Wouldn't That Be a Pretty Room?

Samples keep flying into the studio. Some are chosen for a specific client, others just to have on hand.  This group, especially, makes my heart beat faster.  If the right person doesn't come along, I may have to use them in my own home.

Five fabrics. I usually look at a group like this and think, " sofa, drapery, chair, ottoman, pillow" or something along those lines. Perhaps this is too much for one room. But maybe it is perfect for adjoining rooms..............
That large scale embroidered fabric is scrumptious, right?
The pink strie chenille is by Maxwell. All other fabrics are by GP&J Baker (distributed through Kravet).

Field Trip Friday - It's Back!

Finally, there was a little downtime last week and the opportunity - and more importantly, willing paricipants (!) - for a field trip.
We didn't have to go far. We went to Middleburg, VA to be precise. It was a central meeting spot for those in our group.

Baileywyck Farm and Shoppes is located on St. Louis Rd. in Middleburg. This is the heart of Virginia horse country for those unfamiliar, and even the drive there was spectacular. The shop is located behind a house and next to Golden Dreams Therapeutic Riding Center. Part of the proceeds from the shop are donated to Golden Dreams.

Before we even entered the barn that was loaded with all the treasures, we posed outside the entrance where there were lots of vintage garden items. I was in heaven already!!
We were greeted at the door by the owner, Lisa Vella. She owns the shop with her brother, Jim Vella.
Lisa is a really fun, enthusiastic person who generously shared her knowledge of the antiques she has, plus some stories about the thrill of the hunt. (The hunt for antiques and treasures, that is!)

 

This is the inside of the 4000 square foot barn, which was packed to the gills with all kinds of Wonderful. There were beautiful antique furniture pieces, accessories,  chandeliers, and even rugs, so with all the looking up and looking down, I had to make several trips around the place. Though I didn't photograph them, there were many pairs of antique doors which caused me several fits of hyperventilation. My favorite pair, from Brittany had gorgeous ironwork on them. Now to save my pennies and figure out a place for them (I can think of several!)

 



Not everything in the barn was old. There were room fragrances and diffusers. Also several new pillows.  I especially liked the one above with the double ruffle with raw edges made of burlap. There was a similar one with the ruffle being constructed of four layers of silk whose edges were not sew, but cut with pinking shears. Beautifully rustic!

The Baileywyck Shoppes are located at 21197 St. Louis Rd., Middleburg, VA 20117
The hours are  Thursday - Sunday, 11:00-5:00.  Other days by appointment. (or by chance, as their website says).

 

Upon leaving Baileywyck we headed straight for a sign we had seen for an Estate Sale. One can only imagine what we'd find at an estate sale in Middleburg! As it turned out, there was a lot of stuff, but mostly yardsale items. I took a picture of this record set and sent it to my friend, asking if she needed any piano music "in an Intimate Mood". She replied, "I'm willing to bet 'The Girl from Ipanema' is on that record"!

 

It was a hot day, and a girl gets thirsty so we ended our adventure at Cana Winery at the other end of Middleburg. It really is a pretty spot with the loveliest views. You can bring your lunch or buy snacks there. It was the perfect way to cap off Field Trip Friday!

Relaxed Roman Shades

Here are a few shots from my last installation.

 

 

Notice the beautiful symmetry when you have multiple shades repeated. These are Relaxed Roman Shades.

One upgrade I would suggest making when you have multiple shades like these is to get a continuous loop cord instead of a pull cord. It makes it so much easier to adjust all the shades to the exact same height.

Another thing to consider is the lining. Some people will opt for a blackout lining so you can't see where the window underneath stops and the wall begins. We decided against that as the fabric was a pretty, semi-sheer embroidered linen and we liked the lighter look.

Fabric by Kravet

Trim by Stout Bros.

 

We added trim to the bottom edge only, to follow that graceful curve.

Another option is to band the hem, the sides or both with a contrast fabric.

 

Finally, consider the view as you enter the room. Looking in from the door, the windows, table and chair make a charming vignette and invite you in.







Tricks of the Trade - Window Treatments

You can borrow a trick from fashion when thinking about window treatments for your home.  Ever notice how only one part of your outfit has to be fabulous, while the other pieces play supporting or even wallflower roles?  Think of wearing jeans and a t-shirt with a fantastic, one of a kind necklace. Or those gorgeous crazy-expensive shoes.
The same thing can be done with window treatments. Here's a little video showing some lovely curtains and valances using this trick to great advantage. Sometimes when we break the budget with the fabric cost we just do a simple little treatment (and save on labor). Or we up the ante of a budget minded design by using a trim that is perfect, though pricey. Every once in a while, the drapery hardware is the star of the show. See if you can spot the trick.

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.