Road Trip - Haute Fabrics!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRtRtpVC8NupOnNzQBaQoVho2O3s757mGX-h_VJvB-TO5A9kC1EKXko_-zN4PpVAlbNyQ9R1O2HvN0WdAr1fm4rxGU26kPDpuoZMeNOhp5P2_M45PxaHKTiKV7vgu9zSEkQ_hXnViHbgW/s1600/IMG_2454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRtRtpVC8NupOnNzQBaQoVho2O3s757mGX-h_VJvB-TO5A9kC1EKXko_-zN4PpVAlbNyQ9R1O2HvN0WdAr1fm4rxGU26kPDpuoZMeNOhp5P2_M45PxaHKTiKV7vgu9zSEkQ_hXnViHbgW/s640/IMG_2454.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Last Saturday my husband, daughter and I went on a road trip to my favorite fabric place - Haute Fabrics in Marshall, VA.  Not sure how Julia and I convinced Dan to come w/us - I should have taken notes for next time.   So, what did we score?  Julia has a great eye and picked out the dusty pink Vervain chinoiserie silk above (in the middle) for drapes for her bedroom.  It's even more beautiful and sophisticated than this photo shows.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7hyphenhyphenIQ_dWrUS9J8Cc5Qncrqw9PHJRMwJNa_RBOxZVf0i_xUACvuN59I27mqZNRNgkQkrdP3DqDQIfd33vZ9-mrwiAc56aIFp8L_a1ialoy8bJxts__RGquOzEtUdl4qaNKureDpgkWXIY/s1600/IMG_2469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7hyphenhyphenIQ_dWrUS9J8Cc5Qncrqw9PHJRMwJNa_RBOxZVf0i_xUACvuN59I27mqZNRNgkQkrdP3DqDQIfd33vZ9-mrwiAc56aIFp8L_a1ialoy8bJxts__RGquOzEtUdl4qaNKureDpgkWXIY/s400/IMG_2469.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>  Love this zig zag.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDvYOK0ll1F0DGkJa1O5E16JYZxwN13uTuq25_o_-8n1eVTsYmkIsC_DMZNzkFR6hVfHhe57UHl3EKmNXRQIyxUQyC4cmKHjksTfkvfTAkzNKFin-ZjOE7g6-HvxwlnLPfi9Ywm9JfV_G/s1600/IMG_2455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDvYOK0ll1F0DGkJa1O5E16JYZxwN13uTuq25_o_-8n1eVTsYmkIsC_DMZNzkFR6hVfHhe57UHl3EKmNXRQIyxUQyC4cmKHjksTfkvfTAkzNKFin-ZjOE7g6-HvxwlnLPfi9Ywm9JfV_G/s640/IMG_2455.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Beautiful blues.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59gaQjXH6K6zz0yW97JVoNFSJ3rbeuu0i3yYhgLCIdgTr2RVPvv7Dv_XKgWudroY1w43wtqmTIw0zNdg3MQccYt75yIW20uarGgPIRWuk9koBBztzJPhNo3RVRXfWFeGS1h-tkwOd6FZW/s1600/IMG_2456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59gaQjXH6K6zz0yW97JVoNFSJ3rbeuu0i3yYhgLCIdgTr2RVPvv7Dv_XKgWudroY1w43wtqmTIw0zNdg3MQccYt75yIW20uarGgPIRWuk9koBBztzJPhNo3RVRXfWFeGS1h-tkwOd6FZW/s640/IMG_2456.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br />Geometrics and florals.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1j_AYSVeWNZrEQO4lwi6s4winCmt0gdBzK4DtE5nvN3K8S7I-P6MgsMo3HSa_CUXFv3Ei7TmQifJupUe9HRLH_n37CvC7PEJQENcyStBbM_amOSVEik-ROkzkK96bjZaiX4Blpghe5rz0/s1600/IMG_2459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1j_AYSVeWNZrEQO4lwi6s4winCmt0gdBzK4DtE5nvN3K8S7I-P6MgsMo3HSa_CUXFv3Ei7TmQifJupUe9HRLH_n37CvC7PEJQENcyStBbM_amOSVEik-ROkzkK96bjZaiX4Blpghe5rz0/s400/IMG_2459.