New Extra-Affordable Faux Wood Blinds

United Supply has come out with their brand new Pinnacle faux wood blinds line! We got a hint about it in June, but this incredibly affordable line has just debuted. In fact they're SO new, I can't download any photos yets. But I've seen them in person and they are just beautiful. These premium 2" shades, which are available in three classic shades of white come with all the bells and whistles, such as a clean-lined decorative faux wood valance to hide the headrail, a breakaway cord consolidator (so important for child safety), decorative wood tassel and trapezoidal bottom rail, which provides tighter closure than a rectangular bottom rail.

However, what is really special about these shades is their exclusive light blocking feature, which cuts down on those eye-piercing pin hole rays of sunshine at 6am that always seem to be pointed directly in your face. Not only that, they are stronger and lighter than other competitors' shades, making them much easier to lift and operate. They will not warp or yellow in up to 140' temperatures. That sounds a lot like this summer, doesn't it? And the slats are attached to the cording ladder, which means the slats won't shift back and forth. If you've ever spent time lining up the slats on your wood blinds, you know what I'm talking about... Another great feature is these shades are lead and VOC-free, meaning they manufactured with no dangerous chemicals. So important in bedrooms and nurseries.

Now I know you are asking the Big Question: just how extra-affordable are these super-duper magic shades? Here is a sample price: one shade at 36" wide and 48" long retails at $95.00. (and that doesn't include the current LFCDS 20% discount.) cha-ching!
A comparable Everwoods shade by Hunter Douglas retails about $178.00. I'd call that pretty substantial savings, wouldn't you?

I just love finding great products at great prices!

Dog Days

It's the end of a long hot July here, and Wrigley and I've about had it with this heat. So in honor of these Dog Days of Summer, we're having a sale at Lee Frew Custom Drapery Studio. We're knocking a whopping 20% off fabric and labor. So if you're like me and weary of looking at the same four walls while we hide from the heat and humidity, give us a call.

You'd be amazed what a perk a little change can bring, whether it's a full-blown overhaul, some fresh valances or just a couple of bright pillows! Check us out at
http://www.leefrewcustomdraperystudio.com/
today!

And in the meantime, a lovely tall glass of iced tea with mint will help take the edge off...

Bags!

The ToteBags are ready to go at the Algonquin Founders Market and Bazaar tomorrow! I am making myself nuts over these things. One minute, I look at them and think they are so cute. The next minute I think they are so 'old lady-looking'. Or shall I say mature-looking, since I am rapidly falling into the Old Lady category.

But I shall go in with a positive attitude, despite the weather predictions of heinous heat and general thundery mayhem. It'll be fun to hang with My Big Girl for a day.

And the Founders Day Fair is full of really fun things to do, from cat and dog shows to Little Miss and Mr. contests to a bake-off to a bicycle parade. Real, genuine, home-town fun. So if you crave a little small-town charm and atmosphere, come on out and see us!

It's Been A Month

...since I last posted. Where has the time gone? I sure don't know.

Trying something new tomorrow: my daughter Chrissy, who is the creative genius and driving force behind Stinkerbell Accessories, has a booth in the Algonquin Founders Market and Bazaar tomorrow. So I've whipped up some cute tote bags and am joining her for the day.

It's fun making these bags; one detail leads to another and some are way more intricate than I originally planned.

Curious? Since they are still in production I don't have any pics yet. So you'll just have to stop by our booth and say hi!

Oh, and check out Chrissy's website:

http://www.stinkerbellaccessories.com/

Lots of cute accessories for little girls!

Cheaper Heating and A/C

I thought that might get your attention! After attending the United Supply seminar, I couldn't decide which topic to talk about first, but I took a cue fromt the President's address on Tuesday night and thought that finding ways to keep your homes more energy efficient would be a great start.
And a great way is with your window treatments! (You knew that was coming, didn't you?)
If you are looking for insulation and being more energy-efficient, you want to consider treatments that will cover your window. This would be operational drapes or a roman shade type that covers all the glass. Of course a combination of the two would be most beneficial and provide you a little more flexibility.

There are some amazing linings out there that will make those big holes in your house (your windows) much less air-penetrable. Plus, they not only provide insulation, they greatly improve the look of your window treatments. And they will add years to the life of your beautiful window treatments. And best of all, they don't add a lot to the price. .

