megan

Mastering the Master Bedroom

Is your master bedroom giving you the blues? This guide will help you create the perfect retreat.

Does your master bedroom feel “aaah” or “blah”? Even if you love your furnishings and the room is a generous size and well laid out, it can still feel like it’s missing something. If you are ready to kick it up a notch, here are a few tips and tricks I use to help my client’s level up their master bedrooms.

The Bed

Since your bed is the focal point, it’s the best place to start. If you love your headboard, and frame, great! But if it’s not making the style statement you really want, you can’t beat a custom made headboard as the sky is the limit. It can be made to the exact height and width, plus there are endless choices for fabric and details. In addition to the headboard, your upholsterer can also add upholstered rails and footboard eliminating the need for dust ruffles or skirts which can feel a bit dated.

The Bedding

Once you have a headboard you love, the next step is to consider the bedding and pillows. At this point in your life, you deserve better than “bed-in-a-bag”. Having said that, if you have a coverlet or duvet you love, then work with that as your starting point and add some custom pillows and shams to make it more personalized. Gone are the days when designers suggest 16 pillows that reach half way down the bed. (Because really, where do you put all of them at night?!!) Less is more in this case, typically, we aim for two shams or three euro pillows that go in front of the sleeping pillows, then add a few smaller pillows in front for a maximum of 3 to five decorative pillows. Play around with shapes and sizes, such as bolsters, lumbars and squares to get the proportions and style just right.

Two drawings with two sets of fabric samples — Above is an example of planning around a variety of textures, patterns and trims to achieve various looks and determine the ideal combination.

Getting creative with fabrics and trim on your custom pillows and bedding is where the magic happens. Consider mixing patterns and solids with trim details, you can mix and match patterns, colors and textures to create a very personalized look. Always splurge on feather down fills as they will last for years and never look flat or frumpy like the polyester ones.

The last touch is a blanket or lofty duvet folded at the end of the bed, it creates another layer that adds to the inviting ambience. It has it’s practical side too for chilly nights or days when you want to pull something over you for a quick cat nap or an afternoon movie.

The Windows

Some people love to wake up to natural light and some need a dark cave in order to get a good night’s sleep. Which ever camp you are in consider layers of window treatments such as shades or shutters with an additional layer of draperies on top. If you want complete darkness, make both layers room darkening for maximum coverage as a single treatment rarely blocks out all the light leaks. If you love the natural light, I still recommend at least one layer for dimming the light (think weekend naps or sick days) and another for daytime privacy such as beautiful sheers or a light weight linen that allows lots of light and a little view without letting the neighbors peer in during the day.

Aside from practical purposes, draperies frame your view and anchor the room to help tie all the other elements together. Patterned drapes make a big statement, but for bedrooms I often recommend something textured vs. a bold pattern since bedding changes more often than drapes and not having to base your changing pillows and bedcovers around a very specific pattern at the window makes it easier. In my own bedroom, I like to change the bedding and pillows with the seasons, so keeping the window fashion transitional makes that easier. (Although, recently I’ve been toying with the idea of reversible drapes so I can switch them out summer and winter when my bedding changes. Hmmm, that sounds like a new blog post idea!)

The Wallpaper

Finally, I love wallpaper either on the wall behind the bed or on the ceiling. Usually it is something textured like a grasscloth for a casually elegant look or something with a bit of sparkle or geometric pattern if the look leans to a more glamorous or modern style. I realize for some, recommending wallpaper is like suggesting a throw back to the 80’s but trust me when I say, the new wallpapers of today are so beautiful and varied. There is something for everyone and it will definitely add an additional layer of personalization that all master bedrooms crave.

Myrna Everett is the founder of Home Vogue Interiors where we specialize in custom window fashions and other soft home goods. If you have enjoyed this blog post, please share it with others. If you are ready to start a conversation about your next project click on the “Your Project” button above and tell us what you’re working on and we’ll reach out to you and help you get started.

Elevate Your Window Coverings into Window Fashions.

1:47 pm by megan Leave a Comment

We use the word window fashions interchangeably with window coverings, but if you think about all the couture style details you can add to custom draperies it truly does elevate them into fashion for your windows. For example, this Walcott House cufflink style button detail that up levels a very simple fabric and pleat style into something special.

white linen drapes with a cufflink style button holding the pleats together — The tops of these drapes, left unfinished, provide a balance to the very polished buttons and satin nickel hardware

This shimmery side panel drapery get’s it’s boost of fashion by using contrasting fabrics separated by a beaded welt cord while the gold and acrylic rod and rings add their own bit of style. Drapery hardware does the same thing as adding accessories to an outfit, it’s the finishing touch that pulls everything together and makes a big statement.

Consider the idea of adding decorative banding to a simple roman shade to give it a dose of style. The linen fabric we used is pretty basic and unassuming but by adding the decorative banding, it gives it more presence and helps tie other elements in the room together.

