Drapery Design

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Upholstered Headboards

I remember the first upholstered headboards I made back when I was in college and working at a custom drapery workroom. They were a lot of work but I enjoyed having a project that I could work on all by myself and then at the end of the day I could stand back and say "Wow, I made that"!

The demand for upholstered headboards dropped in the late 1990's when bed styles became all about the wood, the frame and the presence in the room such as four poster beds with huge posts, sleigh beds and large, carved headboards.

But now upholstered headboard are back and more popular than ever. The styles range from funky to formal, contemporary to elegant. The shapes, fabric choices and upholstery methods are numerous and exciting to see. Upholstered headboards fit well into modern and uncluttered decor but are also right at home in a traditional room.

The beauty of upholstered headboards is obvious, it just feels good to sit against padded upholstery and fabric offers texture, pattern and color, all things that make a room inviting. An upholstered headboard also offers many more options; the fabric is chosen to fit the room decor and can be monogrammed, patch-worked, quilted, tufted, embellished or manipulated in any way imaginable. Another idea is to use a simple duck or canvas covered headboard and use slipcovers. This option allows for changing the slipcover just as you would the linens and the slipcover could be washable if the right fabrics are chosen.

I have put together a group of upholstered headboards that are inspiring and interesting. I hope you enjoy.

Soothing and peaceful bedroom with simple tufted headboard. www.veranda.com

This headboard has an elegant but rustic design. www.housebeautiful.com

Beautiful shape to this tailored headboard. www.bhg.com

A dramatic shape and plentiful tufting. www.homeportfolio.com

Headboard doubles as a room divider. www.bhg.com

Striking red velvet shaped headboard makes a bold yet comfortable statement. www.housebeautiful.com

Princess inspired tufted headboard and footboard. www.wellappointedhouse.com

Pink velvet tufted headboard with crisp black and white. www.americangypsyliving.com

Stripe tufted tall headboard reminds me of a mattress on the wall. Source: Domino Magazine

Kids twin pocket headboard. www.hsn.com

Pretty poster with tufted headboard. www.housebeautiful.com

Deep tufted headboards, footboards and side rails. House and Garden magazine, May 2006

Clean and simple headboard from www.headboardsandsinteriors.co.uk

Lovely floral headboard with shirred border edge. www.bhg.com

Pretty shaped headboard with contrast welt cord. www.calicocorners.com

Monogrammed headboard from the workroom of Elizabeth Gerdes www.stitchabovetherest.com

Damask shaped headboard with subtle tufting. www.decorpad.com

Clean and contemporary headboard. www.housebeautiful.com

Channel tufted headboard. www.housebeautiful.com

Cargo Pocket headboard. www.hsn.com

Black patent leather, tufted headboard. Photo by Paul Costello for InStyle magazine.

Wingback Headboard www.stylefeeder.com

Monday, June 22, 2009

Shower Curtains

Bathrooms have become as beautiful as kitchens with high end surfaces and cabinetry. Master baths with soaking tubs and walk through or glass enclosed showers almost resemble a car wash with a multitude of shower heads, computer controls, sound systems and more. But there are still many bathrooms with the perfect shower or tub opening suited for a shower curtain.

I have always enjoyed making shower curtains as a way to soften the cold surfaces and to add color and pattern to the bath. The heading can be flat and have button holes or grommets for rings. Shower curtains can also be pleated and hung from any style of hardware from pole rods with rings to track systems. Top treatments can also be used if the opening is tall enough to allow for good proportions.

When using shower curtains you must be practical. Will the shower be used often? You may want to explore some of the popular fabrics created for outdoor use that can withstand moisture and washings.

For a luxurious style a beautiful fabric curtain tied back with a tassel can be very elegant paired with a more practical shower curtain underneath. Layering is smart and for ease of use two shower rods can be installed, one for the liner and one for the decorative layer.

Enjoy these pictures of shower curtain styles for inspiration and ideas of how to dress the bath.

