1 HEADBOARD, 3 WAYS

A BEDROOM should be beautiful, only beautiful in a way that is also confortable and relaxing.

Here's just a taste of what a bedroom should be:

* Don't go overboard with a layered bed. A simple color schemem and minimal accessories keep the room restful.
* Swing-arm lamps offer the best reading light.
* For a professional look, iron all your linens, and pad pillow shams with batting to fill them out.
* To change a headboard look, consider having it slipcovered.

The following is one headboard with 3 different looks. Birmingham, AL. interior designer Liz Woods, designed a headboard with pattern Batan by Dedar fabric with a roll of nailheads as an accent.

In Woods first bedding, notice how the first design is blanketed in white, making the room soft and feminine in layers of different whites. An added color is the one decorative pillow for a colorful pattern contrast as a punctuation.



The appealing shades of gray is all about texture. The muted colors lend a hint of masculinity, but the interplay of textures softens the look. This look also is without a bedskirt, but with all the tucking in of sheets and blankets, this bed has a cleaner, finished look which does emphasizes the headboard and shows off the nailhead trim.



Green is a great color for a bedroom and this pattern fabric in not overwhelming. The look is more relaxed and natural with the paired duvet and quilt, and structured skirt for contrast. I am in love with the velvet accent pillows which I believe provides richness and a sense of depth. Don't you just love the persimmon with the green?



Be ready for Fall, while summer is upon us. Now is the time to consider selecting fabrics and have a local workroom upholster a headboard w/ nailhead trim.

A la prochaine,
Denise

Happy Mother's Day 2010-!!

If my mother had one weakness in her life, it was hats. Mother passed after 10 children and 96 years later. A day doesn't go by that I don't think about her...........and remember her love for hats.

Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers...........present and past.



Love to all Mothers today,

Denise

Re-upholster Dining Chairs

If you are thinking of re-upholstering dining chairs, now is the time to do it. Workrooms are slowing down and the wait isn't so long.

I believe in solid color fabrics for dining room chairs. If the right color is choosen, they will "pop" in the room and seem less complicated with your walls, paintings, rug, china, floral arrangements and food presentations. If it's a photo opt time, you will be delighted with the end result, with your guest, sitting on solid color fabric.



Remember for a fantastic "to the trade" pricing for your next project, email me.


A la prochaine,

Denise

Fabrics For Bedding

Think lots of fabric if you want a stunning focal point to go with your bedding. Of course, the fabrics will be more affordable if you contact me.


A la prochaine,
Denise

Toile For Easter

A la prochaine,
Denise

The Best In Friends Homes

Fabrics in glorious textures from bright to faded colours, curtains meticulously swagged, fringed and tasselled, the most comfortable upholstery and expertly applied paint finishes, all set in timeless interiors and discreetly lit to show off beautiful furnishings and art/photography works. These are the hallmarks of what makes a home.

It's fascinating to hear my girlfriends talk about their current projects. All have styles and tastes different from each other and myself. All make it work in differnt types of rooms in a wide variety of locations, large and small, to townhomes to large in my area and other parts of the country.

Here are some examples of how fabric, furniture, paint and your own personal touch can add to a room.









I apologize for not being able to remember where I came across these rooms. I saw them and did a quick copy and paste. By the end of my time spent on the computer and many months later storing them in a program, I humble must confess........I forgot where they came from. '-'

A la prochaine,
Denise

Think Green On March 17th-!!

The following greens are all...........So simple..............So mystical........So Ireland.










Happy St. Patrick's Day,

Denise

Pleated Drapery

A drapery arrangement is often the most eye-catching aspect of a room - and the feature that gives the most scope for creativity.

Here is how a professional measurer determines yardage:

Specifications:
* 2.5 times fullness
* 3.00 times fullness for sheers
* 4.00 times fullness for non moving sheers
* 18" hems & headings
* Standard 3.5" overlap for traverse rod
* Standard 2" overlap for wood pole with rings
* Add 10% to finished width for drapery hanging from rings, for easing
* Specify pinch pleats, reverse pinch pleats, butterfly pleats, goblet pleats or cartridge pleats
* Goblets & cartridge pleats are only for standing panels

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Number of Widths: Face width x 2.5 + returns + overlap / fabric width

Cut Length: 1. Finished length + hems / fabric repeat (round up)
2. Number of repeats x repeat = cut length
Yardage: Cut length x number of widths / 36
Sheer railroaded: Face width x 3 + returns + overlap / 36



The chief ingredient in any successful window composition is imagination. To some extent, there is a repertoire of basic forms - a vocabulary of design ideas from which professional designers tend to draw inspiration. Often, the most successful designs are those where a traditional idea is injected with a touch of originality - perhaps in the proportions, or in the detailing, or in the fabric choice.