First and most basic is sateen lining. Unless your treatment is a sheer, sateen lining is a must. It protects your beautiful face fabric from the effects of the sun and presents a uniform neutral look to the world on the outside. Usually ivory or white, it also comes in colors like khaki and driftwood. This is your basic lining, which provides some insulation and protection from the sun, but little in the way of light blocking.
Next up the ladder is dim-out and black-out lining. These also protect your face fabric and provided some insulation. Blackout provided light blockage which is important in bedrooms and rooms with a lot of strong sun exposure which can fade your furniture and wood floors. These linings are now made much more supple and luxurious than that rubbery stuff you find in hotels.

Now we move up to the fun stuff! Interlining is a flannel layer of lining placed between your face fabric and your sateen lining. So now we are to three layers of fabric, providing great insulation and sun-protection. The extra benefit is the way interlining makes your window treatments look. The folds in your drapes and roman shades become plump and rich, and not so wimpy. You can feel the weight in your hand. As you can imagine, your windows are really getting efficient with all this fabric wrapped around them. Since interlining does not really block sunlight, combining interlining with black-out lining will give you gorgeous rich window treatments that give you superior light-blockage.
There is a newer product available now called napped sateen. This is your sateen lining with one side brushed to give it a flannel-y heft. It's better than straight sateen, and less expensive than adding the separate layer of interlining, but obviously not as plush. It's a nice happy medium when budgets are tight.
And at the top of the ladder? English bump and French Blackout lining. English bump is a middle layer like interlining, but it is a good 1/4" thick. You are literally wrapping your windows in a beautiful blanket. The lush look bump provides is absolutely gorgeous and very noticeable. French Blackout is 4 layers: your face fabric, then a layer of white interlining, then a layer of black sateen, and finally a layer of neutral sateen on the back. Again, gorgeous, luscious folds and draping, but French Blackout also give you superior light blockage. These two methods are considered high-end and will add more to your bottom line, but you are really getting a lot of bang for your buck.

Just think how excited you'll be to get your heating and air conditioning bills!

Lots to Tell!

I attended an amazing seminar by United Supply Company today and learned all about all the amazing window products they offer.

Unfortunately, my head is still spinning and it'll take a day or so before I can process everything I heard.

So stay tuned!

By the way, this is NOT one of USC's drapery suggestions!

:-)

Embellished Drapes

Today I want to talk about embellished drapes. Adding a little extra detail to stationary or operational drapes can add a lot to your decor.
For instance, look at these gorgeous operational drapes, designed by Sharon Miller of Interior Design:

We added a gathered skirt to the bottom, as well as a trimmed band to the top line and tassel trim where the main drape and the skirt are joined. For a different, more tailored look, you could use a coordinating narrow band of fabric, flat or gathered, instead of the tassel trim.

If you wanted to go more tailored than a gathered skirt, you could add a large coordinating or contrasting flat band to the top or bottom of your panels:

These two rooms are also designed by Sharon Miller of Interior Design.

Or you might add trim along the leading edge of your panels. Tassel trim looks especially pretty, as does brush fringe or a knife-pleated ruffle. For a more tailored look, you might use a decorative cording. For a wonderful masculine approach, what about a braided cord made of thin strips of leather?

This beautiful ivory silk panel was designed by Camille Sullivan of Chicago Design Team.


Here is another approach: adding an overlay to the top of the panel and cinching it with a nice chunky tassel. On these panels, (please excuse my un-lovely ladder!) we used the same fabric for a subtle overlay in a guest bedroom. You could just as easily use a coordinating or contrasting fabric if you wanted more pop.


These panels were designed by Katie Wozniak of Katherine Elizabeth Designs.

These are just a few of a myriad of possibilities! Best of all, you can add these options to your existing drapes to add a fresh new look to your room. What if you found a great pair of ready-made panels on sale at Pottery Barn and wanted to give them a little extra punch? You could even add this kind of detail to create a one-of-a-kind shower curtain!

These kinds of details are what makes your house your home. For a little extra fabric or trim, your home will reflect your personal taste and be just as individual and special as you are.

Now doesn't that make you smile?