Coffee and Ideas

Today was a really great day!!! I had a coffee meeting with Karran Gloer of Simply Stylish Life. She is starting an online lifestyle magazine on October 1st. Cherry Lane Drapery will be writing a monthly design column. We tossed around so many ideas. It was a really great meeting and I am looking forward to this new opportunity. You can go to their homepage at http://www.simplystylishlife.com/ The magazine should be up and running on Oct. 1 so please check it out. Let's make this so successful that she can go to a print version as soon as possible.

My mind has been ablaze last night and this morning with opening new directions for the business. I made some email contacts and are excited about the possibilities.

There is a new business opening up in the morning in downtown Woodstock called Pineapple Park. They are a home interior store and design business. Competition, yes, but I really wish them success. I would love to see the downtown Woodstock area shops all rented out. It is really a great area.

I am looking forward to the Labor Day weekend. It's always nice to spend time at home with the family. I do hope we can get the downstairs bathroom finished so I can post pictures. I had some of my prints I bought in Paris framed and really excited about getting them up. Can't wait to share.

Another Milestone for Cherry Lane Drapery

Today we made another milestone for our business. We had our first article published in 'Around North Fulton' magazine. Check it out at http://www.aroundnorthfulton.com/ We are so excited. Thanks to all our family and friends who have supported us.

We have been busy on several really big projects the past several weeks. They are coming along really well.

Last Saturday night, we went to a party for the Georgia Production Partners. We met several designers and movie industry personnel in regards to being a supplier of draperies and upholstery for the television and movie industry. Very exciting stuff. We would really like for that to work out.

We also have an opportunity to be at the Atlanta Home Show. We will give more information about that as we get it. It is coming up September 24, 2010 for the weekend at the Cobb Galleria.

We also have found a retail space that we are interested in. It really is a big step and we are not quite sure if we are ready.

We just have a lot of things going on right now and are very grateful for all the opportunities.

Thank you all for following our blog.

The above picture is of roman shades that were installed last week.

Back to a Routine

Well, school is back in session, dance and karate lessons are back on and I'm slipping back into a routine with work.

We took a well needed trip to Vicksburg, Ms and New Orleans, La. In New Orleans, we were able to go see the Southern Living Magazine's Idea House in the Terra Bella subdivision in Convington, La. It was beautiful. The subdivision has the theme of living, working and shopping all in the same place. Parking is in the back of the house with each home having a front porch, sidewalks, city squares, grocery stores, schools, deli, post office. Eveything you need is in one place and within walking distance. The developer told us that they want you to park the car after work and not have to get back in to it again. WOW!!! I would love that. That is a dream come true.

We are also looking for a retail space for rent. Trying to decide if it's the right thing to do right now. We did find a place, in the area that we want so it wouldl just be working out the details with the owner. It is an older building that needs a lot of work.

We have several projects in the works right now that we are excited about. I also have an article that will be in the "Around North Fulton" magazine starting in September. I have so many great ideas but just trying to concentrate on one thing at a time.

On our trip to Vicksburg, we stayed at the Cedar Grove Mansion bed and breakfast. We really enjoyed our stay there. If you ever have the chance, you have to go. Make sure you have dinner at the resturant there. Above are pictures from the inn. You know I had to take pictures of the window treatments. Thank you Kami for loaning me the camera.

