What is Hot and What is Not, in the World of Window Fashions!

Often clients ask what the latest trends for window fashions are. I would like to share with you the latest in terms of style, colors, fabrics and embellishments.

 

Style:  Full drapery panels are in. The past few years we saw more use of drapery panels on windows, with unusual pleats and headings.

Roman shades in all known styles (flat, folded, ballooned, and all other types) are very much in fashion. Roman shades are very popular because they are classic: when they are pulled up they create a valance to dress the window, they insolate when drawn down, especially when interlined, and provide privacy as well.

 

Colors:  With the down turn in the economy the past few years, we saw new trends for colors in general, and the window fashion industry is no exception. Bold, strong colors are back! They are used as a pop of color with a more neutral background. Bold Tangerines, Mangos, Teals, Turquoise, and Reds with grayed browns are being used; these splashes of bold colors are a reminder to the world that there is hope and to look forward to a better future!

 

Fabrics:  Textural, embroidered and fabrics with natural fibers are in fashion.  Fabrics like linen, cotton, Chenille, printed silks as well as natural silks are preferred over polyesters and man-made fibers. Although natural fabrics are in demand now days, synthetic fabrics are still finding their use in the design world. Clients also are asking for natural fibers, recycled, and (Green) products.

 

Embellishments:  Embellishing with bold, unique trims is very much in fashion. Using fringes along the vertical edges of a panel or having a plain panel with a one-of-a-kind over-sized tie back tassel have become very popular. Having a beaded trim with a striking color in the perfect spot will accentuate an architectural feature that needs to be the focal point of a room. We are seeing more trims with wooden beads, mirrors, metal chains, feathers, and materials that are not usually used as a decorative trim. Pleating, buttons, grommets, and contrast cording is another way to embellish, and now more than ever, designers are using their creative juices to come up with ways to give their clientele head turning, knockout draperies that are totally their style.

For ideas and information make sure to call us and utilize our free phone consultation (630) 420-0800.

Head turning, jaw dropping, breath taking draperies, for a dining room in Burr Ridge Illinois!

The architecture of this amazing home in Burr Ridge, Dupage county, Illinois, was my inspiration!

The curved walls that surround the circular breakfast nook was an architectural feature that can not be ignored!

It all started when I felt that the one curved wall that is shared between the formal dining room and the breakfast area had spoken to me! It just needed to be emphasized, and using the circle as an element in our design was borne!

The fabric selected was Robert Allen from the Larry Laslo collection, Cuff Links, color copper, lined with black sheers. The hardware was Robert Allen Hardware as well, from the Bloome collection. The wall sculpture, is made out of hand blown glass balls, in various sizes and colors. Copper, greens, honey, cream and grays, have all supported the over all design. The room is not yet complete, but the excitement that my client and myself both shared made me write about it sooner. When the room is fully furnished and all put together, you will hear from me again, I promise!

Watch the video below!

You might have a hidden treasure right at home, and not know it!

When my client from Naperville, IL (Dupage county) called me to redo her living and dinning areas, I was excited, motivated, and pumped up with energy!

I arrived to her place, a beautiful home with large windows, lots of sun and space, we sat down to discuss her needs and her vision of what she wanted the spaces to look like when we finish the project.

She wanted roman shades with stationary side panels for the windows, fresh paint, a new sofa, a rug, the reupholstering of two chairs and accessories!

When we talked about budget, we came up with a plan! We can do it in stages, and we can save by going on a treasure hunt right at her own home! You will be surprised at how many items you can find that can be reused, refurbished, and with a magical new face lift can be transformed into a brand new piece. I was especially excited to see a curio cabinet over stuffed with items. These very special items can be used as accessories here and there, which means reduction in our unnecessary spending on decorative items. The main budget can be used on the windows and new a couch.

A collection of china cups and saucers were buried under other items and they were well hidden in the curio cabinet! A flow of ideas came to my mind: why can’t we use them as our decorative items around the two rooms? My client welcomed the idea, and I had my wonderful handyman make me tiny shelves, then paint them, hang them on the wall in a special composition to have balance, and voila! The new look was fresh, unique, and economical!

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Please also visit gailaniassoc for more ideas on window treatments.

Do you like to sew? Great! We have the fabrics, trims, tassels and even patterns!

That is right! If you like to sew your own window treatments, and feel confident enough to be your own seamstress, we can assist! We carry a vast variety of fabrics, trims, tassels, and even drapery patterns. We offer design consultation, to help you put together your design project, from selecting the colors, rearranging the furniture, to picking the right fabrics for your windows and upholstery. We carry fabrics such as, Robert Allen, Kravet, Fabricut, Kasmir, RM COCO, Carole fabrics, and much more.

