Silk and Viscose

I knew we would find it, the perfect fabric, the right color and the perfect "hand" (hand is a term used in the design industry to articulate how textiles feel and handle).

The fabric is a combination,  20% Silk and 80% Viscose.  Viscose is a man made fiber processed from wood pulp.  It falls somewhere in between a synthetic and a natural fiber.   Viscose breathes like cotton and is soft to the touch.  It adds stability and softness to silk.

 Viscose is also helpful because it allows me to manipulate and handle the fabric.  Again the term "hand".

The hand featured in this photo is that of the homeowner :-).

 We knew we had the right fabric so we moved forward with the Kingston Valance and side panels over paper shades.

Later we added sheers.

        The Drapery Shop offers this fabric in more than 60 colors.

It retails for $39.00 per yard.

Creativity with an Exacto Knife.

I enjoy the creativity I'm allowed to unleash in the workroom.The cornice below was created using an exacto knife to outline the floral pattern.  Then trim was glued to check the frayed edges and add a slight outline to the bottom of the design.

Click on this picture to enlarge and see the detail.

I call this type of cornice, Miss Barbara.  Named after the client, of course.  She wanted a simple cornice but my "creative juices" began to flow.

Here are the panels we made for the sliding glass door.

Roman Panels?

The designer wanted me to create what he called roman panels. "Roman Panels", I asked. "Yes, Miss Mary you know,  roman panels".  He emailed  me a picture, gave me the specs and I got to work.

He picked up the panels, hung them and sent me

pictures of my work. 

Usually we install most of the drapery treatments we make.

 The chairs around this dining set are nice.  I wish he would have included them in the photo.  I seem to have a chair fetish. I'm  definitely going to incorporate upholstery in my service package.

Squire Pole Swag

The Squire Swag has only 2 swag pleats.  The bottom of the swag is cut to be longer and the horns shorter than other swag treatments.  Using a greater distance between the long and short point is more dramatic.

This is one of my favorites.  I think it's Pretty.

Suede Butterflies, Knotted Rope and Ballroom Panels.

The Butterfly pleat is becoming more popular.  Really, it's just the pinched pleat tacked 1 1/2 inches from the top.

I love the uiformity of the pleats

Knotted Rope on Panels

You really must click on the picture above and check out the knots.

The Ballroom Puddle works if you can keep the children and pets off!

Both of these jobs were commissioned by Noelle Myers of Impressive Interiors in McLean Virginia

Roman Shades in a Historic DC home.

Interior designer Christine VanMilder Jones of Richmond Virginia commissioned The Drapery Shop to create  roman shades.  The shades were installed in a historic NW DC home.

The moldings around the windows must be about 100 years old.  Still beautiful!

 100 year old millwork with layers of paint makes fitting an inside mounted shade a bit tricky.

 The right colors, the right fabric and the right shade. Great job Christine!  Thanks for choosing The Drapery Shop.



The Austrian Shade Deserves Another Chance

It's not likely that you'll see many Austrian Shades. 

You may have to visit Embassy Row in Washington, DC.



I made this Austrian Shade using 2 times fullness.  The standard fullness is 3 times the length.  I wanted to use what I had and study the effects.

What impresses me about the Austrian 

is it's ability to give you more privacy than a sheer curtain and still allow light to fill the room. 

At night I like to raise the shades and gaze at the stars before falling asleep and in the morning waking up with the rising sun. 

Yes, there are occasions when I draw the 

drapery panels and sleep in.

I'm not sure what color to paint this room.  This sandy tone has got to go.  Let me know what color you recommend.    If  I use your suggestion and you sign on to follow  http://thedraperyshop.blogspot.com/  I'll send you a gift.