Window Treatments - An Opinion Piece

I'm finally getting around to having window treatments made for our kitchen. Our kitchen (we remodeled last year) is lovely, and doesn't necessarily need treatments, but I think it might give it a more polished, finished look.  That, and I remembered I have a large remnant of Katsugi I've been dying to use forever.

I'm planning to do relaxed (fixed) roman shades. - something like these

source unknown

I know it sounds strange, but I have this love/hate relationship with curtains, etc.  Outside of the wide blinds we have for privacy, the windows in our house are bare.  Our home doesn't get a ton of natural light, so I don't want to do anything to impede light coming in.  But, there's more to it than that.  I have what might be called curtain paranoia that stems (I believe) from being too roped into the world of decorating.

What I mean is - the gorgeous, custom window treatments we see in magazines cost uh-lot of dinero. Often, it's those custom treatments that make a room look complete, pulled together.  But cheap window treatments can do the exact opposite.  They can take a room that was looking nice, and downgrade it.
I once read a fellow decorator say something along the lines of, "If you can't swing $5000 on curtains, don't bother at all," and it's that kind of thinking that keeps me in stagnant curtain mode.  I don't have 5k in the curtain budget, so rather than go inexpensive and risk cheapening the room, I just don't do anything at all.
Thing is, that line of thought doesn't play well with a lot of clients.  People want to be able to have nice curtains, etc without blowing out their budget.  There has to be a middle ground. And this is how I found it:

 1)  I bought my high-end fabric from another designer who sells her remnants at a greatly-discounted price.  I highly recommend her site - The Designer's Attic.  Often, she has smaller yardages, but if you're flexible and looking for inspiration, Shannon's your gal.

2)  I found a seamstress via Craigslist.  DISCLAIMER - this is my first time to work with her!!  I'll update once everything is done, but my point is - look for a knowledgeable seamstress with experience who may work out of his/her home.  They have less overhead, and are often not as busy.  A go-to workroom is a decorator's best friend, but if you're competing with a lot of other people's projects a) yours may not get priority and b) it'll cost you more.

3)  Go with more practical options.  Because I don't expect to ever want to close the shades in my kitchen, the ones I'm having made will be fixed - meaning, they will appear to be operable, but won't be.  This saves yardage = $$, but the look will still be custom.  The same thought can be applied to other rooms.  A standard curtain panel runs 3 yards, and many times, you'd want a more plush look than that would allow.  So, you can see how quickly you could get into the 10+ yard range.  Decent fabric, liner, hardware, labor - you can do the math.  But, if your style will allow it, a lovely and tailored roman shade can give you a lot of custom bang for the buck without all that yardage.

I picked up on a lot of gorgeous examples of roman shades in lieu of curtains in designer Erin Gates' book, Elements of Style - a great resource, btw.

photos via EoS

So, my takeaway is:  don't let high-end decorating ways deter you from pursuing a custom look.  It can be done.  It just might take a little more research and legwork.  Totally worth it, if you ask me.  Stay tuned for the reveal of my custom/savvy spender kitchen shades.

What Would YOU Do?

The other day, I hit the jackpot on Shannon's The Designer's Attic - scoring five yards of Schumacher Katsugi for 1/3 of the retail price. Designers and bloggers have been singing the praises of this loose floral for years, and I for one, am still on the bandwagon.

Now, I just need to decide what I'll do with it! Five yards is a good amount to work with, so I'm not even considering something small like accent pillows.
Tom Scheerer aka Katsugi King has used it to great effect in bedrooms... but my bed frame would hide a great portion of the skirt...

Curtains. Maybe. But I'd have to pull it together in a room scheme....

So, what say you? What would YOU do with five yards of Katsugi?

Sari Curtains: Yea or Nay?

Doing a little research for a project when I came across these curtains made from Indian, saris.

I'm not sure about this sari, but think about the endless array of colors and patterns. Could be incredible, right?

Dead Ringer Fabric?

This fabric, Botanical Fern, by Schumacher caught my eye in the latest issue of HB.

(Room designed by my boyfriend, Tom Scherer.)

