When a new client comes my way, I listen to them talk about the room that is being considered for custom work.  The beauty of my job is to create a design that addresses their needs and concerns.  I enjoy getting to know them, their likes and their dislikes.  It all plays into the design. Two arched windows--one on each side of the bed. Twelve feet wide and facing west. Two more windows-each 6 feet wide. This beautiful home is filled with beautiful windows.  The master bedroom is large, grand and well proportioned.  The windows are in abundance.  The homeowners want to have the luxury of "sleeping in" on Saturday morning, if possible.   So my work begins.  Total coverage is the bottom line.  Now that is a lot of fabric and a lot of draperies.   They selected fabrics for a complete bedding ensemble.  From there we selected fabrics for the draperies and for a touch of interest--I created a valance with lots of detail. ...

This client brought me into her kitchen and said, "I just love this oil painting and want to make the window treatments simple but expressive of the colors in the artwork."  I-- acting as if I do this type of thing every day --you know-- work with art, said, "Let's begin with finding fabrics that are full of those colors and that are going to reflect the fun found in this painting.  So--the hunt began.  I searched the fabric collection in my sewing room and found a line of fabrics that really did have all the colors found in this oil painting.  The picture below is how we managed to use the color and the triangle shapes were copied from the window in the back door.  She had her walls painted and stenciled and I installed the small treatment above the sink, on the back door and window next to the door.  It was a nice splash of color and reflected the intense color found in the painting.  The painting had a whole story unto itself.  I just list...

It has been a few months since I have written something on my blog.  Please forgive me.  My intention is to write and post something new and exciting each month.  I have had this title in my head since the first of the year. Collecting the photos and finding time to write this have been my shortcomings.  I tend to be long on creativity and short on technological ability.  I guess practice may bring perfection. This is Sarah D's adorable bedroom.  She is the daughter to one of my long time f avorite sewing clients.  We started the makeover with a tall white headboard for Sarah's very pink room.  Ralph Lauren PINK.   The sheer fabric panels are white dotted Swiss, an old fashioned favorite of mine used in a strong contemporary way. It seemed just the fabric to add a light and airy feel to the room. The corner computer desk, a great find at a garage sale, was enhanced with gathered white skirting that fell off the front edge covering up...

This year has been a very wonderful year in the sewing room.  I have completed this year's work load and found that my deadlines have been met, clients are happy and I can enjoy my family.  I recently read a book called, "The Art of Abundance".  The title caught my eye in the store--so being the sort of person that enjoys "abundance"--I purchased the book. I sat by our Christmas tree in the corner of our living room parusing (meaning: to read or examine with great care) through the book.  My favorite saying for the evening was: "Abundance--the swish of taffeta and the shee n of silk."  Now they are speaking my language.  As I sat and reflected on what it was that I liked so much about that statement, I realized that my last three jobs for the year were out of beautiful silks and swishing taffeta.  My, my--how good is the abundance of beautiful fabrics. Here are a few photos of the taffeta fabric. Buffalo check, full length side panels, scalloped...

  The month of November is always a short month it seems to me.  I am busy sewing for everyone that wants their treatments before the holidays, cutting out a full week of actual workroom production to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with my family.  I have many customers who are patient, fun to be with and excited about their new purchases for their home. These photos are from one of my most favorite clients, Pat M.  She always has fun ideas and is so willing to let me do my thing.  Her girls recently moved from sharing a guest room to having their own rooms personalized just for their personalities.  They are darling girls and the joy of their parents' hearts. Alicia is an accomplished horseman, riding, competing and as you can see--winning.  Her room has a very feminine equestrian theme with custom painted walls that gives room to display her ribbons as they abound.  Pink and brown stripes around the upper edge of the bedroom, with polka dot...

White and cream with a touch of blue. Pillows are expertly designed by my friend Elizabeth. She is the best. I love sewing for her. Her ideas are fresh, new and extra ordinary. Look and see for yourself. These pillows were hand crafted for a special lady to finish out the detail needed for her great room. Pearl silk, blue diamond silk, cream crinkle silk, tassel fringe, rosettes, cording and down inserts are making these pillows luxurious.