How to transform old furniture from out-dated to updated!

Chair got a facelift

 

Furniture shopping is a long, arduous process that no one is particularly fond of. It takes time and sometimes that time can be better-spent upgrading pieces you already own. For a facial lift in your own home, instead of going back to the drawing board start with something you already have and upgrade it. An old chair can easily be refinished, reupholstered, and its entire look manipulated into something modern, edgy, and quite different than its roots. See the attached pictures for proof of this beautiful transformation. We gave this old thing a metallic finish and reupholstered the seat with a bolder pattern. The chair went from a more understated posture to an eye-catching design. With the amends, we were able to move the chair around the house and into another room, knocking two birds with one stone and essentially reimagining multiple spaces. Editing and altering older furniture not only elevates individual pieces but works as a more economical, smarter renovation of your home.

An out-dated chair

 

An updated look, modern and perfect for the new decor.

 

 

 

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Will draperies block my view?

comment frequently heard when clients are considering a window treatment – whether a privacy shade or a decorative treatment – or both.  Elegant window fashions, well designed, are a complement to any view. 

Well designed window treatment will compliment the window and the view.

 

The image above (found on Line) shows the draperies on one side of the window, it does not affect the view at all and it can cut the glare when needed.

 This image shows a bay window dressed with roman shades that can be pulled up to almost clear the window, and side panels on each side. Notice how the panels turn to allow more view of the outside.

The above room is a perfect example on how the draperies added opulence and beauty without affecting the view.

If you are working with a window covering designer you need to express your desire to not block the view, he or she will come up with solutions to help you achieve your goal.

For a complimentary design consultation and an estimate call (630)420-0800.

 

 

Three Things you should know about woven wood blinds.

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 sunrooms, 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 cotton, 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.

 

 

 

Dining Chairs Re-Upholstery

Do you want the expected or the unexpected in your dining rooms? Lovely evenings are spent in dining rooms of all varieties, but I would like to share This photo that illustrates the amazing, creative use of fabric in dining rooms.

The color and texture of fabric can often convey a mood or a feeling, or give guests a glimpse into the style and personality of the homeowners.  The chairs shown above were reupholstered in two different fabrics; the seats have a tapestry fabric and the backs have a velvet fabric, giving the chairs a unique and exciting look. (Lisle IL)

Dining rooms are places where family and friends gather for holidays and special occasions, special attention must be paid to details to bring the feeling of happiness and joy!

Scary windows do not scare us

How can colors impact your feelings

We have chosen Red, White, and Blue! It is July, we are celebrating our independence

 

The colors our flag!

As we all know, colors have a direct effect on how we feel. Most of us also know that changing the colors in one area can dramatically change the way a room looks and feels. Colors can affect different people in different ways; sometimes our perceptions of color are affected by our specific cultures, experiences or traditions.

Blue: It’s considered a calming color, primarily because that’s how most people feel looking at a body of water. Light blues – such as aqua or turquoise – are serene and suggestive of energy and creativity. On the other hand, deep blues – such as navy and indigo – are more formal and suggestive of tradition, sophistication, and intelligence.

Red: Red has a variety of meanings that range from love to war! Red suggests warmth, energy, and strength. It is considered royal in some cultures and exudes confidence in others. It’s a very strong color and must be used carefully!

White: What comes to mind when most people think of white are purity, clarity, and innocence. (At least that’s what comes to my mind … what about you?) To you, white might represent integrity, calmness, and cleanliness. It definitely can be used to make a space look larger, lighter and brighter.

Like red, white can be tricky. Sometimes people think they can use any white with any other color and it will work nicely. Well, there are so many shades of white – and they can look very different next to other colors – so choose wisely. Sometimes mixing various shades of white in one space can add sophistication and class so you might consider this approach.

 

Paint consultation

If you’re planning a painting project for your home or place of work, we offer paint consultations for a very small fee. If you make a custom window covering purchase or custom bedding purchase, our paint consultation is free.

Take advantage and call us now for your free consultation: (630)420-0800 or (630)854-9082

A tip on saving money dressing a large window with a modern look!

OK, so you have a large window, wall to wall, ceiling to floor and the cost to use any type treatment to cover it is going to be enormous!

Here is a tip to think about reducing the cost by half or less, that is if you used lining only!

Yes, I agree, it is not for all styles and it is not for everyone, but, if your home has a modern or contemporary style, then this idea could work and it will save you money!

For example, homes in south Florida, California, or homes by a cost, even downtown condos this look can be very attractive, stylish and economical!

