Archive for category: Design Project Stories

Selecting from many home office valance styles can be overwhelming to clients.  I draw up a few styles and give the client a great visualization of how it will look in the fabrics we select.

The home office/library of a CFL (Client for Life) in Princeton, MA needs updating.

Here’s the BEFORE photo.

Home office valance styles. Princeton, MA home office BEFORE custom window treatments by Marie Mouradian of WindowDesignsEtc.com

The “pouf” valance is out of style.  It looks like I got my days mixed up and should be posting in the #TBT (Throw back Thursday) series.

Window Designs Etc. did not make this window treatment.  It was a semi-DIY.

To keep the room warm, the new design features closing drapes and a valance or top treatment.

The drapery fabric

Adding interest to a solid, we choose this textured golden tan with flecks of blue/gray from Trend Fabrics for the draperies. We’ll line and interline the drapes for added body and insulation.

Trend Fabric in brown and tan tweed selected for drapery in home office project in Princeton, MA. See more on WindowDesignsEtc.com

Drapes with pinch pleats will be on a traverse rod.  This will make it super easy to open and close them.

We will install the drapery rod 6-8″ beyond the width of the molding and above the top of the molding 4″.  Extending out and up allows for maximum glass exposure when the drape is open and additional overlap is better insulating when the drape is closed.

The valance fabric

To keep the room masculine, we choose this blue/gray traditional print with touches of golden tan from Trend Fabrics. LOVE it!

Trend Fabric in brown, tan and blue gray selected for valance in home office project in Princeton, MA. See more on WindowDesignsEtc.com

To make the window look taller than it is, we will mount the valance up to the ceiling.  We’ll want a tailored and flat style to show off the large scale of the fabric.

Home office valance styles – Which would you choose?

To help the client visualize, I’ve done computer renderings of three different home office valance styles.

Home office valance styles. Design rendering of a custom window treatment with draperies and a scaloped valance with a center jabot and cascades at the sides. See more on WindowDesignsEtc.com Window Treatment Styles

This Imperial style valance has two scalloped sections with a small jabot in between.  Flat-box pleated cascades anchor the ends.

Home office valance styles. Design rendering of a custom window treatment with draperies and a straight valance with a center jabot and cascades at the sides. See more on WindowDesignsEtc.com Window Treatment styles

A straighter look is achieved with this valance.  the center jabot is cinched together with a covered button. Tapered cascades contrast lined in the drapery fabric finish the ends.

Home office valance styles. Design rendering of a custom window treatment with draperies and a Moreland style valance with a center jabot and cascades at the sides. See more on WindowDesignsEtc.com

A variation of the Moreland Valance, shown here and here, focuses all of the attention to the center jabot which is much more substantial than the others.  Narrow cascades tuck in behind the valance at the ends.

All are great choices for the look and feel we want to the room. Which one will the client choose? Stay tuned for the AFTER photos.

 

Which style would you choose?

Let’s get this conversation started so comment below your choice and why.
There is no right or wrong answer!

XOXO

Marie

Contact me today, I will guide you in the best decisions to make your house into a home you love to live in.

Hiring a professional saves you time, frustration and money. You, your family, your house, and office deserve it!

 

Pink...It's not just a color it's an Attitude. Pink home decorating blog post by www.windowdesignsetc.com Marie Mouradian

PINK…It’s Not Just A Color…it’s an Attitude!

Pink Home Decorating

Vinyl decal can be found here

Satin stripe from RM Coco Spring 2014 collection pairs magenta pink with grays and beiges. Pink home decorating blog post by www.windowdesignsetc.com Marie Mouradian

I love the combination of the vibrant magenta pink with grays and beiges.  It’s a great pairing of neutrals with a pop of excitement after all PINK  home decorating adds a little drama to every room. This stripe fabric is in the Spring 2014 collection from RM Coco.

Fabricut embroidered pink and taupe on a linen and rayon blend fabric Spring 2014. Pink home decorating blog post by www.windowdesignsetc.com Marie Mouradian

Here’s another fabric that is quite neutral with a few pops of PINK.  This embroidered rayon and linen blend is found in the Spring 2014 Fabricut collection.

Fabricut embroidered satin fabric new for Spring 2014, Pink home decorating blog post by www.windowdesignsetc.com Marie Mouradian

Look at this satin embroidered fabric, it is very neutral with golden wheat, taupe, gray and a very subtle pink.  Not all pinks have to be sugary sweet.