Here is another example of adding couture details to a simple window treatment. The style of this client’s home was farmhouse glam. Shiplap ceilings, distressed wood floors and lots of natural elements mixed in with luxe details. For the dining room drapes we created a simple book pleat drapery style and embellished it with velvet buttons and a tiny velvet band below to echo the home’s style.

How Do You Create Window Fashions for Your Own Home?

Whether you are moving into a new home or refreshing the home you live in, your window fashions will make the room if done right. It doesn’t matter if you need functionality or if your window fashions are simply decorative, just be sure to add details to evoke a feeling of upscale design that makes a statement.

Tip:

Put your ideas on paper, sketch out the details to be sure proportions and details feel right.

Here’s How:

Start with a basic style that serves the intended purpose.
Pick one or two features to add dressmaker details to your design
Always keep your personal style in mind to be sure your window fashions reflect who you are.

Drapery Hardware, It’s Like Jewelry for Your Windows

2:04 pm by megan Leave a Comment

I’m obsessed with drapery hardware! To me it’s like jewelry for your windows. For some reason, people continue to use the same basic hardware thinking that the fabric is the star of the show but rarely consider that it’s like accessorizing an outfit to make it look pulled together and “right”.

Drapery hardware in brushed nickel with blue glass finials from Walcott House. — This little metal and glass gem from Walcott House is a perfect example of how your drapery hardware can be like Jewelry for your draperies.

There is a process for designing window treatments that ensures the end result is amazing. I always start with the purpose, is it decorative or functional? Who is it intended for; a child’s room, a formal dining room, a cozy den the primary bedroom? From there, I narrow it down to fabric choices, pleat style and how best to line and fabricate it. But it doesn’t stop there…how will this gorgeous new drapery be installed? If there’s a valance, just a basic white track will do. However, if there is no valance, I want the drapery hardware to speak volumes. The esthetic of the room as well as the room’s occupant are important considerations.

This is where the fun begins because there is so much to choose from!

But first: rule #1, when investing in custom curtains, never, ever use anything less than custom made hardware. In my experience, there’s nothing worse than telescoping hardware (curtain rods that expand to fit the size of the window). The curtain rings won’t glide across that lumpy seam where the two pieces fit inside one another, and the rod often sags with the weight of the drapery.

I avoid these problems by using the correct hardware made to fit and sturdy enough for the weight of the draperies I’m designing. And the best part is that there is so much more to choose from! As an experienced drapery professional I have a ton of options and suppliers to choose from. I know exactly what hardware will work for which treatment in terms of style, stability and function.

Now that we’ve covered off the importance of selecting the perfect hardware for your new draperies, check out this post on how to up-level your custom curtain designs and turn window treatments into window fashions.

Ripped Jeans and Tattered Curtains

1:22 am by megan Leave a Comment

Well, maybe you don’t really want TATTERED curtains, but there is a direct correlation lately between fashion‘s ripped jeans trend and what the home fashion industry likes to call “deconstructed” or “distressed” fabrics, trimmings and furnishings. Although it’s not for everyone, this look can be translated into a wide variety of styles.

Design trends in the last few years has been moving away from very clean lines to a slightly more layered and aged look. For example, table tops that appear to have been used for generations or antique area rugs that show wear and rustic or natural textures and collections of found objects. This style relies less on perfection and more on the story and history behind the furnishings in a room. Much in the same way that ripped jeans seam to proclaim; “they didn’t just come off the shelf” (even if they did) they look like they have been on a long journey with lots of adventures along the way. They speak to an interesting lifestyle led by the person wearing them. The same is true for an interior design style that showcases objects from past generations or from travels, adventures and memories.

If this is a look you embrace then there are lots of fabrics that will speak your language. Consider anything that has a faded and relaxed look, a less than perfect weave, or even loose threads. For #draperies, pair these fabrics with embellishments and #curtain rods that have a less than polished look like the weathered or burlap drapery tracks and frayed banding in the example above. For a more traditional style hardware, this Ethan Allen distressed rope rod would also be a perfect pairing.

Image Via: Ethanallen.com

If your style is a little more tailored or contemporary you could consider just a nod to this trend. For example, these simple linen drapes from Walcot House with the top of the curtain slightly frayed and paired with a button embellishment for a look that remains polished.

Image Via: walcothouse.com

It’s up to you how far you take the deconstructed look in your decor and a little goes a long way. Trends come and go, but you will always create a timeless look if you interpret them using your own personal style.

With so many choices and details available your imagination is the only limit. If you’re considering a window fashion project we’d love to help you select the perfect materials and designs for your home.

Roman Shades, a Timeless Classic

2:11 pm by megan Leave a Comment

Roman shades are a timeless, classic window treatment that has been around for thousand of years, yet are still stylish and adaptable to nearly any interior design style.

A striped roman shade with beaded trim — This simple roman shade has been embellished with a row of small glass bead to catch the light.

