Susan's Designs » Drapery & Home Decorating

Masthead header
Susan's Designs bio picture

  • nesting creatively

    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 drapery panels,swags

This room is set in soft yellows and golds from the walls to the floor and to the upholstery.  Very soothing, rich and warm colors.  The window treatments are a welcome splash of color giving the room that urban, sophisticated look.  Color is something to revel in, not to be afraid of whatever your choice of palette.

In this case nostalgic colors are used; the historic reds, the elegant yellows and the sage greens.  Nostalgic colors are comforting and sentimental, they seem familiar and homey.  They evoke a warm and cozy ambience.

stationary panel with swag

stationary panel with swag

The drapery panels, pinch pleated and hung on rings are made from a rich textured fabric.  The swag is attached to the outside rings and is a complimenting floral with a generous bullion fringe.

by Susan Dorbeck

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend

Posted in valances
roman valance

roman valance

I like using a vertical striped fabric to create a horizontal pleated valance; you don’t lose any of the pattern.
In this roman shade, the horizontal folds add a softness to the treatment and the stripes pick up the colors of the wallpaper.
This valance is called a roman valance since it mocks the look of a roman shade but in fact it is stationary.
The ties provide no function but add a lot of style.
In this case the ties were made of the same fabric as the pillow shams, tying  in the bedding to the window treatments.

by Susan Dorbeck

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend
  • nancyAugust 13, 2013 - 12:57 pm

    how did you hold your pleats together on reverse side?
    did you use a pattern?

  • Susan DorbeckAugust 18, 2013 - 1:31 pm

    These pleats are sewn right into the treatment, lining and all. This adds weight and body to the valance. Once you have prepared and sewn your fabric and lining together allowing for the proper width of your window, measure up 4″ from the bottom hem and mark this line with pins or chalk on the right side of the fabric. Then measure up 8″ more and mark. Place these two lines together, (wrong side of fabric together) and sew along the lines on the right side of the fabric. This gives you your first pleat. Repeat this process three more times giving you 4 sets of 4″ pleats for a total of 16″ finished length for your valance.

  • Adrienne TishkoMarch 21, 2016 - 10:34 am

    Hi,
    Can you tell me what size board works best and the size of your returns. Do you have any tips for keeping the pleats flat to avoid looking hobbled or is sewing enough?

  • Susan DorbeckMarch 23, 2016 - 10:34 pm

    Hi Adrienne, Your return size depends on what you are covering. If there is a blind behind the valance you may need anywhere from a 3″ return to a 6″ return. Generally if there is no blind to cover up I use a standard 1″ X 4″ board that I purchase at my local HomeDepot. If you find that the valance waves along the bottom of the folds, slide a small diameter drapery rod into the folds which will hold it straight.

  • Diane GreeleyAugust 20, 2016 - 8:49 am

    Hi Susan,
    Do you measure 4″ up from bottom or top of hem? Also, when sewing the 2 lines together are you sewing through just the 2 layers of fabric/lining formed from the fold or are you picking up the back and sewing through 3 layers of fabric/lining?
    Thank you for your reply. Your work is beautiful.

Posted in drapery talk

Draperies provide privacy.  However you can see out of your windows in the daytime is exactly how people can see into your home when it’s dark outside.  If there is no covering whatsoever on the windows, it’s very easy to see in at night.  If you have a sheer covering, people will see in but things will be slightly muted.  Solid draperies or shades provide the best privacy.

Draperies protect your furniture, your carpet and floors from harmful UV rays.  In just a matter of hours the sun can fade your belongings.  I’ve been in homes where the area rug could not be moved because the floor around it was too faded, therefore the furniture could never be re-arranged.  Upholstered pieces can be ruined in no time from the sun.  Draperies can give you the protection you need from the sun’s harmful rays and save you money in no time.

Draperies can insulate your home from hot and cold climates.  In the winter we put on our warm sweaters, slippers, mittens etc to protect us from the cold.   Draperies act in the same way to keep the heat indoors during those cold winter months.  Likewise in the summer, draperies keep the cool air-conditioned air inside, again saving you your hard earned money.

Draperies will reduce the glare in your home.  Whether you are trying to have breakfast where your windows are facing east, or dinner in a room where your windows are facing west, the glare of the sun can make it very uncomfortable.  Watching television can sometimes be impossible without window coverings.  Draperies will solve this problem instantly.

Draperies add warmth and style to your home.  The windows are the eyes of your home.  Fabric can soften the look and add warmth, not only for heat but also for style.

by Susan Dorbeck

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend

Posted in drapery talk

 Arched, bow, bay, corner and curved windows are very charming in any home, but when it comes to adding window treatments for these windows, people face a big dilemma: to cover, or not to cover. On one hand the window speaks for itself in it’s uniqueness, but on the other hand the windows look bare without putting a dressing on them. If this your problem, there is no need to worry – there are many window treatments available for such windows, including draperies, blinds, shades and even  shutters. Curved or arched curtain rods can be a wonderful solution if you consider adding draperies, or brackets can be used for a window scarf to knot a scarf on your non-standard windows.

Curved curtain rods can be used not only for windows, but also for shower curtains as well, giving you much more elbow room in the shower. These curved shower curtain rods can easily be obtained in your local hardware and department stores for very affordable prices. Often a curved rod for an arched or curved window has to be custom made since almost every curved window or wall has a unique curve to it.  There are however some inexpensive bendable and flexible drapery rods and tracks for lightweight fabrics such as sheers that not only look good but are easy to install as well.

Before looking for the drapery hardware, decide what style of drapery or window treatment you want for your curved or arched window. Do you need privacy, do you want to hang blinds?  Do you want to hang draperies? If so, will they be heavy weighted draperies or light sheers?  Are you going to add a valance, a cornice or perhaps some swags with jabots?  Maybe you plan to put a decorative window scarf above the arched window to enhance its beauty and have them puddle on the floor? For every one of these choices you may need a different type of curved window rod.

Do your homework, look at decorating magazines and design websites.  Find a window that is similar to the one you need to dress and have some fun.

by Susan Dorbeck

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend

Posted in cornices

cornice

A cornice is placed above this window to hide the track of the vertical blind as well as to add height to the window.
Contemporary fabric in neutral tones is stretched over the cornice for a sleek, clean look.

Cornices and valances are very similar and easy to confuse.
The major difference between the two is that cornices are much more permanent.
Some cornices are elaborate wood structures, while others are upholstered.
Either way, they are a more permanent window treatment than valances, which can be easily removed or replaced.

 Cornices were popular in older homes because the wooden boxes helped stop drafts.
However, they seem to be making quite the comeback.
Styles come and go in draperies just as in clothes,
and more and more people are choosing to revive this style and embrace cornices in their homes.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

by Susan Dorbeck

add a comment
link to this post
email a friend
  • Shunta AndersonOctober 23, 2012 - 3:02 pm

    I would like to order from your company and would like a book or catlog. I really want the cornice look in my house. My address 2802 Rochester St Dallas, Texas 75215.

  • Susan DorbeckNovember 1, 2012 - 12:14 pm

    Hi Shunta, Thank you for looking at my website and your kind remarks. All of my work is custom, made to fit each individual’s personal taste and style. I’m sorry to say I do not have a catalog for you to purchase from. I would love to work with you, much of my work has been shipped nationally as well as internationally if your budget will allow. If not, I would also be delighted to help you find a workroom in your area that you could work with. Susan

« Older posts Newer posts »