Trade Secrets: Tips for a Well Dressed Window

Janet Lorusso August 5, 2016

For the love of window treatments

Windows can be dressed in a variety of ways and what you choose and how you install it will impact the look of your room.

Here are a few tips as you make your choices:

The simplest and most versatile way to dress a window is with drapery panels. However, nothing is worse than too short panels – they are the drapery equivalent of flood water pants. My personal general preference is a ½” to 1” break on the floor, but at least touching the floor is a must. For ball gown elegance, allow fabric to puddle 8”” to 18” on the floor.
Hanging your window treatment above the window will instantly create the illusion of more height in your room. For ceilings in the builder standard 7’-8” range of years past, hanging valances right at the ceiling can do a world of good for the perceived proportions of the room.
If you are using a window treatment like a pair of panels that covers the sides of your window frame, upsizing to a rod 12” to 16” wider than your window measurement will expose more of the glass to let in more light while creating the illusion of a more generous sized window.
Use clip on rings or sewn on rings, or drapery pins to attach rings to panels and a coordinating decorative rod rather than gathering the panels directly on the rod, which can end up looking either frilly, if it creates a ruffled header, or sloppy if the pocket is much larger than the rod.
Some rods are not meant to be seen. A functional traverse rod that doesn’t show when the panels are closed, leaves the utilitarian and decidedly not decorative rod exposed like visible underwear when the panels are open … either cover it with a valance or cornice, or use a decorative traverse rod that has the working mechanism on the back side and a decorative front face.
Working fabric blinds, as well as many styles of tailored valances, should always be mounted on a fabric-covered board. Valances will hang correctly and blinds will function properly when secured to a solid surface rather than sliding around on a rod.
For a professional looking installation, curtain panels and valances should have extra fabric that returns to the wall on the outside edges on the window treatment so there is not a gap between the curtain and the wall when viewed from the side.

custom window panels with trim and decorative rod

I love custom window treatments. I am a self-confessed curtain snob … I don’t think most ready-made curtains are worth the money … sizes can be off by a substantial amount from panel to panel, panel widths tend to be skimpy, dye lots can be tricky, stitching is often poor quality, the lining is generally cheap if it exists at all, and interlining, which makes a HUGE difference is non-existent. That said, inexpensive panels and decorative rods from a discount store are a great option to use for staging a home for sale if windows are not already treated, or if the current treatments are heavy and/or dated. In a real estate staging application they are only used to create an impression as buyers pass through the rooms of a house.

Custom window treatments, on the other hand, are designed to do exactly what you need them to do for a particular window. Couture for your windows for a whole lot less than couture clothing and something your windows will wear every single day!

They can be sized to exactly the right length and depth to work with under-treatments (like blinds, shades or shutters), and to take into account architectural details like millwork, or uneven floors.
They can be made of any material or combination of materials and in a custom designed style so that they compliment and enhance both the window and the other details in the room.
They can be designed, and sometimes layered, to provide privacy, light control, softness, pattern or texture, and color.
They can be enhanced with dressmaker details, trims, and standout hardware that elevate the design of the whole room. Adding these details is like adding accessories to an outfit – they take it from ordinary to beautiful and unique!
Custom hard treatments – blinds, shutters, shades – from a reputable company, will be sized just for your window (there is no “standard” sized window) and give you many, many years of service.
Custom draperies are often not only lined but interlined with a flannel layer sandwiched between the face fabric and lining providing softer folds, and a sumptuous, elegant drape, and protecting the face fabric from the ravages of sun exposure. Interlining can make an ordinary or inexpensive face fabric look luxurious.

Brunschwig toile with tassel trim and contrast lining

soft Roman shade with covered button details

contrast lined valance with medallion hardware

Asymetrical swags and jabots rod mounted

Questions about custom window treatments?

We would love to hear from you!