The most common roman shades I make for clients are flat when lowered but softly folded when pulled up. This is a great style as it has the appearance of a valance when lifted without a lot of bulk. For shades that remain down more often than not, other shade styles might be a better choice. A few examples are shown in these line drawings by Jackie Von Tobel as they have more details and stitching to add interest or create a softer profile.

A line drawing of a soft fold roman shade. It's fairly flat with a gentle curve at the bottom hem — This soft fold roman shade has a soft curve at the bottom hem. This style works best on windows that aren’t too wide.

line drawing of a roman shade with little pockets sewn into the front to house the batons that help keep the structure — This roman shade has pockets sewn into the front to house the batons that help give the shade structure and dimension

A line drawing of a roman shade that has two small pleats running vertically down the front with small buttons keeping the pleats closed. — This roman shad has a little more whimsey with its pleats and button detailing.

a line drawing of a roman shade with alternating open and closed pockets to create texture on the face of the shades. — This roman shade would be great for a solid fabric, the open pocket detailing creates texture and interest.

Lift Systems for Roman Shades

Did you know you can now get cordless roman shades? This new option is revolutionary. Gone are the days of dangling, tangling cords and I rarely specify this style anymore. This new system looks better and creates a safer environment for children and pets. Other options include continuous cord loops or motorization.

Inside or Outside Mounted Roman Shades

I always get a puzzled look when I ask people their preference on how they want their roman shades to be mounted, because of course they want them mounted inside the house not outside! What this question really refers to is inside the window opening or outside the window opening. There are pros and cons to both, but my personal preference, if the shade has a room darkening lining, outside is better because we can overlap the window several inches to give better coverage and light control. When the shade is mounted inside, there is an extreme halo of light that leaks in around the shade at the edges.

Having said that, if the fabric is light weight and a light filtering liner is all that is needed, mounting inside the window opening can be nice with more options on how it is styled at the top as you can do a water fall style with no valance needed to hide the lift system.

Roman shades come in so many shapes and styles and the fabric options are endless. They can be combined with side panels or stand alone to make a big impact. So whether you want just a little privacy, a lot of room darkening or simply something decorative at your windows, consider this hard working window treatment as an option.

License to Spill

1:28 pm by megan Leave a Comment

Go Ahead and Spill

I mean it….wine, spaghetti sauce, chocolate ice cream. If you have the right #fabrics you don’t have to be afraid of spills, sticky hands, pets or a messy family.

Image via: https://www.crypton.com

In my house, if someone’s going to spill it’s probably going to be me! So when I discovered how durable, beautiful and stain-resistant certain fabrics can be I started shouting it from the roof tops. Well, not the roof tops, but certainly when I’m helping guide a client to the right fabric selection for their project.

Sunbrella is possibly the most recognizable name in outdoor fabric and is known for being colorfast and durable. In fact, one of my suppliers keeps a cutting of a Sunbrella fabric submerged in a jar of bleach on the counter in their showroom and it has never faded. I didn’t give it much thought because Sunbrella was outdoor fabric and most of my concerns were about indoor fabrics. In recent years however, more and more of my indoor fabric suppliers were introducing the same kind of durability in really beautiful materials.

Image via https://www.perennialsfabrics.com

One of my favorites is Perennials Fabrics because everything they create including their area rugs can be bleached to remove tough stains. To demonstrate, my sales rep carries a little bottle of red wine and a tube of Clorox to her meetings and proves it by spilling the wine, rubbing it into her sample and then removing it using straight bleach and a little spray bottle of soapy water to rinse away the bleach once the stain is gone.

Of course, suspicious as I am, as soon as I received my sample box I squirted mustard on a white fabric and got out the bleach stick. It didn’t come out right away and when I called the company they just laughed and said mustard and Sharpie markers are the toughest stains, just keep at it! And they were right, the mustard came out and the sample is as good as new.

It’s important to understand the difference between these tough fabrics and the best way to clean them. Some, like Perennials Fabrics are solution-dyed meaning the color goes all the way through the fiber which is why bleaching is possible. Others, like Crypton have a protective seal applied to the fibers of the fabric that makes spills bead up and sit on top rather than soaking in which makes cleanup a snap. The benefits of Crypton are many:

• Superior stain repellency makes cleaning easy
• Odor resistance
• Soft, beautiful, and perfectly suited for everyday living
• Releases both oil-and water-based stains
• Unrestricted fabric selection, including linens, velvets, and more

• Free of harsh chemicals
• Protection sealed into every fiber for the life of the fabric

Conclusion? Life and beautiful homes can co-exist. Pets, kids and spill-y drinkers are no big deal and you can relax and enjoy all of them while you enjoy your beautiful home.

Image Via: https://www.crypton.com

As most of you know, my first love is #windowfashions and drapery design, but I know that a beautiful room requires more than just pretty window coverings. If you’ve been considering a reupholstery project and want it to be gorgeous and durable and maybe even WHITE consider one of these beautiful, cleanable fabrics that can take whatever your family dishes up.

#perennialsfabrics #fabric #reupholstery