A SUMMER GARDEN DINNER

Tracy Hickman

hickman design associates, Ltd.

Spectacular Homes of Chicago

Photograph by Nathan Kirkman

Hi Girlfriends,

I LOVE THIS-!!

What a fabulous concept...

"An outdoor 

dining area

contained

within a

walled garden

in

Adrian, Michigan

illustrates

how 

important

a 

common

vocabulary

becomes between

the architect,

landscaper

and

interior designer."

Dinner for 10

@

8P

Enjoy.

Talk again,

Denise

Vanity Flair Plays Out...........

Girlfriends,  I love this funky painted and decal vanity paired with an antique pink vanity chair.... it's captivating and charming  for any little girl  

I thought I would share with you one of my own painting projects I did--while a humble addition was being added on last winter.  This alcove is an "Invitation-waiting-to-happen" for 4 little girls when they come to visit.  The girls love to open the drawers in hopes of finding glizzie new jewels........I find at my neighborhood Garage Sales.

The vanity was purchased at Past Basket about 10 years ago.  The chair was family from the late 1920's from, no-longer, Marshall Field & Co., Chicago.  The vanity mirror w/drawer was found in an antique shop in WI.  The decals on the legs and around the mirror were purchased from Michael's and the knobs are from Pottery Barn For Kids.  The really funky part came into play when I stapled-gunned the crystal beads that hang from

dresser and chair.

This was a fun project. A project that can be used over and over with each visit.

Talk again,

Denise

discountdesignerfabricsonline.com

Designers Creating For You

Hi Girlfriends,

Are your summer catalogs beginning to arrive in your mailbox?  Yesterday, another Gump's catalog arrived in mine.  To my surprise, for the first time, I saw this lazy Susan by artist, Annie Modica.  I bought mine with pears and figs, at least six years ago, at Past Basket, while staying at The American Club, Kohler, WI.  

A lazy Susan is a perfect answer to serving hor'd at your next outdoor gathering.  Simply place the lazy Susan in the middle of the table and consider serving 3 different kinds of cheeses: Huntsman, Brie and Spain's Drunken Goat, along with fig preserves and crackers.  So easy to have your guests just turn the lazy Susan to help themselves.

.

Another line of items in this same catolog was Martha Study with her own furniture  and accessories.  This artist first began as a sculptor and now brings her 'eye' to each item she designs in furniture. What makes her items so unique is using a simple technique of sandblasting and transforms strong resin table tops, vases, etc, into luminous textures reminiscent of honed stone.  Her bright colors remind me of a rainbow of popsicles.  Each item is an accent in any room.

Talk again,

Denise

Paint Chart

Hi Girlfriends,

Have you noticed, when your husband sends you to buy paint, say for the guest room, it is like deciding which gas station is selling gas at a cent cheaper? Selecting paint is fun and the end result is so rewarding.  But, the difficulty begins when you choose your color and tell the salesperson  "2 gallons please." Suddenly, this person turns into an alien with terms you have never known about...........just for paint too-!!  Ok, you did know about flat, semi-gloss, and gloss, but today, as you stand there, you must decide on what sheen: FLAT, EGGSHELL, SATIN, SEMI-GLOSS, or HI-GLOSS.   This is when your cell phone fails you..... you know you left home with your husband up on a ladder prepping the ceiling ........and he isn't going to climb down to answer the phone.  No more fretting, I found a clever "How-to-buy" chart at Lowe's over the longggggg weekend.  Print this chart out and tuck it in a safe place.  It will be ever so convenient for your next paint project. Good luck-!!

Talk again

Denise

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

Hunter Douglas Provenance Enhancing.....

Hi Girlfriends,

If you think your window dressings are just for show, it's time to think again.

Hunter Douglas has been inventing and developing the latest innovations in window treatments since 1946. They design their treatments to enhance light's ability to bring a special warmth to any home. This is achieved by simply dressing windows with fashions that add style, practicality, energy efficiency, and value to all homes.

The Provenance Woven Wood Shadescollection is very much in style.  I love selling this Hunter Douglas collection........they're available in a rich assortment of bamboo, reeds, slats and grasses.  I keep telling my New York clients this collection is the answer to Conrad Shades .  Prices too-!!

To the right, Provenance Woven Wood Shades represents the texture and beauty of natural wood. Used on this oversized window, the shade is a key design element in this room full of arranged surfaces and hues.   This photo shows off the Provenance woven wood shades in a rich "Sandalwood" tone and framed in floor-to-ceiling Robert Allen linen draperies hung from wrought-iron rods.

How simple.  How private.  How good looking.