You might also like THIS post on Window Treatment Do’s and Don’ts

Transformations: A Sophisticated Master Bedroom Retreat

Janet Lorusso June 30, 2016

It was past time ... this sunny and spacious master bedroom had been beautifully crafted in a feminine periwinkle, rose and green palette starring a jacobean floral chintz and embellished with ruffles and bows, with periwinkle paint and wall-to-wall cut pile wool carpet ... but that was 20-something years ago and the fabrics and style were showing their age.

Here are some 'before' pictures ... you may remember this era...Mario Buatta, "The Prince of Chintz" was inspiring beautiful, detailed and embellished floral interiors and this one was right on trend at the time.

'before', side windows jacobean florals, ruffles, and bows

While they had loved the room for over two decades, the clients were ready for a change that reflected a more current, simpler look and inspired more of a retreat-like feeling. The space has a lot going for it - it is ample in size with vaulted ceilings and an abundance of natural light from a pair of skylights, a large arched window and two additional windows.

We selected a sophisticated neutral color scheme of taupe, grey, and white. A textured taupe wool carpet covers the floor and taupe paint wraps the walls. A new bronze toned metal headboard, black console table, and new French linen grey painted nightstand chests anchor the space and pair well with the existing walnut dressers and dark mahogany armoire. Fabrics were selected for varying texture and pattern to keep the neutral color palette anything but boring.

A Custom tailored dust skirt and flanged shams of this textured stripe, were paired with pin tucked silk euro shams and a white matelasse coverlet and shams with scalloped edges.

MORS-2 — textured stripe in neutral grey taupe and beige

Screen-Shot-2015-10-14-at-1.30.33-PM.jpg — euro sham in pintucked polysilk

And the wing chair was slipcovered in this helical stripe woven with window treatments in an embroidered linen organic pattern featuring leafy vines in shades of taupe, grey, and beige.

slipcover fabric, neutral geometric, embroidered woven

The window treatments were simplified on the arched window to a graceful pair of goblet pleat panels with understated covered buttons at the base of each pleat - hung from a custom iron rod and rings with a painted French silver finish.

embroidered linen shades, covered button details

The covered button details continue on the side windows, but this time as the embellishment at the top of the inverted pleats of soft Roman shades.

goblet pleat panels, covered button detail, custom iron painted rod

bedroom window 'after' soft roman shade, slipcovered wing chair

There are still a few details to complete - the nightstands are on order, the artwork is pending selection, and the wicker chaise awaits a final transformation with a coat of black paint,

but the main elements are in place and the occupants could not be happier...

...even the pets!

Sweet Dreams!

Project in Progress: A Renovation Tale, Chapter Two

Janet Lorusso June 23, 2016

Our hero has weathered the demolition phase ... dumpsters full of old cabinets and tile and TONS of brick and the supporting cinderblocks were carted away, and the framing of the new spaces is complete! Plumbing is being roughed in, and electrical and HVAC are all underway ... nothing that inspiring to photograph on the site at this point, but a lot of pretty finish selections to see!

Meanwhile, back at the studio, the homeowners are busy making the millions of decisions that will eventually add up to a beautiful space. Appliances and fixtures have been specified, cabinet styles selected and stone and tile selections are underway. Just this week, we are finalizing the stone choices so we can confirm the cabinet finishes. A recent stoneyard visit yielded the response of "I LOVE this" from the client and we knew we had the winning direction for the finish plans.

While I adore the space planning and problem solving phase at the beginning stages of a renovation, selecting the finishes is so rewarding because it is usually the part that clients get most excited about ... they can see and feel the materials and start to imagine the finished spaces better. And so begins the "fun" part of this renovation tale!

The powder room is just off the kitchen and laundry room - the kitchen will have white perimeter cabinets, a charcoal island, and grey stone countertops and the powder room will have similar finishes.

Here is the quartzite we are lusting after for the countertops:

and here is the charcoal finish for the powder room cabinets, a possibility for the sconces to flank the mirror, and the Carrera basketweave tile for the powder room floor (to be installed on the diagonal).

traditional wall sconce with narrow backplate

The Master bathroom will have countertops, tub deck, and shower seat in this amazing quartzite with wonderful movement in shades of gray and greige and even hints of a blue-green.

