To-the-trade designer fabrics.......only

Elegant Homes Fall/Winter 2008

Vintage Manor

Julie Dodson, designer

Dodson & Daughter Interior Designs

Hi Girlfriends:

 Gwen and I had an unusual experience we wish to share with you....................

Today, Pindler and Pindler called to inform us that a client, called them with an "APPROVAL" for the fabric we had on "RESERVE" for this client and requested the yardage be sent to her.

Here is how WE work.........

and

 every other 

ProForma client"

Gwen:  That is not how it works.  Clients are supposed to tell us.......only.

Denise:  Yes, FIRST, we take 100% deposit for fabric, tax and shipping from our clients.

Gwen: Upon receiving the money, we send a check to the show room.

Denise: Once a show room recieves  OUR check,  To-the-trade show rooms begins the process of shipping OUR order to OUR client's home or work room.

Gwen: Like all designers, we have built up a reputation of good standards, and any good show room will call us first.  

Denise: NEVER will a To-the-trade take a call from our client and send out.  Never.

Gwen:  That is the reason for "Sidemark".

Denise: What Gwen is saying, "Sidemark" has the client's name........not our name.

ThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYou

Talk again

Denise and Gwen

Meauring For STACKBACK

Hi Girlfriends,

We received an email from one of our website buyer's wanting information on STACKBACK  for her rod.  

Denise:  "The width of the rod (D) is figured so that when the drapery is open, most of the drapery clears the window, admitting sufficient sunlight and taking advantage of the complete view."  

Gwen: "In Illustration D, it shows rod past window one each side.  For each width of drapery pulled to each side, the rod should be extended out from the window approximately 5" to 6".

Denise:  "Or......a rule of thumb is to add 1/3 of the window width to the window width to determine rod length.  The rod would then extend 1/6 of the width of the window on each side."

Gwen:  "To economize, or when the furniture is placed on limited wall space near the window, the drapery does not have to clear the window and can be figured closer."

Denise: " So true......and remember g.f.s, the measuring process should come up with two important facts:  1. The rod width and 2. The finish length "

Good luck-!!

Talk again,

Denise & Gwen

discountdesignerfabricsonline.com

Toile Window Treatment and More-!!

Hi Girlfriends,

The annuals are blooming after all your efforts this Spring,  but, what has been in the back of your mind, and tends to get ignored, is that much neglected guest room.  Promise yourself, on the next rainy-indoor-day, to take inventory of this room and begin to tackle it with a positive outcome.  Remember, your house guests may need to escape, to a quiet spot to rest or read a book, after a day of activities planned by their hostess. Naturally, the guest room is the most logical place.  Once you get your guest room right the first time, just leave it alone and enjoy it.

Q: 

 How can I make a Guest room pretty, but affordable?

A: 

Gwen: "I always tell my clients to keep the color scheme with the rest of the house. But, keep it simple and less."

Denise:  "If the room is small, I like wallpaper and window treatments fabrics to match."

Gwen:  "Yes, but remember to add another splash of color."

Denise: "Exactly...... Like the photo to the right where interior designer, Nancy Taylor Lynch, Gastonia, North Carolina, skirted table introduces a burst of color with a large-scale floral pattern."

Gwen: "If considering a guest room similar to this photo, a white mattlesse coverlet is perfect with a blue and white gingham skirt...because both never appear wrinkled or tired....while waiting for a guest."

Denise: " Google 'mattlesse coverlet' for websites that offer fabulous pricing.  Don't forget they have matching shams, then work in one of the other colors from the floral fabric in stripes or gingham for a 'hint' of eye movement in the room."

Gwen: "Rescuing those old family photos, still-in-the-box wedding presents, or Auntie Ruth's lamp will give the room lots of welcoming personality too."

Denise:  "Target has some terrific picture frames.  But.........the one place to spend more money on must be Auntie Ruth's lamp.  Any old, out-dated, or plain ugly (to you) lamp will take on a whole new personality after you take it to a lamp store and have the PERFECT shade selected for it.  Be sure to let the store know where this lamp is going to be used--so your guests will not be staring at any of the working parts of the lamp. Ooooh, and, don't forget to buy a finial too-!! "

 Talk again,

Denise and Gwen

discountdesignerfabricsonline.com

Questions & Answer

Girlfriends, 

Buying fine antique furniture to add luxury and character to your home can become an 'art' for the right spot.  One does not have to go to Paris, London, and Rome to search for treasures to adorn a home. Combing in one's own area, large antiques shops and small, out-of-the-way market stalls, can be equally satisfactory, when you find exactly the right piece.  Here are some tips we have learned along the way.........

QUESTIONS WE HEAR OFTEN: 

• How can I describe what I'm seeking?  

Denise:  Learn the terms before going.   An example: a bergere is a French-style armchair with exposed wood.  A deux-coprs armoire has two pieces. Gaffrage velvet is embossed.

• How do I determine the scale of chairs for a room?  

Gwen: If it's not a comfortable seat height and depth for the average person, look for a quality reproduction, sized for today, instead.

• Should I choose style and condition over surface?

Denise: If the piece wobbles, find a good furniture craftsman in your area who can bring it back to a structurally sound condition.

