniture store.

100 Windows - #100 !!!

We made it!!  For our 100th window I saved a Before and After because those are so much fun.

As you can see, I had the luxury of starting with a very nicely furnished room.  The client was already in the process of replacing the carpet with hardwood floors.

The challenges with the windows were many! First, the arched windows are sometimes tricky to treat. Second, both sets of windows were slammed into the corners! And third, one of the windows was actually a door to the deck outside.  It had a double rodpocket sheer on it (I'm betting you had one of those in your lifetime;  we ALL have!) but the client wanted to replace it with a 2" wood blind to match the other blinds.  And here was the next challenge:  those blinds were about 15 years old and a blue/grey color.  It was not to be found in any of my usual places.  But after about 2 weeks of searching I found a very similar finish, that upon installation matched better than our wildest dreams!

With the hardwoods in, we installed an area rug from Surya.

Then came the new blind and drapery panels.

We added a couple of throw pillows in blue to bring that color into the rest of the room. See the lower right hand corner.

And finally, the client restyled the mantle with some blue accessories and candle.

Drapery fabric and hardware:  RM Coco
Pillow fabric:  Kravet
Pillow trim:  Robert Allen
Pillow fabrication:  SK Fabric Interiors

100 Windows - #99

Here is another gem from the High Point Showhouse.  This was the "Daughter's Bedroom", designed by Catherine M. Austin Interior Design.

Don't you love the red fabric against the blue/grey walls?
I viewed the Showhouse with several other designers who specialize in window treatments. When we saw this valance we knew that even though it looks simple, it would be VERY difficult to fabricate. The curved banding was PERFECT! 

The same treatment was also behind the bed.  Look at that headboard! And look at that monogram - isn't that the most amazing monogram you have seen in awhile?  The monogrammed shams are from Leontine Linens. 

The white banding added to the drapery panel and extended along the hemline was such a custom touch.

100 Windows - #98

I was in High Point, NC last week for the Spring High Point Furniture Market.  My partners in crime and I apparently weren't on inspiration overload enough so after a full day of oohing and ahhing we decided to go to a Designer Showhouse put on by the Junior League of High Point. We were definitely wowed by this one.  There were so many good ideas.
My picture doesn't do it justice, but this design, by Lisa Mende of Lisa Mende Design features a window treatment in the breakfast room.

First of all, you have to admit that a black drape on a blue wall is pretty cool. (Unless my eyes deceive me and that is navy.  But I don't think so.)  The contrast band is cut from a piece of fabric. Funny thing is, I had just seen this black and white fabric in a showroom at High Point, and met the designer! This is from a textile line called Cotton and Quill.  You should check it out!  They design stationary, too.

The fun didn't end at the window!  Look at that ceiling!!