The following are a few examples of how PLEATED DRAPERY are executed by different designers:



luxe / Chicago Edition / Winter 2010

Private collection

Private collection

Private collection

Private collection

luxe / Winter 2010 / Chicago edition

A la prochaine,
Denise

COSTCO'S SAD SOFA WINNER-!

Costco knows how to have fun.


BACK IN JULY 2009, Costco held a really fun contest offer from their "The Costco Connection." It was so creative I posted this contest in July too. The contest could be any Costco customer who wanted to take a picture of their sad sofa and send it in. The winner would receive a $500 Cash Credit Card. How many of us have been down the road where we say, "Honey, I think we need a new sofa?" And the response is usually, "Not yet."

Congrats go out to Jared Sorensen, Wooddbury, Minnesota who won.............not a minute too soon-!

I was in my COSTCO Glenview, Il. store over the weekend, and I saw endless possibilities for young families to enjoy watching the Olympics on wonderful dark chocolate colour leather sofas & loveseat with contrast stitching and solid wood legs in a rich espresso finish. Also, what is nice, the 9 x 12 area rugs are now placed near by to help the buyers select and complete their project(s). Anyone on the way home with their new purchases, should consider picking up a can of paint. For sure, select a colour in the rug. Instant gratification for dad, mom and budding olympians-!

GO USA FOR THE GOLD-!!

A la prochaine,
Denise

Happy Valentine's Day-!

A la prochaine,
Denise

Scalamandre Online Selling and Buying

I get many a request for a Scalamandre quote on a fabric. At some point, when I have not heard back, I will follow up to see if my webclient is still interested. Not. The most common feedback is: "I bought from someone else below wholesale price."

Impossible.

These webclients have purchased from either eBay sellers or online "stores" that have warehouses. I am not a store, a warehouse, nor, am I selling you counterfeit fabrics. I buy only through our showroom accounts. It is the showrooms who send you cuttings and the fabrics. Never me.

Example: If it's a high end look you are seeking......because you have good taste............ you already will know how Scalamandre pillows are going to be complimenting the rest of your project compared to a flawed Calico Corners pillows.

Ask yourself this: Why would any seller purchase from Scalamandre at wholesale and sell it for less than wholesale? Where is the money in that?-!! The only explanation is: It is counterfeit textiles marketed under the Scalamandre label.

Counterfeit textiles is a big "knock off" market on the Internet today. Not only do you run the risk of not knowing the real nature of the fabric, but you could run into side effects too. The fabric may contain harmful dyes which may be allergenic or even carcinogenic. Some textiles require certain fire-retardant treatments whcih many not be utilized, or lesser quality treatments may be used. The general public may not be aware of the consequesces of purchasing and subsequently exposing themselves to these counterfeit textiles.

How savvy of a shopper are you? Are you seeking the various avenues online and "bricks and mortar" locations for Scalamandre?


"Unfortunately, these avenues aren't always honest. It doesn't matter if they are truly unaware, doing it on purpose, are naive or just don't care."

"eBay, as the biggest venue for selling, has a program called VeRO. This program allows for the protection of the owner of the property. This means the authentic owner, not the person selling the item. When an item is listed as being Scalamandre, the reporting tool they provides, lets Scalamandre immediately tell VeRO that there is something wrong with the listing. Normally, there are only tow reasons. One is that someone is selling an item that is a copy of one of Scalamandre products and the other is that they don't make the item at all. Scalamandre loves VeRO."

Of course, VeRO doesn't stop the Seller from selling to you. Have you been teased by the eBay name, "buyitbeforemyhusbandcomeshome" for a "must have" Scalamandre fabric? Best advise I can give is DELETE-!

The smart buyer will question any Scalamandre fabric being sold on eBay or online businesses who have their own warehouses filled with "purchased from the mills." Remember, it is you who has come to me. I have no inventory, so I have nothing to sell you until you ask. Then, I call my showroom account.

People....designers too........have begun to question Scalamandre lines being sold to them lately. Take the designers who have been walking into stores and making purchases of items marked as Scalamandre for their clients and later have gone into a Scalamandre showroom to try and purchase additional yardage. It is at this point, the designers find out they made a bad purchase.




My motto: You get what you paid for.