Fit for a King or a Queen complete with a tufted tub (matching toilet seat available).

www.greatinteriordesign.com

Synthetic suede cowhide for Western decor or your favorite Cowboy.

www.cowboyhomedecorsite.com

For the inner broadway star in you, a curtain and a spotlight.

www.ballerhouse.com

A simple solution for a small bath.

www.allyxbdesign.com

Always a perfect choice for a traditional bath. A fresh white pique shower curtain with a scalloped edge and monogram detail.

www.cobblecourt.com

A clever use of a fabric design to create a scalloped detail and tabs with buttons and welt cord.

www.bhg.com

Very cool. Moveable wall from www.trendir.com

Pretty white shower curtains with stitched details.

www.theblissful.com

A cheerful striped outdoor shower curtain.

www.realestate.msn.com

Turn your favorite photo into a shower curtain.

www.photoshowercurtain.com

Flamenco shower curtain with layers of ruffles.

www.anthropologie.com

Feminine chenille shower curtain is perfect for a girls bath.

www.brookegiannetti.com

Having the shower curtain go all the way to the ceiling makes this small bath appear larger. www.apartmentthearpy.com

Keep those shower curtains tidy with your own curtain-kitty-cleaning-system.

photo by Adam Clay www.flickr.com/photos/adamclay

Thursday, May 28, 2009

The Humble Little YoYo

What was once considered an old-fashioned quilters technique has now become popular as an embellishment for everything from clothing to soft home furnishings. Yoyo making is an easy technique to learn. Each yoyo is made by gathering a circle of fabric around the edges and bringing the gathers up to the center.

Yoyo's can become a beautiful embellishment by varying the sizes and materials, adding buttons or jewels or by combining them in interesting patterns.

To speed up yoyo making use a grommet or button press to cut out the circles.

Yoyo embellished cocktail dress found at Sak's.

Button yoyo's used for tufting a quilted coverlet. Susan W. Schurz www.tavernhill.net

Feminine yoyo belt from www.etsy.com could make a lovely tieback for simple curtains.

Spacing silk yoyo's along a tailored banding brings a unique look to the leading edge of a panel by Susan W. Schurz

Creative yoyo assortment from www.calamitykim.typepad.com

Pretty pumpkin faux silk panels with button yoyo leading edge.

Toni Hollinsgworth, A Fresh Approach, Columbia, SC.

Monochromatic wool yoyo pillow www.etsy.com

Black and white yoyo collection www.etsy.com

Elegant yoyo handbag www.etsy.com

Simplicity historic dress pattern with yoyo embellished skirt overlay.

Fun with the classic Duncan Yoyo and cello with Classic Yo-Yo Ma.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Favorites from Vision09-IWCE

The premium trade show of the year for window coverings professionals ended today. I enjoyed meeting many talented and hard working business owners from all over the world. Here are a few of my favorite things from Vision09, International Window Coverings Expo.

Butterfly crewel from MDS Fabrics

Crewel velvet from MDS Fabrics.

Holdback from Finestra Decorative Hardware and fabric from Kasmir.

Artefice hardware from Helser Brothers

Swing Arm rod from Helser Brothers

Wallpaper from Vahallan Papers

Vahallan Papers

Brimar pleated tape with tassels.

Brimar finial collection.

Printed Sheer from Almedahl

Square Grommets from Rowley Company.

Grom-A-Link, new product from Rowley Company

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Terms

I have a great collection of historic and vintage design, decorating and sewing books. A good friend helped me learn how to use the internet as an excellent source for even more information from days gone by. I find the descriptions, advice and illustrations fascinating.

In the ad below you will see the term "window treatments" used. I always assumed that this was a more contemporary description for draperies and curtains but the ad, from 1903 proves that the term is much older than I thought. I also found the term "window furnishings" used in a book from 1919 titled The Practical Book of Interior Decoration in the chapter titled "Windows and Their Treatment".

Another interesting tidbit was found in the 1910 book titled House Furnishing Advertising by William Bordsodi where bed comforters are referred to as "comforts" and "comfortables". I have never seen this charming term before. Here is a quote from the book. "When the thermometer begins to hover around the zero mark then comfortables are the order of the day, or the night rather.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Tailored Panels

There are many styles of pleated headings for panels. A flat, tailored style of pleat is known as an inverted pleat or box pleat. It is made by stitching in pleats with the fullness to the reverse side of the heading instead of to the front like with a French or Goblet pleat. I have put together some of my favorite tailored panel styles which all have unique looks but the techniques are very similar. Enjoy!

Tailored panels with decorative hardware and button detail. www.bhg.com

Bamboo and linen blend material used for a tailored panel. www.greenyourdecor.com

Oragmi style tailored panel. The inverted pleats are hand stitched open making a diamond design. www.anthropologie.com

Inverted pleat with a "twist" by Susan W. Schurz

The creative tailored treatments below are from www.windows-and-more-by-chrystal.com

Saturday, April 11, 2009

The Incredible Egg

Easter is a holiday filled with inspiration. Renewal, rebirth and hope. The egg is the perfect symbol. In interior design the classic oval or egg shape can be seen in everything from egg and dart moldings to decorative hardware, fabric prints and furniture.