Good Bye Plunkett Home Furnishings--Chicago area

Hi Girlfriends, Sadly, After 75 years of a family owned business, Plunkett Home Furnishings filed Bankruptcy Monday, June 1, 2009. The economy is a factor in every business today, but, this company knew how to survive since going through 1929. No, not the economy, but Irish Pride and Family Feud.

Denise: I talked to several reps (Marge Carson, Hooker and Eastern Accents) whose line of furniture or accessories sold to Plunkett's and they are "very sad."

Gwen: I am out of a job -! When CEO Hugh Plunkett handed out our letters last Thursday he singled out some of us in a personal manner. "Gwen, I will not miss you for you never learned to even wrap a lamp-!"

Denise: Mean.

Gwen: Yes, but his wife, Joan, was very nice to me. She gave me a martini glass with red dice in it. (Gwen's son is a partner in Lettuce Entertainment and oversees the restaurants in Las Vegas)

Denise: Do we dare tell what the CEO said personally to one female designer?

Gwen: You tell.

Denise: Nayyyy, it is too mean to repeat.



We hope John and his sister, Jamie Plunkett, both land on their feet and can begin to enjoy their families now that the stress is nearly over.

Talk again,
Denise and Gwen

Bay Window Treatments

Hi Girlfriends, During the Renaissance a window style developed throughout Europe call the bay, or projecting window.

Gwen: Bay refers to a common area in a medieval house that was used for cooking, living, and sleeping.

Denise: Yes, and when large Manor homes were built, bay windows were the size of small rooms, projecting straight out from a hallway, library or gallery, with glass on three sides of the projection.

Bay windows are more costly than windows that are set flush with the wall. They are far less energy-efficient. Heat lost is great in the winter and in the summer the direct sunlight magnifies glare and solar heat gain.

Treating a bay can be a challenge. Some of the possibilities for installing pairs of draperies and one-way draws at bay window are just a few of the demanding task for any designer.....and homeowner.

As one is limited to design, looking over the following gives anyone an idea how making a bay window a focal point can be achieved.






Denise and Gwen: If you do decide on window treatments for your bay window, please visit our website, discountdesignerfabricsonline.com

Talk again,
Denise & Gwen

Online Bedding Linens Sites

Hi Girlfriends,

We love bedding changing. We love to see our clients change out the look from Winter to Summer. So refreshing. So satisfying.

Denise: All the bedding we found on the Internet on Designer Linen Outlet and Linen Source websites.

Gwen: If anyone wishes custom-made, please remember our website as the place to go for fabrics.



















Talk again,
Denise & Gwen
discountdesignerfabrisonline.com

Kravet Fabrics for First Lady's Congressional Luncheon-!

Hi Girlfriends, On April 30th, the Congressional Club held their annual luncheon in a non-partisan setting for all spouses of members of both House, Washington, D.C. This is to honor the First Lady of the United States.

DENISE: Did everyone know this toile table cloth fabric was designed and created by Kravet fabrics?

GWEN: Yes and Kravet has been generously doing this since 2001.

DENISE: If anyone is interested in purchasing this fabric, please visit our website, discountdesignerfabricsonline.com and let us know from our "get a quote" window.






A very special thank you to Kravet Inc for your continuous support and generously donating yards and yards and yards of beautiful toile. And, wish we could take orders on your tote today-!

Girlfriends, HAVE A NICE WEEKEND.
Denise and Gwen

All photos from Kravet's Inspired.

Pekinite Commands the Atlantis-!!

"PEKIN, Ill. -
The space shuttle Atlantis is flying about 350 miles above earth in an area speckled with space debris and junk. So it is no wonder that shuttle Commander Scott Altman’s parents, Sharon and Fred, were happy to get word from their son.
“We were relieved today to hear that damage in the tiles on the shuttle was only superficial,” Sharon Altman said. “Actually every launch/landing reveals some damaged tiles on every mission. No one ever worried about this damage much until the disaster with the Columbia. That was a factor with that situation — everyone was too complacent.”
“We received an e-mail from Scott tonight after they had rendezvoused with the Hubble and captured it with the arm,” Fred Altman said, noting that “Scott was the person who guided the Atlantis shuttle into position. He seems to be in good spirits.”
The Altmans said that while the weather in Florida has been pretty warm, with rain the past two days, it was fortunate that the launch was rescheduled for Monday rather than Tuesday as originally planned.
“That made travel plans more hectic for many people, but the weather was certainly great for the launch,” Sharon said."

