Navigating the Bay

Bay window treatments are always a challenge.  Custom angle, bends, proper widths, matching fabric where they meet in closing.  There is much to consider when “navigating the bay”.  We recently completed an entire home of window treatments, which was topped off with dramatic panels in the master bedroom bay window.

This homeowner had been in the throws of a full house renovation that had been going on  for several months.  We added treatments to all the rooms.  For her downstairs, kitchen bay area, her preference was roman shades, outside mounted to finish and soften.

outside mount, linen roman shades in the kitchen bay, clean and soft.

But when she and the designer began to dress the master bedroom, they wanted something more luxurious and “worthy of the space”.  The duo first asked for roman shades, like the breakfast area, but after much discussion, drapery was decided to be the very best option.    Besides aesthetics, (what could be more beautiful than drapery?) there was also a need for full privacy and light reduction.  As the homeowner put it, “we were tired of waking up with the dawn!”.  The only concern was how to manage the bay.  Would it look good?  Was there enough room for the panels on either side – with a fireplace flanking the left and partial wall bordering the right?

One of the great things about bays is that the panels do not have to be overly full.  You can complete the look and minimize the fabric needed between windows because you are sharing the coverage – this allows for less use of space on the far sides of the windows.  Measuring a bay window is the first and most important step to getting this challenge right.  At Drape98, we use  a special angle measuring device that records the bay angles at an exact degree.  Our hardware is custom bent to precise specifications and then deductions are made for each piece of the rod to perfectly connect based on the proper projection.  Carefully spaced brackets and evenly spaced panels complete the picture and offer a truly custom solution.

Note the bend at the slight angle in this photo.   Instead of using a corner bracket, the bend is actually just left of the corner /bend, where, a few inches beyond, the rod is spliced for bracket placement.  We returned the rod to the wall just at the next angle which flanks the room dividing wall.

Custom bend/D98 Bronze Hardware

A bracket off center of the bend looks odd at first, but take a look below when panels are added.

Panels are strung between brackets, and laced rings over rod connections allows for a  clean look – custom rod bends, perfect panel coverage.

The break and bracket doesn't even show... perfectly custom

Have a custom bay project you need to complete?  Trust the experts, trust Drape98!  We have the experience and know how to make your “bay” project perfect!

Drape98 Express, LLC – 404.661.1501 or 850.225.8861

info@drape98.com

Hollywood Style- (ssshhh… budget satin!)

We recently completed an installation for a talented designer/retailer group in Atlanta.  They have been working with a client as she settles her home with new furnishings and finishes.  Because she and her family may be relocating soon and window treatments usually stay behind, the client was not anxious to spend a lot of money on drapery fabric.   As a result, she chose a very reasonably priced satin fabric for double europleated drapery to complete her living and dining rooms.

Fabric can make all the difference in drapery fabrication.  Any workroom can tell you that some fabrics are a breeze to work with and some make you want to get out of the business!   Working with a “dress” weight satin does have it’s challenges- and in some cases might not be suitable for drapery.  After inspecting the fabric, we knew some hand sewing would be required to keep the seams smooth and eliminate puckering.  (Machines tend to pull and add tension- can’t be helped).  We also realized that this lighter weight fabric might not drape as well as the client would like.   To tackle these issues, we started with adding a higher quality, 100% cotton liner along with a light interlining.  Doing this added weight – which helped the fabric “drape”. We also decided to use a stiffer buckram than is normally used for our europleated headers; giving the pleats a more defined shape.

Pewter Satin Drapes Beautifully...(a few fabrication tricks helped!)

The result was a truly stunning drapery.

The dining and living rooms are now finished, with the drapery adding just the right amount of sheen and luxury.

The hardware was a continual in both rooms; treating all windows as one.  A 1″ diameter, pewter finish  in iron – all custom- with very little bracket obstruction was designed.

One of the most rewarding parts of what we do is working with visionary designers.  Taking a design idea and bringing it to life takes attention to detail and a knowledge of what our clients are trying to create. It’s our job to know what fabrication technique is needed to make it happen.

Mirror Image of the Living Room... Satin and Sensational!

Check out how wonderful the rooms look!  As always, drapery helps complete the overall design and we are proud to say that all clients involved are more pleased than they thought they would be!

Have an upcoming project?  Trusting the right workroom to complete your vision can be scary.  We work hard to make the finished project just what everyone is looking for… sometimes even better!

