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 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

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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

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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.

by Susan Dorbeck

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  • 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

Posted in drapery talk

Most people see a bare window and think it looks unfinished. Most windows have some sort of window treatment—whether they be blinds, curtains, valances, or a combination of the above. You probably know that you “should” have window treatments of some sort on your windows, but why is that? What can window treatments do for you?  The purpose of window treatments is not purely aesthetic—they can serve many practical purposes, as well.

Aesthetically, window treatments can enhance or create a theme in a room. The right window treatments can highlight or establish a theme, whether it’s traditional, contemporary, country, period, or anything in-between.  Window treatments can also provide a focal point to a room. They can set the tone for the rest of the room or bring a space together and make it more cohesive.  Changing the color or style of a window treatment can quickly and easily change the feel of a room and give it a fresh new look.

Practically, window treatments serve many purposes that are often underestimated of overlooked. One of the most obvious of these purposes is controlling the light in a room. It’s important to have window treatments that are adjustable for changing needs and circumstances.  Because different times of day come with different sunlight conditions, the orientation of the windows and personal preference should be considered when deciding on a type of window treatment. An east-facing bedroom may need room-darkening window treatments if a late sleeper doesn’t want to be disturbed, or treatments that let in more sunlight for someone who likes to wake up early but doesn’t like to set an alarm.

Window treatments can also block an unpleasant view or frame a great view. They can compliment the architecture or compensate for a design flaw in a room. They can provide privacy and peace of mind for those of us who watch too many scary movies and are a little freaked out by bare windows when it’s dark outside. Window treatments can also help to insulate a room, keeping a room warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer—and lowering your heating and cooling costs.

Window treatments aren’t just to make a window look nicer. They serve many purposes in a room and throughout a home. Be sure to think about these functions and determine the purposes of your window treatments before you decide what type of treatment you’re looking for. Being conscious of your desires and the function of your treatments will make it easier to choose a window treatment and will ensure that you’re satisfied with the result.

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by Susan Dorbeck

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