A la prochaine,
Denise
discountdesigerfabricsonline.com

SOS 4 Haiti

Who can say it better than "Things That Inspire" so from her blog to you:


"Things That Inspire



Taking Action
Posted: 15 Jan 2010 05:36 AM PST
When a disaster such as the earthquake in Haiti occurs, it is of critical importance that those who can help take action.
Please consider making a donation to help the organizations that have mobilized to provide assistance to Haiti. Even a $10 donation would be incredibly helpful! As so many of the donations pouring in are made through credit card, American Express and Visa just announced that they will waive the fees on donations.

American Express will waive the fees through the end of February to these charitable funds established specifically to respond to the devastation in Haiti:
http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti
Visa will also waive all fees related to donations to Haiti relief organizations.

This means that 100% of your contribution will go to the charitable funds.

InterAction is the largest coalition of US based international nongovernmental organizations that are focused on the world's poorest and most vulnerable people, and includes the American Red Cross, Oxfam, Unicef, the United Way, and Habitat for Humanity (as well as dozens of additional organizations)."

$10.00 donation from each reader will go a long way for Haiti.

A la prochaine,
Denise

Christopher Edwards Fabrics

Hi, I can't believe we are already in the middle of January 2010-!

To start the year off, I was given a huge dosage of fabric education of a new kind. To begin with, I had a web-client last week who needed me to call her. I did and learned of an interesting new fabric, Christropher Edwards. ??????? The woman sounded highly intelligent and she was quite proud of the fact her new dining room windrow treatment would be hanging Christropher Edwards fabric, at the cost of "3 figures" per yard. WOW-! I was clueless who Christropher Edwards fabrics were and wondered what showroom carried this line at The Merchandise Mart, Chicago. After an extensive internet search for Christropher Edwards fabrics (and NO showroom carries it at "The Mart") I came across a blog, Bluemlein alerting his readers against this line. What an education Bluemlein gave me-!

First, let's understand one thing............Christropher Edwards fabrics are NOT "To-the-trade" for designers but apparently sold in Boca Bargoons stores which created this line. C Edwards has no " DNA of his own." Also, they have a website called Design Diva Fabrics and sell this "line" on it too. Thennnnnnnnn, there is the infamous eBay where honest people go and get stung many a times.

All in all, Bluemlein says this:

"Now, as to the "Christopher Edwards" brand: there is an interesting website that will tell you who owns which brand.

We took the "Christopher Edwards" name to this site, shook it and what do you think fell out:

http://www.findownersearch.com/brand/4113197/:

Brand Name Owner: WOLLSTEIN, CYNTHIA
Address: 17760 Fieldbrook Circle Boca Raton FLORIDA 33496
Description: Fabrics for the manufacture of clothing, upholstery, quilts and curtains

Brands Owned: CHRISTOPHER EDWARDS
TRIMENDLESS "

Soooooooooooooooooo, I ask you:
Why would anyone pay such high-end prices for fabric if it's not "To-the-trade" only?

If you covet a fabric from eBay, or any place on the Internet, do your homework. HOW? Google the line, then, do this: "Christopher Edwards fabrics + The Merchandise Mart." If no showroom pops up, then, delete the ebay seller..............fast.

I purchase for you through designer showrooms where only designers with accounts can go. Obviously, I have accounts. Never will I purchase from a mill. If you buy from those who buy through mills, then, you get what you paid for...........and, BEWARE of price.

The next education Bluemlein gave me will be my next post.

Thank you Bluemelein for posting Christopher Edwards and the education that went along with it.

A la prochaine,
Denise

5,4,3,2,1.............Happy New Year-!

A Doll House Christmas

Like all potential interior decorators, one needs to begin with a home. This "Mrs. Santa Claus" has been busy painting a dollhouse for one dreamy little girl. As I added ladybugs, turtles, frogs, fireflies, butterflies and ants, I, also, added one special effect. Glow paint.

The fun part is going to be, for one possibly future Interior Decorator, to begin picking out furniture, selecting wallpaper, making draperies, finding rugs and having the perfect family move in.

I am in love with this home and the many hours of creativity it will bring for my darling Olivia.






Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Denise
Winnetka, Illinois

Face Lift.......Then and Now

Hi Everyone, The lesson today is how to not throw any wood furniture out. If you are dismantling a home of your parents/grandparents/relatives or helping a friend, don't just "pitch" any old wood furniture. Even if you have no immediate use for it .........later you will thank me. Keep the wood items. As decor fashions change, there is "someone" with vision and can create a totally different look to a wood item. This post is proof................

My fabric arrived for my 1950-ish "A Decorator's Chair" and it's wonderful-! The fabric came last Monday and I took it to my workroom on Tuesday morn. At 5:45P Thursday night, the chair was delivered. Now how is that for "instant gratification?"