Introducing VerticalMate by Drape98

Have you heard?  Drape98 has developed a new product called VerticalMate.  VerticalMate is a drapery designed and manufactured to operate on existing vertical blind hardware.  Now there is an alternative for homeowners who have  vertical blinds and want to change over to drapery more quickly and affordably. 

How do we do it?  Our VerticalMate has a specially Drape98 designed header that allows the drapery to install into existing vertical blind “vane” carriers.  It’s so easy.

To get started, Drape98 just needs a little information:

1. How wide the current vertical track
2. How it opens- stack left, right or center.
3. Length of current vertical vane
4. How many vanes/carriers there are in the existing hardware

(Note:  Working existing hardware is required)

Once this information is confirmed, we can start making your VerticalMate drapery right away. In some instances, we have pre-manufactured VerticalMate based on common widths and lengths that are ready for quickship!

It’s so easy to order and most importantly, it’s very easy to install.  One of the greatest expenses associated with buying custom drapery is the cost of installation. With VerticalMate, the price of a professional drapery installer is not usually necessary-anyone can install VerticalMate.

And… if your current vertical blind hardware has cord draw and you’d like to switch to a more safety compliant “baton”, that can be easily added as well!

Here’s how it works:  Take down the current vertical slats or”vanes”.

Old Vertical Blinds

Then take the VerticalMate drapery and thread the loop headers into the carriers one by one until the drapery is installed.  Really… it’s that simple!

Easy to install, anyone can do it!

VerticalMate is an easy, affordable drapery alternative to vertical blinds!

Have a pre-installed valance over your vertical blinds? Great!    This works perfectly with VerticalMate because our our drapery does not project out any further than your current vertical slats, so using them under valances works well and looks terrific; making for a truly custom appearance.

Side by side/ new drapery under valance beside old verticals - what a difference!

We’ve developed this product because we’ve listened to our customers. Clients kept asking, “How can I replace those verticals with drapery and do it affordably?”   Well, Drape98 has the solution.

We’d love to hear what you think about this product and welcome any questions.  Drape98 has currently installed VerticalMate throughout Florida and is currently selling in all areas of the United States.  We welcome regional distributers as well!

For further information and pricing, contact Chris@ 850.225.8861 or visit our website www.drape98.com.

Sterling Hall Showhouse – Atlanta

We just completed installation of Sterling Hall, a truly magnificent home on West Paces Ferry Road in Atlanta.  If you like showcase homes, you’ll need to make sure and visit this one.  renowned designer, Shane Meder ,of Blacksheep Interiors, led his design team in dressing this home top to bottom.  We were honored to be chosen to collaborate with Blacksheep Interiors and act as a  presenting sponsor by donating the majority of the window treatment fabrication.  Oh yes, and one other thing, we completed drapery and treatments throughout this 20,000 square foot home in three weeks!

The entire home was put together at an astounding speed as the home was built in ten months and all the interiors loaded a three-day period.  The team behind Sterling Hall is notable to say the least.  Owner David Karangu commissioned  Harrison Design Associates to design the home and Steven West Custom homes to build.   Sterling Hall has superior finishes and architectural details throughout.  From the intricate mill work in all the main floor rooms, to gold leaf finishes and 24 karat gold fixtures in the kitchen, there are details that take more than one trip to appreciate. The home is open for tour and all ticket proceeds benefit Children’s Healthcare.

In the grand dining room, we used Drape98 custom hardware with a gilding on red finish.  The brackets were specially made to fit  into a tight mounting space and the panel lengths had to be spot on.  Shane chose our 1 1/4″ diameter rods which reads the perfect weight among such a grand scale window and the flowing silk panels fabricated in a formal goblet pleat helped accentuate the grandeur of this palatial room.

Schumaker Silk Goblet Pleat panels strung on Gilded Gold 1 1/4" hardware.

Another featured area is the master bedroom.  Stunning, warm and inviting, Blacksheep had us custom fabricate soft blue panels throughout and float double-sided drapery to flank the recessed bed area.  Our hardware was customized to finish in a silver wash that collaborated with the large wall of mirrors and magnificent crystal chandelier.

Euro panels in Robert Allen "Seismic Blue"

Note the master bed area- where we flanked the bed windows and recessed area with soft euro panels.  The suspended drapes are double-faced – one type of fabric inside  and a coordinating fabric out towards the room.

There’s more to this house than one blog can mention.  The entire upstairs and terrace level used our offered linens and our custom hardware.  One of my favorite rooms is the downstairs “Ladies Lounge” which is just off the hair salon.  Shane describes it as “Sex in the City” meets “W” Hotel -a  fitting description for such a chic, inviting space.  We created traditional pleated panels with our offered Ivory linen as the main fabric and taupe banding on the leading edges.  We also outfitted roman shades to match on the french doors leading to a luxurious outdoor spa.