Benjamin Moore paint deck showing an array of pinks. Notice the sweet names. Pink home decorating blog post by www.windowdesignsetc.com Marie Mouradian

This Benjamin Moore fan deck shows typical baby girl sweetness pinks.  Look at some of those names! Angel pink, romantic pink, sweet 16 pink etc feel a bit too feminine for you taste?

Benjamin Moore Melted Ice Cream appears pink when placed next to white. Pink home decorating blog post by www.windowdesignsetc.com Marie Mouradian

How about this melted ice cream?  It appears pink against the white background, right?

Benjamin Moore Fan deck of pinks with melted ice cream. Pink home decorating blog post by www.windowdesignsetc.com Marie Mouradian

Here it is to the far left of the original fan deck lineup.  Suddenly it doesn’t look pink at all.  I apologize for the differences in the exposure of my photos. This is why I only do paint consultations in your home or office where all other factors of the room weigh in.

Benjamin Moore Melted Ice Cream is paired with Fabricut Picturesque Plaza. Pink home decorating blog post by www.windowdesignsetc.com Marie Mouradian

Looking back at the embroidered satin fabric from the Spring 2014 Fabricut collection, imagine how walls of a bedroom would be in the melted ice cream with this fabric made into luxurious bedding. Neutral but calm and sophisticated.  You can see more of my favorite pink fabrics here.

Pink is for Everyone!

I Believe in Pink - Audrey Hepburn Etsy Elissa Hudson - Pink home decorating blog post by www.windowdesignsetc.com Marie Mouradian

This adorable print by Elissa Hudson can be found on Etsy.

For more PINKspiration visit my Pinterest board.

What room would you like to add a touch of PINK to?

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

XOXO

 

Marie

Need help decorating?  Contact me today, I will guide you in the best decisions to make your house into a home you love to live in.

Please don’t be shy.  Comment below, Pin to your favorite board, Tweet to the world, Give it a + on Google,  Post on your Facebook wall, E-mail to a friend, Link, Tumble and Stumble it…..Your friends will love it and so will I!

 

The Beach House Series

Beachcombing For A Shell Valance

Beachcombing for a shell valance. Rippled sand dotted with large clam shells

A shell valance begins by a favorite pastime of many Cape Cod beach lovers.  Exploring the beach at low tide exposes miles of sand and shells

Sandy Neck large clam shell on Cape Cod. Made into shell valance window treatments for a Yarmouth, MA beach house. Window Designs Etc. by Marie Mouradian www.windowdesignsetc.comI find hundreds of large clam or quahog shells along the beaches of Cape Cod Bay. Being a firm believer inspiration is everywhere, using these, somehow, to create an uber custom window treatment for a beach house.

Beach decor design materials for a Cape Cod shell valance. blue, white and yellow master bedroom with shell window treatments. Fabrics and shells for Cape bedroom. Window Designs Etc. by Marie Mouradian www.windowdesignsetc.com

They look fabulous with the materials chosen for the Cape Cod master bedroom.  So beachy!

Beach to the Window

Hardware

I come up with the design, now to make it happen.  Design ideas come easily to me, engineering them is where my innovative husband comes in. (We really do make a great team).  We go to our favorite Holden, MA hardware store, Jed’s, to get some hardware. I love the catalog of orderly sliding boxes that hold all of the hardware “stuff”.

Materials for shell window treatments. Shells and hardware. Window Designs Etc. by Marie Mouradian www.windowdesignsetc.comThis is what we bought.  I had the decorative brass posts in my own stash of parts.  All of the metal gets white paint, the shells stay natural. Super heavy adhesive putty attach the shells to the hardware.

White post into wall for shell window treatments. Cape Cod. Window Designs Etc. by Marie Mouradian www.windowdesignsetc.comHardware going up, so excited, window treatments coming soon!

Clam shell mounted to hold shell window treatments in Yarmouth, MA Cape Cod bedroom. See more Window Designs Etc. by Marie Mouradian www.windowdesignsetc.com

Ta Da! The shells found on Brewster flats and Sandy Neck are now holdups for this Cape Cod shell valance window treatment.

 

What do you think?  Like it or hate it?

 

What do you have that you could repurpose into a creative window treatment?

 

Please check back soon for the rest of the master bedroom window treatment reveal

 

How’s your master bedroom looking these days?  Is it your sanctuary or the thorn in your side? Do you need some help?  Contact me today,  I will guide you in the best decisions and we’ll have fun working together!

 Hiring a professional saves you time, frustration and money. You, your family, your house, and office deserve it!

