Trick or Treatment

It won't be long until neighborhood children are at your door shouting "Trick or Treat".  That's not a tough decision.  I always hand out candy, don't you?  But you may have a dilemma when designing window treatments where a door is in the mix.  Most of the time, the door opens into the room.  If you add a valance, the door hits the valance when opened.  There are three common solutions to this problem: mount the valance higher up, shorten the length of the valance, or leave the door untreated.

TREAT #1 

I want to introduce you to another solution - a door hinge valance.  A door hinge valance uses hardware that allows the valance to move with the door.  In this kitchen eating area, there are two windows and a door.  By using door hinge hardware, the designer was able to mount all three valances at the same height AND have all three valances the same length AND still use the door without interference from the valance. 

TREAT #2

Here is an example of using door hinge hardware for a valance over a French door.  Like the single door, the French door also opens into the room.  This situation requires a valance design that has some sort of "break" in the middle where the valance itself hinges.  The inverted box pleat in the center of this valance is the perfect solution.

TREAT #3

Here is a third situation where a door hinge valance was used.  In this case, there was a large picture window where the designer chose a valance with stationary panels.  She did not want to leave the door untreated.  By using the door hinge hardware and mounting the valances at the same height, your eye moves around the room uninterrupted and the customer can still use the door.

The next time you are designing valances in a room with a door, picture your customer saying "Trick or Treat".  Don't be the designer that ends up with a smashed pumpkin -- like a valance that is too short.  If you want to hand out full size candy bars and offer your customer a door hinge valance, email me at peggy@parkwaywindowworks.com and I'll help you engineer a treat for your customer.

Stuck in a Rut?

Do you always specify welt for the edges of your pillows, valances, and bedding?  You are not alone.  The most common edging used in home dec projects is welt.  Welt is cord covered with fabric. Let's take a look at three edge options that are a step above welt and really add to the style and function of the project. 

Micro Flange

A micro flange is a 1/2" wide flat edge.  It is sometimes referred to as a cordless welt.  The flange can be mitered in the corners or a couple of tucks can be added to ease around a corner.  I love how Interior Designer Elizabeth Butler used the micro flange on this contemporary bedding set.  Each of the four shams has a different color micro flange.  And notice the micro flange on the ends of the bolster.  Even the toss pillow at the foot of the bed has a micro flange in the same color as the body of the pillow.  You can see in the close-up that the corners are mitered.

Double Bead Chain 

Double bead chain is made like welt but instead of covering soft cord with fabric, two rows of beaded weight chain are covered with fabric. Beaded weight chain is most often used in the hem of sheer drapery panels to prevent flaring. Beaded weight chain makes a flat, heavy edging that when applied in a seam looks like narrow banding but has the added benefit of weight .  It improves draping when used in the hem of a valance and helps to prevent waving on wide flat expanses.  Interior Designer Janis Reed used double bead chain beautifully on this powder room valance.  The color and size of the edging make it look like a continuation of the fabric design.

Mini Ruffles

You might think ruffles are so 1980's but when scaled down to a scant 1/2", they can be an interesting edging without being overly feminine.  Here mini ruffles are inserted into both edges of the boxed round pillow in this teen's butterfly chair.  They soften the pillow and add charm to the setting.

On your next project, consider breaking out of the welt rut.  If you need a workroom that will give your designs an edge, e-mail me at peggy@parkwaywindowworks.com.  

On the edge

Are you on the cutting edge of technology?  I can't claim to be there.  I still use a "dumb" phone for heavens sake!  But I do read, learn, and keep moving in that direction.  Here are three apps I use on my iPad mini that are great for our industry and could move you closer to the edge.   The Hunter Douglas Platinum app allows you to control motorized shades with your Apple mobile device (iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch).  Customers that can afford motorization most likely own an Apple device and will love the convenience of the Platinum app -- no more searching for the remote control.  I installed a motorized roller shade over the entrance to my living room last December.  I wanted to be able to close off the room when I ran my gas fireplace to heat the room quickly and keep it warm. Motorized shades are great for the summer months too, when you want to block out the sun glare on your TV or shade against solar heat gain. I just returned from the International Window Coverings Expo in New Orleans where I attended a "Future of the Industry" panel discussion.  Bill O'Connor, president of Horizons Window Fashions, predicted that in 3 or 4 years traditional sample books would become a thing of the past.  He said the new Horizons Sample Book app has great photography and the ability to zoom in on an image. Horizons also offers free sample swatches so your customer can touch and feel the final selections.  I ordered the traditional roller shade sample book and also downloaded the app. There were some skeptical designers in the audience.  They couldn't envision not flipping through the actual sample book when selecting possible options.  I can't wait to get feedback from the designers I work with as I introduce them to the Horizons app.  They won't have to drive to my house to borrow the sample book.  They will be able to show the product with only their iPad and even order the free swatches themselves. I also attended a class called "iPad for Design Pros".  The long list of apps for our industry was daunting.  The image of the knife dripping with blood came to me as I tried to imagine getting to the cutting edge!  I decided to pick one new app and try it out.  It is called My Measures PRO.  It allows you to take a photo and add dimensions directly on the photo.  I will use this app during measure appointments.  It provides a photo of the space to refresh my memory when I start working on the job weeks later and it eliminates the need for free hand sketches of the window/wall configuration when recording measurements.  I can also see designers using this app to provide measurements for their workroom so that they can accurately quote the job without the need for a client visit.  Here is an example of what the app can do: If you are on the cutting edge and need a workroom on that edge with you, e-mail me at peggy@parkwaywindowworks.com.  If you aren't there yet but want to be, e-mail me and I'll help you get there with as little bleeding as possible! To learn more about each app, click on the triangle in the center of the picture to play the video:  My Measures PRO App         Hunter Douglas Platinum App Horizons Sample Book App

Let's Move!

