Susan's Designs » Drapery & Home Decorating

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    Welcome to my showcase of design ideas and inspiration for custom home décor, flattering window treatments and other soft furnishings. I have been blessed by being invited into many beautiful homes and meeting the nicest people. I am among the fortunate few who truly enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding profession. Thank you for looking at my work.

Posted in roller shades,swags

Swags and jabotsThese beautiful cathedral style windows are not only an architectural design element but are built for the view. Designed to accentuate and not to distract from the outdoor setting, the window treatments are hung at the upper windows, framing the views. Elegant and tailored  swags and jabots are used. The swags are draped over a decorative rod and create a shape that softens the architectural design of the window. A solar shade was also used to help with light control and reflection on the television. These shades are semi-transparent, allowing you to still see through the shade, but offering light filtering properties. Solar shades were mainly used in commercial settings but have transitioned into residential. Reaching the height of these shades can be difficult so the option of a remote control would be available to make the opening and closing of the shades easier.Roller shades with swags and jabots

 

by Susan Dorbeck

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Posted in blinds,valances

Button back valance

This unique valance offers a casual look that commands attention . A floral motif fabric is cleverly combined with a simple, small scale, striped fabric that peeks through the buttoned back fold. The buttons are custom covered in the same floral fabric. Button back valance

The same floral fabric was shirred a 4.5″ continental rod creating a simple coordinating valance for the recessed sink window. A slight ruffle on both the top and bottom of the sleeve gives a nice touch to the the treatment and turns the 5″ sleeve into an 8″ valance. Both styles are simple and tailored enough to accent the vertical blinds, without adding to the business of  all the vertical lines.

Shirred valance

by Susan Dorbeck

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Posted in valances

The shape of a bay window can often be intimidating when it comes to a decision on a decorative window treatment. Most ready made styles simply will not fit the unusual shape. This custom made tailored box pleat valance, fits perfectly! Box pleat curved valance in bay windowThe inverted pleats fall at the window separations and create a natural point at which the window treatment can form to the bay window shape. The subtle curve on the bottom of the valance gives the tailored valance softness. The fabric band at the top edge of the valance  is run on the bias adding a unique detail. The same valance style was used over the kitchen sink window where the curved edge becomes the new focal point, drawing your eye away from the vertical and horizontal lines of the muntins in the window.

Box pleat curved valance

 

by Susan Dorbeck

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  • Chris DickmanDecember 4, 2016 - 1:18 pm

    I am just getting started on creating window treatments. I’d like to do something like this in my Family Room/Bay window nook and kitchen window. Are these valances mounted on boards, or did you use the 2″ wide curtain rods?

    Thanks,
    Chris

Posted in blinds

Horizontal 2" BlindsHorizontal blinds are an excellent solution to light control. Without any form of functional window treatments the sun beats through these office windows, raising the room temperature and causing visibility issues on the computer monitor. The 2.5″ horizontal blinds offer adjustment for light and privacy when needed. The tops of the blinds are finished with a valance that hides the blind header and offers a clean finished look to the office environment.

Horizontal 2" Blinds

by Susan Dorbeck

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Posted in blinds,drapery panels

Drapery panels bay windowThe look of drapery panels is determined by the way in which they are made. The difference is in the construction of the top of the drapery panel. There are countless varieties such as pinch pleat, goblet pleat, pencil pleat, tabs, rings, shirred or grommet to name a few. The actual pleats of the drapery panel are directly determined by the top construction and how the panels are attached to the rods. A pinch pleat will create a formal pleated panel, while a grommet top creates a more relaxed pleated panel, as shown here. The type of rod used to hang the drapery panels also has a direct effect on the look of the drapery treatment. These non-working drapery panels softly hang from a decorative rod with grommets, creating a transitional look. The panels help soften the 2″ horizontal blinds and edges of the bay window creating a unified look rather than three separate windows.  The rod is hung slightly higher than the window casing drawing the eye up and giving the illusion of height to the bay window.

 

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by Susan Dorbeck

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