Click on the photos to enlarge them to see more detail.
This is a double scoop board moutned valance.
Tab top with rod.
Board mounted.
Pinch pleat with trim.
Flat top with double fullness to get the scoop between rings.
Soft top with trim.
Tab top with pinch pleat and cut scoop between pleats.
There are several ways to hang a valance: on a board, on a rod with rings, on a rod with fabric tabs, or on rosettes, to name a few.
I like to mount the valance above the trim so that it hangs into the top third of the window. Each window treatment we design is fabricated by a local workroom and installed by us.Contact me to discuss your window treatment needs.
Julie Fergus, ASID, is a nationally published interior designer. Her studio
and showroom is located in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Julie's clients are
primarily in the Lakes Region and Mount Washington Valley, however, she will
travel throughout the state and North East. .www.JulieFergus.com | www.DesignByMail.com
Most people have a dream home.
Unfortunately, it is often not the one they live in. Thinking that you must spend a lot of money
to create your own home style is a myth.
The process requires dedication, time and innovation. Defining your
style involves an awareness of your space and color preferences, finding images
that you like and opening your mind to the possibilities.
A great way to start the process to achieve your
dream home is to simplify. All too often, homes are filled with too much stuff,
mostly clutter and too much furniture. By removing furniture, accessories and
knickknacks that no longer are of use or in style, you will be on your way to a
simplified environment. This is a difficult thing to do because people don’t want
to get rid of their stuff or devote the time needed to do so. If you were to
tackle one room at a time, you could eliminate boxes of things from your house.
Take your unused good items to the Salvation Army or give them to friends who
can use them. In most cases, this unnecessary clutter is easily forgotten when
it is gone. Once you eliminate all of your unused possessions, you will have
much more room to move and the space will be refreshed. The next step will be
to make use of what is left.
Create a cozy interior by having soft lighting that
creates varying light levels. General overall lighting can be as simple as a
torchiere or more permanent as recessed lighting or wall scones. Incorporate a
few lamps with different wattage bulbs to create contrast and interest. Always
have at least one area in a room where you can sit and read with good lighting.
Furniture placement will affect the visual appeal
and function of a room. It is best to minimize the number of pieces in a room.
Consider pieces that can perform multi-functions. Such as a chest instead of a
table because it will provide you with storage and a place for a lamp. Another
example is to have a drop-leaf table that can be opened to accommodate serving
drinks, snack and offer a place for doing paperwork.
After you have removed all of your unused stuff,
simplified your furnishings and added varying light sources you will have a
comfortable and relaxed interior that you can enjoy
It's not a new idea, kitchens of the past had furniture and not built-in cabinets. We've complicated our lives with too much stuff and cramped our spaces.
A kitchen doesn’t have to have upper cabinets. Highly functional and quality base cabinets can be built to accommodate everything and anything. For example, if you want more windows for sunlight and openness plan to maximize all your base cabinets for optimum storage.
In my own kitchen I opted for windows instead of wall cabinets. In the photos here I show you how I use the base cabinets for my baking needs. I love to bake which meant that I needed to have my baking supplies handy and easy to access. I had drawers built to store my baking supplies. It is easier to reach into a drawer than it is to sift through items on a shelf.
Custom window treatments are desired by clients because they want a unique look or have a very challenging shape or size. When you have a shaped window it is virtually impossible to find something "off the rack" to meet your needs. In this example there is a wall of glass. Walls of glass are great, but if it is your bedroom, it isn't so cozy, especially at night. At nighttime, there is no privacy so there needed to be something. The drapery panel is the right choice for this large space. The fabric added much needed softness to the hard surfaces.
I measured and sketched the shape. This allowed me to convey the exact sizes and angles to my fabricators for the custom rod and panels. I chose to use grommets because they controlled the angled panels.
Drapery panels serve many purposes: decoration, softness, privacy, light control, UV protection and insulation.
Not all leather furniture is created equal. That is why I only specify and sell American Leather furniture to my clients.. American Leather offers a large variety of styles and colors. My favorite pieces are recliners that look like club chairs, as shown in this example. When considering leather furniture, consider the finest quality so your investment will last for decades.
Why do you live with dated finishes and decor? If it is for budget reasons then the easiest way to improve the look of dated finishes is with paint. Stained pine trim is basic and can be dull. A fresh coat of white or off-white paint will instantly improve the look and feel of the space. In this example, there is a beautiful view. The stained trim distracted the eye from looking through the windows. Once the trim was painted the space was visually simplified to allow the view to stand out. This is just one of many ways to improve the style of a space.
The design task here was to take a large space and make it cozy, comfortable and family friendly.
The first step is to ALWAYS start with a floor plan. It is so important to know what will fit in the space. From there I create a layout.
A living room with a fireplace and TV are always a challenge. Here is how I solved it. There is a large TV on the wall opposite the fireplace that is on a heavy duty swivel. The sofas with high arms were chosen so that people could sit back on the arms or lay down to face the TV. The two leather chairs are recliners. This layout comfortably seats four for TV watching.
When the TV is not in use the focus in on the fireplace and the central conversation area. The two white side chairs in the foreground are overflow seating for the dining room. I love the flexibility of side chairs that can be moved around into other rooms as needed.