And checkout the Terrace Tea/Media space.  We flanked the patio doors (leading to a fabulous pool deck) with our Inca Linen on our bronze hardware projecting out 7″ to clear the massive, stone door casings.  There was nothing small scale about this home!

Make sure to visit our facebook page (click on blog link in blog menu on right), to see all the house photos. Please also visit Blacksheep Interiors website to watch a video on this astounding project.  It took an army of professionals to complete this home inside and out and the finished product is stunning!

Sterling Hall – Open Mon-Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m./ Sundays noon- 5p.m.  Tickets are $25 at the door and all proceeds benefit Children’s Healthcare.  For more tour info visit Sterling Hall

Can Our Product Work With Your Custom Design? Yes!

We understand.  You’re a designer and you’ve got a lot to put together.  Your new project has a lot of details, you only have so much time and budget is always a concern.  You  know as well as anyone how much window treatments can assist your overall aesthetic – but they can also be time consuming, tough and, if you’re not careful, they can eat up your budget.  That’s when we come in.  When you use Drape98- particularly our product  – you don’t have to guess, you rarely have too long to wait and it’s reasonably priced.  We manage it for you.  We do what we can to make it easy and quick.  But… will our “in the box” treatments work with your design?  It has to look good – it can’t look off the shelf!  Yes, we think our drapery, fabric and hardware will match up to any other treatment available and not only that, we think it can also enhance your design!

Posted are photos of  installations we’ve completed for some VERY talented designers who incorporated Drape98 product into their room designs.

Our linen, our hardware, custom design

Dale E. Trice principle and owner of Design in Santa Rosa, FL,  dressed up a nursery using our window products.  We fabricated in Drape98 stock “White” linen and banded using our in stock “Inca” linen.  The hardware is ours too.  Panels are mounted on our custom, stock bronze rod, rings and capped with our simple, ball finial.   Best of all – everything was delivered and installed within 2-3 weeks -  So our delivery made “THE delivery”!

How about this completely custom redesigned home in Nashville, TN?

Carefully chosen interiors- Our Drapes- Our Hardware

Kay Douglass, designer and owner of the Atlanta’s renowned South of Market,  called us to help with this  home project because the client wanted a “look” without the price tag and, with lots of details to manage long distance, Kay asked us to take over the window.  We handled it all- providing measurements, treatments and installation for the entire house within a 3 week time frame!!!

Our "Stocked" cotton fabric/ Our hardware

In addition to creating treatments  throughout the house, Kay’s design in the living room utilized customer appointed, white linen with Drape98 fabrication and hardware and the den is enhanced by our stock cotton “Tweed” fabric.  Everything is strung on our custom Ebony hardware.

Easy and affordable!

And as a final example, check out this outdoor porch in Atlanta.  Designer Monica Eith came to us because we are experts on grommets and custom outdoor treatments. (We do so many in our Florida location.)

Her client wanted the porch transformed into another, usable room.  We went right to work.  You can’t really tell from the photo, but this porch is  a large and tricky space, with varying ceiling heights and floor levels.   Monica wanted a “continual” rod look, so we designed a hardware system using our stock bronze hardware (outdoor treated) and fabricated bronze gommet panels in our offered “Mist Wren” Sunbrella fabric.  The panels help cool in the summer and hold in heat during the winter.  As a result, this porch is transformed into a truly magnificent space that has become one of the most used and loved rooms in the house!  Client thrilled, designer relieved – done!

This screened porch becomes another room - with our outdoor, grommet product!

Yes!  Our designed product can work within today’s room designs.   We have terrific styles that are easy to incorporate into whatever your decor.  Our “IN THE BOX” products can work with custom design.  What do you think?

Grommets for West Egg Cafe – ATL

Grommet panels cover - add warmth to a cozy dining area

We were thrilled to be a part of the West Egg Cafe’ renovation.  This popular eatery and gathering spot on the Atlanta’s west side is a terrific place to get a smooth cup of joe and good, southern eats.  Ben and Jen Johnson, proprietors, collaborated with Square Feet Studio to renovate the new West Egg space  The design team kept it clean and cozy- using lots of subway tiles, school-house fixtures and furnishings with warm finishes.  Drape98 was commissioned to provide grommet panels to help soften this crisp, commercial space.