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAQHPWCq3LXRJ1l4TzOHynmio6HQFHofbsaRBzSm4TS4taF5a8exGsM7QkOgGSabLujkwqnuQElvkTkjxK2RUmFAUf-RM5aCx0O-PD2dMQrh7oTTd3n86gbMOBalAZE6Uidnh3S3hTiNs/s1600/IMG_2458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaAQHPWCq3LXRJ1l4TzOHynmio6HQFHofbsaRBzSm4TS4taF5a8exGsM7QkOgGSabLujkwqnuQElvkTkjxK2RUmFAUf-RM5aCx0O-PD2dMQrh7oTTd3n86gbMOBalAZE6Uidnh3S3hTiNs/s640/IMG_2458.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> Walls and walls of trim.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z8wJKZN__IIlTvlI1mXBqVqt_kY9QTpHDEZ3xTfszhlmvkmDtQJmppf5X8Vc0XooB6bQyJvkNnMy_iMjuvV-8lGLjjopFx8eLumRuKudYKeAFDPvyyMzVLlZW5liDuZX7E_WA1OgBKo4/s1600/IMG_2457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z8wJKZN__IIlTvlI1mXBqVqt_kY9QTpHDEZ3xTfszhlmvkmDtQJmppf5X8Vc0XooB6bQyJvkNnMy_iMjuvV-8lGLjjopFx8eLumRuKudYKeAFDPvyyMzVLlZW5liDuZX7E_WA1OgBKo4/s640/IMG_2457.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />In this room I found a super soft  Schumacher mohair in this gorgeous shade of green.  I'm planning to put that on a a bench in the library/dining room with the floral I bought for drapes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSllBZUf9yTkqaBsWq-8plXk4U5ZWR1MAKcjvYxgun_GyfoFaHggBraxbmqIEk5Q-S5c6bjaGNiSjmVk725Vza72HjgUJNy0eyKgBiWhS_lyVNmDiZ1IsFiu1Bygx-pO0ceu42IzNUD0f/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-31+at+8.56.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSllBZUf9yTkqaBsWq-8plXk4U5ZWR1MAKcjvYxgun_GyfoFaHggBraxbmqIEk5Q-S5c6bjaGNiSjmVk725Vza72HjgUJNy0eyKgBiWhS_lyVNmDiZ1IsFiu1Bygx-pO0ceu42IzNUD0f/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-01-31+at+8.56.43+PM.png" width="247" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsQ29ij1JukTqjPTxXbs16BCxzzOFmOmVjV9XL1sMPpJjNRi5fHfTNPB35GFLigzNuA95aTBsGOPVPc1izr2OCb5RgLm-v2zhKkIaPn1VstyeUSGoBXEHJGSt2OwhzPzZeCz90GD3mq9v/s1600/IMG_2486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsQ29ij1JukTqjPTxXbs16BCxzzOFmOmVjV9XL1sMPpJjNRi5fHfTNPB35GFLigzNuA95aTBsGOPVPc1izr2OCb5RgLm-v2zhKkIaPn1VstyeUSGoBXEHJGSt2OwhzPzZeCz90GD3mq9v/s400/IMG_2486.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Every time I head to Haute I always find something to be excited about.  Here's the info if you're up for a road trip yourself: <br /><br /><h3 style="background-color: #b2aba1; border: 0px; color: #1e1c19; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; margin: 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.hauteonline.com/">Haute Fabrics</a> 8393 West Main Street - Marshall, VA 20115 - (540) 364-1221</span></h3>

