Remote Control--What a great idea!

Remote control is a great idea for window treatments. For many years remote controls were only used on draperies. It is still available for draperies and being used a lot. Existing draperies can be configured to open and close with the a remote control. I have always used the remote option when the draperies were very heavy, taller than average, and sometimes just because the client wanted it. It is true draperies open easier with the remote compared to pulling the cord that is attached to the baseboard and rods last longer because a groove doesn't get worn into the metal as quickly as a manual pull.

I think we all have heard of remote control draperies, but did you know custom roman shades can be ordered with a remote control? What a great application! This means the shades can be stopped at any point desired. Now we can put roman shades on the two story windows in homes with 20' ceilings. Before now, if we used a roman shade in a two story area, they were just opened to a certain place and left there because they were so hard to access. This opens so many more design ideas for roman shades--the #1 window treatment right now.

Wood blinds, Silhouettes, Duette shades and even shutters can be used with a remote. Of course, our shutters have to be made this way from the beginning. But wood blinds, Silhouettes and Duettes can be retrofitted with the remote application!This means if you have said many times, "If only I'd gotten the remote!" Well, that door is no longer closed.

Have you thought of a remote control for your hard to cover skylights? Now we can block those harmful UV rays and still open the shade to see the sky any time we want! They do need the batteries changed once a year, but other than that they are virtually care free. I have used Duettes in skylights and they worked great! Wood blinds won't work because the slats weigh too much and they would sag over a period of time.

So, look at those "problem" windows with different eyes. You will be happily surprised at how easy the remote control treatments are to live with--you'll wonder how you ever lived without them!

Shutter Design Tip on Star Furniture Site

Facts are very important in deciding which shutters are right for your home and family. In many instances, shutters can be financed on a new home as they are considered to be part of the home.

Custom made wood shutters provide an unmatched investment. Hand manufactured with the lasting tradition of fine handmade furniture, the craftsmanship and design assure quality and durability for the long term. Wood shutters blend with all styles - contemporary to exquisite elegance. Custom paint is matched to your trim, walls or even the exterior of your home with many coats to assure the longevity of the finish.

Faux wood shutters are usually made from extruded resin. They too are energy-efficient, and the price tag is lower. However, compared to wood, resin is more likely to warp. Also, paint does not to adhere to resin as well as it does to wood. The frames are machine-made in stock sizes, so an exact fit to your window is not guaranteed. Most brands are available in about three colors.

A Fun Way To Look At Color

http://www.bhg.com/decorating/color/colors/welcome-to-color-a-room/

Two Story Beauty

I am asked several times a month what type of window treatment looks good on the two story windows so popular in Houston right now.

This lovely treatment of sheer swags with side panels is grand without taking over the soft, liveable room design while adding just the right amount of color, "marries" all the elements and completes the design plan.

photo courtesy of Susan McDermott, Interior Designer
Star Furniture Super Store at I-10 and Park Ten

Upscale Design

Custom window treatments are the final design touch for a well planned room design. An opulent, formal design is achieved with yards of silk fabric with beautiful fringe, completed by attaching the swags to a custom stained wood pole with carved finials. We have created a lovely formal look equal to any room with fine furniture and accessories,while keeping the treatment up to date with today's styles.

Are Your Windows Wearing Flip-flops?

A room without window treatments is equal to a woman attending a state dinner in an "over the top" elegant evening gown with rows and rows of beads on an original silk fabric, but wearing flip flops!  Doesn't your beautiful home deserve beautiful window treatments?  Custom Draperies provide softness, personality and style, while creating a warm feeling of home.

Our new Drapery Portfolio

Whew! A lot has transpired...

Hey there!  It has been quite a while since my last comment on this blog.  I've been working on a complete Drapery/Custom Window treatment Portfolio! 

First, thinking it would be the easiest way to get the look I needed, I created a Power Point display.  Easy for some people, only I didn't have a clue how to use Power Point.  Not easily discouraged, I optimistically waded in.  Anxious to finish quickly, I worked on the Power Point from home also.  At the Studio I started out with Power Point 2003, then progressed to 2007.  At home on one computer I had 1997 (yeah, I know it was old--it's been updated since then) and a 2007.  The pictures I used were copied with various different Power Point programs also.  After months of working on the Portfolio from home and work, I was ready to pull my hair out.  Hours and hours were spent adding pictures, text,and special borders. 

At the end of each session,  Power Point would put a warning up there and say, "If you don't save in...(all the program years listed above), they will not be viewable."  Logic tells you to save in each year. Of course you don't want to lose all your hard work, so each time I answered, "Yes."  And each time I I reopened my work, it was changed back to where I started months ago.  The frustration was monumental.  I asked friends, co-workers, and even The Geek Squad if they knew how to stop the infernal erasing.  I put emails on the Microsoft website, with no reply.  No one knew the answer!

After a particularly long session late one night, the Power Point message question about saving it in each program before closing flashed on the screen.  For some unknown reason I said, "No".  The next time I opened the Portfolio, lo and behold, my work was there!  If I was not such a determined person, there would not be a Power Point presentation right now.  But I can tell you, I learned how to do all this by the seat of my pants and I NOW KNOW HOW! I'll be adding some of these slides to my blogs as I go along.

Labels:

Transitional Style

A Simple Look With Great Impact

Great Color and Design Unity

The Value of Window Treatments

As Manager of the Star Furniture Custom Drapery Department, I have designed window treatments for four of the Star Furniture stores here in Houston.  Eventually we will have treatments in every store.

How did I decide what color, style and fabric for each store? First I spoke with sales associates as well as store managers to see what style of furniture they sold the most of.  Then I looked at the furniture available in the store and what furniture would be close to where the treatment would hang.  At Star many of the walls are painted with a color, and this was definitely a factor.  Style and fabrics go hand in hand.

The beauty of a custom window treatment is the ability to put the perfect style together with a fabric that unifies the wall and furniture colors along with all accessories.  In one store I used a grommet drapery over custom 4" shutters.
Grommet draperies are not unique unless they are different from the norm.  The panel has color blocking with a masculine gold pinstripe section placed at the top with 3" grommets.  A 1" faux leather separates the stripe from the muted paisley fabric in golds and browns.  Installed on a 3" faux finished wood pole with finials--a "Transitional" window treatment is created.