Please don’t be shy. The “Share” button drops down to all of your favorite social media.  Your friends will love it and so will I!

Fabricut sample books Charlotte Moss style

Sample books and memo samples shown in your own home is the best way to select the perfect fabric for your room.

Charlotte Moss Style For Fabricut

 
Fabricut, one of my leading fabric companies, has partnered with Charlotte Moss to create this unique collection.  All of the fabrics intermingle together to tell a story.
 
Green fabrics by Charlotte Moss Style Fabricut

Charlotte Moss says…

“Every curtain needs a lining — every sofa needs a pillow — and every chair needs the perfect trim.  Select, select, select. As designers, that is what we do. I have designed this collection not as a group of fabrics that just seem to nicely go together, but rather as rooms, because that is what I have been doing my entire career.”

Charlotte Moss fabrics by Fabricut as seen in House Beautiful

Charlotte Moss’ fabric collection in blues as seen in House Beautiful

“Layering fabric creates a unified look that’s anything but boring.  My collection for Fabricut makes it easy.  I designed a coordinated range of patterns and textures in the same shade”

Fabricut Charlotte Moss fabrics Charlotte- Clover, Caroline- Grass, Claire- Fairblanca,

The green room by Charlotte Moss

“If a room is warm and inviting, it’s because someone has thought about how the room will open its arms and be ready to receive guests, just like a good hostess.  the arrangement of furniture should encourage conversation because the interaction is what brings a room to life.”

Charlotte Moss fabric by Fabricut quote“An empty room is a story waiting to happen, and you are the author.”

Fabricut pattern Charlotte baskets by Charlotte Moss

A fun basket motif in the collection is named Caroline. It’s available in 5 yummy colors.

This statement fabric is printed on a 100% cotton basket weave (surprise, surprise) fabric. Because of it’s large repeat it will be a fabulous covering for a sofa, made into a Roman shade or the perfect pillow for the summer porch.

Embrace Charlotte Moss style philosophy

“Live passionately, decorate luxuriously and entertain beautifully.”

Decorating is about breaking all those silly rules…..”

xoxo

Marie

 

What do you think of the Charlotte Moss collection?

If you were designing your dream room, which fabric would you choose?

For my Wachusett area locals, what business owner reminds you of Charlotte Moss?

Please don’t be shy.  Comment below, Pin to your favorite board, Tweet to the world, Post on your facebook wall, E-mail to a friend, Link, Tumble and Stumble it.

Contact me today to begin the transformation for your house or office. Hiring a professional saves you time, frustration and money. You, your family, your house and office deserve it!

Upholstery Fabric For Sofas

I’m working with a client on selecting upholstery fabric for sofas, four of them, yes 4!  It is in a large gathering room of a church where meetings and receptions are held. A fifth sofa has already been upholstered in a rich burgundy red velvet.

We could really use your help.  There are so many upholstery fabric choices. There are seven collections to choose from.  Which is your favorite?  Please leave a comment and let us know what YOUR choice would be.

Worcester, MA church hall oriental rug in blue, red, and green. Upholstery fabric choices. See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

The room is anchored by this stunning oriental carpet that combines colors and patterns flawlessly. The large center field is the blue.

Fabric collection in green, gold, and blue. Upholstery Fabric For Sofas. See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

So many fabric possibilities to choose from

Fabric in stripe, paisley, damask, solid. Upholstery Fabric For Sofas See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

Fabric choices from a different perspective

Collection of fabrics, red, blue, gold. Upholstery Fabric For Sofas See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

Let’s call this Collection 1. Primarily in red, blue and gold.

Pastel collection slate blue, pink, yellow and green.Upholstery Fabric For Sofas See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

Collection 2 brings out the softer colors, maybe pair it with a soft green velvet

Upholstery fabric in yellow matalesse, blue and jewel tone stripe. Upholstery Fabric For Sofas. See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

The third collection features jewel tones.

gold velvet, green mini print and blue. Upholstery Fabric For Sofas. See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

Collection 4-Golds, green and blue. This feels a bit more earthy to me.

Bright yellow velvet, green and blue fabric. Upholstery Fabric For Sofas. See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

 Collection 5 highlights vibrant blues, greens, and golds.

Red and blue fabric. Upholstery Fabric For Sofas. See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

Collection 7- Richer tones

Paisley, red, gold, blue fabric for upholstery. Upholstery Fabric For Sofas. See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

Choices, choices, choices….What colors and patterns would you choose?

Now it’s your turn to choose. Leave a comment below. Remember to check back later to see if your collection is the same as the client.