Road Trip - Haute Fabrics!

Last Saturday my husband, daughter and I went on a road trip to my favorite fabric place - Haute Fabrics in Marshall, VA.  Not sure how Juli...

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A Complete Departure for Me

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbitpg7uTHZDX0NLtiVFZ-cTFCH-vJUMtxvewhoywIyw-EdqqHXUxjlGoyk1aVAEnsSj2bUHv6gy37HS4wAuPDL0A65ifFKsdl-GNtnrXd1QLkihZdzlntw50sgD9RcOiGNSBcWcwM1Xl/s1600/IMG_2482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbitpg7uTHZDX0NLtiVFZ-cTFCH-vJUMtxvewhoywIyw-EdqqHXUxjlGoyk1aVAEnsSj2bUHv6gy37HS4wAuPDL0A65ifFKsdl-GNtnrXd1QLkihZdzlntw50sgD9RcOiGNSBcWcwM1Xl/s640/IMG_2482.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Besides a pillow sham or two, you would be pretty hard pressed to find floral patterns in my house. That's why I shocked myself when I chose this riot of blooms for the curtains in my newly painted (almost finished, bookcases left to go) library/dining room.  I really want this room to be fresh and airy.  As soon as I got home, I held the fabric against the Farrow & Ball Calke Green walls and was so pleased with how they complemented and contrasted...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsQ29ij1JukTqjPTxXbs16BCxzzOFmOmVjV9XL1sMPpJjNRi5fHfTNPB35GFLigzNuA95aTBsGOPVPc1izr2OCb5RgLm-v2zhKkIaPn1VstyeUSGoBXEHJGSt2OwhzPzZeCz90GD3mq9v/s1600/IMG_2486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsQ29ij1JukTqjPTxXbs16BCxzzOFmOmVjV9XL1sMPpJjNRi5fHfTNPB35GFLigzNuA95aTBsGOPVPc1izr2OCb5RgLm-v2zhKkIaPn1VstyeUSGoBXEHJGSt2OwhzPzZeCz90GD3mq9v/s400/IMG_2486.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But as you know, whenever you depart in a different direction there's bound to be some second guessing.  I started asking myself, "Floral, really, are you sure???"  So I googled floral drapes and this is what I found.  Yeah! Floral - can't wait!  (Fabric from the amazing <a href="http://www.hauteonline.com/">Haute Fabrics</a> in Marshall, VA.  More on my trip out there later in the week.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18GhKM4jfxa9dkm5VuJhDUHvdaI3FX-nD-SzF8vjMaVlA2NbaJQUNHm-HTuC3r6J-WnPNTg7zLjI-f5YowdM3q6WDuirYw7dtHCXsLVRisVYLkVCjtCUS_FCpJM1MLmZfHRH5vGoE90Cn/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-26+at+10.56.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18GhKM4jfxa9dkm5VuJhDUHvdaI3FX-nD-SzF8vjMaVlA2NbaJQUNHm-HTuC3r6J-WnPNTg7zLjI-f5YowdM3q6WDuirYw7dtHCXsLVRisVYLkVCjtCUS_FCpJM1MLmZfHRH5vGoE90Cn/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-01-26+at+10.56.35+PM.png" width="596" /></a></div><br />Image from Julia Reed's New Orleans home via Wall St. Journal <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443991704577579213723772338.html"> here</a>, photography by Paul Costello.  These arm chairs are covered in Claremont's Georges Le Manach Montefontaine Gris. <br /><br />**Just noticed the velvet on this chair.  I also scored some gorgeous green Schumacher Mohair for my room at <a href="http://www.hauteonline.com/">Haute</a> too.

A Complete Departure for Me

Besides a pillow sham or two, you would be pretty hard pressed to find floral patterns in my house. That's why I shocked myself when I c...