Anatomy of a Redesign Part 1

I spent the weekend chillin' out watching HGTV for some inspiration. At some point, the station changed from decorating and design to real estate shows and "do it for 100.00" shows. Some of these shows are pretty good but their budgets are not realistic in that, no one pays for labor. The show does it for free. So a 2000.00 budget, really is a 4000.00 budget because labor is usually the same price as the materials. The problem comes in when clients are under the impression that they can get all the bells and whistles done for the same small budget. It really doesn't work that way. It got me to thinking. I am going to start a series showing the design and remodel process for a master bedroom. It is a pretty middle of the road redo with some items being very budget conscience but some upgrades made as well that a lot of clients not needing or wanting. The budget for this client was $5000.00. We will try to stay as close to that as possible so some concessions will have to be made. I will take you through the process as it progresses step by step and explain what is being done as well as the cost incurred and the savings that were or could be made.
Unfortunately we don't have any before pictures but the room started as a rectangle bedroom with white carpet and a set of triple floor to ceiling windows as well as another single floor to ceiling window. This master bedroom is on the main floor of the house and the owners have small children who come and go. They decided to pull up the white carpet verses having it cleaned. They had already installed wood flooring on the whole main floor and decided to continue it into the bedroom for ease of cleaning. They also wanted a fireplace but having a gas fireplace installed would have run around $2500-$4000. They opted instead for an electric fireplace insert that has 4 flame controls as well as a heater that can be used in the winter. It also came with a remote control. The 40 inch unit cost around 700.00 with construction cost for the fireplace wall and adjoining bookcase as well as electrical for tv and cable running another 800.00.
Five thousand sounds like a lot, and it can be for sure but when you are looking at having things done custom and paying the labor and materials, it can really add up fast. If you are considering a design or remodel, you really need to sit down with a budget and be willing to forgo some items that you can live without in order to stay within budget.
More pictures of this remodel coming soon so check back with us. Until then, have a great week.

Back to Work

Getting ready for a busy week next week. We have a fairly big order due next Friday for a new client. We get the opportunity to do a few new things. I spent the day getting everything together.
Today was Eva's birthday as well. I have to give her a big "Happy Birthday" to my five year old. I started this business when I was pregnant with her. She has spent her whole life around fabrics and trims. I love that she can really appreciate it when she sees beautiful windows.
Monday we installed some ruched panels for a client. They are a soft, romantic heading that works great in bedrooms and dining rooms. They have a cloud-like feel and work really well when the fabrics are light weight, such as silk. We have made them several times and I love how they turn out.
The picture below is a closeup of the ruched panels.

Not your grandma's pinch pleats

There are so many different pleat styles these days, one doesn't have to settle for the traditional pinch pleat if they don't want to. Even though the traditional style is timeless, some customers are opting for a more clean, updated pleat. Enter the euro pleat. Instead of being tacked at the bottom of the pleat like the traditional pleat, these pleats are tacked at the top of the pleat. It adds a bit of sophistication to custom drapery panels. These pleats can be made long (4-5 inches) or short (2 inches). Either way, they allow the customer to get the panels they want with a modern twist.

Tonight I had dinner with one of my designer friends, Anne. We have such a good time when we are together. We have a lot of common interests besides work but it is always fun to sit and talk to someone creative. I hope you enjoyed my little informative spill. I always like to educate my clients on all of their options.

What a fabulous day!!!

I really took a day off today. My friend Lisa (not my assistant) and I got a sitter for the kids and went to Camilla's Day Spa http://www.camillasdayspa.com/ and had a 1 hour massage and a 1 hour facial. It was awesome. Lori (not me) the owner and her staff were so nice. I think I fell asleep during my facial. We were so relaxed. We went out to lunch and went shopping afterwards. Since we had a sitter, we took full advantage. I even had my phone turned off. Those of you who know me know what a major step that is. I did have a few crisis calls but took care of those when I got home.

Congratulations go out to Pam of PS Interiors and Anne of Rosehall Kitchens and Baths. They are two decorators that I work for. Both of them got signed contracts today for design work. I'm so happy for them, not because I will get work from it, I will, but because I think it's wonderful to be able to do what you love to do for a living. I'm glad they have that opportunity. I'm thankful all the time that I get to do what I love. I loved nursing when I was doing it but when it was time to change, it was time to change.

I do have to do a few things while I am off this week but they are not big projects so I should be able to knock them out.

The above picture is a modified london shade over a master bathtub.