H&R Drapery exhibit at recent ASID trade show at the International Design Center in Estero, Florida

Friday, August 15, 2008

Looking into Windows

With holiday entertaining only a few months away, it’s a great time to start thinking about replacing outdated window treatments. With so many choices available today, there’s something to please every taste and budget.
Where do you begin? There are three basic categories of window treatment purchasing options. They are: ready-made, semi-custom, and custom. The one that is right for you may be determined by what is most important to you: quality, style, convenience, cost, value, or some combination of these.

Ready-made

Ready-made blinds and draperies come in a limited variety of materials, fabrics, styles and sizes. While quality and price vary depending on the manufacturer, ready-mades are the most economical and convenient for do-it-yourself homeowners. If you like what you see and it fits your window, you can select what you want, buy it, and hang it that day.

Semi-custom

What I call semi-custom is what you find in catalogs, on the internet and at some retail stores. You select a fabric and a style from their collection. Several popular sizes, designed to fit most standard windows, are offered. They are usually priced higher than ready-mades and below custom treatments. Some stores offer installation; some do not. You get a larger selection than ready-mades offer, but not every size and style will fit every window and décor.

Custom made

Custom treatments are designed specifically for your windows. You choose the design, the material, the fabric, the trim, and the hardware. If one window is a half inch longer than another, allowances are made for that. These window fashions are fabricated one at a time to your exact specifications, and include many details considered to be industry standards. For example, if you are buying draperies, expect to get double side seams, double 4” bottom hems, seams hidden in the pleats, and pattern matching. Custom treatments are almost always installed by a professional installer. Service and attention to detail takes time—expect to pay more and allow at least 4 to 8 weeks for fabrication.

Mix and match options

All three categories offer viable choices for today’s homeowner. You can mix and match, putting ready-made in a room you expect to change the look often, and custom treatments where you want to make a lasting statement. As with any home improvement project, it’s an investment that requires some planning. Start now and enjoy beautiful windows this winter.

Have a question about your windows?Have a question about a type of treatment or a problem window you’re not sure what to do with? Post a comment and I’ll try and address as many as I can in future columns. http://www.hr-drapery.com/

Just for fun, check out these MIT grads demonstrating the workings of a sewing machine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAhmYzmkvcY


Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Wide selection of drapery hardware available to add drama and elegance to your windows

There is an enormous selection of hardware available today. You can get wood traverse rods in smooth, fluted, or reeded styles in any number of stained or painted finishes. Iron rods have long been popular and they come not only in the traditional black wrought iron, but in some amazing faux finishes. Bronze and brushed nickel rods are making their way into not only contemporary rooms, but transitional ones as well. I recently saw a two-inch brushed nickel rod used with grommet linen draperies that was absolutely stunning.

For those who prefer the time honored look of a wood rod and rings, there are many to choose from. Popular today is the 2 inch diameter rod and I’m beginning to see more and more of the three-inch wood rods being used, especially in large scale rooms with high ceilings. These, when paired with bold, decorative finials, can add a lot of drama to a room.

And speaking of drama, have you seen the finials lately? Finial shapes, sizes, and styles continue to evolve. I’ve seen everything from whimsical monkeys and frogs and kid’s soccer balls to ornate, hand carved old world finials and even ones made of beautifully cut lead crystal. Medallions, which I’ve always thought of as finials for your wall, are being used not only as holdbacks, but to hang draperies. They are especially nice accenting those hard-to-treat arched windows. Even brackets and rings, pieces that were once thought to be primarily utilitarian, have now reached another level of design. They are as decorative as the finials. It almost makes you want to run out and redecorate! With so much to choose from, you can hardly go wrong.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Remodeling? How much time should you plan for window treatments?

It’s never too early to start planning. The process is a long one and the more upfront planning you do, the more satisfied you will be with the end result.


First, consider what windows you wish to dress and which ones are the most important. This will help you in developing a working budget. Then, clip drawings and photographs of treatments you like from newspapers and magazines. With a good idea of what you like, and a workable budget, you are now ready to talk to your H& Drapery window treatment designer who will be able to help you finalize your designs, show you fabrics, and develop a budget.


She will also be able to help you to coordinate your fabrics with your existing room décor. There are hundreds of fabric styles, colors, and textures to choose from, so allow yourself some time for this step. You will also want to select any trims or embellishments at the same time as well as appropriate hardware.


Once the selection process is complete, your H&R Drapery window treatment designer will provide you with a written cost estimate and an estimated timeframe for fabrication.
Fabric is ordered and shipped to the workroom where your treatments are fabricated. This could take anywhere from a day to several weeks, or sometimes even months depending on where your fabric originates and whether or not it’s in stock.


The workroom fabricates your treatments. This step usually takes anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the complexity of the designs and the time of year. Once your window treatments are finished, your H&R Drapery window treatment designer will arrange to have them installed.


Many people wait until right before the holiday season to have work done—this is the busiest time of the year for window treatment professionals and often projects are delayed. It’s best to order early.

H&R Drapery, 1791 Trade Center Way, Suite D, Naples, Florida 34109
239 566-2929 FAX 239 566-1129
Vist our website http://www.hr-drapery.com/

Sunday, July 13, 2008

If You Can Imagine It, We Can Make It...Designer Draperies Made In America

At H&R Drapery we bring years of industry experience and innovative craftsmanship to every project. How successfully your vision translates into the language of fine fabrics depends a lot on the workroom you choose.

H & R Drapery has been fabricating window treatments for Southwest Florida’s most prestigious designers for over 18 years. We understand the importance of developing relationships and maintaining high quality standards. As your partner, we want you to be successful. We work with you to determine specifications and determine concepts. And we are readily available to answer your questions and assist you with your work orders.

Not a designer? Not to worry. We have an inhouse designer who is available to help you with all of your window treatment needs.

H & R Drapery fabricates custom cornices, valances, swags, draperies, bedding, table lines, and headboards. We carry fashionable window treatment hardware from name brand manufacturers as well as Hunter Douglas and Graber blinds and shades.

We invite you to come visit our workroom and meet our staff. We’re open daily from 7 am until 3:30 pm.1791 Trade Center Way, Suite D, Naples, Florida 34109.
239 566-2929 FAX 239 566-1129

Visit our website at http://www.hr-drapery.com/