Our first charge was a large bank of windows on the west side of the cafe’ that provided wonderful natural light, but, in the afternoon, let in some blinding rays.  The owners and design team wanted flexibility – let light in during the a.m. but offer some shade from the afternoon sun.  Drapes are always a great looking, affordable, functional option. By adding wall to wall, bronze grommet panels that easily open and close (we minimized brackets needed by installing a 1 1/4″ diameter rod), the drapes dimmed the afternoon rays when shut and soften each dividing pane while open.  The result is a wall of drapery that looks stunning both stacked and fully drawn.

In addition to open dining area, Ben and Jen added a communal dining table near the entrance that could be used for group dining or meetings.  The talented designers at Square Feet Studio, suggested we suspend grommet panels on either side of the communal area- providing and space definition.  To stay consistent, we again used 1 1/4″ round, Drape98 Stock Iron Hardware, with partial ceiling and wall mount brackets ( part of the ceiling was a dropped soffet) and bronze grommeted panels made from durable, Khaki fabric.

A communal dining area is defined with large panels- providing functionality and warmth to this terrific space! (And it's hard to even see the brackets!)

Upon entry, the new West Egg Cafe’ space is warm and inviting and we like to think that our drapery adds to the overall esthetic.  In fact, we’ve had several calls from West Egg diners who want this look in their homes!

In the area?  Make sure to check out West Egg Cafe for a relaxed, urban diner experience all while consuming some darn good food.  Check out their menu, location and hours at www.westeggcafe.com.

Hollywood Drama

Drape98 was honored once again by assisting Dale Trice and his team at “Design Services of Florida” in creating a memorable living room at the Seaside Showhouse this summer.  The house benefited the Cultural Art Association of Walton County by gathering a talented group of designers who dressed each room as a tribute to various hollywood, iconic styles.  Dale and Drape98 worked to commemorate the dramatic and diverse collections of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda.  Apparently the couple had great interest in all things “French Riviera” and “Jazz” and loved collecting things from their world travels.  Mr. Fitzgerald had an extensive group of old typewriters and Zelda, his beloved wife and native of Montgomery, Alabama, enjoyed saving beehives originating from her family farm.  The couple also kept extensive journals including details of all their exploits and infamous dinner parties!

Dale and his team worked to recreate the Fitzgerald style by using broad stokes of color (red and black) and splashing varying shades of bronze accents and natural textures throughout.  Dale also  included numerous accessories and artful pieces commemorating the Fitzgerald love of collecting. The drapes are key in creating interior drama.  Drape98 fabricated ripplefold  panels at 80% and strung them on wall mounted, custom, black rail hardware (hiding the ripplefold track).  The rods are strategically pieced together to create the “continual” look and the drapes are puddled just a bit to create a lush look.

The showhouse was a popular summer destination.  Check out the Cultural Art Association of Walton County for more details.  (Website: http://www.culturalartsassociation.com/)

Drama Fitzgerald Style

Jacksonville Symphony Show House

Drape98 has been honored once again!  We were asked to provide drapery and roman shades for several rooms in the Jacksonville (Florida) Symphony Show House located at Coastal Oaks in Nocatee.  Our product is featured in the boutique, vendor and volunteer rooms and we couldn’t be more thrilled! This luxurious home, designed and built by Toll Brothers, boasts high end finishes including an opulent two story entry space with double curved staircase and a chef’s kitchen all of which is encompassed within 5000 square feet and set among majestic oak trees in one of Jacksonville’s most sought after neighborhoods.  Cindy Kay, Drape98 Jacksonville representative, has spent the last week putting the finishing touches on our treatments and talking with several of the chosen designers, all of whom are premier in the Jacksonville area design field. Cindy confirmed what she already knew- that there is an abundance of design talent in Jacksonville!  Each designer lends unique vision to their assigned spaces and offers visitors ideas and innovated ways to bring style and life to any room.  Walking through this unique floor plan is also a treat and to Cindy, the entry way was particularly stunning.  ”Stepping into this grand foyer with a double staircase is really dramatic and truly spectacular.  It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.  From the beginning of the tour you’re going  to be ‘wowed’ by special features and interiors!”

Marquis Design by Toll Brothers

Lead designer Brenda Luten of Interiors Complete Design, LLC, has led a team of top designers  to finish all the interiors.  She asked Drape98 to help soften the boutique, vendor and volunteer rooms by providing D98 roman shades and drapery panels utilizing our quality stock fabrics and custom hardware.   Our treatments offer a “lift” to these spaces and we are proud of the result!

