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THE
READING LIST
A Boost to the Imagination
This simple and elegant book stresses creativity, vision and one-of-a-kind treatments.
by Kathleen Stoehr
A couple of months ago I wrote about Charles Randall, now beginning his third decade of involvement in the interior design (especially window decorating) and publishing industry (see D&WC, August 2006, page 22). What I didn’t know at the time was that he was on the cusp of something big—changing the name of his company to Charles Randall, Inc.—definitely one of the best ways to get his name out there and recognized in this increasingly name-dropping decorating business.
Much of it stemmed from the launch of his new book, the first he has written and produced since his groundbreaking 1986 blockbuster, “The Encyclopedia of Window Fashions,” now in its sixth printing.
“Charles Randall’s Designer Sketchfile: Draperies, Valances, Fabric Shades and Bedding” is a beautiful book, full of professional renderings of the most recent designs in window decorating, along with beautiful historical sketches as well.
For months prior to beginning the project, Randall combed the latest design magazines, haunted trade events, viewed new projects online and then met with talented sketch artists Carlotta Tomey and Burgundy Beam to have them recreate some of the “best of the best” in carefully detailed black and white images.
The result is magnificent: custom designer window treatments, from a simply executed Roman shade to an over-the-top period-style masterpiece, all enclosed in a handy six- by nine-inch, concealed spiral-bound hardcover book, perfect for tucking into a bag or briefcase, or for lying flat on any worktable. Better yet, each image was professionally scanned and placed on a CD in two formats—low-res .JPG file and high-res .PDF. You will find that disc inserted in the back of the book.
DELIGHT AND INSPIRE
Treatments are divided into various chapters: a sumptuous chapter on Draperies launches the book with page after page of terrific ideas. A short caption describes each treatment, including ideas for unusually shaped windows, plus upholstered cornices, bishop sleeves and more. Next is a chapter on Swags & Cascades, covering just about every style possible for this beautiful top treatment, with and without embellishment; then Fabric Shades—Romans, pleated, stagecoach and more; a to-die-for chapter on Bedding including crown cornices, pleated bedskirts, rosettes and all the girly sexiness a bedroom should have, as well as masculine box pleats and regal goblet pleats; and finally, the book concludes with Drapery Headers of all kinds: ruched, pinch pleated, grommeted, cuffed and tied. More than 250 images will delight and inspire your creativity.
Indeed, Randall stresses creativity, urging readers to mix and match the various designs to create a truly unusual treatment, a one-of-a-kind, that no one else in the world will have. Maintaining that simple line art without the distraction of color allows designers and their clients to envision more freely the myriad of color and pattern possible, he urges readers to push their creative talents, break apart and then recompile elements into custom designs.
“Charles Randall’s Designer Sketchfile” is a must-have for those designers who are looking for one-of-a-kind ideas to pitch to their clients and for consumers looking for something unique and wonderful to hang in their homes. For more information, visit www.charlesrandallinc.com or visit any online book dealer.
Kathleen Stoehr is president of Chemistry Creative, based in Minneapolis, MN. She is a former editor-in-chief of Window Fashions magazine and is the author Dream Floors, Hundreds of Ideas for Every Type of Floor, and Dream Windows: Historical Perspectives, Classic Designs, Contemporary Creations. Stoehr can be contacted for comments, queries and trend information at kstoehr@chemistrycreative.com. |
