Case Studies

Our work can be seen throughout the U.S.

With countless projects under our belt, our work can be seen throughout the country and the world. Below, you can learn about how we approach our decorations and how we work.

Discovery

Bringing a sense of elegance to the project was the first and foremost concern. The design had to be luxurious and rich, yet clean and simple. The designer for the project indicated that the custom drapery that he needed was a set of decorative side panels. We also learned that these did not need to be functional. At this point, we knew there would be three critical concerns. First, we would have to determine how much light to let in and how much to block out. Second, we would have to examine the architectural details of wall elevations to determine where we will be installing our decorative rod and position of tiebacks. Finally, we would have to determine how full to make the side panel without encroaching on the window. This would allow us to have the correct proportion in mind.

Conception

Once the project was underway and our initial interviews were completed, we visited the actual residence to determine a specific course of action. The room itself was grand in scale and design, with several structural features that required special consideration. Ceiling height for the room was a spacious 10.5 feet in some areas and a full 12 feet in others. Despite this ample sense of space, it was important that our drapery emphasize the height of the room to bring out its grandeur.

One particular challenge involved the space above the window casing, which was very limited. Conventional drapery hardware, which is hidden, would have covered up some of the window, making it appear shorter than it is. This option was unappealing. A valance would have caused the same problem. Instead, we opted for a decorative rod, which meant that we did not have to reduce the height of the window.

Along with these structural concerns, we discovered that we would be working with a light quality damask made of silk. This required substantial manipulation to allow it to properly fit into the environment we envisioned. Because the material itself has a very light quality making it somewhat stiff (find out more in our fabric case study) [this will link to the other case study], we chose to use heavier linings and interlinings to let it drape properly. The extra weight not only improved the way the fabric hung, but it also gave it a velvety soft appearance as it flowed into the room.

Solutions

After visiting the premises we produced actual sketches of the proposed result. It was here that the client could see the payoff from our research and discussion. Some of the elements that were particularly apparent were the effect of the tieback placement, the scale of the drapery, and the interaction of the decorative hardware with the drapery itself.

While the ceiling was high, we felt that we could emphasize the scale of the room further by placing the tiebacks closer to the ground. They initiated at the same height as the picture moldings to give continuity and integration with the environment. However, to create a stronger sense of space, we created a custom-length tieback, which let them hang lower. The placement of a tieback creates an optical illusion, dividing the vertical space of a room in two. Therefore, placing it close to the ground adds height to the drapery, the window, and the room.

We saw that the space around the drapery would be moderate with furniture in place, so we opted for a modest amount of contact or "puddling" between the drapery and the ground.

Finally, our sketches helped the client visualize the interaction between the pleating in the drapery and the rods. We chose to make tuck pleat, which creates a small pleat that is very close to the hardware. This minimizes space between the pleat and the rod. Optically, this unifies the two, so that the eye perceives one horizontal line, as if the drapery flowed out of the hardware. Had we opted for a different treatment, such as a French pleat, where the pleat is much lower, the eye would perceive two separate horizontal lines, causing an imbalance between the hardware and the drapery. This breaks up the visual flow of the treatment and diminishes the illusion of height in the drapery itself.

Realization

After the sketches were made, we were able to work with a group of very experienced craftsmen to construct the window treatments. The end result speaks for itself. The damask flows gracefully from the decorative rods that we installed. The tieback positioning emphasized the height of the room, and the texture of the fabric was transformed from crisp and light to full-bodied and opulent. As the drapery falls from the hardware to the tiebacks and down to the floor creating a soft and rich pool of fabric.

 

Fabrics

Working with fabric is deceptively difficult in many circumstances. Fabrics range in texture, weight, and pliability, and these physical characteristics make each fabric very different. Silks are very crisp and linens are quite rigid, while wools and polyesters are supple and pliable. Cottons run the entire range. Ideally, a fabric will be very drape able, but only about 10% of fabrics posses these characteristics.

If a client selects a fabric that will not achieve the right result, we inform them. Sometimes, we work extensively to help our clients select the right material and to advise them on characteristics of the materials they are interested in. However, in many cases, the use of interlinings, linings, and trim will help achieve a look and feel that extends the natural characteristics of a fabric. This was the case in our primary case study (discussed more fully in the case study).

The project called for an English style drapery, which requires a heavy material that produces a lot of volume in fabric. However, we needed to work with a light silk damask, which is quite crisp and stiff by nature. You can see the final results in the picture to the right, where the weight and body of the linings not only creates a sense of fullness but also gives the material a cleaner line as it descends from the hardware.

In the end, while all fabrics have inherent limitations, it is the manner in which the fabric is treated that will produce a successful result. Whether it needs to flow heavily and luxuriously or cleanly and elegantly, skill and craftsmanship are necessary to create a drapery that brings out the best in the material.

Hardware

Hardware that we created is necessary to support window treatment. In this case we designed hardware for drapery that was manufactured by other vendors. Sometimes, the environment will dictate the necessary hardware, but in some cases there is more latitude. Here, we were given the assignment of decorating a very large wall of windows, where we had to place a crown treatment of wood carved gold-leaf cornices on each window. Inspecting the property revealed a very rich decorative interior, full of antiques, artwork and decoration. It was important to install hardware that would give the windows a real sense of substance. Adding to the challenge, the windows were stepped up, making it more difficult to outline the windows and give them a sense of significance.

You can see in the imagery that we initially placed the crown treatment only to cover the upper arch of the window. This would allow us to drape the balance of it with a half-arch window. However, after inspecting the results, we were afraid that the fabric would overshadow the hardware. We felt that we could do better.

We went back to the drawing board and found an effective and elegant solution. By extending the crown with an extra vertical and horizontal piece, we created a more substantial piece that was better proportioned and much more elegant. This also allowed for more intricate drapery work. The final result had a better balance between fabric and hardware, giving the room the richness and drama that it demanded.