Fabric from Egypt

Recently I met with a new client who has traveled extensively throughout the world.  She had purchased some very interesting fabric in Egypt which she wanted to use for drapery panels in her family room and office.

The fabric had a 39" band of a light tan linen-type weave, followed by a 51" band of cream linen-type sheer weave, followed by a 45" band of cream linen-type sheer weave, which then repeated the three bands, yard after yard.  It was really cool fabric and I had not seen anything like it before.  The fabric was 67" wide, which is wider than the standard 54" size.

We used the fabric in two interesting ways:  first: the client wanted to align the top edge of the tan band with the window sill; second: the client liked the raw slightly raveled edge of the selvedges, and wanted to keep them (rather than cut them off and fold the edge into the side hems).

Below you can see the different colors and weights of the fabric; isn't it pretty?  You can see from the light shining through the window that the tan segment aligns with the window sill.

Below is the side hem's raw edge showing, which adds a little texture and interest and is a little bit of a surprise if you peek at the panel edges.  It also required a modification of the industry standard's method of side hems, but it was not difficult to do at all.

Both of these ideas were great examples of letting the fabric "speak" and use it in a way that showcases the qualities of the fabric.

The windows already had honeycomb shades in them, so the purpose of the fabric panels would be to soften the room and to filter the light when the shades were raised.

Since the fabric was 67" wide, and two of the family room windows were 72" wide, and the client wanted to use a single width for each panel (no seams) on those windows, I modified the spacing of the grommets.  Generally, the same size spacing is used between each grommet, but for this project, I allowed more spacing between the two grommets which would form the "front" fold, and slightly less between the two grommets which would form the "back" fold (closest to the wall).  This adjustment meant that the folds to the front did not look skimpy, while still allowing as much fabric as possible to cover the expanse of the rod.

We lined the panels in a lightweight lining and added #15 matte chrome grommets, which matched the 1 1/8" metal rod with crystal ball finials.

The client wanted to cover the full wall of this office area, instead of just the window section. This really softens the room also. The panels really finished off the room, providing a soft backdrop to the stunning art and collectibles from the client's travels.

Hope you liked this project also!

Susan

Update: Remodeled bathroom treatments installed!

In my last blog post, I posted a rendering of a project I was getting ready to work on - a newly remodeled bathroom with lovely vintage tilework.  The rendering is shown below, including the detail of the button and bows planned for the shower curtain heading.

We found a really pretty embroidered fabric that worked beautifully with the tile colors - a burgundy and also a shell pink.

My client selected a tailored style box pleated valance with a solid burgundy fabric banding along the vertical folds and at the hem, which complemented the burgundy tile edging very well.  The contrast inset pleats were a tan solid fabric, which picked up some of the tan embroidery design. A burgundy fabric covered button was added along with tan fabric ties, for a soft accent on the valance.

The shower curtain turned out so pretty!  The inverted pleats were each accented with a burgundy fabric covered button, and alternate pleats also had a tan tie to coordinate with the valance.

I love it when the completed treatment looks exactly like the rendering!  Here is a full view of the completed room:

Hope you like the finished project as much as my client and I did!  Next up - linen fabric from Egypt for a client's office...

Susan

What's Coming Up!

I believe that people are thinking it is time for Spring decorating, because I am getting a lot of new calls for appointments, which is always fun!

Want a sneak peek at what I will be working on in the upcoming weeks?

Tomorrow I will start working on an inverted pleat shower curtain with contrast buttons and contrast ties for a recently remodeled bathroom in a lovely home that I have completed other work in.  Here is the rendering for the shower curtain and also for the valance.  I love the banding detail on the valance, which will perfectly complement the existing band of tile.  The embroidered fabric is really pretty and picks up the colors in the counter, floor and tile work.  This will be a fun project!

I love the software program that I use for project renderings.  I have recently changed the background (that is shown above) that I use for renderings.  The new one is more of a "storyboard" look and I really like it.  

Using the new format below, a young girl's room project is shown.  What do you think of the storyboard format?

This great project will have a bright and vivid treatment to match her existing orange and bright pink bedding. We will also add a matching valance, scaled to a smaller window, in the bathroom.

Isn't this fabric great?  And I found this wonderful tassel trim with a bead accent for the hem detail. It is going to be so cute!

I will definitely post photos of the completed projects; hope you enjoy the "before" renderings and look forward to seeing the finished projects.

Susan