Thermal Drapes - Stylish Solution for Energy Savings

Snow is falling in the Mount Baker ski area! It's getting cold out there! The layer of snow blanketing the area is a beautiful sight, but the cold has its own set of challenges.

When a favorite client called to see what I could do about blocking the cold from coming in her large French doors and the picture windows atop them, I was happy to have solutions for her. Our first line of defense was Hunter Douglas' Duette shades. Their line of Architella fabrics boasts a very high R-value of 7.9 when installed with double-glazed windows and are eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $1500, with some qualifications. The best solutions for the upper high windows were motorized Duettes; easy to operate and beautiful at the same time.

However, the French doors required more than just the shades to increase the living comfort in the enormous great room. A beautiful cinnamon-colored tweed fabric from Kasmir Fabrics was chosen for the face fabric. But how could we make the drapes as energy-efficient as possible?

The help of my Kasmir fabric sales rep, Anita Faulkner, and the handy Temp-Assure brochure from Hanes steered me in the right direction. A discussion with Ralph Angel at Angel's Distributing also helped firm up my decision. Since the drapes are not desired to be black-out, I will be lining the drapes with Angel's Premiere Napped Sateen then interlining with Domette flannel. By creating insulating layers of trapped air, there will be an over 300% increase in the R-Value over identical unlined drapes!

I'm looking forward to installing these eye-catching and highly energy-efficient thermal draperies in this stunning home.

Call or email if you would like to discuss what we can do to make your living space more comfortable and energy-efficient. I may have just the solution you were looking for!

WFCP Launch Party Excites, Inspires!

Grace McNamara and the WFCP team kicked off a new era in the Window Fashions Certified Program! In their words, "We’ve been hard at work behind the scenes so we can offer window covering pros the BEST certification and membership program in the industry." The launch party included a motivational presentation by Drew Gerber of Pitchrate.com, a PR guru, who discussed key steps in promoting oneself in cost-effective ways to land media coverage.

It was exciting to see some of the new initiatives set out by the WFCP team. A new wiki will be appearing soon, providing a go-to place for information on the window coverings industry; new ways to receive credits toward professional certification were discussed; the TrendSpot blog was mentioned; and many features and benefits of WFCP membership were enhanced. Topping it off were great prizes and give-aways.



Digital certification using MinutesMatter will make attaining the next level of certification much easier. It gives me renewed energy to work toward the Master WFCP designation!

For more information, explore the WF Vision website to see all that WFCP has to offer for the window fashions professional, whether workshop, designer or installer.

Grace, once again you and your team are setting the standard for the window coverings industry! Kudos to you!

NeoConEast Seminars Inspire and Motivate

Today's keynote speaker was the charismatic Duff Goldman of Charm City Cakes in Baltimore, perhaps better known from his TV show Ace of Cakes. He entertained and inspired with his frank and humorous speaking style and stories. It was easy to see why his show is such a hit!



The afternoon was crowned by the seminar led by Deb Barrett and Susan Schultz. They were familiar faces to me, as I had met them last year at IWCE Vision09. This time again they inspired and motivated with their seminar Future Vision: Interior Design in 2019. As leading edge designers and speakers, they focussed on the changing face of design and how that would impact our industries. Evidence based design is coming to the forefront; Deb and Susan spoke of the idea that "design is emotion" - people buy design because it moves them. "Design locavores" are increasingly conscious about origins, and demand traceability, accountability, design transparency. And as we move from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0, this will impact the way we deal with clients. As Paige Rense of Architectural Digest said, “It’s a whole new world and you ignore it at your own risk”. Once again, these two talented speakers challenged and encouraged the listeners to grow, improve, change and embrace the new realities.

NeoConEast A Feast for the Senses

Day One of NeoConEast - what could I expect? Heavy Baltimore traffic delayed my arrival but when I did enter the Convention Center, I was thronged by fellow attendees, all eager to view the show floor and hear a wide range of speakers on a variety of topics.

NeoConEast bills itself as "the premier design exposition and conference for commercial interiors with a focus on the federal government." The first seminar I attended gave good specifics regarding obtaining government contracts. Then it was time to walk the show floor, a real treat for the senses. Bright colors, contoured shapes, intricate designs all tantalized the eyes. One of my favorite booths was trendgreen, with a wide assortment of machine washable fabrics made in the USA of 100% Post Consumer Recycled Polyester by Reid Witlin.



