Check it out!

Do you have clients who love the distinctive designs of MacKenzie-Childs?  The MacKenzie-Childs style combines vibrant colors, pattern-on-pattern decorations, and the bold checkerboard motif that runs throughout the collection.  I recently visited the MacKenzie-Childs shop in Aurora, NY and took this photo at the left. Whoa... that's a lot of checks!  The MacKenzie-Childs annual barn sale is this month so I wanted to share some of the MacKenzie-Childs inspired treatments I have made over the years.  Some of the treatments have just a hint of the MacKenzie-Childs style and others are a full-scale, all-out explosion of color and pattern.

The first examples have just a hint of MacKenzie-Childs with a piping detail made from a small-scale, black-and-white check (1/2" squares).  The piping is at the bottom of these relaxed romans in a dinette bay window. The close-up shows the bias-cut welt and pleated ruffle at the bottom of the roman.  Also shown are boxed cushions for mudroom cubbies with the same bias-cut welt detail.

The next example uses a mid-scale, black-and-white check (1" squares).  In this bedroom, the black-and-white check is used both on the bias and the straight of grain in the neckroll pillow.  The color-blocked duvet cover is made out of colors to coordinate with the MacKenzie-Childs knobs and tassels used on the wall decoration.

A second example using the mid-scale check is a kitchen window treatment that gets its inspiration from a framed MacKenzie-Childs print.  The floral swagged valance is mounted from knobs on a fascia board (front board) that is covered with the 1" check oriented on the bias. The horns and jabots in the swagged valance are also contrast lined in the 1" check.  The close-up shows the MacKenzie-Childs knob and fascia.

A large-scale, black-and-white check (3" squares) is used in the next example.  The relaxed roman over the kitchen sink is cut on the bias and has a black-and-white pompom trim.  The trim really adds a touch of whimsy and enhances the MacKenzie-Childs feel of the treatment.

The final example illustrates full-on MacKenzie-Childs decor with window treatments that can definitely keep up!  The drapery panels are tie-top, color-blocked panels.  The panels are two widths of material each with 18" wide sections of red, blue, and yellow.  There are 20 pointed jester ties made of a small-scale, black-and-white check on each panel.  The drapery panels provide continuity in the open floor plan from the living room through the dining room to the sitting area.

You may not have a checkered past, but if you and a client are planning a checkered future, email me at peggy@parkwaywindowworks.com!

Taking it up a notch

Did you make New Year's resolutions this year?  Have you broken them already?  I know common wisdom is to set goals, make a plan to achieve them, and follow-up to assess and change course if necessary.  Often the only thing that ever happens is making that resolutions list.  Why not change your approach and take it up a notch?  Jack Dempsey, a business consultant, defines taking it up a notch as changing one or two things that will make a difference in the outcome.  Change one thing.  That doesn't sound too hard, does it?  Below are examples of three projects where the designer and I changed one thing to really take it up a notch.

Project #1

The plan for the first project was to use ready made panels to make stationary relaxed roman shades. Relaxed romans are a very versatile top treatment.  The flat "picture area" shows off the fabric motif and the soft, curved hemline looks great with or without trim.  The ready made panels were a black and white buffalo check to coordinate with the MacKenzie-Childs tile accents in the kitchen.  The roman would have looked good with the check cut straight up and down, but by changing to a bias cut, the relaxed roman really has spark and personality.  

 

Project #2

The second project was a box pleat valance out of a striped fabric for a young boy's room.  The box pleat valance is a classic design that will continue to look good as the boy gets older.  When laying out the fabric to decide on the pleating strategy (size and number of "boxes"), the width of the window and the horizontal repeat of the stripe together were camouflaging the boxes making it look like a flat valance.  The valance lost all the interest and depth you get with a box pleat.  We decided to change the orientation of the stripe on the inside of the pleats.   The end result is a valance with just a hint of whimsy hidden in the pleats and all the appeal and depth of a box pleat.

Project #3

The third project involved this beautiful embroidered fabric.  The designer bought only 1 yard because of price. Two of the embroidered medallions were used for the fronts of pillows in the living room and we wanted to use the remainder for a cornice in the entryway.  Rather than use the remaining fabric to upholster a straight cornice, our change was to use less fabric!  We used a single medallion and changed the bottom shape to highlight the medallion.  With this strategy we were even able to make a second cornice for the stairwell.   

If you have broken your New Year's resolutions already, why not adopt the "taking it up a notch" approach for 2014.  I know it works with window treatment design.  It will work for your business and personal goals, too.  Change just one thing.  You can do it!

E-mail me at peggy@parkwaywindowworks.com and let's take it up a notch on your next project.