Palladian Window Treatments

Hi Girlfriends,

Gwen's baaaaaaack-!

After a long "holiday" Gwen is most welcomed back. Occassionally she may stray during a pressing big job, but, she is here today, so let's get started Gwen talking to our girlfriends.

Denise: Why do architects feel the need to put in a palladian window in most Mcmansions today? By the time we get the 911 Homeowner call, she is freaked out about what to do with the one thing that made the buying of the house so attractive at the first showing.

Gwen: Does everyone know............Any two-story palladian window treatment IS going to cost to "fix" the problem? Yards and yards of fabric, a scaffold and a two-man team to install.

Denise: Rods, brackets and finials to compliment the height aren't cheap either.

Gwen: Amen.

Denise: Palladian windows, in addition to offering scenic benefits, ventilation, light and protection, this style of windows can and should be an important complement to any interior design.

Gwen: Yes, and ideally, windows are a means of documenting historic style.

Denise: And, adding character or charm to the home.

Gwen: But, at the same time, challenging.

Denise: OMG, after the challenges, the next important step is getting the SPECIFIC measurements and treatment information for each window.

Gwen: Professional, professional professional measurers only.

Denise: I see where you are coming from. Send your handyman husband to the grocery store for measuring palladian windows is tricky.........very tricky.

Denise & Gwen: Here are two choices that is less fabric, but, they won't change the installation price: These simple, soft and elegant treatment lends flavor to the Palladian window. It works really well. The first is a sunburst and the last one being a semicircle arched flourished during the Georgian Era.

Denise: Is one still insists on light, I suggest going with a lighter fabric that complements the feel of the room.

Gwen: I do the same, but never, never silk. By the 3rd month silk is the victim of "sun rot."
Denise: If Hunter Douglas or Conrad Shades are made wide and long enough, this style works in any Family Room.
Talk again,
Denise & Gwen

Sketches by Visionmaster

OPERATION SHOWER

HI GIRLFRIENDS, "I'm really excited"...........is how HWTM blog begins by sharing Amy Belle Isle from Stem Parties a fabulous celebration and YOU are invited too-!! Amy read is just the right message telling how 'near and dear to my heart as entertaining: Operation Shower."

By the time I read "contribute" I was ready with my cr.cd. AND I did-!!

Amy says:

"Due to the success of last year's Mother's Day Showers, we have decided to hold an annual Mother's Day event for the military moms-to-be whose spouses are deployed. This year's theme is "Boxes in Bloom" and we are excited to throw our very first Eco-Conscious Baby Showers in just a few weeks. They will be held at Fort Hood,Texas and Scott AFB, Illinois just in time for Mother's Day!

"We have some amazing sponsors and can't wait to share some of our post-event photos and party details with you soon. In the meantime, we need your help? Here is your chance to be a hero to Operation Shower, as we commit ourselves to throwing the best showers possible for our own real-life American Heroes and their families."

"We are still in need of some very basic items and we've made it easy for you to help us reach our goal of filling 60 boxes with lots of love. Simply log onto our Operation Shower site and click on the "Contribute" tab. There you will find several items at budget-friendly price points from which to choose in a simple and safe Google Checkout system. We could easily use some of the basics listed at the top of the list!

"You can also log onto the gift tab at Resa Design and purchases any of the adorable itmes (a few pictured below) that she has specially selected to be gifted to Operation Shower.

Operation Shower will be shipping VERY soon, and their goal is to have all the donations in by Friday, April 17th. NOT much time left, so call you friends! Call your MOM and let her know what you are

Contributing, like I did, and 'make my day.'

Special kudos to "life in a sippy cup" franki for sharing this event which encouraged me to find HMTM's blog.


My A+ blogs this week: HWTM, Stem Parties, Hostess (with the Mostess), life in a sippy cup

Talk again,
Denise
discountdesignerfabricsonline.com

Spring is here-!!