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Italian Stringing

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkaxBPiLq2D-yihMLftT_ejDvJ2B2klqXe63KDtxwOFZQtnOdi9RwpUJ83-DxNqJ_uUhzZRaHdcdQiJIxg6mhBMsCqNSkSdaonVI4M0XVN0IPfamrjA-dtbblxn_KNyeF5tHcpmchGFA/s1600/P1080257.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516224453373620562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkaxBPiLq2D-yihMLftT_ejDvJ2B2klqXe63KDtxwOFZQtnOdi9RwpUJ83-DxNqJ_uUhzZRaHdcdQiJIxg6mhBMsCqNSkSdaonVI4M0XVN0IPfamrjA-dtbblxn_KNyeF5tHcpmchGFA/s640/P1080257.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>When Joni of Cote de Texas wrote about curtains as her <a href="http://www.cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2009/08/top-ten-design-elements-4.html">#4 Top Ten Design Element</a>, she mentioned a term I had never heard before: Italian Stringing. It's a method of holding back curtains without any obvious visual means. Well, while at <a href="http://www.jeffersonhotel.com/">The Jefferson</a> this past weekend I noticed that the curtains in their recently redesigned dining room were just that - held back but without a tieback. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZ6EmT9LeNFGnZs-2E7oN2cK4iAbLXWUYz_rQNGZ6npiYEmjscyJrCSF5IdP14B98HNrj_uBwP3x0-UgvxesBjaphZAtr7BwrZsc1d-8d0KOyy6QdrfBaeaYfr1evtw5ZHfndQTp_nys/s1600/P1080266.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516224262711242994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZ6EmT9LeNFGnZs-2E7oN2cK4iAbLXWUYz_rQNGZ6npiYEmjscyJrCSF5IdP14B98HNrj_uBwP3x0-UgvxesBjaphZAtr7BwrZsc1d-8d0KOyy6QdrfBaeaYfr1evtw5ZHfndQTp_nys/s400/P1080266.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOX_Twz3XeNVhE0ZdUj1F4i9d9wCIlpePXb74-4nZR_LKyMo0pdYxIQj4qea_PZJSEx-eIKYVBGOBzp_8FzbC9wJqlq9IIGcM6PJ4uz3f-nmzMy2Dlm5l2GegVac9u3cBoSV39xWNHAs0/s1600/P1080267.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516223958254161426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOX_Twz3XeNVhE0ZdUj1F4i9d9wCIlpePXb74-4nZR_LKyMo0pdYxIQj4qea_PZJSEx-eIKYVBGOBzp_8FzbC9wJqlq9IIGcM6PJ4uz3f-nmzMy2Dlm5l2GegVac9u3cBoSV39xWNHAs0/s400/P1080267.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>Here's the behind-the-scenes look showing the string and metal rings. Yes, the waitress thought I was a bit strange...<br /><br />Back <span style="color:#006600;"><strong><span style="color:#333333;">next post with more from Richmond</span></strong>,</span> including Mary Douglas Drysdale and Tobi Fairley.

Italian Stringing

When Joni of Cote de Texas wrote about curtains as her #4 Top Ten Design Element , she mentioned a term I had never heard before: Italian St...

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I Dream of Drapery!