Talk again,

Denise 

Please visit discountdesignerfabricsonline.com 

 low, low, low 

Hunter Douglas pricing.

Eclectic Americana in USA

Pekin, Illinois

Happy July 4th Girlfriends-!!

This photo was taken last August '07 in Pekin, Illinois.  It is loaded with eclectic Americana to this individual thinking homeowner's castle.  One cannot help, but, appreciate the whimsical appearance. 

Gwen is going to Lake Geneva with girlfriends.  Denise will be attending for the 30th time The Smiths July 4th Family Picnic.  The Smiths (Helen and Alan) began small with just 3 families.  True to their Southern hospitality upbringing, the Smiths.........and by the time their six children were all in school.......this annual picnic grew to such swelling proportions-- between 250 to 300 friends, children, in-laws, and grandchildren, bouncing tents, a band chosen from the Chicago Blues Festival and the must-do Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest.   The invitation was designed by Denise 30 years ago and it is the same one sent out every year.

Talk again,

Denise & Gwen

A Fabulous Dutch Ad

Hi Girlfriends,

Today begins a new month for us and we think, a good first month, with readers and bloggers alike.  We are still learning and will be for quite some time..........but, we mustn't forget our manners because we certainly wish to thank Mighty Girl for sending our comment to Google.....somehow, Karen from Alkemie for featuring my Louis XV chair in her Re-upholstered series beginning this week, and for Cote de Texas for reading our Sunday Funnies and commenting.  A whole lot of thanks to these 3 bloggers support. They all have GREAT style, talent, and energy--which makes their blogs such huge successes.

The following ad gets our attention every time we play it. It was sent to Denise in Jan. '08, including the wording, by her sister-in-law, Sharon  If, for some reason, it fails to open, try it yourself:  http://produclen.hema.nl/

Enjoy-!!

Click on the WEBSITE below & watch what happens. Of course, it has sound!
HEMA is a Dutch department store. The first store opened on November 4,
1926, in Amsterdam . Now there are 150 stores all over the Netherlands.
HEMA also has stores in Belgium , Luxemburg, and Germany . In June of this
year, HEMA was sold to British investment company Lion Capital. Take a look at
HEMA's product page (click below). You can't order anything, and it's in Dutch, but
just wait a couple of seconds after it loads and watch what happens.
Fabulous!


Click here: HEMA - online winkelen

Talk again,

Denise & Gwen

SUNDAY FUNNIES

Hi Girlfriends,

On our website, discountdesigenrfabricsonline we hear about once a month from Girlfriend Bober. Designer fabrics is what we sell at low, low, low prices, but this inquiry is beyond putting on Reserve and sending a cutting.


name: Bober
email: mssa@yahoo.com
vendor:
pattern:
color:
yardage: 30
talk: Buy Viagra
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Buy Cialis
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Acomplia
Buy Tramadol Online
href="http://drugstore-online.weebly.com/buy-zithromax.html ">Buy
Zithromax
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Talk again,
Denise & Gwen

"Swingtown".... a Generation GapGap Later

Hi Girlfriends,

I had dinner Wednesday night at a nearby Magiano's, with two of my "LaLaSisters".  A silly name we easily began calling ourselves......... after we all started out together in a new franchise design studio.... only........the wrong place for all 7 of us.  Later, we learned we were all called "the bad people" by the owners, to their newbies.  We LaLaSisters already knew who were the "bad people" ...........from the moment we unpacked the first ugly lamp for display.  LOL

During dinner, I begin the conversation about the CBS summer hot, "Swingtown" pilot show-- which all happened back in the 70's here in Winnetka, Ill..  My 'sisters' looked blanked for even hearing about it.  I began by telling them about my phone conversation with my good friend Betsy.  If anyone reading this knows about what happens in households after a husband retires, you will be able to harmonize with my friend.

Denise:  "Hey, Betsy, You lived in Winnetka in the early 70's, right?"

Betsy: "Yes, why?"

Denise:  "Have you heard about the new summer show about Winnetka in the 70's starting this June?"

Betsy: "No."

Denise:  "Did you ever know about any couples swapping going on?"

Betsy:  "Sure did-!!  It was right around the time Lou's dad died."

Lou in the background and not knowing where this was ever going........."Dad died in 1974."

Denise: "Aaaaaaaaa  Betsy, how does that work with couples swapping?"

Betsy:  "Someone suggested Lou joined the Winnetka Community House Theater, as a stage carpenter, to help him recover."

Lou in the background........."Yup, I joined the theater group in 1974 and...yada, yada, yada."

