Green, brown, and cream bedroom- a model home

You gotta love custom bedding. But this one needs some ironing! Or from the get go they should have chosen a different fabric.

When choosing fabrics: Keep that in mind your lifestyle (pets and/or kids), wash-abilty with stains (my one daughter gets bloody noses sometimes), and how will it look daily-wrinkly or hang nicely!?

Oh and I am not crazy for the art work.

Yes, this window treatment is matchy matchy but pleasant! I like the green walls and brown curtains....It might even be good for sleeping with black out fabric!

Master bathroom tub cascade window treatment

Sorry the picture is dark. I often get asked what is "in" now in window treatments. Well, sometimes classic styles with a new twist still are working today.I think the fabric in a cascade look is not out dated if paired with a cornice box above. Yes, it's a more formal but it's ok in the right house!

Formal Living room window box treatment

A formal living room can get away with a cornice box and fabric like this. This is not my my personal style but not every client I work with should fit "my" personal style. I like to help my clients find their style. This was at a model home in Georgia.

The positives:

• Interesting diamond shape to the cornice box- neat angles and varying sizes
  

• I will admit the fabrics do coordinate well even if it's not my style.
  

• The cording on the diamonds is pulled tight and done by a professional.

• The cornice box is mounted tight to the ceiling for an illusion of height to the room (the ceiling detail is amazing too).

A window treatment for tall windows

I often asked this question in my Interior Design profession:

"What is the best window treatment for tall windows?" Sorry for the dark photo!I saw this model home window treatment while on vacation earlier this month. It answers the question nicely.

SOLUTION: Create a simple square LONG padded cornice box to fit the length of the entire window. Then add a punch of color (not a busy pattern) for the vertical fabric panels. I would use the cornice opposite fabric for the small drapery tie backs. Obviously this is a window treatment and isn't meant to be functional. Which is just fine and dandy! If you live in the woods like this house forget the window blinds!

Master bedroom valance

All you need is a 1 x 2" piece of wood and some brackets to mount this custom beauty. Can you see it looks like a ruler up on the left hand side. Keep in mind when making window treatments to cover 1/3 of the window. Don't make 'em hang skimpy and short on the window. It will look like were cheap. These window treatments are great for the do it your self-er. This was in a master bedroom in a model home.

Giddi-up in this modern cowgirl room!

It's funny, I go back east for vacation only to find a modern take on a western bedroom in a model home.I love the new ice blue and brown fabric combinations. This room has a whole new modern take on being a cowgirl and I LOVE IT! What a creative concept. The end table clock and lamp aren't my favorite though.
Tip- When designing a room I go for an inspiration piece first. A great patterned fabric, bedding, a colorful painting, a patterned colorful rug, or a theme. That is usually where I start. When you have that you can stem everything off that and pull it all together.

The painted wall mural MAKES this room pop! Isn't it neat? The bedding fabric helps pull the blue and brown concept together. I love custom pillows!!!The new trend in window treatments is decorative treatments for color and pattern....and they are not meant to have a function, such as opening and closing on a rod. See how the knobs hold the the drapery ties? This room gets an A from me! What do you think?

Ah how "perdy" a master bath window treatment.

Here's a simple draped sheer window treatment for a large eyebrow window in that master bathroom. Yes, it's a grand treatment in a grand house. But, the concept can be used in a smaller house with some neat hardware purchased on a budget. Use this as an inspiration in your home. Oh and it's critical to keep the overall scale in mind.

Front room window treatment

A simple and elegant front room window treatment from a Utah home show. I am attracted to the simple yet elegant style. It isn't stuffy (or stiff like some front room window treatments) but it has a sense of sophistication to it. I like how they tied the valance pattern into the trim at the bottom. It is defiantly customized work. It's so "not off the rack" and you can tell that.

A close up of the valance pleats.

A great family room!

Ah what an inviting and warm family room!

I like:

• The simple and elegant fireplace accessories. They don't take away from the stone work....actually I LOVE IT! I believe art work makes a house a home.
• Notice how they hung the window treatments. They are decorative (saves money too).
• I like the coffee table accessories and varying heights. My kids would break those but they look great!

City life mural anyone?? A Utah home show mural

This mural is amazing. I am not sure who painted it though. I think it would be great for a tween or a teenagers room.

I wanted to point out the window toppers. That is "do-able" but the mural Nah-HIRE IT OUT!

Be inspired use paint to create!

My beaded trimmed curtains

Before- My boring Walmart curtains

After-My beaded trim curtains

I fell in love with this simple beaded trim (with adhesive ribbon back). I found it at Walmart in their sewing area. I needed 2 packages to do my curtains. Each pack was $4.57 plus tax. I was going to add this to my lampshades (see photo) but I know my kids would pull it off in no time.


I wanted the beaded trim to hug the rod pocket seam but it the fabric was too thick for the sewing machine. Plan B- Just use the adhesive backing and put it where I wanted. I tried this for a month and it started to peel off so on to Plan C-I had to sew the trim down an inch.

I hung the rod further to the left to make the window appear larger than it really is. The window placement relative to the fireplace has always bugged me. So, I tried my best to change it with the curtain placement. I think I achieved what I was going after.

Be inspired! Put some "bling" on something in your home this weekend.

A pink valance

Simple, sweet, and decorative!

Orange is IN!

Accessorizing is a part of Interior Design!

Here are some unique and stylish dresser top items with an orange influence. I believe accessories should reflect the homeowner NOT the designer. I make an effort to include my clients in the accessorizing process. I include new items and some existing sentimental pieces to make it home.

I didn't design this room. I took these pictures for reference and inspiration when the color orange is requested. Do you remember the old yucky orange? Well, the new orange and brown color combinations are attractive with a contemporary flair. I took these photos at a home show in Utah a few years back. I think a lot of these accessories were purchased at Tai Pan Trading Company.

Window Treatments are one of my most requested designing items. They can be intimidating to some but I enjoy designing them. Window treatments are a wonderful addition to any home. I enjoy picking out patterned fabrics, designing window treatments, coordinating paint, designing custom bedding, and adding accessories to pull it all together. I thrive on a budget too.

I like this brown contemporary swirled fabric used in this orange influenced room. As a designer I have access to a few reasonable Salt Lake City to-the-trade fabric showrooms. If you have a need for window treatments send me an email. I am accepting new clients this spring.

The contemporary orange and brown bedroom
**Notice the custom bedding, draperies, and ottomans with the coordinating swirled fabric**

Master Bathroom window treatments

I like the simplicity of this window treatment. Great for a master bathroom. I plan on sewing something for my home in 2009! First, I have to fix my sewing machine!