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTX5dWUWBGHaulyvcxf-tyhOoNslkIQ6C0v9t6-0LfhHm5gA2EGwU843ZnOjOK-cyaM6i7Ysk55W8KI3jlU-oOZk5QjNEiAjpPIPHmLdseU9YJowcG0cPsek3O7ASc1KSZ9RNIagnKz05A/s1600-h/Dec2008+171.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390045476586371938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTX5dWUWBGHaulyvcxf-tyhOoNslkIQ6C0v9t6-0LfhHm5gA2EGwU843ZnOjOK-cyaM6i7Ysk55W8KI3jlU-oOZk5QjNEiAjpPIPHmLdseU9YJowcG0cPsek3O7ASc1KSZ9RNIagnKz05A/s640/Dec2008+171.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> A few weeks before the <a href="http://www.eddieross.com/">Eddie Ross</a> blogger party I decided I hated the color of my living room. Out went the Benjamin Moore Beacon Hill Damask and in came Sherwin Williams Fleur de Sel. After a whirlwind of painting, it dawned on me - my yellow green dupioni silk curtains weren't going to work!! With only 2 weeks left, I came very close to buying retail curtains. Luckily for me I came across <a href="http://www.idreamofdrapery.com/">I Dream of Drapery</a> instead.<br /><div><a href="http://www.idreamofdrapery.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390040048695687746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jl1H8PhyCixKBzNkin60r9MbnlMmsB6t_D6sVvEV4bbS0WDehK60kISMqu4LzkZHD67fBAEXvZO4477VLzz3cc8qeAoqWX2vNJmsIuiOj395v_LdQfL96uiMMDRvpjXFj83o3rOXqnbG/s640/drape.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />I Dream of Drapery</a> truly fills the gap between high end curtains and retail ready made curtains. After reviewing a number of samples they sent me, I chose linen curtains with a contemporary pleat, standard light diffusing lining and 100% cotton interlining. The other curtains in my home break at the floor but I decided I wanted these to be on the longer side and ordered them 95" in length. The total for two 48" wide panels was $272 - and that included rush shipping! To give a cost comparison, the IKEA white linen curtains that are behind these panels were $50 and they're just rod pocket curtains with no lining. They work well for privacy on my 101" wide picture window but there's no comparison to the quality of the drapes.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj55_j3zD8a7HFtz2DaRi9DA6eU0umxao_pzwylwYu27frXP303MpAMdNJg8OmzQDGsaCCVYdhhOJm9CVwyA3fnqaCCj5oxCFOa8Rt8gKWY2lpCxZon7vvNHXp1I-jQvLc2BA7q5w04Y7F/s1600-h/drape1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390040288336734610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj55_j3zD8a7HFtz2DaRi9DA6eU0umxao_pzwylwYu27frXP303MpAMdNJg8OmzQDGsaCCVYdhhOJm9CVwyA3fnqaCCj5oxCFOa8Rt8gKWY2lpCxZon7vvNHXp1I-jQvLc2BA7q5w04Y7F/s640/drape1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I was really thrilled with the quality of the sewing and overall craftmanship. I'm not really sure my photos do them justice. I wanted to share my find with readers of this blog and was very pleased when Kristina Butler, the owner, was willing to answer my questions about her business. (**please note I don't receive any form of compensation for my enthusiastic endorsement - I am just really happy with my drapes!)<br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;">What drew you to the business of custom drapery and how did you start?</span> I have had a long time love affair with fabric and design. Like most, I first began making custom curtains for my own home as I wanted something a bit nicer than what was available in retail stores and I wanted specific lengths and fabrics that were just not available in ready made curtains.<br />Additionally, I couldn't afford to spend thousands on custom made drapery panels through an interior designer. So, I began doing research, taking sewing classes, and making curtains first for myself, then friends, then friends of friends (you get the picture). Eight years later I Dream of Drapery was born because I wanted to offer my clients the same thing I had been looking for, quality custom curtains at an affordable price. </div><br /><div><span style="color:#990000;">In addition to custom curtains with your fabrics, what other services do you offer?</span><br />We have recently also added a section to our website which allows our customers to ship their own fabric directly to us - which means that they get to support their local fabric shops and take advantage of great fabric sales, etc. We also have an option where you can select any fabric currently for sale on the web and we will give you a free quote for having custom curtains made from that fabric.<br /><br />In our future: while we already make custom pillows by request, we plan on adding this as an option on our website. Also, I would love to add custom shower curtains and add more organic fabric choices.<br /><br /><span style="color:#990000;">Are you seeing any trends with your customers?</span> Linen and silk are by far our biggest sellers. Lots of chocolate brown fabric and a fair amount of Amy Butler prints. Also lots of extra long curtains (I just finished panels that were 225" in length). Our contemporary pleat is a favorite - I love it's simplicity. Grommets as well (we offer 4 color choices). About 70% of our clients request blackout lining. Here's a pic of the Blue Smoke linen I chose.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavwRGr93Y3ycNfI1g0h_7cd-KU3felI0vdP9GVLzUz3PW_MAnJaOy0uaYXqurMHG-2gg4Ic9aUv2lf2Rk1pTqrAf_-1QkFppXgZuxBvVNWaLPb1TTmU8WVxNJ1qvEqkR5Y4NJPCywuGNM/s1600-h/abluesmoke.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390054642474800098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavwRGr93Y3ycNfI1g0h_7cd-KU3felI0vdP9GVLzUz3PW_MAnJaOy0uaYXqurMHG-2gg4Ic9aUv2lf2Rk1pTqrAf_-1QkFppXgZuxBvVNWaLPb1TTmU8WVxNJ1qvEqkR5Y4NJPCywuGNM/s400/abluesmoke.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>As a comparison, here's my living room in its previous incarnation. I find it interesting that I used to love that color but now find it depressing.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnkEUlz5ilSEdP_6LZwJ8hnF_8nYjS2K5FXkTBGArU-AhXjuZAbRQIaCx1K_KTmHiJyM7y6on7DsK4VbeCya7QR-2hgaPc9ow6lOoo6XDM3AqbPtkiswttiz8MNHx1IRrLzcZKBLUTU2H/s1600-h/mynottinghill-2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390034903503075202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnkEUlz5ilSEdP_6LZwJ8hnF_8nYjS2K5FXkTBGArU-AhXjuZAbRQIaCx1K_KTmHiJyM7y6on7DsK4VbeCya7QR-2hgaPc9ow6lOoo6XDM3AqbPtkiswttiz8MNHx1IRrLzcZKBLUTU2H/s400/mynottinghill-2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a></div><br />If you haven't already read it - check out Joni's extensive post on curtains <a href="http://www.cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2009/08/top-ten-design-elements-4.html">here</a>.

I Dream of Drapery!

A few weeks before the Eddie Ross blogger party I decided I hated the color of my living room. Out went the Benjamin Moore Beacon Hill Dam...

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