THEN:


This chair was in the entrance of my g.f. Nancy's mother home forever. Mahogany wood with gold velvet fabric. The cushion and back was of foam and it was hard as a rock. Like petrified. ICK.

What luck though, Nancy's mother was an meticulous caregiver of everything she owned. Nothing in her home was broken or cracked. And everything that had a key to it, the mother still had. A wonderful woman who knew how to maintain her possessions. So it was lucky for me that on the back of this wonderful little gem was still the name plate, "A decorator's chair." It is believed that good decorators gave this chair as a house gift upon completion of a project.

NOW:


I had my workroom paint it lacquer black, and then I went outside- the- box to make this chair noteworthy of popping. Nancy doesn't know yet, but when she comes for my Pheasant dinner party, she will have the honor of being assigned to this chair. I really can't wait for her reaction...........................

Kravet Couture : 28929 - 81 (Zebra)
Kravet: Ultra Suede - Lime

A la prochaine,
Denise

"A Decorator's Chair" Tag, 1950's?

Hi Everyone, I have this charming and adorable accent chair given to me by a g.f.Nancy, out of her mother's home. Nancy can't recall never seeing this chair in her family home and her mother died at age 92. So I am guessing it is around 1950ish and given by Mrs. Riley's interior decorator, upon completion of a project. I have had this chair for about 5 years and never knowing what fabrics to do with it.

This week I began with earnest to look for fabric. Thanks to Karen from Alkemie, I stayed with her many of her suggestions. Mostly, all , but I failed her when my husband got into the picture on one suggestion. I won't be using vinyl. In my household, we did come to an amicable agreement though.

First thing today, I popped in on my upholstery workroom, and Ernie (80 years) had never seen the brass tag on the back of the chair in all of his years of doing upholstry since 1930. From Alkemie's first suggestion, I watched carefully as all the upholstery guys cringed when I asked Ernie if he wouldn't mine painting the chair a black lacquer. Why they cringed? The chair is mahogany. OUCH-! Well, I couldn't disappoint Alkemie or myself. So, yes, they are going to paint the chair. And, no, I am not going to tell my husband what the wood truly is. '-'

Next, I am doing something Alkemie didn't suggest......................I HATE tufts........so they will go. Although I do want buttons going around the bottom like they do right now. And, I will keep the original shape of the seat. Then, in the back, I will do one large button, because Ernie will be padded the back more. Thanks to another one of Alkemie's suggestions, I will be doing silver nailheads.

I will post photos when chair is completed. But, for the moment, you will have to guess what fabrics I would dare to do "outside the box".

I figure, I won't be having this chair in my house for long, once my soon-to-be 12 year old granddaughter, Victoria, eye's it. The fabric and colors are her thing.







Photos my Moi, Denise, in a spare bedroom.

A la prochaine,
Denise
discountdesignerfabrics.blogspot.com

"Home Cooking" THE COSTCO WAY #8

Hi, I look forward to "Black Friday" for one reason only. After finding a parking spot, I only hope there is 1 much anticipated Costco cookbook showcasing their products still available for me........... "Home Cooking" THE COSTCO WAY. I was not disappointed. This beautiful gift from Costco, printed for 8 years with new recipes, is a fabulous Costco Way of saying "thank you" to me and all of their members for shopping Costco all year long. AND, this household sure did visit Costco too-!!

Yes, from the clear and tantalizing photos by Iridio Photography, to recipes from famous members such as Semi-homemade Sandra Lee, founder of America's Test Kitchen Christropher Kimball, to, Down Home with The Neeleys (Gina and Pat)............and so many more.



This is where Costco's cookbook comes in very handy for me. My husband likes to pheasant hunt in November. Tis the season to entertain during the holidays and I like to have a Game Dinner with the hunters and their wives. As I will be doing Pheasant with a scrumptious wild rice and a sophisticated turnip souffle, my other guests are given an assignment to bring something too. Costco makes it so easy.........each girlfriend is emailed a photo with the recipe. Since it is pheasant, fruit is so simple and such an available product at Costco.

This year Cricket (Christine) will be asked to bring the appetizer:



Nancy has already volunteered to make the salad. She buys her shrimp already from Costco and her confidence level is very high when she praises Costco for this demanding product:



Sandy is a very busy "Madame President" of her village so I will have her contribute the glazed carrots that go wonderfully with pheasant every time:



Finally, Patty. She has a house full of hungry teens all the time so she will have to make extras for them.........but I know how much fun she will have making this dessert for a Grand Finale.



One last thing I will put in my basket, before checking out at Costco, the day of my party. Flowers.

I promise to post photos once the party is over...............

Bon Appetit,
Denise