ATTENTION ALL UNDESIGNERS….

Here is another snippet of great information I found while researching.  Check out the link I found it on to the right called You Are My Fave.

The title of Christiane Lemieux’s book, which she wrote with Rumaan Alam, “Undecorate” ($40, Clarkson Potter), is a bit deceptive. While the 20 spaces shown may not be “decorated” in the traditional sense, they are very stylish.

“These people do have very sophisticated taste,” said Ms. Lemieux, the founder and creative director of DwellStudio. “And they are constantly tweaking their interiors. Now, with interior design, there is no start and finish. People are always changing, sharing, getting their friends to weigh in on it.”

Ms. Lemieux credits the Web in large part for the phenomenon of interiors that evolve and reflect the owners in a stylishly imperfect way: “It used to be the people with the super-cool eclectic houses went to estate sales and got a first look at everything. Now you have access to a very cool flea market, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The popularity of that eclectic interior is because it’s achievable now.” 

By RIMA SUQI Published: March 23, 2011

New York Times     Home and Garden

A Rising Bodoni Star…..

This has nothing to do with window coverings (I do have other interest!), but IT IS A MUST SEE!  This exquisite pop-up book that I must have!  Visit her web site directly or through Black*Eiffel link on the right.  So very, very cool!

Bodoni Bedlam: Typographic Pop-up Book

Graphic Designer Victoria Macey created this magical typographic pop-up book called Bodoni Bedlam. Isn't it super cool?! See more pages and photos here.
(photos from Victoria Macey)

ROMAN SHADES….for every room, mood, style…….and weather condition!

“Nothing that is can pause or stay; The moon will wax, the moon will wane, The mist and cloud will turn to rain, The rain to mist and cloud again, Tomorrow be today.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 - 1882)
It is wonderful to watch the rain, see the lightening, hear the thunder……because it is a sure sign of spring and IT’S MELTING THE SNOW!!!  Those wonderful sunny days we had just before this downpour, however,  were so perrrrfect for curling up in the sunshine pouring through the window and it actually felt too warm at times…..like I needed to lower the shade down a touch….and roman shades are perrrrfect for doing just that!

Colorful and Bright!


Sophisticated!


Warm and Cozy!


Clean and Contemporary!


Or Just Plain Fun!

Whatever the style….roman shades are one of my favorite window treatments.  They can add texture and personality to your window and imbue a room with added flair and color!  They can be made in a wide variety of styles and with a wide array of fabrics.  Most important to remember, however, is that you GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!   If you want quality and excellence in workmanship, then prepare to spend a few extra dollars because it will be well worth the look, the safety, and the ease of operation!
The latest word on Roman Shades has been all about the dangers and hazards associated with child strangulation due to the loose operating cords on the back of the shade.  It is something to take very seriously and ensure that the shade you purchase has safety measures to avoid this tragic possibility. 


The above information and illustrations are from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (http://www.cpsc.gov/) Publication #5115.

For all of you that have existing roman shades like the one above, please be aware that these rings (which look just like shower curtain rings to me) can be used to replace the cords in your shades.  By inserting them through each ring in place of the cord, you can raise and lower the shade….. manually……yes, by hooking and unhooking these rings each time you raise and lower the shades.  If it seems time consuming and confusing, you are right!  It is a pain…. but does avoid a potential threat to your child. 

Otherwise, you can have them redone by a workroom professional to include these new cord shrouds (shown above) which prevent the cord from being pulled away from the shade and around a wee one’s neck!



Of course, the best and ultimate innovations (if I must say so myself) are from Hunter Douglas and have given us the opportunity to totally eliminate a cord lift from roman shades within the Vignette line of products and the completely covered back totally encases the working cord preventing accessibility from children’s little hands!

With the new Design Studio Roman Shades by Hunter Douglas, you have a superb selection of over 300 fabrics, from sheers to prints, to select from.  This collection does have to safe lift cords to choose from and can be made up to 96” in width with NO, yes, NO seams!  These fabrics can even be used of valances over the roman shades or all my themselves.  You can make your own design statement.  Pretty cool! 

However, as I am ending this post, the cold weather has returned, sleet is falling as well as the snow, temperature forecasts are for blustery winds and just plain turn-that-heater-up conditions!  Oh….did I mention that “lowering that roman shade a touch” is perrrrrrfect for that too?
Let me know what your opinion is about roman shades and why……Have a great day!

