Ready-to-Hang Drapery Panels

As a routine, I make window treatments for clients from fabrics they have selected and bought....then, Bobby and I deliver and install the hardware and treatment....but,
if you have existing drapery rods or plan to install the drapery hardware yourself...I will be happy to make your new treatments. Some simple measurements are all that I need to give you the fabric yardage required. As for fabrics...where to look and buy....there are lots of on-line resources as well as great shops in Dothan, Montgomery, Birmingham, and Atlanta.
These panels were made from a faux silk in antique gold with a diamond pattern and embroidered small dots of gold, cinnamon, and brick red. They are lined with a napped cotton-interlining and lining in one fabric-giving the drapery fabric: 1) protection from the sun, and 2)extra fullness and body.
I made four panels that the client will use to hang on 2 decorative rods over single windows. These panels feature Euro pleats...there are other pleat styles available, but this style has been very popular and showcased in current decorating magazines.
Please call or email me with questions about details and pricing. I will be happy to give you as much assistance as you wish.

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice...

That's what little girls are made of...And, of course, the nursery should reflect such sweet thoughts!
As I have stated in other posts, nurseries rank among my favorites in sewing projects-this one included! A cute array of mix and match fabrics, some ready made accessories, and cute trims all blended beautifully to make a darling custom nursery for the precious baby-to-be.
The photos I am showcasing include: a cozy platform swivel rocker slipcovered in mixed fabrics with pink cording, of course; a ruffled lumbar pillow to coordinate with the rocker; ready-made curtain panels of white with pink dots detailed with an added band of green and pink toile and cute ribbon pom pom tassel trim with green scalloped edging sewn onto a smaller pink fabric band; a roman shade of the toile fabric with a band of solid pink at the hem, interlined for body and lined with blackout for naps during the daytime; a crib skirt of gathered green cord cotton chenille with a band of solid pink at the hem; and, my favorite-the crib quilt/coverlet...a patchwork of the assorted fabrics, corded with the solid pink and edged with a ruffle of the toile-and backed with the softest pink minky dot fabric.
I was thrilled to be called for this project-I actually slipcovered this chair when "mom-to-be" was just a little girl...for her room. Wow-where does the time go? But that is the beauty of slipcovers for special pieces of furniture- it gives the piece a makeover. And with pre-washed and dried fabrics and a zipper closure on the seat cushion, this slipcover will launder easily.
Just a note...these pictures were taken while the items were being made...so, if possible, I will take more at installation!

Not your Everyday "Cottage" or "Cabin"

I wanted to post a few pictures from a "grand new home"....just to let you know that although my name "Cottage and Cabin" might make you think "simple"...I do occasionally create interiors for some of this area's grandest of houses. And, I am truly honored to be able to work with the homeowners to bring the sophisticated elegance they wish for their interiors.
These photographs include: master bedroom draperies-silk wide stripes, lined with blackout for light control and interlining to add softness-these draperies showcase inverted pleats, and are mounted on a contemporary traverse rod; natural linen drapery panels mounted on a small iron rod for a guest room; a child's room with a board mounted shaped valance and lined drapes along with a matching shower curtain and large upholstered valance for the adjoining bath; and, roman shades made of a brown plaid for a little boy's room.

I also made assorted bedding (duvets, pillows, and bedskirts) to compliment these rooms.

It is certainly a joy to be able to create these interior furnishings, and I am blessed to have such wonderful clients. I truly feel that I have been given the "opportunity of a lifetime" with each and every home- be it cottage, cabin, or castle!

Bobby's Workshop

I would not have much to post without the help of my super hero carpenter husband, Bobby. He has a terrific talent for finsh carpentry and cabinet building and old house repair and workshop building (hint, hint) and curtain rod installation and plumbing and some electrical issues and just anything else you could need or want..... I just wish he had more time, but, don't we all?

Well, he is definitely the hard work behind all of our creations and re-makes. So, if your older home needs help or you want a special piece built per your specifications....call him, or me if you can't find him-and I will help you track him down.