When your customer wants a sleek, tailored look for drapery panels, grommet panels are a great option.  They have clean lines and a no fuss heading.  Interior designer Eve Elzenga used them beautifully in this living room.

The one drawback to traditional grommet panels is that they are not easily operable.  When you move the leading edge of the panel, the grommets tip at an angle and get stuck on the pole, making it difficult to open and close the panels.

Why doesn't this happen with pinch pleat panels or ripplefold panels?  Because carriers in the drapery hardware are connected to each other.  As the leading edge of a panel is moved, the next carrier is pulled along and with it the drapery panel.  

When I was tasked with making operable grommet panels at the Pultneyville Grill, I used this same concept by connecting the grommets with bead chain.  The Grill owners wanted to be able to separate the dining area for private parties and special events.  Interior designer Elizabeth Butler specified grommet panels so that the panel header would look good on both sides and also have minimal stackback.  Here is a close-up of the grommet header.  I sewed bead chain from grommet to grommet on the front and back of the panel.  The length of the bead chain was set so that when the chain pulled taut, the panel just fit the opening.  Below are pictures of the panels fully closed and open with a tieback.  You have to look very closely to see the taut chain on the closed panel!

Today you can buy grommets specifically made to accommodate this bead chain concept.  Rowley Company sells a product call Grom-A-Link (photo at right).  Below are pictures of the back of a panel using the Grom-A-Link grommets.

We often hear the rallying cry of "Let's Move" from our First Lady.  Now we can heed that cry even when using grommet panels.

If you are looking for a workroom that can come up with innovative solutions to your next drapery problem, contact me at peggy@parkwaywindowworks.com

Knob Knob. Who's there?

Knobs are a great option for drapery hardware.  They come in all different shapes and sizes and all different materials and finishes.  They can be used in a wide range of styles from contemporary to transitional to traditional.  And they can be used for a wide variety of window treatments from drapery panels to valances to swags and jabots.  Check out these pictures that show the many possibilities for knobs.

These are slouch panels with tiebacks on wood knobs from Paris Texas Hardware.

Anne Marie Weissend, Vitoch Interiors

Here are point to point swags with side jabots on metal knobs from Amore Drapery Hardware.

Janis Reed, Interior Design Source

 This is a scalloped valance with bias cut horns on ceramic MacKenzie-Childs knobs.

Bev Dyminski Interior Design

Knobs can also be used to solve installation dilemmas presented by arched or angled windows, bow windows, and corner or bay windows.  Here the metal knobs from Amore were angled to follow the shape of the window.

Bev Dyminski Interior Design

 Here the Cirque de Paris knobs from TMS Menagerie follow the curve of the bow window.

Bev Dyminski Interior Design

Sometimes knobs are used to add a detail or special feature to a window treatment.  The design of this swagged valance is taken up a notch by raising the center knob.

Janis Reed, Interior Design Source

Here a contrasting fabric was introduced to the design by mounting the knobs directly on the striped cornice.

Janis Reed, Interior Design Source

Knob Knob.
Who's there?
Bean.
Bean who?
Bean wondering what hardware to use?  Try knobs!  If you are looking for a workroom that can sew far better than tell jokes, contact me at peggy@parkwaywindowworks.com

Don't use that tone with me!

If you have children (or a spouse), I'll bet you have said it.  Hopefully you've never heard it from one of your clients! 

Choosing color is a huge part of your job.  Believe me when I say I can't do it and I certainly won't be lecturing you on how to do it.  But I do like to follow the latest color trends.

A few months ago, Naomi Harel of Invision Design Partners had an article in her newsletter about Pantone's 2013 Spring color forecast.  She included the picture below with the 10 color predictions.  Naomi suggested we had seen some, if not all, of these colors on the red carpet at the Emmys the night before.  I went looking for the dresses (she was right!) and then got the idea to see if these colors would make an appearance on "my runway" (my workroom table) in the upcoming months.  Look what I've seen so far. 

 

Kelly Osbourne and a window seat cushion in a young girl's room share the color African Violet.  According to Pantone, exotic African Violet is a statement color that brings a touch of intrigue to the palette.  Do you think that's true of Kelly's hair, too?  

 

  

Pantone says Nectarine is a bright, effervescent citrus orange with coral undertones providing a tangy burst of flavor and cheerful Lemon Zest brings out a piquant taste with its refreshing, spritely greenish cast.  While Padma Lakshmi and Julianne Moore looked beautiful in their gowns, I think both of these colors are perfect as trims at the bottom of relaxed roman shades.

    

Signifying the time of day when everything starts to wind down, Pantone says Dusk Blue offers a calming sense of serenity.  That is the perfect choice for Zooey Deschanel and this bedding ensemble.  Sweet dreams! 

   

Exuberant Poppy Red is a seductive, sensual and celebratory shade according to Pantone.  These dining room panels are perfect for the next holiday celebration or family party.  Wouldn't Kat Dennings be a nice addition to the guest list?

   

   

The prevalence of green in the spring forecast is undeniable.  As with the many shades of green in nature, Pantone says this season's greens offer a stunning foreground or the perfect backdrop for all other hues.  Like the first signs of spring, Tender Shoots, a vibrant yellow-green, is invigorating, active and cheerful.  Julie Bowen and this pillow would brighten up any room!   

    

  

Sophisticated Emerald is a lively, radiant green inspiring insight and clarity while enhancing our sense of well-being.  Emerald was chosen as the Pantone 2013 color of the year.  Sofia Vergara looks divine in it.  I haven't seen it on my table yet, but if you are looking for a workroom that can transform your Emerald fabric, contact me at peggy@parkwaywindowworks.com and I'll insert the picture of your project here!