I love the thrill of meeting a new client with a challenging window – Helping them decide on just the right window treatment, my favorite part of picking out the fabrics, and then have them made by my drapery workroom into something unique and gorgeous and just the right custom touch for that window. But the installation part always seems to scare me. As many times as I’ve done installations, it still makes me just a bit anxious. Alot could go wrong with installs…..But it always works out perfectly. My clients are always happy with the finished product, and that’s why I love my job so much!

We completed an install this past weekend for a client with the highest ceilings we’ve ever worked on! This wonderful couple had recently bought a very beautiful custom home. They had interviewed several other designers and window treatment specialists before deciding to choose me for their project. Of course, I was quite honored and made sure that they did not regret that decision. After taking the initial measurements, I realized that the ceiling was 22′ high! My installer is going to kill me! Their builder had done a great job of making the room feel cozy even though the ceiling was that tall! You barely noticed the super volume when you’re in the room.The finished panels were going to be 253″ long! Wow! We can do it!

They were wanting simple but elegant, neutral colors for the fabrics in case they desired to change their color schemes later, and something that would not block their view to the outdoors. After showing them a couple of options, we decided on four fixed drapery panels with handkerchief swags with a little bit of trim to embellish them a bit, and hung on smaller individual rods. They wanted rich and luxurious fabrics (for which they did not have to ask me twice ), and beautiful hardware. We decided on a beautiful chocolate dupioni silk for the panels from Kast Fabrics and a luxurious embroidered damask silk fabric from F. Schumacher for the swags. The trim was a beautiful tassel fringe from Stout Fabrics and the hardware was from Paris Texas Hardware. The panels were all lined with blackout lining to help prevent fading from the sun over time. Here’s a “Before” shot of the windows, sketch of the design and a close up of the fabrics we selected.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Embroidered Silk fabric for the swags

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chocolate dupioni silk fabric for the really long drapery panels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tassel fringe on valances. It’s all in the details!

 

My installer had to bring in a 28′ ladder for this install and it made me so nervous watching him go up and down it multiple times

In the end it was all worth it. My clients were very happy, and the window treatment was so beautiful. Here’s the finished product!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I think we accomplished what we set out to do: simple elegance, neutrals that still had pizzazz, preserve the views, and be beautiful!

Thanks for taking the time to read about this challenging window. If you have challenging windows, we can definitely help! Custom drapery panels are available through our online store up to 120″ finished lengths, starting at just $269 per pair! Or we are just a call or email away.

Be Inspired!