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Getting from Here to There
Larry Lariviere, Larry's Custom Interiors, Inc., North Hampton, NH.
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Long distance decorating presents many concerns that can leave one wondering if the project will come out the way it was planned. In a recent case, we not only were working on a project in Scottsdale, AZ—about 2,000 miles from our home base—but part of the project was a pair of half-round arched windows that had to be dressed according to client specifications. The bottom line is that we succeeded in every way. How it was done is more complicated.
This was our fourth home for these clients and, needless to say, our rapport was fantastic. We began in January 2000 with fabric, furniture and carpet as the focus. Blueprints were laid out, rooms given names and window treatment types discussed. As phase after phase proceeded, it became apparent that at some point we would need to do a site visit. That took place in April when the desert was in bloom and the dreary New England weather had become all too familiar. Once on-site, the Spanish Colonial style home was just the inspiration I needed. The design ideas crystallized. Most of the rooms would have Roman shades of various styles. However, the two living room arched windows and the three dining room windows were the ones we singled out for special consideration. Both rooms had a western exposure. The intense afternoon sun could destroy the interior furnishings without proper coverage on the window. Two other criteria we needed to consider: the view and our clients' wishes. It was important to maintain the view from these windows and our clients were not interested in using hard window coverings to accomplish the goal. TRIUMPHANT ARCHES In the living room we used a Zoffany cotton tree-of-life print for the window treatments. Lundy's Ornamental Iron produced the wrought iron rods arched to our specification. Together we worked out the ring placement and method of attachment. Because we wanted the pattern to be uninterrupted, we created what we call a flute pleat, similar in appearance to a champagne glass. The drapery length specified by the client was to be off the floor because she didn't want any uninvited guests taking up residence. We came up with the idea of using Italian stringing for the under curtains made out of ADO lining. The heading was shirred in an arc and applied with döfix RPS mount board using the company's hook and loop tape. The stringing was accomplished on-site during installation so the arc of both windows would be similar once the drapery was tied back. DOUBLE DUTY In the dining room we used for inspiration an idea from a photograph found in a resource book provided to us by our client. Again Lundy's took our specifications and created a wonderfully elegant wrought iron bracket that serves as the rod end and was able to hold the slightly turned rods for both the over treatment and under treatment. We used a Creation Baumann reverse pattern sheer lined with ADO lining. An under curtain liner was made from a Carole Fabrics pleated polyester. TWO FOR ONE The family room valance was a creation born of a desire to have two very close windows treated as one. There are two other relaxed Roman valances in the room over traditional windows. A double relaxed Roman joined by a single balloon was our solution. The fabric is a Lee Jofa cotton and linen print mounted on döfix RPS mount board.
Editor's note: Have a "Real Life" story that actually happened to you—one that taught you something about selling, customer service or installing window treatments that can help others? Send them to: Real Life
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| DWC Magazine | Index to Articles | Back Issues | June'01