Thanks for your help.  Any of these collections will be fabulous for this stately room!

XOXO

Marie

Custom Window Treatments and Decorative Accessories are the Details that Transform a House into a Home You Love

Contact me today to begin the transformation of your house. You, your family and your house deserve it!

Classic Swag

Classic Swag and Cascade is Simple and Elegant 

Classic Swag and Cascade design rendering. for a Holden, MA client. Visit the site WindowDesignset.com to see the completed project.

The design rendering to show the client exactly what the classic swag and cascade treatment will look like in the fabrics selected.

A classic swag and cascade is a timeless window treatment. The shape of a swag is an odd trapezoid.  Pleats form along the top with lots of fullness that falls into graceful curving swags.

A cascade, or sometimes called a jabot, is along the sides of the treatment. The fabric tapers and folds in vertical pleats. This design will have the cascade mounted underneath the swag.  A custom swag and cascade treatment dresses the window and frames a beautiful view.

Trend Fabrics Timeless Embroidery and RM Coco faux raw silk to be made into classic swags and cascades. See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com

Fabrics on the cutting table to be cut into classic swags and cascades

Classic swags and cascades are best made from softly draping fabric like this beautiful fabric with embroidery from Trend Fabrics.  The solid silk-like fabric from RM Coco will be the accent for the swag and the lining for the cascades.

Check back later to see how fabulous they’re going to look in my clients home. The motivation to redecorate……..the marriage of their daughter.  So exciting!

The room is going to be a beautiful backdrop for pictures!       xoxo

Marie

Custom Window Treatments and Decorative Accessories are the Details that Transform a House into a Home You Love

Contact me today to begin the transformation for your house. You and your house deserve it!

Tangerine Tango Asymmetric Valance

Tangerine Tango Asymmetric Valance on the worktable and ready to be installed. Gold, green, rust. See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

On the work table-Dust board covered in matching fabric.

A custom tangerine tango asymmetric valance is ready for installation in a Shrewsbury, MA home. Unless using decorative hardware, most custom window treatments mount onto a dust board that attaches to the wall.  I believe every aspect of a window treatment should be custom so I cover the board with matching fabric.

Yes, I am that particular about the details and hey, you never know who might be peeking behind your gorgeous new window treatments!

Fabric covered buttons on a tangerine tango Asymmetric Valance. Fold conceals the seam on a wide Moreland Valance. Notice how well the fabric pattern matches. See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

Four button detail

In order for this style to stretch the entire width of the window, requires a seam.  A false placket and buttons hide the seam and become a design detail.  Notice how the pattern matches up perfectly.

The print fabric is a linen and rayon blend from RM Coco, one of my preferred vendors. I have their complete library in my studio.

Details of a Tangerine Tango Asymmetric Valance or Morland Valance. Rust, gold, green pattern. Custom window treatments. See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

A jabot flips back to show the accent fabric.

Printed fabric is always more interesting combined with a coordinating fabric that highlights one of the colors in the main fabric.  This classic custom window treatment adds a touch of the stylish Tangerine Tango~Pantone color of the year for 2012.

Micro cord in the accent fabric finishes all the edges~another custom design attention to detail. The accent fabric is from Trend it’s available in a variety of colors.

Moreland Tangerine Tango Asymmetric Valance

Moreland valances hanging in the design studio, soon to be installed in a Shrewsbury, MA home. Tangerine Tango Asymmetric Valance See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

Custom Moreland valances are hanging in the studio awaiting installation.

Valances hang in my studio with special under mount clamps.  I can inspect them before installation to be sure everything is just right.  Note-I have placed the treatments in the opposite position they will be installed, the longer cascades will be towards the ends, not the middle.

If these custom treatments look this good in my studio, can you just imagine how stunning they will look hanging in your home?  Maybe I’ll reveal that in tomorrow’s post!

Are you ready to bring some Tangerine Tango into your rooms?

See more photos of tangerine tango window treatments.

Leave a comment or shoot me an email and I’ll show you how to transform your house into a home you will love in 2012.

Custom window treatment details set them apart from ready made curtains. All window treatments are not equal.  Here’s a peek at some construction details. Couture window treatments under construction for a Worcester, MA living room.

“To create something exceptional, your mindset must be relentlessly focused on the smallest detail.”

Giorgio Armani

Damask stripe fabric in jewel tones. Custom window treatment details See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

The materials-A jewel tone stripe with a golden damask over weave from RM Coco and a decorative gimp for the finishing details.