Some 'supporting cast' tiles to go with this standout stone have yet to be selected, but the shower walls will definitely feature this herringbone Carrera, and the cabinetry will be in this warm dark brown-black stain:

For the third bathroom, we are looking for a remnant of, most likely, brown fantasy granite for the countertops - this being an extremely popular stone at the moment, that should be a fairly simple acquisition!

Yay for progress!

Trade Secrets: Four Tips for Choosing Stone Counters

Janet Lorusso June 16, 2016

Selecting stone countertops

There is nothing as beautiful as natural stone countertops – and there are almost as many options as there are kitchen renovations! Kitchen counters are one of the most important and perplexing decisions to make ... you must factor in look, feel, color and function ... and it is a decision you will likely live with for a long time.

Some things to keep in mind when selecting stone:

1. Choose a good fabricator

Most fabricators can get stone from a variety of sources for you – choose someone knowledgable who delivers good service and cares about what YOU want, not just what they need to sell.

2. Look at the actual slab(s) you are going to buy

Looking at samples in a showroom is a good start and is essential to narrow down the types of colors and ‘movement’ (how swirly, streaky, or speckled the stone is) that appeals to you. However, do not EVER plunk down your hard-earned money without seeing the actual piece of stone your counter will be made from. Stone is a product of nature and as such, the colors that are most pronounced and patterns inherent in the stone are dependent on the environment in which it was created and where in the quarry it was harvested. Every piece is unique so unless the sample came from the ground right beside the slab you are buying, it may look quite different. Uniqueness is part of the beauty of stone. If you want perfectly uniform pattern and color, either choose a more solid color stone or stop looking at stone altogether and choose a manmade product instead.

3. Consider your lifestyle and personality

Different varieties of stone have different properties and different maintenance requirements … the “patina” that a Carrera marble inevitably develops with use might be a highly desirable attribute for one personality type and a maintenance nightmare for another. There is something for just about everyone from limestone to quartzite depending on the look you want and the way you want to live with it.

4. Have someone oversee the templating

Once your stone is selected and purchased, the fabricator will come to the installation site and create templates of exactly the shape the stone will be cut. Back at the shop they arrange these templates on the slabs like a giant Tetris puzzle. If you have particular sections of the stone you wish to highlight or mitigate, be sure someone you trust is there when they decide what sections will be cut from what parts of the slab. You can buy a slab that has one place you really don’t care for in the midst of stone you love and template in such a way that the undesirable section gets removed for the sink cutout, for example.

This stone has a lot of variation and on the template shown above, these two sections were to meet at a seam on the center of the sink. The templates were laid out so that where the seams met, they would not have an obvious contrast. In addition, we were able to locate the sink cutout on an area that didn't have a part of the pattern we wanted to highlight. The installed pieces, shown below, look just beautiful!

Enjoy the beauty of natural stone, nature's artwork,

in your home every day!

Seen Around Town: Furniture with a Secret

Janet Lorusso June 9, 2016

A recent quick stop at the Boston Design Center yielded some interesting finds - some furniture with hidden surprises inside - kind of like the joy of a box of Cracker Jacks (only for grown ups and much less sticky!)

At Antiques on 5, we saw the gorgeous curved antique burl wood cabinet shown above. While this would be a beautiful accent piece in any room, it is also eminently practical with a stunning mirrored bar inside.

Furniture that pulls double duty can be a terrific asset anywhere, but it is especially helpful with the current trend toward downsizing into smaller spaces. The shelves in these bookcase cabinets at the Grange Furniture showroom slide to the sides to reveal a media center. What a fabulous way to have a large television without having a huge black rectangle glowering at you when it is not in use - there when you want it, gone when you don't!

And for the ultimate in couch potato living, these coffee tables have both storage and sections that lift up to dining/desk height to become a convenient place to eat or work ... a great solution where space for a separate dining room or home office is limited.

Grange furniture adjustable coffee table

These are just a few of the great options available to maximize comfort and function in the most beautiful way. We are loving this furniture with a 'surprise inside'!