I noticed it primarily because it's a dead-ringer for the Brunschwig & Fils' Les Fougeres which covers a chair we inherited from Ben's Grandparents. ....Which then reminded me that I'd love to rework the chair...

If only I felt inspired over what to do with it.
I think all its good karma is being zapped by that pirate chest it's been forced to sit near for almost two years. I have no love whatsoever for said chest, but my bluff has been called on all threats to put it in the garden shed....or paint it pink.
It's definitely the Wagon Wheel Coffee Table in our house....

What would I do?

Do B&A pics draw you in, almost addictively? I'd venture to say my interest has some sort of sadomasochistic twist, since I have precious little opportunity to partake in Before and After fun - what with the lack of resale/Habitat/Craigs down here in Brazil. (Do I hear violins?)

Anyway, I still spend hours conjuring up the What Would I Do's when I see something begging for a facelift. Lately, I've seen some very snazzy images of cane back chairs taken from sads to shaZAMZ

via daisyjanie

designsponge

pemberley style

So, when I spied this little 'ol lady (one of a pair) on Houston Craigs, I immediately thought of giving them a new lease on life for my sister client.

Of course, fabric and color selection depend on room, personal aesthetics, and for me, mood. Here's a few fabric and paint combos I put together:

Yellow Ikat via L&S + Glidden Rich Navy


Flowering Branch via CC + Francesca by Martha Stewart Paints


Sudan by L&S + Behr Premium Ash Violet


Formosia via L&S + Glidden Deepest Wooden Green


Jamil via L&S + Glidden True Turquoise

What would YOU do?

*Psst...if you don't know, let me help you! email me at: atexski@yahoo(dot)com

Great Minds...

I really hate posting on things I know the entire design blogosphere will be all over, and I know the latest issue of Rue will make many rounds on the interwebs, as it is quite the delish, but I just COULD NOT resist noting how Windsor Smith used metallic linen on the tufted banquette shown in her feature.

I envisioned redoing an accent chair in this killer fabric some weeks back, but lamented the lack of images of furniture to reference.

Well, now we have one - a really amazing one, at that. Any questions?

Would You, Could You?

Cut up your Mexican Otomi coverlet for lampshades or upholstery purposes a la Anna Spiro?

Since Avery's room has taken over what was our only guest bedroom, my Otomi has found a place of honor at the top of a closet, which makes me sad.

I'd love to do something with it, to be able to enjoy it on a daily basis, but don't know if I can commit to cutting it. The upholstery idea seems swell, but these things snag at the slightest tug, so I don't know how long it would survive in a two-child household.
Thoughts?

*first two images courtesy of the new ezine, Ivy and Piper, (read it, it's cute) third is mine - duh.

Craving: Mineral Linen

A loooong time ago, when I first saw this image of a beach home designed by Tom Scheerer, I thought it was one of the prettiest rooms I'd seen. Just for the record, if I had a Design Lover, Tom would be it.

But, upon new review, I realize one of the items I'm most drawn to is that sofa. It appears to be a delicate, ice blue linen. I'm dying to cover something in this fresh, classic fabric. Kasler's linen fabric from Ballard looks lovely, and the price is do-able.

...although the blush colorway gives mineral a really good run for its money.

I can see how pastel linen might make you think you'd be pigeonholed into a certain design scheme, i.e. "beachy."

hb

...but when there's looks like this, I beg to differ...

Tufted tuxedo, be still, heart!

Bribery and What Not

Ben has been traveling a lot, lately. A lot. I sort of go to shreds when I have to do the single-parenting thing for weeks at a time, hence the paucity of blog posts. My creativity and stamina go out the door in lieu of survival skills.
The other night, the Hubster made a peace offering of sorts, to make up for his recent (and upcoming) absence...Do any of you choose home decor projects when your mate offers you a (within reason) gift of choice?
Yeah, I knew it - I'm a weirdo. But, I also know this idea would go over better than the big, blingy watch I've been eyeing...

We inherited this single, accent chair from Ben's grandparents. The fabric is actually pretty great: Brunschwig & Fils' Les Fougeres, but it's a bit discolored, and has also taken a beating from the Ghost of Crayons that wanders the halls of Casa Giese. ( Nevermind the heinous pirate chest that came as the chair's sidekick. I'm working on making that bee-YOOTY disappear. ;)

Since the chair is a singleton, I'm thinking of using it in our bedroom, next to this blue chest of drawers.