To add richness, one can use a unique decorative hardware, and, voila! Amazing look without breaking the bank!

Below is and idea for modern drapery hardware that looks unique and attractive!

For one of a kind, ideas call (630)420-0800

We offer a free consultation and an estimate!

 

 

Why our Clients Love Roman Shades!

Five Reasons Why My Clients Prefer Roman Shades

Have you considered the warmth, simplicity, and elegance of a Roman Shade?

There’s nothing new about a Roman Shade, but my clients prefer them over any other shade time and time again.

• They provide you with practical privacy but pull them up and you have the look of a custom valance to go with the beautiful view outside of your window
• They’re “green”! Line and interline your Roman Shades for energy efficiency
• Roman shades are a great beginning, and you can always add more. Side panels or a valance add texture and provide a more complete look to the room
• They are timeless. Traditional, contemporary,  you can always dress Roman Shades to fit your personality and lifestyle
• With the variety of styles, you’ll always find what you’re looking for

Now Roman Shades come cordless! This is a wonderful feature for child and pet safety!

Call for free estimate and consultation: (630)420-0800 or (630)854-9082

 

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Top 3 tips for creating Window Treatments on a Budget!

Tips on how to create beautiful top treatments without breaking the bank!

What determines the cost of any window covering are the labor cost, materials used and the installation cost.

Here are some tips to consider when you are planning your next window covering project!

• The design: the simpler the design, the less expensive the treatment will be. Flat valances, inverted pleat valances, shirred and pinch pleated on a board, or a cornice board is considered less costly to fabricate. You can add a little touch to a simple flat valance by adding a contrast trim, tassels on each end, or perhaps some buttons in a coordinating fabric.
• The cost of the materials: The variety is endless when selecting fabrics. You can find gorgeous kinds of cotton, silks, and woven blends at an affordable price. Mixing textures, or adding coordinating inexpensive trims, will give you that designer quality look at an affordable price. Another tip is to perhaps splurge on the hardware, and choose a modestly priced fabric. The rich, opulent look of the hardware will make up for the simplicity of the style and your choice of the fabric.
• The installation cost: One way to cut on the installation cost is by choosing economically installed treatments. Cornices and board mounted valances are less expensive to install than sheared or pleated on a rod.

Finally, the best way to save money is by work with a professional, who will help you avoid costly mistakes, direct you, share expertise and resources, and respect your budget and work within it.

Here are some pictures of low-cost valances

 

Call us for a free consultation and free estimates!

(630)420-0800 OR (630)854-9082.

Top 3 Drapery Trends for todays home!

Drapery Trends: Panels Are Perfect In So Many Places

 

In recent years, we’ve seen increasing use of drapery panels as window treatments, replacing swag treatments or valances in popularity.

Most drapery panels are used to add warmth to a room. Most are stationary panels that also serve as something of a palette, letting people add patterns, textures, and colors to their rooms to create their own special look.

Simplicity is the trend in drapery panel design. The eye-catching details are in the fabric itself, or in the pleating – or perhaps decorative hardware is the design element that adds the “wow” factor to the window treatment. The design itself is clean and simple; it’s the extras that express creativity and individual style.

Private Residence

Drapery panels in urban homes are almost always stationary, and they’re often combined with shades or blinds for privacy. The pleating styles most frequently used include French pleats (sometimes called tacked-top pleats), or two-finger pleats, which is my personal preference because they look awesome and so very rich. Ripple folds also are a favorite in urban homes because they stack so well and allow more “view exposure,” which is especially important in high-rise condominiums where the view is sacred!

In the suburbs, however, most clients like a bit more decorative flair in their panels (at least this has been my observation), although some clients do request simplicity to complement their “clean look” design style.

Horizontal banding in one or more contrasting colors can be fun, as are buttons, unusual pleating, decorative hardware, and “breaking” on the floor, which is very trendy at the moment and preferred by many clients. One reason for the popularity of panels that break on the floor is because it’s frequently seen on television programs, such as HGTV, and in home décor magazine.

The variety of beautiful fabrics available in the market today is astonishing. Fabrics with shiny stones, sparkles, modern embroidery, and shimmery elements are all very popular. And all kinds of textures can be woven into the fabric, which makes them special and unique!

The use of short rods on each side of the window is growing in popularity, and panels are even sometimes mounted on boards instead of on rods.

Dressing up windows with panels enhances the height of the space and gives it a finished look. Consider some of these fun drapery panel projects I have recently completed and give me a call with ideas of how YOU would like to dress up YOUR windows!

Call (630)420-0800 or (630) 854-9082.

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