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. 

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