How about the drapery hardware? That can be a challenge! We carry products made here in the US and imported products as well. We have hardware for every style, taste and budget. see the video:

We now also offer a free phone consultation–a new added service–to benefit our clients, and help transform their houses into dream homes. Add the WOW factor to every little corner!

Please visit our website for other services we provide.

Also visit gailaniassoc

Drapery Hardware: Jewelry for your windows!

The sky is the limit when it comes to drapery hardware. How do you decide what type to use?

I will have to ask, are your draperies, traditional, contemporary, transitional, whimsical, or do they have a definite theme?

Also I might ask, is there a space limitation on each side of the window, or above? That can be a factor in selecting one hardware over the other.

For fun let’s go to the link below, the Helser Brothers website, and build your own finial!

www.helserbrothers.com

Call us for your free design consultation. We also offer free phone consultation!

(630)420-0800.

Do you want to spice up your rooms?

All right, I hear you, your rooms are dull, out dated and a drab! Or maybe you feel it is missing something!

OK, let’s talk about some steps to take to up lift the look with out spending tons of money.

How about fresh paint! How do you pick the right shade? Take a look at your furniture,  pillows, or an art piece that you truly love and want to keep, analyze the colors that exists in your furnishings, match those colors to your paint chips, pick what appeals to you most, then try a few on the walls, live with them for few days, and you can then pick what you like best and go ahead and paint. Please take this test to figure what colors you are drawn to most. Visit www.voiceofcolor.com then go to the color sense game! It is fun and enlightening.

You might want to try some faux finishing. It could be on your walls, furniture, mirrors, frames, ceiling fans, cabinets, even your crown moldings. If you are looking for a Faux artist please call us at (630)420-0800 and we will connect you with the best!

Window coverings, oh what an impact it creates on any room. Window treatments add warmth, beauty, and frames the windows. You can select from so many varieties of patterns, colors, and textures. Figure out what budget you would like to stay within, and we will help you with creating the best for your budget range.

How about new pillows? You can select from many styles, patterns, and colors. Pillows can add character and help up lift any piece of furniture. See the slide show below, and you will see some pillows for actual clients and some illustrations from the Minutes Matters studio soft ware.

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Re-upholstery can transform furniture from drab to “Fab” in a few short weeks! Please take a look at the slide show below to see the quality of our work.

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Finally, please do not forget the accessories. That’s the way to personalize your space and make it totally you!

Feel free to call us, we offer a free phone consultation (630) 420-0800.

Are you having the winter blues?

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Photo from Google images.

We’ve had a pretty mild winter up until recently, but that doesn’t mean the limited daylight hours haven’t already had an effect on us! And because of the cold and wet weather, people have the tendency to spend most of their time at home. Cabin fever leaves many desperate for some way to lift their mood.

Here are some tips to overcome the winter blues:

1. Try colorful pillows, throws, and decorative items. This is one of the simplest, most inexpensive ways to change the look of your room.
2. Give one or two pieces of furniture a facelift with a slipcover! Depending on your style and decorating preference, you can have some vibrant colors of floral, stripes, plaids, or a combination of them with solids to be used for a tailored or a more relaxed look. Slip covers are costly, but if you think about it in the long run you will be using them every winter to bring life to your rooms and will extend the life of your furniture.
3. Fresh paint for the entire room or an accent wall with lively, fresh colors will definitely do the job.
4. How about personal photos? Have you been to a tropical island, a nice sunny vacation spot, or been on a trip that puts a smile on your face every time you think of it? Let’s be creative here! Take those photos, enlarge them, add color-coordinated matting, and voila! You have new pieces of art.

Just like the winter decorations that only come out for the Holidays, we can keep another arsenal of winter decor to defeat the winter blues.

What kind of pleat style do I want for my draperies?

There are so many different styles of pleats or heading available for your draperies. Please check the slide show below and also make sure to see the video from RMCOCO.

We carry all RMCOCO fabrics, trims, and hardware call us (630) 420-0800

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Robert Allen Fabrics, elegance, style, and beauty!

Gailani Designs is proud to introduce to you the modern collection from Robert Allen. We carry all Robert Allen fabrics, hardware and Trims.

Call us today (630) 420-0800

 

Woven wood Shades

 

 

Woven wood blinds, are gaining popularity in the Chicago land area! Here are three things you should know about woven wood blinds:

• They are woven from natural grasses, bamboo, and various reeds. That is why they are considered “green” window coverings because they are sustainable, renewable and eco-friendly window treatments.
• They can be used in a casual setting, such as sun rooms, boat houses, and marina homes. Or if a more sophisticated setting is what the client is after, then they can be combined with other materials like silks, brushed cottons, and wool to achieve elegance, and beauty.
• They are now available in various colors and textures to give the consumer vast assortments to choose from.

Call us (630) 420-0800