Gwen: This is really cool Denise.

Denise: You bet. A home grown Pekinite like myself.

Gwen: Anyone else famous out of Pekin?

Denise: The Hon. Senator Everette McKinley Dirksen for starters. Then we had newly appointed Secretary of the State, John McNaughton. Sadly McNaughton, his wife and one son were killed in a commercial airlines in '67. They were returning to Washington after getting their son from camp.

Talk again,
Denise & Gwen

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of our girlfriends.


















I, Denise, gave this beautiful statue to my mother on Mother's Day about 20 years ago, Madonna and Child by Herend.

Love on this special day to all mothers,
Denise & Gwen

Home Theater Interiors

Hi Girlfriends,
We have been working on a project that calls for drapery treatments in the owners Home Theater. The most fun has been buying up old movie posters from the 50's. Both Gwen and I grew up going to every Saturday Matinee as kids in the 50's. 25 cents you could get in and still have enough for a box of popcorn.

Denise: Here is what the inside of my home town's movie theater looked liked before being razed in 1986:

Gwen: Movie theaters have come a long way since this was built in 1928-! Look at what is going on in homes today:




Photos from ads: Barretts, Avtel Inc., The Dana Group, Pekin Daily Times

Talk again,
Denise & Gwen

Yahoo Is Up and Running-!!

Nieman Marcus Bedding


Hi Girlfriends,

Every since January 2009 we have been having problems with Yahoo not being able to get our website, discountdesignerfabricsonline.com to work. It seems this Grannie is the designated techie of the twosome and it has been me talking, talking, talking to Yahoo, our fabulous webdesigner, Jim Jamesson out of Groovy Web Designs, Ashville, NC., the Apple Hospital, Comcast, back to Yahoo and the circle would repeat itself. Many $$$$$$ later, we are "up and running." Now that we are back in business, please visit our site and contact us through, "get a quote."

Many thanks to Jim at GroovyWebdesign for paving the way to finally making it work

Talk again,
Denise & Gwen

Bamboo Flooring and More-!

Hi Girlfriends,

Today is going to be brief. If you are into being price conscious this Spring.....and who isn't.......I found a few sites I want to share with you:

Bamboo Flooring
Fantastic flooring specials.
www.silkroadflooring.com

Cheap Bamboo Flooring
Don't overpay for your flooring any more.
www.Flooring-Stores.info

Look for decorating tips or ideas?
This site is where you can search thousands of photos for your home.
wwww.myhomeideas.com

Another site for redecorating.
Wallplates to match your decor-!
www.WallplateWarehouse.com


Talk again,
Denise

discountdesignerfabricsonline.comVisit this site for "to-the-trade" designer fabrics and compare prices against others. i.e. your decorator or BigBox stores.

CANDICE OLSON DIVINE INSPIRATIONS

HI GIRLFRIENDS,

TODAY WE ARE GOING TO talk about one very respected interior designer, Candice Olson. As if we already don't know, she was born and raised in Canada, attended college for a bachelor of scinece degree and, at the same time, traveled the globe playing volleyball for the Canadian National Team. Upon graduation she decided, as a "whim", applied and attend School of Interior Design at Ryerson University. She was always headed for success and recognition, and, it may have happened sooner, by being scouted for her remarkable talent, she honed her skills for several years with notable Canadian top interior designer firms, contemporary modern with a touch of the unexpected. Olson has become the success she is today and with fans who adore her. Like us-!

Gwen: (sigh) Her signature style incorporates creativity, practicality and timelessness.

Denise: Amen. Also, Candice Olson has a following that borders on mania.........and rightfully so.

Gwen: Yea, and design point of view resonates strongly with today's consumer. Espcially in these eco times.

Denise: So true. That is why Candice Olson is a natural choice for Kravet Fabrics, JIA, AF Lighting, Norwalk Furniture, York Wallcoverings, SilestoneUSA, Revcon Intl, Thermador, and Paragon.

Gwen: Whew-! She is one busy girl.






CANDICE OLSON WALLPAPER INCLUDES WALLPAPER CHARMS TOO-!

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Denise: Girlfriends, What a good thing FOR YOU we sell Candice Olson fabrics through our website, discount designer fabrics online.

Credits provided: Kravet Fabrics, Hooked on Houses blog,York Wallcoverings and Revcon International.

TALK AGAIN,
DENISE & GWEN

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