Hi Girlfriends,

My Interior Design Pick-of-the-Week blog: maison21................he loves pets too-!

Talk again next week,

Denise

Brays Island Plantation "2nd" Home

Hi Girlfriends,

Are you like me.............when you drive by a house you admire, you are just itching to see the interior? I guess we can be thankful for Spring and Fall garden club House Walks. Allow me to show you around a FOR SALE "2nd" house at Brays Island Plantation, Sheldon, SC. If you are not familiar with Brays Island, that is because it is a private island, gated, and once invited.......you may tell yourself you are never leaving. It's so deep south........low country actually.

Over at maison21, the author is inviting all bloggers to decorate a room and use some of his "stuff" he has been featuring throughout the year. Oooooooh could I have had some fun if I had known about his clever invite.....for I would have collected long enough to do one of the FOR SALE rooms-!!

But first....














LOTS OF ADULT TOYS ON THIS ISLAND: FINE ENGLISH GUNS, THOROUGHBRED HORSES,LEICA CAMERAS, AND ANTIQUE CARS.

UNTIL WE TALK AGAIN,
BYE, DENISE


All credits go to the following:
photos by Brays Island Plantation, Sheldon, SC and Holland & Holland

Window Treatments from Ireland

Erin Go Blaugh Lassies-!!

While on vacations, I am always snapping window treatments. My Mac is loaded with the results. And, on the TODAY SHOW this morning, they were talking about great 4-day "holidays" for Americans to go, right now, in Ireland, until May 1st. If flying out of NY, a Continental flight to Shannon airport is $300 or less for a ROUND TRIP. What's even better, one can stay at the following for under $150.00 a night-!! One place is a bit more, but you get an Irish Breakfast and $150.00 off dinner. So I got on the Internet and began sleuthing around until I found a few of the hotels Today spoke about. I figure tonight after a "gourmet" cornbeef and cabbage dinner with a handsome sherry spiked trifle, I will approach the subject with a wee twinkle in me Irish green eyes. See, if you have a husband who loves, loves, loves golf......well, need I say more? Too many lovely golf courses to choose from in all these given hotel areas. Then, as your soulmate golfs, you can get in a cab and head for ruins and shopping. I especially love the local towns for window displays of hats. It's click, click, click for me while in town. Back at one of the three fabulous "must stay" places, anyone could find me taking photos of all the window treatments for my drapery archives later. What fun I would have clicking every room at the "G" Hotel.
Bellinter House
This striking house regally stands on the banks of the River Boyne and one can take in the breathtaking rolling landscape of County Meath, where take in the euphoric understanding of this hotel's glamour period. The house, in her classic Georgian heritage, is meticulously preserved, while enhancing it with the best of the modern Irish design.
One does not need to pack a book when this library offers plenty of read.
Now this wall scones could be interesting to examine up close. Is it made out of paper?

Very nice colors in this suite.

The "G" Hotel
WOW...Wow...WOW-! Galway has gone Hollywood. Designed by Galway native Philip Treacey, I actually love the decor, even if it "over the top" for one seeking an Irish "feel." What I love about this is the colors and lighting Treacey selected. Bold, daring, but sexuous. Why with so much glass, crome, mirror, it's a "get away" for anyone in a fun and romantic mood. Every thing just pops.........and keeps on popping. Notice the bar. Why girlfriends, please remember to wear your jeans if you sit on one of the stools. Need I warn you?


BAR WARNING FOR ALL LASSIES: WEAR YOUR JEANS-!!

"Must see" room in person-!

The mirrors are fabulous and I am sure this room is quite stunning in person.

The Coopershill Hotel
The Coopershill Hotel in Silgo is a beautiful Georgian style house built in 1774. I would have no problems staying here, for I have a family photo of a Sligo police officer from my mother's side of the family. It would be an ancestor hunt for me to try and locate relatives in this area.......or head for the local church yards to learn what I can.

