Complicated? You Betcha!

When perusing through your latest edition of Architectural Digest, have you ever thought about what it took to get such a beautifully decorated home? Take a sneak peek behind-the-scenes at an unusually complicated installation we completed last week.


Here are a few details, pictures and a couple video snippets -

• A curved fabric shade!
  
• Two fabric shades over 15' wide and motorized!
• A curved shade to match! (Do you know how hard that one was?)
• All shades line up perfectly with each other - even the one that's curved.
• Two very large cornice boxes. One even starts out straight then curves to follow the wall. And it's all in one piece! (That one was a monster!)

Intricate electrical wiring by one of the installers and he's wearing sunglasses!

Getting the one-piece, curved cornice box into the house was a bear!




After much trepidation, they got the curved cornice box up. I made sure the installers washed their hands before touching this nice white cornice box. Also note the use of gloves to make sure it didn't get any smudge marks.


What you can't see very well is the use of furniture pads on the floor. This is a standard on our installations. It insures the floor doesn't get dirty or damaged. We go above and beyond not to disturb our client's home any more than necessary while we are there. Not everyone provides this.

And here's the completed project. Quiet motors. Smooth running. No hiccups, stops or stalls. The shades end at the right place at the floor.

My customer was so happy with the project, he gave us a video testimonial. He was nervous, but did a great job! Thanks Sam!

Despite this project's complexities, it was installed in one afternoon! There were no fixes, repairs, re-makes or re-do's! All as a result of meticulous attention to detail, careful planning and working with an experienced window treatment specialist. It makes all the difference in the world.

Got Guests? Help Them Feel At Home - Create A Guest Bedroom They'll Never Want to Leave!

It's the holidays. For most that means a flurry of parties, entertaining, food, family and friends. If you've got guests coming, take a look at this video for ideas on helping your guests feel at home and comfortable while staying with you.

Cinderella Shades? Dingy Drapes? Transform them with New Hardware!

Yummy Trims for Your Draperies, Pillows, Bedding & Home Decor

Holiday Decorating - Use What You Have

I thought this was a great alternative to finding and hanging a wreath (found at Country Living). Very easy for those of us with no time to make wreaths, but still want color at the door! Take a look at some other wreaths I found (on Martha Stewart Living).

Keep Your Cool When the Weather Gets Hot!

Often I'm asked by clients if they can have privacy at night, sun control during the day and maximize their view all in one product. Sound impossible? Actually the answer is. . . it's possible! Honeycomb shades are one of the best products on the market for all of those reasons and more. We use them often and continue to get raving client reviews.

• Maximize Your View - Of all the window treatment products on the market today, they have the smallest stacking space in the industry.
• Privacy - Great for bedrooms, offices, skylights, yet still allows the natural light to come in.
• Room Darkening - Great for bedrooms and media rooms.
• Clean Lines - No fuss or fluff, modern styling.
• Can Go Incognito - Hardly noticeable when pulled up. Great for view windows when you want to draw your attention to the view, and not the window treatment.
• Cordless - No strings hanging down.
• Motorized - Great option. Reasonable. Not as expensive as you might think. Improved technology.
  
• Outstanding Insulating Properties - Energy efficient. Keeps you cool in the heat of the summer.
• Rich True Colors that Resist Fading - Great color selections.
• FREE Shipping

For more information or to schedule an in-home appointment to talk about saving money on your energy bills with honeycomb shades, call 949.494.3345.

© 2008 Barbara Deckmeyer

10 Easy Tips For Bedded Bliss!

Many moons ago when I discovered down comforters, I became a big fan right off the bat. One of the first things I discovered is how easy it is to make the bed. Just fluff and smooth and you're done. Secondly, I learned how simple and inexpensive it could be to dramatically change the look of the room by changing the bedding. I change mine out with the seasons and sometimes for no reason other than I'm bored with what I've been using! I like to use varying combinations of duvet covers, throws, shams, beautiful blankets and more. Take a look at the bedding tips and tricks below to help inspire you to make your bed (and your room) beautiful every day.

1. Simplify the bedding: Skip the top sheet and use a down comforter with a duvet cover. Give the comforter & the pillows a quick shake and a smooth every morning.

2. Use a spritz of a nice linen spray: It's a treat to slip into a fresh smelling bed.

3. Freshen your pillows: Once a week fluff them in the dryer on a low or no heat setting.

4. Even if you share a bed, make your side: I bet your significant other will soon follow suit.

5. No dual duty pillows: Make sure your decorative pillow shams have inserts that are made-to-fit the sham, then leave them there. Try not to use the same pillow to sleep on at night, then hurriedly try to stuff it into the sham when making the bed in the morning.

6. Time yourself making the bed: I bet it takes under 3 minutes. A blink in time even on a rushed morning.

7. Backtrack to your bedroom: After you've made the bed, go back to your room and take a check of your mood. The sight of your room will give you a little spring in your step.

8. Treat yourself to great linens and have them professionally pressed once in a while: There's something about crisp, freshly ironed sheets that makes the bed feel a bit more luxurious.

9. Consider this longstanding French tradition: To ensure the longevity of your bedding rotate your sheets, with a set in the closet, a set on the bed, and a set in the wash. This ensures that no one set receives more wear than another.

10. Add fresh flowers: Like fresh linens, fresh flowers make a room feel a little more lively, inviting and decorated.

For more information or to schedule an in-home appointment to talk about luxuriating your bedding, call 949.494.3345.

© 2008 Barbara Deckmeyer

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Barbara Deckmeyer, Interior Designer publishes The Shadey Ladies E-zine. If you'd like more health, happiness and beauty in your life, get your FREE tips now at www.TheShadeyLadies.com.