Lutron amazed with its brand-new line: the motorized Kirbe vertical drapery system, in a wide variety of fabrics. Draperies are lifted up and out of the way while retaining their pleats, completely eliminating stack-back.



The other products that impressed me were the seamless leather Tubular Wovens from Garrett Leather, which could be used for drapery rods or tiebacks, in three sizes. They also carry pre-made leather welt cord in the leather and color of your choice. What a beautiful accent for pillows!

I'm a Certified Hunter Douglas Professional Dealer!

I finally completed all of the webinars to receive certification as a Hunter Douglas Professional Dealer! I made it my goal this month to complete the course and last evening polished off the last one.

What's so special about that? Why am I excited? I've been selling Hunter Douglas products like the Silhouette and Pirouette window shadings for quite a few years already. But now I've taken it to a whole other level. Lifting systems, size maximums, fabric choices, vane sizes - the course covered so many of the million details that accompany Hunter Douglas products.

There are very few Certified HD Professional Dealers in this area, dealers who have decided to take those extra steps in order to benefit clients. It is of utmost importance to me to increase my knowledge of the window fashions industry through education, by attending trade shows, seminars, webinars, and by reading trade publications and blogs. I've made it my on-going mission to be up-to-date and very knowledgeable about the products I sell so that I can provide the best possible choices and information to my clients.

And now, off to Baltimore to experience NeoConEast; the abundance of seminars and myriad of exhibits are sure to be educational and stimulating!

Beautiful Drapery Hardware - Ado, Helser & Brimar

I just received a brochure today for a new line of drapery hardware by Ado. I've always loved Ado's gorgeous and innovative fabrics; I'm excited about this addition to their product line-up. My sales rep, Lisa, is always very good about coming to visit in this far corner of creation and keeping me up to date; she had shown me this hardware line a few months ago and I was eagerly awaiting the product roll-out. Ado is offering a wide range of smooth, reeded and fluted poles, cast resin and metal finishes, traverse rods and many different finials, all at a cost effective price. With the renewed interest in draperies that I've been noticing, it's great to have one more option for clients, to complement the creative window fashions they are looking for.

Of course, there are so many other beautiful options to choose from. To mention but a few, check out Helser's stunning offerings. Their Artefice line of minimalist textured metal would look wonderful in any home. The Helser brothers pride themselves on their customer service; no wonder Jay and Mark received the 2009 Client and Customer Service Company of the Year award.


More drapery hardware - Brimar this time. Brimar's wide selection of trims have provided the finishing touch to a number of my creations. They also supply textiles and wonderful drapery hardware. Definitely worth a look as well!


So much great drapery hardware, for every taste and style, from cost-effective to out-of-this-world expensive! Paired with some of today's amazing fabrics, it'll create a look that is truly gorgeous and uniquely yours.

Fabulous Fall Sale!

Fantastic Fall Savings are here! We are offering great savings from two great companies this fall - Hunter Douglas and Graber Window Fashions!



Hunter Douglas is promoting their SEASON OF GIVING from Sept. 25 - Dec. 15 with generous rebates between $25 - $600 per window on window coverings such as Duettes, Skyline Gliding Window Panels, Silhouette Window Shadings, Luminettes, and Vignettes.

As well, in recognition of National Window Covering Safety Month in October, Hunter Douglas is offering free upgrades to the Literise Cordless Lifting System on Tiered Vignette Modern Roman Shades, and Duette & Applause Honeycomb Shades. This offer runs from Sept. 25 - Nov. 16.



Graber's offer begins Oct. 1 and runs till the end of the year. Receive $25 cash back on blinds and shades purchased with safety upgrades, to a maximum of $100, on qualifying products.

As part of National Window Covering Safety Month, we are also offering retrofit kits for your older window treatments.

Call 360-966-4142 for details!

Labor Day Blessings

Heading out the door in a few minutes for a church picnic. Time to mingle with family and friends, to reflect on the blessings we have in this great country of ours. A good time to give thanks for the labor that we do have. Even if it has been a little slower this summer, I am thankful that with the change in the weather, the phone is ringing and the orders are coming in.

Blessings: to have a supportive and loving family; to have great friends; to have good health; to be able to be busy in productive ways; to have work; to have good workrooms to execute my designs; to have quality suppliers to provide quality products for my clients; to have a wonderful design community spread across the country... So many blessings to be thankful for. And above all, I acknowledge that these blessings come from my Gracious and Caring Father, God of all.

Always good to reflect again on how richly I am blessed. It is, after all, my birthday, and what could be a better time?

What are you thankful for?