Transformations: Creating a Curated China Cabinet Collection

Janet Lorusso May 26, 2016

Sometimes a small change can have a big impact.

Rearranging the contents of this deep built-in china cabinet to showcase some of the home owners favorite things was on our list of projects this week. Armed with a variety of easels and stands, we set to work!

This client has an extensive collection of china, silver, and crystal pieces – some family heirlooms – like the silver pitcher she grew up pouring her milk from for breakfast each morning, and others collected over the years. She had a china cabinet full of pieces and had brought more of her favorites out of storage and gathered them on the table for our perusal.

We remembered to take the 'before' picture below after we had already emptied the bottom shelf of myriad small teacups, salts, and little crystal dishes and had just started setting it up with the gorgeous cobalt china tea set. The top two shelves contained symmetrically arranged china all lined up in rows, and the third shelf contained a lovely collection of demitasse cups, but such small scale items on such a deep shelf made it hard to appreciate them.

The trim in this dining room and thus on the exterior of the china cabinet is a rich warm gumwood and the interior is painted – soon to be re-painted with interior side and back walls in a metallic leaf finish - can't wait to see it completed!

The new contents of the china cabinet echo the rich colors in the oriental carpet on the floor with its cobalt blues, aqua greens and rich coral tones.

Carefully editing the contents, varying the heights, standing plates and trays as backdrops, and distributing the finishes and shapes for balance give the new cabinet arrangement a more curated look.

Best of all, our client is delighted to have some of her favorite treasures beautifully displayed!

Trade Secrets: The Power of Throw Pillows

Janet Lorusso May 19, 2016

Throw pillows can add so much to a room. Of course, too much of a good thing is still too much, so use them wisely and keep in mind the look you are after. More minimalist looks might benefit from a sofa with only two throw pillows, while a more transitional or traditional décor approach might use up to five or more of varying sizes and shapes depending on the size of the piece. While arguments still persist in almost every household as to whether throw pillows are an asset or a nuisance, here are six good reasons to include them.

Throw pillows ...

1. add color and pattern to an otherwise boring sofa

You only buy a sofa once in a great while so, generally speaking, it is wise to choose a neutral or at least a livable color and a classic design so you won’t tire of it. That said, throw pillows are an opportunity to add style and color that will elevate the design and break up a large expanse of sameness. Just please don’t call it a “pop” of color … let’s reserve that as a verb more appropriate for balloons and bubblegum shall we?

2. add comfort to a deep sofa

So YOU might be 5’10” with legs that go to your armpits, but when your petite aunt Sally visits, wouldn’t it be nice if she could sit on your sofa and have her feet touch the floor? A handy throw pillow to put behind you allows you to have a nice deep sofa for lounging and curling up with a good book AND a proper and comfortable seat for entertaining an assortment of guests.

3. are essential for sofa lounging

At some point (if not regularly) SOMEONE in your house is going to want to stretch out or curl up on the sofa and lie down and they will need a comfy pillow or two for their head. Enough said.

4. are a practical way to use a gorgeous piece of fabric that is costly

You fell in love with the silk appliquéd, embroidered linen that costs more than your car payment … okay, so maybe draperies for six windows in it are out of the question, but a pair of throw pillows would only take a little bit. Bonus: cover the backs of the pillows in something inexpensive and soft so they can be turned over for use in sofa lounging (see item 3) – this uses even less of the expensive fabric AND makes them irresistible to cuddle up on!

5. are a great place to add custom details to a room

Dressmaker details like trim, pleats, braid, fringe, buttons, ties, contrast banding - all of these are easily added to pillows. These sorts of details can really customize the look of a room and on a throw pillow, they are on display in an obvious location where they can be appreciated. These couture details can help further the whole design of the room; for example, wooden buttons might help establish a casual feel where fabric covered buttons add some tailored elegance. The opportunities for creativity are endless!