The custom drapery adds a needed softness to the space. Coordinating the fabric to the wall color is elegant and simple. I brought in just a touch of whimsy with bird finials on the iron rods. Redecorating and refurnishing a room takes time. It is important to have a plan and implement it as your time allows.
When planning a guest room consider two twin beds. This will give you the flexibility to accommodate two singles or one couple. Two beds can be joined with a twin doubler which wraps around the twin mattresses to create a king bed. When using headboards be sure that they are attached to the bed frame to make it easy to slide the beds together. One example has no headboards and uses wall mounted lamps. The second example has upholstered headboards in a square shape so that they fit nicely next to each other.
Simple flowers are wonderful. The mix of wild flowers and a vintage ironstone pot are the epitome of country decorating. My own personal decor incorporates painted furniture, ironstone and crystal. The reason why I love it is because of the casual feel it creates when blending elegant and simple. It makes me feel welcome and relaxed. I think it also makes my guest feel welcome too.
Forgot the fancy or expensive flowers and look in your yard for wild flowers. Put them in a pretty short container and you have instant color.
I am a big fan of organization. So when on a recent trip to NJ, I had to make a stop at the Container Store to see all of the possibilities for storage solutions. The vast space is neatly laid out and uncluttered. It is inspiring to a person that pines to be organized.
However, I became disappointed because what I really saw was high-priced boxes, plastic containers, and wire shelving; no real solutions. While browsing the bins, cubes, containers, hangers, etc. my thoughts went to how much one would spend to get “organized.”
These storage components won’t cure you if you are a clutter bug. It isn’t a quick fix or solution. Being organized isn’t just about having your stuff on shelves or bins. The real work begins by simplifying what you have. Don’t spend money on more stuff to store your stuff. Get rid of the stuff and you won’t have to spend more.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that pretty organizers and bins will solve your storage challenge. Cleaver storage is more than a new clear plastic bin or shoe organizer. It starts with evaluating what your needs are and how to maximize the space you have. Once you do that than you should store what is essential.
I know I have over-simplified the challenge of getting organized. I urge you to think about bringing more things into your home unless you’ve dealt with the things you already have in your home. If you need help getting organized, contact a professional organizer or interior designer with an expertise in space planning to assist you.
The before and after photo above illustrate the makeover in a small vacation cottage. The laundry and bunk room are combined. To improve the overall functionality of the space we had to eliminate one set of bunk beds. This gave space for much needed storage and folding area. New paint, artwork and lighting are the finishing touches to make the room bright and pleasant.
Do you love color? Most people do love color, but they are afraid to break away from neutrals when decorating. I have a current client that is an artist and she is not afraid of color. Together we have developed a colorful palette for her vacation home.
We started with Periwinkle and developed the choices from there. As I have shown in my YouTube clip, using fabric as a guide, you can create amazing successful color palettes.
I've lived in my house for twelve years now, and I realized it was time to freshen things up a bit. In January I took some time to paint and make some simple changes. I painted walls, ceilings and furniture, changed drawer knobs, de-cluttered, removed curtains, and hung drapery. I am confident in saying that I am a fast painter, I enjoy it. Here are the quick high lights that you can learn from so you can jazz up rooms in your home quick and easy.
Rising energy costs are affecting everyone's budget. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heat lost through windows can account for 10 to 25% of your heating bill, and even new energy efficient windows allow heat loss. If you've not had an energy audit on your home yet, a simple way to check for heat loss is to simply put your hand on the window sill and see if you feel cold air. Even a small draft means a big heat loss There is also direct conduction through the glass, which make rooms colder when left exposed.
Today’s technology provides us with a huge selection of insulating window treatments, from honeycomb shades to decorative blinds and draperies. These new treatments prevent heat loss and provide insulation to keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer, as well as beautifying the decor in the room. Additionally, window coverings control light and provide privacy.
Window shade products have R-value (resistance value) ratings which measure a product's resistance to heat loss when in a closed (lowered) position. Window coverings with a high R-value can provide much needed insulation and significantly reduce heat loss. The higher the R-value, the more insulation a window product provides. A single layer of uncovered window glass has a winter R-value of about 0.88, while a double-glazed window has a value of about 1.75. By selecting an energy-efficient window treatment, you can help increase the R-value one to five points.
Combining shades and draperies will increase the insulating value. It is important to install shades and draperies properly to minimize gaps that would allow air to filter through. Consult with me to determine what product is best for your window, budget and style.
The perfect starting point for a new kitchen is with function. Defining the look is easy, deciding on the layout and function is the hard part. There are so many possibilities that the function needs to be the focus. Once you get the desired layout determine than focus on the look, style, lighting and specifications.
Kitchens are a very important space in your home. They require serious attention and a realistic budget to make the most of the space.
Julie
Fergus, ASID, is a nationally published interior designer. Her studio and
showroom is located in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Julie's clients are primarily
in the Lakes Region and Mount Washington Valley, however, she will travel
throughout the state and North East. www.JulieFergus.com |
www.DesignByMail.com
Julie Fergus, ASID, is a nationally published interior designer. Her studio and showroom is located in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Julie's clients are primarily in the Lakes Region and Mount Washington Valley, however, she will travel throughout the state and North East. www.JulieFergus.com