By this time, I am thinking I want to say: "Either tell Lou to get on the phone too or tell him: "Looooooooouu take a walk!"

It turns out, the  Cast party, was held at The Winnetka Woman's Club.  This was because, one of the lead character's wife, was President of this club in 1974.  

United Airline Greeter:  "Hi Lou, Please throw your house key in the pile on the floor."

Betsy:  "Whaaaat???"

United Airline Greeter:  "Whatever husband picks up your key, he goes home with you for the night."

Betsy:  "Looooooooooou, We're out of here!"

My LaLaSisters were laughing so hard.  Not how I would have expected.....they, being a generation later, never were on the same page with me about 'couples swapping'.  Both began scenarios for using two of the lines, while at single bars in the city:

Signal to get rid of a guy:  "Looooooooooou, Take a walk!"

Signal to g.f.s it's time to leave:  "Looooooooooooou, We're out of here!"

Girlfriend Gwen is enjoying time off with her son and his family for awhile.

Talk again

Denise

Antique Compacts

 1933 Chicago World Fair compacts

Girlfriends, 

One of our girlfriends, Nancy, requested I do a close up of my 1920 - 30s compacts.  Over a period of time, my compact collection grew to 54.  By process of elimination, these are the ones I selected.

My collection began when I would visit my elderly mother in Pekin, Illinois.  As she took her afternoon naps, I would visit the antique shops in the downtown area.  My limit was buying nothing over $25.  I increased my limit when I was in the UK and I "had to have"......so I paid more.  

In selecting for my wall, I choose a little bit of everything from the past.  

For those who come to my house for parties and they guess my favorite, they get a "Compact Prize."

This is a very handsome compact with the original protective cover.  I call it the "Tree of Thank You."  A high school alumni was asking around if anyone had a hand held Garmin GPS he could buy.  I had one, never used.  We already had one in our car. I  sent him mine.  In return, he knew about my compact collection and went shopping-!!  Very thoughtful and a very welcomed gift.  This compact being  special, I leave it on a small easel in the powder room  when entertaining.

This is  Gwen's favorite-!!

This is the only compact I have ever seen with a watch and it works.  My daughter thought it was a Birth Control case-!!

Talk again,

Denise & Gwen

discountdesignerfabricsonline.com

Marilyn Monroe 1995 Stamp Poster

Hi Girlfriends,  Not all of us live in a McMansion.  I live in a white Cape Cod house with a white picket fence. Curb appeal abounds.  So how does a Marilyn Monroe 1995 stamp poster fit in?  Now for the inside..........

Last year, we put on the smallest addition Winnetka Zoning Board has seen in the last 20 years. Pretty embarrassing to be in the same room at our Zoning Board meeting, with a very beautiful, but, very pregnant woman, looking flabbergasted for such a request. We were asking for  100 sq. feet and she was insisting on a 4 -car garage with additions on top of it-!!  

The compromise with my husband: He would get his "always wanted a wet bar" in the old coat closet, and Denise would have total say for the powder room.  LOL.

Please take a long look into my "Jewel Box". Barbara Berry mirror, Kohler Escale products, my final selection of 1920s compacts attached to black satin fabric as backing (Gwen's suggestion) in 5" x 5" silver brushed shadow boxes (- glass), the antique nickel plated sconces with the original carnival glass shades -- bought from a San Francisco movie theater before demolition, the 8" dia. crystal chandelier.........

Lastly, the one item that was never in this decorator's plans, became the focal point of the whole room. A Marilyn Monroe 1995 Stamp poster.

Back in 1995, I was mailing some packages at my Winnetka Postal Office. It was the year for the 32 cent Marilyn Monroe stamp.  While waiting in line, there she was, featured in a glass case, 20 x 24 poster.  By the time I reached the counter for service, I asked if her poster was available to buy.....anywhere.  I was given the Postmaster, who in a spiral notebook, started a page with my name being first and inform me, I would receive a call when they took down MM.  About 6 months later--  I had long forgotten my inquiry-- the phone rang.  My Postmaster didn't forget.......and if I didn't want it, they had a list of over 200 names who did want it.  I never moved so fast that day, as I made a bee line to my post office.  The Postmaster signed and stamped with an official postal stamp the date I picked it up too.

When we entertained, I would put MM in a hall bathroom tub with the curtain drawn.  It never failed.....someone would use the bathroom, peek behind the curtain and make a comment.  I would ring a bell and give them a fun wrapped gift.  For their 'sin' for peeking, the person would have to open the present before us all.

I thought for sure my husband would yip about this post office poster in the new powder room, but, like every man, he loves her.  For sure, the United States Postal Service could never have dreamed their slogan for the MM stamp would end up in a Powder room for all MANkind.