Sentence first -- verdict afterwards.

“Then you should say what you mean,' the March Hare went on. `I do,' Alice hastily replied; `at least - at least I mean what I say - that's the same thing, you know.'”
-  Lewis Carroll   

March is sooooooo difficult to endure because it is so very close to spring yet this month keeps spring just an agonizing arm’s length away!!!  It is like sitting and watching the clock, waiting for the minutes to pass in anticipation of a wonderful moment.  Well, as one designer said  to me with all seriousness this week, “God promised me spring will come!” 

In the waiting hours, we can take stock of the new 2011 Spring Pantone colors that will grace our fabric books and clothing racks.

Now, I have to admit, I have a love/hate relationship with this year’s palette.  Maybe I‘ve lived in Michigan too long but I would rather work with them in my closet than on the walls, windows coverings, or furniture in my client’s home.  This palette is not as enduring as my favorite shades of these color families and seem to tire my eyes easily.  Bright and fun for spring and summer but then I’ll be ready to move on! 

Now before you tell me I am sounding old and frumpy, I’ll have you know that there is nothing like a playful spring fling (let me clarify….with the color palette!) to invigorate, energize, add pizzazz to our seemingly dreary decors this time of year.  However, I know by fall I will be ready for the deeper versions of these colors……and Kravet has already got that covered.Please add e-news@kravetpromo.com to your address book.

However, if I must choose, I do have a couple of favorites like this blue below!  But I dare say it might be because of the dress!  Pamela Roland by Pamela DeVos.  I knew you recognized her sleek , flirtatious style!

Regatta Pantone 18-4039 does have a very calming appeal as Cyril Foiret says and who doesn’t like blue!

 

 

Blue Curacao Pantone 15-4825 reminds me of a “softer version of turquoise” as described by 10rooms.BlogSpot.com which by the way is a super blog.

 

 

Then there is Silver Peony Pantone 12-1206 and Silver Cloud Pantone 15-4502!

photo courtesy of Pottery Barn

   love

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Peony is also a beautiful shade in the Hunter Douglas Duette Architella cellular shade collection where we can enjoy our spring palette and have energy efficiency also!

A color also finding favor is Beeswax Pantone 14-0941 even though the mere mention of “bee” sends me swatting and running for cover.

blog.harmoniousliving.net

I love honey and I love this      version of yellow.  I love warm tones and I  love that yellow is making such a come back in our design palettes.

 

Well, if pressed, I would have to say Coral Rose Pantone 16-13349 is another growing favorite. idesignlove.com

It just sounds beautiful and exotic, doesn’t it?  Imagine this warm orange paired with black & white zebra stripe!

 

 

 

 

 

Again, Hunter Douglas carries a very similar color of  Mandarin Coral in their Duette Ariosa honeycomb shade collection.  Who says smart energy solutions need to be boring?

I can’t help but like this color, Russet Pantone 18-1235 as it reminds me of chocolate pudding and makes such a yummy backdrop in this picture.

This photo is from Mary McGee Interiors.

 

 

 

 

 

It is not one of my favorite shades because of its peachy undertones….but it still reminds me of chocolate pudding.  Mmmmmmm!

Next to last… but not least….well, yes, maybe least is Lavender Pantone 15-3817 and Peapod Pantone 14-6324/However, you have to admit that silver and silk in the photo below does make the lavender appear enticing….

blog.harmoniousliving.net

According to Leatrice Eiseman, “Purple is the most creative color.”

Fortunately for Peapod  it photographs better than it really is…….and it is a version of green…..and a sign of spring!

 

 

 

 

 

Now….last AND least is Honeysuckle Pantone 18-2120.  I could not even find an interior photo that I wanted to post.  Sorry all you pink lovers.

“People are looking for something that gives them a lift.  Everyone has been feeling a bit lethargic from the economy, the mood or whatever this is.  Honeysuckle is a feel-good color,”   Leatrice Eiseman said.

Well maybe I’ll feel “good” after I take my Pepto-Bismol  which I am tempted to rename “Honeysuckle Juice”!

So you understand that these are just MY opinions  and, like Alice in Wonderland, “ I think I mean what I say” but always reserve the right to change my mind.  That is why I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions.  Please feel free to share your favorites colors and/or least favorites.