Susan's Designs » Drapery & Home Decorating

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  • 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.

london shade

A London shade is a tailored balloon shade, flat across the top of the treatment where pleats are added for fullness.  Strings are drawn up at the pleats allowing tails to fall on each side giving this valance a soft, tailored, full look.  The London shade pictured here is used as a valance since wood blinds give the privacy needed but they can also be made as a working shade to be lowered and raised as needed.  This shade is mounted on a board inside the casing where the moulding acts as a frame.  A perfect treatment for this small little nook.

Arched windows are considered one of the most pleasing window shapes and are a very noteworthy architectural element.  Often if the arch is above the window, like a fanlight, it is left uncovered while the window below has window treatments.

arched window

When the entire window is arched, like the one pictured here, a custom curtain rod is used to hang the draperies.  In this instance a double rod is used, one for the geometric sheers to control sunlight and provide a sense of privacy.  And the other for the stationary side panels.  The drapes break at the floor for that elegant, sophisticated look.

  • TeriMay 16, 2014 - 4:54 pm

    I love this look of the arched window covering. Are the panels specially made, or hemmed?

  • Susan DorbeckMay 16, 2014 - 8:08 pm

    These panels were cut on a slight angle along the top edge before they were pleated to allow them to hang properly and the hemline was straight. The panels were also puddled which can be very forgiving when installing.

  • MichelleMarch 28, 2017 - 6:55 am

    I have a large window in my bed, room that need room darkening at night and leave a full view of window during the day. Thank you, Michelle

  • Susan DorbeckMarch 31, 2017 - 6:59 am

    Hi Michelle, If you would like to send me a picture of your window I could better advise you on what treatment would work best.

inverted pleated valance with side panels

Window treatments are an integral part of decorating.  Windows that are beautifully dressed enrich the style of a room.  They can provide a subtle backdrop for other elements in the room and sometimes they are the focal point.

Floor to ceiling drapery panels add softness, comfort and and emphasize architectural details while adding visual width and height to the window.  They also help anchor the inverted box pleated valance that is hung at the base of the vaulted ceiling.  None of the views are hidden and all of the natural light can stream in.  Blue fabric, to tie in the color of the wing chairs, peeks thru the pleats and covers the buttons for that whimsical look.

bedding

Tres chic, unwind, relax and enjoy yourself in this gorgeous bedroom.  You will think you are in a 5 Star hotel.
The ruffles on the three large, generous euro shams are gathered up to triple fullness as is the bed skirt to make this bed look elegant and inviting.
A duvet was added to the foot of the bed as a runner, simply a twin size folded lengthwise, which balances the color on the bed and adds plushness for that luxurious feel.  One inch gross grain ribbon bands the bottom edge of the bed skirt for more detail.

 

swag

This swag was once a beautiful drapery panel but instead of tossing it out or giving it away we redesigned it into a gorgeous cornice.  The fabric was cut and shaped then attached to a board keeping the stripes intact.  Ties were added to hold the pleats in place.  What a wonderful addition to this window.

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