Soften this public area with D98 Blue Belle Linen, Crisp, Single Pleated Drapery and D98 Custom Bronze Hardware

D98 Stock Tweed Fabric/ Grommets/ D98 Custom Hardware

Please make sure and stop by this wonderful Show House.  All are sure to enjoy their visit and find some unexpected surprises throughout the floor plan. Plus – as an added bonus, all proceeds go towards supporting the Jacksonville Symphony!  (Oh and you can see some of our work as well!)

The house is opening April 17th and continues through May 9th.  For more information on the Jacksonville Symphony Show House visit their website at www.jaxsymphonyshowhouse.com. Enjoy!

How High Should I Go?

Every time we go into a home or business to design drapery we almost always get asked the same question,  ”How high should we hang the drapes?”  Should the hardware go just under the ceiling or ceiling mold?  Should it go half way between?  Are we hampered in some way?   Sometimes the answer is easy.   There may be little room above the window trim when the space available dictates where a bracket and rod can be installed.  Other times a ceiling mount is all that is possible.  But more often then not, clients have a choice.  We work with so many designers and clients with great taste, all of whom have various opinions of what looks best.  There is no normal.  Check out some examples:

Higher rods add height and drama to any room.  In a space with lower ceilings, we always recommend taking the hardware as high as you can.  It’s amazing what a difference this makes visually.

high drama

As high as it can go!

But maybe you don’t want it so high.  How about splitting the difference?  Still visually pleasing, hanging the rod somewhere between ceiling mold and window mold provides height and overall room balance.

Then, there is the other option of hanging the drapery just at the top of the window mold.  Some people want as much space above the window to the ceiling as possible.  Whenever clients ask us to install “ready made” drapes that are built at dictated lengths, this can become the only option.  This look is my least favorite.  I’m always bothered when that “Lowes” commercial comes on showing a do-it-yourself room update.  The couple is so happy with how easy and affordable it was to pull the room together with a new look, only all I can focus on is the cheap drapes hung on the molding just above the window pane!  (My kids always know when that commercial is on because I”m in the den yelling at the t.v!)   The photo below shows a room with so much height available – though not as bad as that commercial I think this space could stand taller drapes.

How about you?  Any thoughts on where drapes look best?  Do you have a rule of thumb or do you take in each space separately?  I would love to know what you think!

Ripple Effect – Ripplefold Drapes Are Back!

Ceiling Mount Ripplefold in D98 Robins Egg Blue - Simple, Elegant, Clean

Ripplefold has been around for years, but we believe they have come back into popularity because they look terrific , are affordable, (requiring about 25% less fabric), and offer a low maintenance window treatment solution.  Ripplefold is named for the soft, ripple-like folds that flow smoothly from one end of the track to the other. The result is a gently tailored drapery suited to both commercial and residential installations.

Ripplefold draperies may be used with either cord-drawn or baton-drawn track rods.  At Drape98, we always recommend baton drawn Ripplefold track because of strangulation risks associated with cord drawn products, but we can attend to either cord or baton as our customers request.  We start Ripplefold draperies by fabricating a flat panel.  We then use snapped tape sewn into a one inch header.  The snaps on the flat panel are then attached to the spaced carrier system in the track. Carriers are evenly spaced and connected with string, giving it a “ripple” effect and keeping each fold even and clean with little “stack back”.   The fullness of Ripplefold draperies is achieved by the ratio of the spacing between the snaps on the panels, to the spacing between the carriers.  We offer 60%, 80%, 100% and 120% fullness. As the fullness increases, so does the amount of fabric required.

Ripplefold draperies are also easy to clean and maintain.  Because they are fabricated as a flat panel, Ripplefold panels have a low maintenance factor, making it particularly attractive to specifications for commercial institutions like hospitals, hotels, nursing homes and rental properties. The draperies are easy to take down and re-hang. They can be washed (or dry cleaned – depending on fabric specifications), and then pressed flat. Folds fall easily into place when panels are rehung.

The key to Ripplefold draperies is the hardware.  There are several sources for Ripplefold hardware but most sell to the trade only. Drape98 sells Ripplefold panels and hardware to the trade as well as directly to homeowners. Exact measurements are required, particularly if the drapes are going to hang from the ceiling -so we take special care with our measurements and charted hardware information to know exact requirements for each installation.

Ripplefold drapery offers a crisp, clean, modern look.  Whether you are wanting a contemporary update for your home, 2nd home or condominium or require a simple solution in a commercial application, Drape98 can assist and provide exactly what you need.

Ripplefold in an Atlanta high rise condominium