MORE THAN JUST SELLING WINDOW TREATMENTS

I love selling window treatments, but more than that, I love designing window treatments!

What makes this such a passion?

I would have to say that it is because I understand window treatments and all that goes into them.  I have made draperies, Roman shades, pillows, slip covers and many other decorative items. I have done this for a very long time.

This hands-on knowledge gives me an edge in knowing what fabrics and hardware will do, what they will not do, what is architecturally possible, and how the final appearance will come out.

Take the photo above.  This was part of a series of window treatments for a national company's ads.  

I was called in literally at the last minute to create several sets of fourteen foot long draperies in addition to multiple Roman shades.  By create, I mean to pick out the fabrics and actually sew and hang all of the treatments myself!

My greatest pleasure was the contribution of my work on the sets and the success of the final shots!

This is the same satisfaction that I get when I see a client's window treatments completed. I know that the carefully chosen fabrics and hardware, along with the vision based on my many years of hands-on experience have come together for a successful istallment!

It's so much more personally rewarding than just "selling window treatments"!

Call me for a FREE ESTIMATE   773.271.2361

ARCHED LOFT WINDOWS

Before

After

Detail

A new client of mine came to me recently with a problem of what to do with these beautifully arched windows in a loft space. Each window was in a recessed brick space of about eight feet wide and ten foot high.

The first problem was the arch itself.  She had thought of roller shades, but of course there are no arched roller shades.  

Also, the space between the top of the arch and the white steel beam was so small that a roller shade would have hidden the top of the arch, spoiling the architectural detail. 

My client didn't want to necessarily block the view either - just tone down the sunlight, get a little privacy, and give the windows a sophisticated finished look.

Careful attention had to be paid to the type of window treatment, the hardware involved and the difficulties of mounting anything on old brick and steel.

My solution was to have ripplfold sheers made for each window space. The draperies are on traverse rods, split in the enter and are made of a smoke color sheer fabric.

I used white rods that were mounted directly to the white steel beams - they look as though they heave always been there as part of the architecture!  

My client is able to filter the sunlight if needed, have a little more privacy, and maintain a spectacular view of the nighttime city lights of Chicago!  

So simple and so so sophisticated!

"Less is More" Brought to Life

Living room in a Mies van der Rohe Building

Chicago is very rich in architecture! We have representation of the leading architects of the past and present and continue to grow with the future!                                                                                                               

One of the leading architects of the 20th Century was Mies van der Rohe and he is certainly well represented with several buildings in Chicago.

I have designed window treatments for units in just about all of the buildings and they are varied!

Some people have chosen roller shades with various levels of opaqueness to catch the city views.  Other have chosen different styles of draperies.

The above living room is in a Mies van der Rohe building in the Lincoln Park area.  The quiet palette of off white and beige, along with classic contemporary furniture (notice the classic Mies van der Rohe cocktail table), and contemporary artwork called for a simple treatment.

We decided to go with ripplefold draperies - no top pleating , just the gently undulating of the fabric, attached to a simple steel rod with no glides visible.

The look is a perfect foil not only for the interior furnishings, but the architecture of the man who gave us the decree that "Less is more"!

I am currently working on another unit in one of his buildings at 900 North Lake Shore Drive.

 The owners have remodeled in a style that Mies van der Rohe would certainly approve and I am adding a classic drapery background there as well!

The Most Fun Room in the House 

An Old Time Theater Media Room

In designing window treatments, I am often asked for help in deciding how to treat the windows in a media room, or more commonly, the TV room.

The biggest challenge is usually how to cut down or eliminate light for television and video viewing.  This is especially needed in order to watch daytime sports events.

With a distinct style, the media room above is a master of deception!

The owners wanted to create an old time theater look for entertaining friends with movies in their newly built home.  The room has a pitched ceiling, but otherwise was very plain.  You would never know it once inside, but the wall with the screen has a widow to the left and the adjoining wall has sliding glass doors that open to a patio!

I resolved the light issue and created the ambiance by having wine color velvet draperies made with a gold tassel border, lining them in sun block lining. This shuts all light out of the room, even at midday. The drapery treatment was topped with a matching cornice that runs the perimeter of the room.  What little wall was left is painted in the same wine color. 

It really is like watching movies in a dark vintage theater!

There are many other ways and styles to accomplish the same thing! I have used contemporary draperies, roller shades, Roman shades, and combinations of treatments!

Finishing the media room with the right window treatments is well worth it for years of viewing pleasure!