Undoubtedly, the chair would end up serving as a clothes valet for Ben, so I hate to pick too precious a fabric, although I can step a bit outside my usual price range, since it will take so little yardage to recover.

Iman's new Home line of fabrics for Calico Corners is getting a lot of press, and this Punjab Peacock IS rather appealing.

But, I also have more than a slight obsession with these metallic linens I was recently alerted to via MFAMB.

We use a white matelassé bed coverlet, so there's not much in terms of pattern to compete with. Your vote is? Cool pattern, or amped-up solid?

Thumbs Up!

Do you have IKEA furniture? I do - the casual Ektorp sofa resides at Casa Giese! So many of us can't resist the clever design, paired with insanely-good prices that the Swedish furniture store offers. However, we are also much too discerning, and don't want our homes looking like an IKEA showroom.
Enter Comfort Works, the Melbourne-based His-n-Her company that specializes in custom covers for Ikea sofas, armchairs and daybeds (they also do curtains, too!) The "Her" end of the company contacted me recently about doing a feature post about their wares. I don't normally submit to such solicitations, but their "We left the 9-to-5 to follow our creative yearnings" story found a soft spot in my heart, and I couldn't help but be intrigued.

I checked out their website, and have to say, the selection of fabrics is fun - a nice combo of playful patterns or simple solids. Their website allows you to "try" the fabric on a variety of IKEA sofa styles, and they'll send you swatches for free.
So, you say, yeah, yeah, but they're based in Australia - yes, AND they're now offering FREE shipping to USA customers, so chill that excuse!

Here's some ideas I'd work on my aforementioned Ektorp line...

For my everyday home, where I need something to hide drool marks and juice spills...the solid, Kino in charcoal would do.

For my more edgy, urban loft (that still has to be child-friendly), I'd rock their faux leather, "Urbanskin" in silver.

...And for that beach house getaway I'll always dream about, the crisp, minty, Elizabeth stripe. (Throwing in some orange, ethnic-y pillows 'course!)

So, go on, hit their site, play around with the fabrics, and say hello to Rachel and Henry for me!

Sources and Secrets: Mary's Room

Y'all have been so sweet with your compliments of Mary's room - thank you!
I've received a few questions and comments about the sources and how-to's. There's no way I could hold out on amazing readers like you, so here ya go!
Using the images as review (numbered clockwise from top left):

• Image 1: Side chairs from Overstock, reupholstered in Spicer Hvy Basket in Celery from LS Fabrics.
• Image 2: Shield-back accent chairs from our local Habitat for Humanity Restore - spray painted in Kryon's Ivy Leaf. Seats recovered in a natural linen from Hobby Lobby.
• Image 3: Settee from Craigslist - Houston.
  
• Peacock blue velvet throw pillows from Target
• Abstract landscape (as well as butterfly prints) from art.com
• Adjustable Arc Sconces from Pottery Barn
• Side tables from Hobby Lobby - originally black, I repainted them with gold "Rub 'n Buff" paint
• Image 4: Console table from Tuesday Morning, repainted in Sherwin Williams Liberty Blue
• Image 5: Buffet lamps (love that pattern on the shades!) from JCPenney
• Image 6: Strands of chunky turquoise from the Warrenton Antiques Festival (at only $15 a strand, they were a killer deal!) *Coffee table came from same place
  

Not visible in these pics, but also received questions on: the cowhide rug: Ebay. The nubby jute rug: West Elm. The large blue and white ginger jar: Homegoods. Pair of white Chinese garden stools: Big Lots.

Hope that helps!

Drool, much?

This morning, Daniela at Aesthetic Oiseau posted some of the Chinoiserie offerings from the new Spring 2010 Schumacher line, and I just couldn't resist continuing with the latest version of a trellis pattern: Summer Palace Fret - a slightly more delicate relative of Imperial Trellis. Picking one of the colorways would be akin to choosing a favorite child!

smoke

mineral

wisteria

sand