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.

 

cornice boardThis is a custom cornice with two sections.  Two thirds of the cornice board has fabric sheered across it while the other third of the cornice has the fabric stretched on.  Decorative banding made out of coordinating fabrics separate the two sections giving depth and visual interest to the window treatment.

In the field of interior design and decoration, a cornice is the decorative molding between the ceiling and the top of a wall. It may be as simple as a strip of crown molding, but often extends several inches along the wall and across the ceiling using many different pieces of wood and moulding.  A cornice can also be a decorative molding that runs around the top edge of a cabinet or other pieces of furniture, forming a frame.  When it refers to a window treatment, a cornice is a decorative structure mounted above a window.  A cornice board is basically a u-shaped box that is made of a lightweight construction material, usually thin plywood. This board is then padded and upholstered with a fabrics and trims of choice to accent the interior of the room.

Cornices come in many styles and sizes and add a touch of beauty over any window.  They can hide room imperfections and can conceal curtain and drapery hardware.  A cornice can also add height and width to your window as well as change the shape of your window.  They can be custom designed and fitted to your exact specifications.

 

cornice board

The cornice has been updated and reupholstered.   Again with two sections but now the fabric is all stretched onto the board and two thirds of the cornice board is divided with decorative roping separating the two giving depth and visual interest to the window treatment.

The same board, same framework, two different looks.

I’ve made many top down roman shades over the years but never attempted a top down, bottom up shade until recently. Cellular shades are a  popular alternative to this design but my client wanted some color and pattern in her room.  I found some directions on line http://www.terrelldesigns.com/Instructions/Make-a-Top-Down-Bottom-Up-Roman-Shade that were easy to understand and to follow.

top down bottom up shade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shade open all the way in the up position.

top down bottom up shade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shade down a couple of folds.

top down bottom up shade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shade lowered half way.

top down bottom up shade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shade closed.

top down bottom up shade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shade raised from the bottom half way allowing

for privacy.

  • Julie KichlineFebruary 15, 2015 - 12:02 pm

    Hi Susan.

    This is exactly what I’m looking for, but the local blind store wants an outrageous $ to make them for me and they want to make them with too many rounded folds. I like this simple design. If I give you some measurements, could I get an estimate for creating them, minus the cost of the fabric? (I’m still looking for that.)

    Thanks, Julie

  • Michele RodriguesSeptember 30, 2016 - 1:57 pm

    Hi. what is the price range on these?

  • MaureenNovember 16, 2021 - 1:27 am

    Hi there,

    The website
    http://www.terrelldesigns.com/Instructions/Make-a-Top-Down-Bottom-Up-Roman-Shade doesn’t come up.

    Would you happen to know if it has been update or know of another tutorial?

    Thanks

  • Susan DorbeckNovember 23, 2021 - 3:09 pm

    Hi Maureen, It looks like this particular website is no longer available but you can find more tutorials online by Googling how to make top down bottom up roman shades. There are multiple UTube videos as well as instructions. Regards, Susan

drapery panels

This design utilizes short rods and long draperies, lined and interlined.  The drapery design doesn’t compete with the arch, but instead adds to it with a large amount of fabric (each panel is 1.5 widths) on the wall with a blended look for a pleasing, well proportioned effect.  Many modern homes feature arched windows. Some just have one or two on the front of the home, and others have them in every room. They are sometimes called palladian windows.  Most homeowners want to keep the arch visible, but still have a problem with sunlight.  Sun was not a factor for this homeowner.  The windows just needed dressing.   Short utility rods were used to hang the drapery panels since there was no room between the window and the arch for a support bracket for a longer rod.  These panels are stationary since silhouette blinds provided the privacy needed.

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