6. are easily changed

Pillows don’t require an army to move, so you can change them any time you want to modify the look in your room without enlisting the help of anyone else. If you just buy or make covers for your pillows, they are even easy to store – keep the filler and change the covers seasonally or whenever the occasion or your mood calls for it. They are the ultimate décor with a purpose!

Some final advice...

Be sure you have filled your pillows with down inserts – buy them a bit larger than the pillow cover for a nice full look. Replace any of those poly-fillers with down inserts. They are totally worth the modest investment. Down pillows can be plumped in an instant and will look like new, and they are not subject to the ‘pancake’ syndrome that afflicts polyester pillows.

SO, go forth and add some well designed throw pillows to your life.

You will be glad you did!

Seen Around Town: Flowering Plants

Janet Lorusso May 16, 2016

Tis the season ... to plant flowers!

I am decidedly NOT a gardener, much to my mother's dismay. She has beautiful gardens and likes nothing better than turning over earth and planting all manner of wild varieties of plants. I, on the other hand, do not dig in dirt unless it is sanitized potting soil in a contained environment like a planter or windowbox where I am sure there will not be anything creeping or crawling or slithering. Nonetheless, the minute the weather turns warm, I can't wait to set up my pots of herbs and flowers on the deck just outside my kitchen door. I love having fresh herbs growing just steps from my stove, and I am delighted to be able to sip my morning mug of tea surrounded by flowers and birdsong and the antics of our many resident chipmunks.

Finally, it is mild enough here in New England to fill our outdoor plant pots and windowboxes with flowers and herbs. Join me for a trip through our favorite local wholesale greenhouse ...

There is nothing like seeing acres of flowers in one place! Even ordinary annuals like petunias and impatiens, and geraniums look enticing in such masses.

Love these bougainvillea trained into topiary 'trees'.

Speaking of tropical plants, no summer patio seems complete without constant bright color from climbing mandevilla vines or the very similar but bushier dipladenia plants. And, of course, palm trees like the ones shown below always add an air of luxury (think Tea at The Palm Court at the Plaza ... ) or at least the fleeting impression that you are somewhere more tropical and exotic than New England!

And then there are all these interesting varieties of succulents. I am possibly the only person who has successfully murdered a jade plant ... I managed to overwater it in my zeal to try to keep it alive, which is the one thing that apparently you cannot do to it. More manslaughter (or plantslaughter) than murder, I guess. Hmmm. Anyway, for MOST people, succulents are great because they don't mind a bit of neglect. They are supposed to dry out between waterings.

wholesale greenhouse with cacti and succulents

Succulents mixed into a planter or windowbox add great texture and variety.

Foliage plants in unusual colors like this Persian Shield in shimmery purple add variety to the garden.

persian shield plants have unusual color foliage

My car filled with things I *might* be able to keep alive for the summer!

annuals and some perennials ready for planting

Including these "Endless Summer" hydrangeas underplanted with some white impatiens that may or may not survive and ivy that will eventually cascade over the edges of the urns. These hydrangeas are supposed to bloom all spring and summer long so they seemed perfect for my entryway urns - once the season is over I can plant them in the garden and hope they reappear next spring ... we'll see!

urns with endless summer variety of hydrangeas

And one of my herb pots with chives that reappear every year (YAY), thyme, and a couple of varieties of sage so far. I am still on the lookout for ever elusive tarragon plants, and I think I will add some mint as well since it enhances so many nice summer beverages.

And the other contains huge quantities of basil and a fair amount of rosemary, with these adorable yellow and white striped miniature petunias mixed in for some fun color.

Happy Planting!

Transformations: Family Room Refresh

Janet Lorusso May 5, 2016

Sometimes, updating your space doesn't mean starting from scratch. When one of our favorite clients called us about updating the look in her well-used family room, we knew just what to do.

This was one of the first spaces we tackled 15 years ago when we began working on this lovely antique colonial with the homeowners. At the time, we selected the paint colors, designed the window coverings and specified the furnishings, rug, and lamps.

The original arrangement (shown above) worked well, but after 15 years of daily use, the homeowner was ready for a refresh.

