Another DIY

Actually, this is a DI-MY as in Do It Myself.

One of the basement bathrooms in my new house came wallpapered in what I described as faux leather squares. It wasn't offensive or anything and it's masculine style is well suited for it's location next to the bar.

But I had a idea to make it a little more custom.

I bought inexpensive upholstery nailheads in a copper color. Copper seemed appropriate for the color of the wallpaper, and the ceiling outside the bathroom is a copper colored tin.
At the interesections of every 4 squares I pushed in a nailhead. You read that right - I pushed it in. They went in easily with just a little thumb pressure. I only used my hammer on a few near the ceiling.

The effect is really lovely. Subtle, yet interesting.

What a Difference a Shade Makes

Here are just a few before and afters, showing what a difference simple woven wood shades can make to a room.
My clients had taken down their off-white fabric Roman shades. They had blended right into the wall color. Hoping for a kiss of color, they chose this Matchstick style from Horizons in a color called Pecan.

It actually had an orange undertone that complimented some copper accents they had in the dining room and a large sectional you can't see in the living room.

Dining Room Side - Before

Dining Room Side - After

Dining Room Bay - Before

Dining Room Bay - After

 

Dining Room Full View - Before

 

Dining Room Full View - After

 

 

 

 

I Have Expensive Taste

There, I've said it.

It seems I can walk into any kind of store and invariably the thing that catches my eye will have the highest pricetag. When you are wired this way you have to learn something: I am willing to wait (until I can afford it) more than I am willing to settle.

Which brings me to my office decor. The shelves and the desks and the file cabinets and the electronics are set up and sure, I can certainly work in here and I love it. But I have 2 bare windows that are crying for Something Pretty and I have no shortage of resources for Pretty. I have had this Lorca sample (available through Osbourne & Little) hanging up for 3 months and I'm sure I have to have it. It makes me happy.

 

You can see that it is an embroidered silk. The large flower with the green "stars" is actually velvety to the touch.

Did I mention that it retails for about $560.00 per YARD!!!!

 

Then there is the sample I have hanging out in my basement TV room. It is a Vervain fabric, from their Barry Dixon collection. I have been in love with this pattern, Cacao Vine, since it was introduced a couple of years ago.

I have it hanging upside down. The cacao pods look like hot air balloons this way.

 

This one's a bargain compared to the first. Between $200-$300 per yard.

 

Which brings me to a solution that I'd like to share with you. When it comes to decorating with fabric (or Soft Furnishings, as we like to call them) there are so many ways to use JUST A LITTLE of that expensive fabric so you can maximize your budget. Sometimes just one pillow will be enough to satisfy you, but when it comes to window treatments, you have fabric conserving options as well. There are plenty of valances that only use one yard of fabric. You can mix a valance fabric with a less expensive fabric for the draperies underneath.  You can line some valances so the fabric peaks out from underneath, or use it for banding down the vertical edge. A contrast hem, from 5" to 15" at the bottom is also pretty and economical.

The red bottom band could have been longer to use less face fabric.

 

This swag probably used 1 1/2 yds.

 

Cornice boards! You can't see that this was a gorgeous lattice weave silk. Simple sheer panels underneath.

 

More cornices in an embroidered silk.

 

Plain dupioni on top; very expensive embroidered silk 12" hem.

 

Make the tabs a contrast fabric.

 

Each of these valances used approx. 2 yards but these were very large windows (doors).

 

Very flat little valances. Used about 22" of fabric for each.

 

Flat valance. The interest was in the trim and the covered buttons.

 

Simple  silk swag with no cascades.

 

A bed corona. I didn't make this, but you could do something less elaborate to conserve fabric. I like the mix, though.