This room reminds me of my childhood. Vanity table, oval mirror, single shaded ceiling fixture, and the matching pair of lamps on each end of the bed. It's all so warm and inviting for me to rest.

Perfect........a shower head for my husband and a long and leisure bath drawn for me.







An Irish breakfast will be most welcomed in this stately dining room. The sideboard is showing some stunning Waterford decanters too.


WHEW-! Dreaming is wonderful, but girlfriends, we can make this happen too. Right now the fares to Ireland are very low. Let's all make it happen.........before May 1st.

Talk again,
Denise

Yahoo Stress...........

Hi Girlfriends,

I keep asking myself,"Why didn't I marry a Geek?" Instead, I married the one who knows everything and can do all, except turn on a computer-!! Right now, Yahoo isn't able to send any "get a quote" from my website, "discountdesignerfabricsonline.com" for several months now. I was paying my webdesigner to host me, but he had me switch over to Yahoo in November. All was fine until '09. The lingo is about "PHP".......lol like this Grannie would know all about PHP. Stressful for me, only I am at Yahoo's mercy waiting for them to correct the situation into my 3rd month. Why is this so difficult? I think it has to do with everytime I call, I get a new geek with a better solution. In the meantime, Yahoo keeps taking my monthly payments out of my credit card.

Despite Yahoo, Spring is coming. Sunshine is warming the Spring bulbs and by this time next week, all the astilbes will be blooming. Here is one of my neighbors front yard.


I LOVE THE BLUE-!!

I sincerely apologize to anyone trying to contact me through my website. Especially since economy times are stressing us all enough. My what a good thing my "to-the-trade" designer fabrics are so attractive in pricing to you, my internet client.

My blog pick of the week: Alkemie.blogspot.com

Talk again,
Denise

Yves Saint Laurent, "It's now or never" Auction

Hi Girlfriends,

The "razzle-dazzle" still continues after Oscar night.........Beginning last night, in the city of lights, a 3-day auction by Christie, is conducting the sale of Yves Saint Laurant's Paris apartment. YSL died last June at 71.

Even in these parious, penurious times, this sale hopes to bring in $250 to $380 million. In all, there are over 690 lots being sold in the range from stunning to the mundane.

The excitement is built in part by the fashion designer himself, YSL, the other part is he and his partner, Pierre Berge, collected some beautiful art and artifacts during their decades together. As a couple, they "overstuffed" their 55 Rue de Babylone on the left bank with with a large number of high-quality objects and art works, like Matisse, Picasso, art decor, German silver and bronze and Limoges enamals, "which were not in vogue when they bought them." As people fill the city's fancier hotels and grand parties are being hosted throughout Paris, the biggest expectations mounting is the fact these some of YSL items have not been on the market for a very long time, which is signaling to musuems and private clients, "It's now or never."


Can you find the most valuable piece in the sale?


"Musical Insruments on a Table" Picasso from 1914 -15


I love the rug-!!


A cleaning lady's nightmare for dusting. But, I do admire YSL knack for shopping "stuff"


"Portrait of the Comtesse de La Rue," by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, hung in YSL living room.

The detail of the carving on this frame is remarkable.


YSL used up every available space in his Paris apartment. If I had been a visitor, it would take me days to take in his entire abode, but, I would have instantly found the Matisse, Mondrians and Legers where ever YSL would have placed them.


A closer look at Matisse.



"Portrait of Alfred and Elisabeth Defreus," Theodore Gericault above and "The Violin," by Juan Gris, center.


"The Adoration of the Magi," a tapestry by Edwrad Coley Burne-Jones, woven in 1904.


A large Roman marble athlete's torso, first to second century A.D.


The "Music Room" with 15 mirrors by Chaude Lalanne in gilt bronze and galvanized copper. Notice the mirror on the ceiling too.

Photos by Christy and New York Times from an article written by Steven Erlanger and Maia de la Baume, contributed reporting.

Talk again,
Denise