RM Coco is one of my favorite vendors. I have their complete library in my studio. They carry fabrics in traditional, like this one, modern, and transitional styles.

Detail of self covered micro or edge cord. Custom window treatment details See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

A quality custom window treatment will have the edges perfectly finished. In our workroom, we add self-covered micro cord for a clean and professional looking edge.

Red and gold gimp trim. Custom window treatment details See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

At a mere 3/8″ wide, this decorative trim, also known as gimp, is the finishing touch to this couture window treatment. Gimp is from Trend Fabrics. This one treatment requires 18 yards of trimming.

Trend has an extensive selection of braids and trimmings.  Trim in coordinating or contrasting colors make a style statement. This gimp is available in a variety of color.

Custom Window Treatment Details

Detailed edge of a custom window treatment - red and gold. Custom window treatment details See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

Decorative trim enhances the edges and highlights the colors in the fabric.

Angled cascades or jabots pleated in red and gold damask stripe with edge cord and gimp trim. Custom window treatment details See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

A pair of cascades, the pleated sides of a window treatment, are perfect mirror images of one another. Following the same pattern is essential for custom. The pleats highlight various stripes of the pattern for variety.

Custom window treatments on the worktable ready to be pleated up. Custom window treatment details See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

Separate components of a custom window treatment. These pieces are waiting to be artfully pleated, folded and pressed into the finished design.

Red and gold damask stripe pattern centered with trim. Custom window treatment details See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

Centering the fabric pattern is pleasing to the eye and enhances the overall design. The same blue stripe centers on each section of the window treatment.

Are you ready to bring some design details into your rooms? Contact me today to begin transforming your house into a home you love to live in.

New England’s changing seasons bring a variety of weather but this Cape Cod home will be able to enjoy the feel of cool ocean waves and sandy beaches all year round. A beach house dining room gets an underwater theme update.

Before Underwater theme blue and white Cape Cod Beach house dining room. Fabric and window treatments. See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

The naked window BEFORE

The photo above is how the window looked when we began.  There was a 1″ metal mini blind for privacy and sun control. The client tells me the previous owners had a dark plaid on the windows; sounds more lodge than the beach.

Underwater theme dining room

Underwater theme fabric and trim - Barbara Barry for Kravet, Trend stripe, nautical cord, Benjamin Moore paint. Beach themed blue and white Cape Cod Beach house dining room. Fabric and window treatments. See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

Ocean blue and sandy beige beach theme fabrics are perfect to create this custom window treatment.

The statement fabric is from the  Barbara Barry Collection exclusive to Kravet Fabrics.  It is an exceptionally fine cotton from Italy.  The stripe will compliment the underwater theme fabric as a contrast lining.  The seersucker sea-foam stripe is reminiscent of rippling waves. The decorative trim cord will tie the treatment together as you would tie a boat to the dock.  Stripe fabric and decorative cord are from Trend Fabrics.

Dining Room Design Rendering underwater theme blue and white Cape Cod Beach house dining room. Fabric and window treatments. See more at www.windowdesignsetc.com by Marie Mouradian

A simple scallop and cone valance is perfect to keep the focus on the large-scale of this undersea motif fabric. Cottage white Hunter Douglas Alternative Wood blinds will be added for privacy, sun control, and security while maximizing the view.

The best way to envision how a custom window treatment will look on a window is to do a design rendering right on a photo of the actual window.

Contact me today to begin transforming your house into a home you love to live in.

The Before

The Before photo in the studio picture window in a Holden, MA home with ready-made curtains

The Holden, MA homeowner’s attempt at treating this picture window in their living room came up short on style, design, function and quality. A quick fix resulted in wasted money, time and frustration.

In the Interior Design Studio Picture Window Transformation

RM Coco floral fabric in rust, gold and green. Design studio picture window

This beautiful RM Coco fabric is 100% combed cotton. The warm-toned floral print will work great in the new design.

Fabric Details of in the studio picture window

The fabric design shows many details.

Another detail of the fabric.

Another detail of the fabric.

The Design Rendering

Interior rendering in design studio picture window

A quick rendering of the new custom window treatment design. The flat pelmet across the top will show off the floral fabric. Stationary side panels will stack off the window to reveal as much light as possible. Hunter Douglas Everwood® Alternative

What do you think?

Are YOU ready to get rid of your failing attempts at dressing your windows? Hiring a professional saves you time, frustration and money.  Contact Marie today to begin enjoying the beautiful home you and your family deserve.