Following Through...and a few other windows

I have completed the silk drapery panels for the faux "re-finished" Antique Drapery Rod Hardware. Bobby and I installed these panels and the hardware in a beautiful dining room in the Dothan, Alabama area. The panels have a goblet pleat detail....no extra trim preferred by this client, but the panels and hardware together add all the design needed to finish this room.
Also included in the photographs are window treatments we completed and installed for a couple of guest bedrooms. One guest bedroom window showcases natural heavy weight linen panels with Euro pleats at the header and a black grosgrain ribbon trim sewn onto the lead edges. This small detail of black is a great accent...and to note, the drapery hardware and ceiling fixture are made of black wrought iron.
The second guest bedroom has a beautiful arched window. The client chose a bronze twisted iron drapery rod with small iron rings. The silk panels have a shirred header and are attached to the rings with drapery pins. The silk is a very unusal color of bronze with crossthreads of royal blue. The ceiling fixture, an antique bronze chandelier, completes this room.

Make the Most of your Space

This post includes some pictures from a small breakfast area in the kitchen of our daughter and son-in-law's house. It is a cute space with a window...and used to be less functional. We all love the new look and extra space-hope you do, too! Lauren likes traditional style, as do I; so the "before" space included long panel draperies at the window...and, it was always "a problem area"- seating for 2, maybe 3, at best.
So-for Christmas...Santa and his elves "remodeled" this area to be "user-friendly" for more. Dad, aka "Bobby's Workshop" built benches...and Mom (me) made boxed cushions for the benches, a new and improved "tailored" board mounted window treatment, and new pleated panels for the double window over the sink. The result: a cozy nook to seat several...but, clean-up is simple because nothing is attached. The benches and table slide out of the way for mopping..., and the covers have zipper closures for easy removal and cleaning. The table is small but, with a formal dining room only steps away, serves its purpose for casual meals for the Donofrio family....and maybe Honey and Poppa once in a while.

Antique Drapery Rod Company

This is one great drapery rod source...I have considered having it available in a storefront-but, the investment is huge...for me. So for now, I will continue to offer this hardware to my clients by showing sample rods, rings, finials and colorways.
This company offers beautiful iron, wood, and bamboo drapery rods, rings, finials, brackets...and lots of other accessories, including items for the bath.
I've included some photos of a recent client's order...for wood hardware for her dining room. She opted for a whitewash gold colorway, which is beautiful alone...but, after receiving it and seeing the fabric (a gorgeous soft green silk with crossthreads of bronze) for the drapes-it was necessary to alter the color of the hardware. I applied a dark glaze to each piece...and, as you can see...the difference is amazing...
I know she will be totally thrilled with the finished product.
Let me know if I can help you with your drapery hardware...there are lots and lots of options.

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.