Drapery Rods

definition: Curtains are window coverings usually hung on rod systems that open and close horizontally. Drapes are lined curtains.

Considering the  fact that most over the counter drapery  rods will only span a specific distance without bending; what’s a DIY’er to do?  You can spend a LOT of money on rods, or not very much at all but, once again, doing some homework will save you time, aggravation and money.

These are the questions you should ask yourself; they are the same questions I would ask you during a house call.

Do you want to be able to open and close your drapery easily and often? 

- Drapes hung on rings will catch on the expansion join of telescoping rods.

Do you need a cord operated system or can you hand draw the drapery? 

Do you want the drapery to clear the window when in the open position?

-If so, add about 20% to the window width and use this as the finished rod width.  Is there room on either side of the window for this? 

 How much distance will you need the rod to span without support?

-I rarely use a rod without a support at least every 3 or 4 feet. Therefore, most wood rod and rings systems available over the counter are not really suitable for full length drapery  that you want to draw  from the center to each side; or to one side only (as in a patio door).  

And the big one: how much room do you have to mount hardware? 

Now having answered these questions you have probably, if working on a large window, realized that you need a rod with brackets that do not prevent the glides from operating all the way along the bottom of the rod.  A  traverse rod  is cord driven and  will work, is not very expensive but is usually very ugly so you will need to think about a valance.  An I-Beam rod will work too, but is hand drawn and is not very pretty either. Or you can look at ordering a rod from someone like me who has access to new rods that do all the things we need them to do, look great and don’t cost a lot.   Call me if you would like to see some options.

Hope to see you at the ‘It’s All About Women’  Conference January 29 at the Prestige.

Catching up a bit

Catching up.

A few catchup things this week. First of all, I’ll be at the ‘It’s All About Women’ Conference, Saturday January 29 at the Prestige, doing a little talk at 1:00 and repeating at 2:00. The subject will be color and light in your home. Come join us and learn some things and have some fun in the process. If you have a Design Dilemma bring  some pictures or information and I’ll do my best to help you solve the problem.  Itsallaboutwomen.ca.

I few months ago I told you about the Corded Shade problems in the U.S. and the recall of any corded blind. The new standards have been established and while the Canadian authorities have not, at this time, adopted them for Canada, indications are that this will soon happen.  In a  nutshell, any blind or drapery system that has exposed cords has been removed from the market.  New products have been developed for the fabrication of these  items and these products can also be used to retrofit existing  fabric blinds and shades. If you have a fabric blind constructed in the ‘old’ way with cords and rings I am now able  to bring these blinds up to the standards that makes it  almost impossible for children (and pets) to get caught in the cords and I will be using the new methods if requested on any future blinds I construct.  The products are quite innovative, don’t interfere with the look or function of the blind or shade and are not expensive.  Call me for more information. 250-833-1120

As a side note to this, if you have a blind with exposed cords in a room where children or pets have access, PLEASE take precautions to prevent a disaster like those that caused this dilemma in the first place.  Again, call me if you’d like more information on what you can do. 

Also, a few months ago, I told you about a beautiful older home that is being renovated. We finished the window treatments in the front sitting room and they are simply breathtaking.  I’ve posted pictures on my Gallery, get there via the website; Designsewlutions.ca and click on the flashing book icon to get to the Gallery.  Scroll down past the wing chair to the posting ‘ New Jewelry for a Grand Old Gal’. 

Hope to see you at the conference.

Oh... P.S. For those of you wondering, no I didn't get married, the name change is back to my 'maiden' name... 

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Color Forecast for 2011

Here is some good news for all of you who diligently followed the color mavins guides for 2010 and re-decorated according to their forecasts. 

You don’t really have to change much to be on the cutting edge for 2011. In terms of color. Which means that the ‘what will the colors be for 2010’  forecast was almost the same as the current ‘what will the colors be for 2011’ forecast.

All the trend colors are still grayed (or muted, in real colorist terms); vibrant jewel colors are not found; blue is almost totally absent and the only real green is what I (irreverently) refer to as hospital wall green. The neutrals are greenish though, as they were last year; in one forecast they all reminded me of shades of putty, except the pinkish one..

The red this year is an orange red, last year it was more of a blue red, purple is still there although this year it is appearing quite a bit darker. ( No mauve anywhere in sight). Brown is  represented by an olivey brown - we called it ‘breen’ back in the day; and the  yellow is not  a striking, clear lemon yellow like last year; it’s more of a golden yellow. 

I kept a few shelter magazines from late 2009 and compared them to the issues of 2010 for this column.   In general, at a glance, I’d say that the major difference in the forecasts is that 2011 look like ‘ spring/autumn’ colors while  those that were used for the 2010 forecast looked more like  ‘summer/winter’ colors. Those of you who have 

had your colors done will understand what I mean by this.

Pattern will be big this next year. Mixing styles will be big too - everything is being combined with everything and the fusion names are a lot of fun but I’m still trying to figure out exactly what ‘Indie Chic’ is... 

There you are - your guide to color for 2011. I just have one more piece of advice. I would like to tell you to scrunch this column up and toss it in the garbage - forget this forecast nonsense and do what is right for you and your home. But I can’t do that. So scrunch it up and toss it in the recycle bin instead.

I wish the very best for all of you this coming year.