This is our latest...a cute, little black settee-upholstered with a 5" foam cushion covered with sage cotton toile. Cording detail of green check cotton accents the cushion as well as the matching pair of 16" ruffled pillows. Bobby has built settees like this in the past for our friend, Gail, who manages Troy Antiques...and, she is a super seller!!!! Our black settee will be available at Old South Antique Mall in Dothan after Thursday...we have a smaller booth (the nook under the stairs) at Troy Antiques, but we have to limit the size of our items there. Check out these antique stores often for all sorts of decorating ideas and unusal pieces.

And...I am so excited about these last few postings, not only for the new items available, but the location of the photos (hint #2)....more surprises coming soon.

Mixing a Pair of Vintage Armchairs

Vintage chairs...not perfectly refinished, but perfectly suited to mix and use in a casual setting using coordinating fabrics. Maybe you would not want to use this pair of chairs in a formal room...but I love using "not- so- perfectly finished" pieces throughout a home. To me, it adds charm for a piece of furniture to show its age...and, it definitely makes it easier to have a "pet friendly" and "child friendly" home.

These chairs are searching for the perfect cottage-for sturdy seating in your dining or breakfast room, or to accent an existing space on your sunporch.

I made fitted slipcovers with ties for the backs and seats using a cottage floral cotton fabric. As an accent, I added bias cording using a terra cotta plaid. And, of course, mix and match pillows complete the set.

Make-overs, Do-overs

Bobby and I were working in our booth at Old South Antique Mall in Dothan, Alabama just a couple of weeks ago. And, you know how you get tired of looking at the same thing...and you are just ready for a change? Sometimes, all it takes is to change the way you are looking...or change your point of view.

We had a few great vintage oak dining chairs that we were trying to sell in our booth....kind of scruffy from years of use, and, or abuse. You have probably seen them or some like them...the seats (that used to be woven cane bottoms) are busted out-but still, we thought, someone would love to have these re-finished and re-caned to make perfect seating for their oak pedestal table. Well, for months, absolutely no one saw the potential in these chairs.

So, what to do but make a change. Somehow, in moving some things around, the chairs landed side by side...and I saw it--a bench...made from a few chairs put together. And, what a great idea...I could use fabric (my favorite collectible) to cover the bench seat. There...an antique chair "make-over" and booth piece "do-over".

We used the stained chairs together to make a three-chair bench. I used a fruit and floral fabric with a soft yellow background for the upholstered bench...and added detail with a small check bias cording. I also made a lumbar pillow using the same mix and match fabrics to accent the chair backs...great "cottage-y" look-and, perfect for a covered porch, hallway, sunroom, mudroom-or any other space you have to show off this cute piece.

The two black chairs worked out to make an adorable smaller bench. I used different fabrics-still mixing a vibrant floral print with a color coordinated stripe for cording detail. And, again, using the same fabrics, I added a pillow for the back.

These benches will become part of our booth "do-over" in Dothan on Thursday.

New Year, New Slipcovers...

Happy New Year everyone! A little late with my wishes, but as usual, we have had many busy days~at work and at home. I am sure many of you know that my precious little Grandson, Grayson, was hospitalized for several days at the beginning of the new year with RSV. (Lauren blogged about Grayson's hospital visit~ www.gracethroughourworld.blogspot.com.) This was not the best of beginnings for this year, but-we praise God for his recovery!!!! And, I am so thankful to have him home and happy....so, we are truly blessed and, with the new year, we will now proceed.
I am now playing "catch up" with my sewing projects, but have managed to add a few new pieces to "my booth" at OLD SOUTH ANTIQUE MALL in Dothan and to "the nook under the stairs" at Troy Antiques. I will post some other items over the next few days, but for now-a sofa with a natural cotton slipcover. This piece is 90" long and 36" deep- oversized and comfy-with 5" boxed seat cushions and traditional rolled arms. The slipcover has a tailored skirt that falls from the cushion deck and all pieces are self-corded. The cushions have zippered closures. This 100% cotton has a small pattern that gives the fabric great texture. The fabric has been prewashed and dried, taking care of all shrinkage issues. Delivery is available-free of charge-for the Dothan or Troy area.