Time to get the cobwebs down?

  So maybe you didn't literally use spiderwebs as your    Halloween valance like we did,  

but is it time to TREAT yourself by dressing your windows?  

Peacock

There is an incredible swatch floating around the studio with peacocks on it.  It has one of the largest pattern repeats I have ever seen (40" vertical, and 54" horizontal!!)

That's the one from the RM Coco website.
Here's the picture of the swatch in the studio:

So you see, you get two peacocks for the price of one!!
(Wouldn't this be amazing upholstered to the back of a chair!)

A Kitchen Valance

Seems we are seeing fewer and fewer valances these days.
I love a good valance that preserves your view and gives you the opportunity to introduce color and rhythm to a space.
Following are some terribly dark photos of a valance we did in a kitchen - actually three valances.  We had to match the proportion on the two side windows that flanked a large double door.  The cute ball fringe kept it from being too formal.
The inspiration for this valance was found on Pinterest!

Rub-a-dub-dub!

Nothing like a cheerful red valance to make you want to do a little laundry.

Flat valance with pleats at corners.
The most adorable powder puff tape trim!
Micro-check fabric from Duralee.  Trim from D'Kei.
Fabricated by SK Fabric Interiors.
Photo by Bob Narod.

Window Wednesday

Sometimes we like to say, "A door is a door", meaning that we don't treat it like a window.  But this door, which we had recently outfitted with a new 2" wood blind, looked a little lonely in a beautifully designed kitchen with it's lovely window treatments we did about a year ago. We used the same fabric and trim that we used in the rest of the room.

And now, everyone is happy! (Even the valance is smiling!)

Window Wednesday

It may be Wednesday, but there were no windows involved in this particular Wednesday.  It did involve putting on a new bedskirt with a client, and with much huffing and puffing and pulling and weightlifting a giant mattress, and falling apart with laughter as said client did a face plant into the mattress when I pulled at just the wrong moment, we got the bedskirt safely on the bed. More about that later.
I thought I'd share with you the most repinned window treatment on my Pinterest "Window" board this week.  I can never predict which it is going to be.

I have not done many swags lately, but these pointed swags really interested me and apparently, interested a lot of other people as well.  Although I love color, I really liked the softness of this neutral room and I adore the woodwork.
The two other most pinned pictures were also from the Mrs. Howard website. They were both brightly colored, large scale printed Roman shades, a trend that seems to be on the rise.
Check out MrsHoward.com.  It is a great site!
And to see thousands of wonderful window treatments, follow me on Pinterest
Pinterest.com/ToniKorby

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

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 - #96

We started with existing sheers over a very wide door that leads to a screened in porch.

Although we only added a valance, the change was dramatic due to the sheer size of the treatment, and the strong embroidery and colors of the fabric.

The rhythm of the print was really quite lovely!

100 Windows - #95

Another day, another cornice board!
I believe these are the largest cornice boards I have every seen.

Beautifully executed and proportioned, you wouldn't think such a strong fabric print would be so restful in a master bedroom.
You can see that the smaller versions were made for either side of the bed.  I believe this fabric may be part of a ready-made line of bedding. So smart to buy yardage of the duvet fabric to cover the cornices.

You could hang a traverse rod up underneath the cornice to draw the curtains at night. Or, if the panels are stationary, the cornice is deep enough to hide a shade that can be pulled down.

100 Windows - #94

I feel fairly sure that this curtain is a ready made, but it's fun how they used the matching fabric for the cornice, which is most likely a custom project. And here's another idea of what to do with those arched windows. (In this case, ignore them!)

100 Windows - #93

Just your basic panels with a 6" border hem, which is the same fabric used in the valance. The valance is either a cornice or a flat valance mounted on a board.  The flat valance would be easier to mount into a bay window.  The draped cording would be interesting to add to the valance, especially since it is in a solid fabric. 
I really like the idea of framing a piece of wallpaper and hanging it like art, as shown here.

100 Windows - #92

And then there is a window for you lovers of trim.

Definitely more trim than fabric, here!

100 Windows - #91

I'm not sure if I'm correct, but I call this a Boxed Swag.

Interesting that it was translated into a shower curtain for the adjoining bath.

 

On second look, it appears both pictures were taken in the bathroom.  But it would be easy to carry this style from one room to another. I think I would have taken the valance and curtain over the tub all the way up to the ceiling.

100 Windows - #90

Wow! We are in the home stretch.
Here's a DIY idea that could look oh-so-much-more professional if the workroom had done just one thing.  See if you can guess what it is.....

This attached valance uses so little fabric, it would be great if you have some leftovers or if you wanted to use that $200 per yard fabric. The use of 2 fabrics makes it look more custom but I just have to ask......Why wasn't it lined???  Was that what you guessed?
The curtain portion is supposed to be unlined as it looks like a linen sheer.  I love the color mix of the three fabrics.
Here's a picture of the entire treatment.  Although it's a little dark you get the idea.

100 Windows - #88

It's a grey dreary day where I am, so here is a cheerful little shade. Look at that multi-color pom pom trim.  Look.  At.  It!

The view from across the room is a bit dark but you get the idea.

100 Windows - #87

This is one of my favorites!

I love the pattern placement. I love the black and white.  I love the seemingly hundreds of folds at the bottom.  I love that it was hung at the ceiling level, but the window probably doesn't go up that far.

Even the side view, which so many people ignore, is nice. Really cute black and white bathroom.

Even the floor!

100 Windows - #86

Here is a rare one......a cornice board with a ruffled edge. Not as tricky as you might think.

100 Windows - #85

If I showed you some fabric with rhinestones, would you think to use it on a window treatment? Sometimes, what looks too blingy in a sample book can actually be pretty subtle in it's final form.

This pretty London shade is a wonderful mix of city and country.  It's kind of Ginger meets Mary Ann. Or when your country cousin gets herself all fixed up for the prom and you say, "Damn girl! You look FINE!"
Checks and ruffles and rhinestones, oh my!

100 Windows - #84

Here's one for you do-it-yourselfers! You only need basic sewing skills and you might even be able to figure this out without sewing a stitch!
I like the curved hem of this but you could easily make it pointed, like a pennant. And you could add trim, and I would love you for that!

Don't you adore that gorgeous aqua color? You can see that most of the charm of this design is in  using two different patterns.  You could also use two different colors or a solid and a print.
I would probably have interlined this valance to keep the patterns from showing through from the other side.
It works equally as well in multiples.

This is a great style for a window like this that has a lot of trim that you don't want to hide. The other plus? Very little yardage used. Perfect for when you fall in love with that million dollar fabric!
You do realize by now that each valance is just one piece of contrast lined fabric draped over a rod?