What I did hear, over and over, in the beginning was: "I banged my head on the chandelier again."  My response: "Then duck-!!" 

I love this room and I wouldn't change a thing...........

Please leave us a Comment

 at the end of this post

 for a decorating idea 

you  solved

Talk again,

Denise & Gwen

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

Sunday Funnies Page

Girlfriends, It's Sunday and that means it's time for our Sunday Funnies Page.......This one made us LOL til the tears rolled down our cheeks.........

In the "let's talk" box the client left this request without previously fillilng out: Vendor, Pattern or Color in "get a quote". When we sent back an email asking her for more information, she was "clueless"......... but concluded we could do the research for her-!! We have no FREE time to go to the show rooms w/o a $$$$$$ committment.......who does?

let's talk: " I will need 10 yards of a fabric I saw in a decorator's magazine (I forget which one) that has a landscape with three trees way in the distance and some cows and horses. Can you locate this designer fabric for me?"

Denise: If anyone knows of this fabric, you deserve the Indagatrix Award.

Have a great Sunday enjoying the outdoors today,

Denise & Gwen

discountdesignerfabricsonline.com

margins.swf (application/x-shockwave-flash Object)

Girlfriends, This is å test.............not sure if this will work on your end, for we are still learning. We noticed a lot of great blog sites were signed up with de.licio.us so we did too. How does this relate to decorating tips.............we-ll it doesn't, but, creativity and a little side trip off the usual norm can't be all that dull on a week end. Right?

It's pretty ingenious to see how the states move from side to side on how the Primary voting actually took shape. This was taken from the NYTimes and it was done well.......how simple is CNN or the others had done this instead of those maps with colors for so and so.

Talk again,
Denise & Gwen
discountdesignerfabricsonline.com

margins.swf (application/x-shockwave-flash Object)

Palladian Window With Side Casements

Girlfriends, Mastervisions is the ultimate overlay product which "offers multiple solutions to the everyday challenges facing the window treatment professional."  says Sally Tucker, President.  So if any girlfriend has a difficult window, please let us know and we are sure this program will have your answer..........in case we don't-!!

Talk again,

Denise & Gwen

discountdesignerfabricsonline.com

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A Must Read Blog

Girlfriends, We learned something new today.  Gwen and I became aware that interior decorating isn't always found in one's home, but in one's heart too. In combing the best blogs in cyberspace today, we came across one that is worth passing on.......actually, many are worthy, but, for this one,  you will need a box of Kleenex.

A Must Read Blog: 

 http://confessionsofacfhusband.com 

Confessions of a CF (Cystic Fibrosis) Husband

A wonderful true day-to-day love story of a husband and what he is going through, with his young 27 year old wife, who has CF (Cystic Fibrosis) and the need for two new lungs......only she is put on hold, when they learn she is pregnant, and she wants to keep her baby.  The photos will melt your hearts and I know, like us, you will continue to return for updates.

Confessions of a CF Husband is also up for being The Best Blog in 2008.  At the moment, the vote count is way ahead of any others..............

Talk again,

Denise & Gwen

Leave a Comment 

Yes, We Do Floor Plans

Girlfriends, In one of our Comment areas,   Girlfriend Joann,   asked if we did Floor Plans.  Yes, Joann, we do.  Here's how to get started............

Measure the length and width of your room. Locate the position of the windows and doors on the perimeter walls as they correspond to the room you are working on.  Also, locate the positions of other architectural elements, such as fireplaces, cased openings, and columns.  Be sure to include existing telephone jacks, electrical wall and floor outlets, and heat registers, as these items will affect furniture placement.

Denise and Gwen:  "We ask you to go to our "get a quote"  at our website, discountdesignerfabricsonline.com

and  in the "let's talk" box

tell us about your project, leave your name, address, and phone number.

Denise: "We will contact you and let you know where to send your photos and measurements."

"We take $50.00 per room 

(That's a "Give-away" price too-!!)"

Gwen:  "Yes, and personal checks only for Floor Planning"

Please leave a Comment if this was a helpful posting......ThankYouThankYouThankYouThankYou

Talk again,

Denise & Gwen

EMAIL ADDRESS WARNING

Girlfriends,  Too many of our website clients are entering their email address wrong.  This results in one thing:  It deprives us from helping you with a quote and continuing any further communication with you.  We don't want to appear negligent to you, but a wrong email address gives us no option. To avoid this problem, please re-read your email and our service to you will be returned very quickly.

Talk again,

Denise and Gwen

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

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