Gwen:  Yes, and if there's a little paint flaking off, don't worry: it adds character to the room.

Denise:  True, but.....leave the original finish: touch up only the most obvious flaws.

• Why re-cover upholstered furniture in quality fabric and use only material that has a good "hand" (meaning how the fabric feels to the touch)?

Denise: Choose sturdy but luxurious hand-printed linens, needlepoint-tapestry weaves, sumptuous velvets, wool or antique leather.

Gwen: You can always add designer details such as pleats, nailhead trim, double welting, braids and covered buttons.

Lastly, Girlfriends,  buy a few quality gems (investments) rather than several mediocre pieces. Fine antiques with classic styling hold their value forever--as long as you take care of them.

Talk again,

Denise & Gwen

If you are anxious to upholster grandma's chair and you know the 

vendor

 pattern

  color

 please click on our website for low, low pricing

discountdesignerfabricsonline.com

Patsy's Next Queston

Girlfriends, It's back to my cousin's next question she wanted to ask yesterday:

Patsy: "Ok, then why should I pay more for designer fabrics if I can find fabrics cheaper at a discount store?"

Gwen:  I get this question a lot...........because it is a common misconception that the more costly the fabric and who the show room is, the better the service it will give.  This is only partially true.  However, middle-range fabrics can vary in quality according to such factors as the fiber's quality.

Denise:  "You see, Patsy and Girlfriends, other factors are taken into account too...........the yarn's sturdiness, the weave's density, tightness, stability, and the textile's finishes all come into play."

Gwen: "High-end (expensive) fabrics often are durable because of the quality of the fiber, the weave, and so on, but they may be fragile if they are specialty fabrics (for example, fine silk)."

Patsy:  "So how does your website work over discount sites?"

Denise: " We have very little over-head.  No store front.  No inventory. No house calls to make.  No trips to show rooms either.  All our Girlfriends do their own work, THEN, contact us through "get a quote" page.  Let's say, you saw a fabric on a window treatment in Traditional Home and you just knew it was right for your hubby's study.  Towards the back of all magazines is a Reader's Resource that will give you all the information you need: VENDOR, PATTERN and COLOR.  Fill out our easy form and hit "SEND".  We send you our low, low, low pricing."

Gwen:  "Also, we can send you a cutting while your fabric is on Reserve for 10 days"

Patsy:  "That's simple.   

Gwen: "Yes, We only work through the show rooms.  Never will we buy discounted fabrics through mills because they are inferior bolts."

Denise:  "Correct.  Discount stores who buy directly from the mills already know they have been rejected by show rooms."

Patsy: "But these discount stores mark them as "First Quality"

Denise:  "Duh?  That's because they look better than their "Second Quality".  It's all an advertising gimmick to fool the consumer.    

Patsy:  In other words, show room designer fabrics could be called, "Prime Quality."

Denise and Gwen:  "Right on-!!"  

Talk again.......and Thank you Patsy for your questions,

Denise and Gwen

discountdesignerfabricsonline.com

ThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYou

Question & Answer Time

Hi Girlfriends,

Denise: I was chatting with my favorite cousin today, Patsy.  She overloaded me with questions about this blog.  Mainly, it's about "Service, Patsy." 

First, let me tell you something about Patsy.  She retired this past January after 30 years with United Way (Illinois). Literally, from soup to nuts, Patsy made it into a huge success here in Illinois.  Retirement to this 100% Irish woman is making the Dean's List at Northwestern Law School this past semester at age 78-!!  With Patsy's 50 some years of business experiences, you bet the students were taking notes  from her experiences than the law professors all semester. Who else in the class has met more Presidents and Senators, and famous/infamous wealthy business men than Patsy?  

One story she shared was how in '98, Springfield, Ill., for the Governor's Breakfast,  one keynote speaker became unavailable. A young "wet-behind-the-ears"  senator stepped up to the plate in this absentee's spot. Patsy was sweating buckets, for she had never heard of him.  But, when he spoke, she was blown away by his easy mannerism and eloquence in speaking.  She never forgot him......nor have we today. Sen. Barack Obama.

Patsy: "Why do "To-the-trade" designer fabrics cost more than if I went to Calico Corners?"

Denise: "We-ll Patsy, no comparison.  Fiber, yarn, fabric construction, coloring, and finishing."

Gwen:  "The purpose of lovely fabrics is to stimulate awareness and deepen the appreciation of visual beauty.  No price can be put on joy, the satisfaction, and even the thrill of living with or seeing stunning fabrics."

Denise:  "However, if every fabric in an interior is "fabulous" the effect may well be overwhelming or perhaps pretentious."

Gwen:  "That is why, I tell my clients a background fabric often are needed, to provide a handsome contrast for an exquisite fabric piece."

Denise:  "I agree, and I always keep window treatments in mind to create successful combinations that use the fabric budget wisely and to the best advantage to create a beautiful interior."

Girlfriends, as you want high end for beauty and long lasting, you can't beat discountdesignerfabricsonline.com low, low, low pricing from show rooms and not inferior bolts for discount stores.

Patsy:  "Ok, then why should.............."

Denise: " Patsy, We are out of time and will answer your question for another day."  '-'

Talk again,

Denise & Gwen