We kept the paint colors, window treatments, and lamps. Antique pine case goods and distressed finish tables still worked well but we opted to update the upholstery beginning with a new, more transitional styled sofa in a high performance fabric that would stand up to snuggling with the grandchildren.

The solid wool sisal rug was exchanged for a patterned, more contemporary style area rug, and the chairs and ottomans were recovered in luscious textures and friendly stripes that echo the colors in the rug.

Now all the generations of the family can enjoy the new space for years to come!

Bedford renovation interior design project kitchen before

Project in Progress: A Renovation Tale, Chapter One

Janet Lorusso April 28, 2016

Once upon a time there was a house. It was sad and neglected, but it had great potential for all it's dreams to come true. Along came a family to rescue it from obscurity and help it to live happily ever after.

And so it begins .... After a couple years of planning, our client's big renovation project is underway!

We came into this process at the very beginning - when the homeowners first purchased the house, they knew they would renovate for better flow and usability. We were able to do a few things immediately, like add an archway to open up the family living space to the dining room allowing both rooms to work better, and paint some of the dark built-ins to brighten and refresh the space, but the big projects - involving the kitchen, laundry, and all the bathrooms would require a major reorganization.

Some before pictures of the kitchen...

We began with concept sketches playing around with moving the bathroom and laundry area to a more remote spot so that the kitchen could flow better into the other living spaces.

And moving the quirky second bath and bedroom upstairs (before pictures below) so that a true master suite could be created without sacrificing a guest room.

Over the course of two years we refined the plans to include everything on the homeowners wish list: a gourmet eat-in kitchen, a separate laundry room, a first floor powder room, a hard-working home office, a reworked family space with a new fireplace, a mudroom and closet space by the garage, a master suite with a luxury bathroom, a family bath with more storage, retaining the existing laundry chute, and maintaining four bedrooms. Whew! A huge project, but the results will be spectacular!

Now the family has moved out for the 6 month project and the demolition has begun.

Check back soon for chapter two as we share the progress in this renovation tale!

Trade Secrets: Five Tips for Fabulous Tablescapes

Janet Lorusso April 21, 2016

Tablescapes are an exercise in visual storytelling. They are meant to be changed up occasionally so they are a great way to herald the current season, or inject some personality into your room.

Here are 5 tips to help you create fabulous tablescapes using things you probably already have somewhere in your house or yard!

1 Start with lighting

A single interesting lamp or a pair of buffet lamps (tall and skinny) on either end of the console or entry table will not only shed light in that area of the room, but provide some structure and a starting point for your tablescape.

2 Include something organic

No, we are not talking about pesticide free food here ... I mean something natural like flowers, a plant, branches, a nest, seasonal berries or greens, a bowl of fruit … a little something organic always adds life to a room or a tabletop.

3 Strive for balance rather than symmetry

While symmetry can be useful and is a great tool to create a more formal feel, for the most visual interest aim for balance. Huh? What do you mean? Rather than static pairs of things, I mean use odd numbers of like items in varying shapes or textures (candlesticks, frames, etc) and/or vary the height of similar or identical objects with decorative boxes or books. Items should relate in some way to other pieces without being mind-numbingly repetitive. The overall distribution of your selections should be visually balanced ... picture your tabletop like a seesaw - the goal is to arrange your objects so that it stays level!

4 If you are including framed photographs, mix it up

There is nothing more boring than a barren table top full of identically framed 5 x 7 portraits all standing sentinel at a 45 degree angle. Vary the heights, sizes, and orientations and even the shapes of the frames – I also prefer frames that coordinate (in style or finish), but don’t match for a far more interesting ‘collected’ feel.

5 Edit, edit edit

Too much of a good thing is still ... too much! Resist the urge to cover every square inch of space with stuff. You need to leave some blank space to give the eye a break and allow the viewer to appreciate your thoughtful arrangement.

Most importantly, have fun! Use things that have meaning and reflect your family’s personality. Keep moving things around and trying different combinations until it works!

Happy Tablescaping!

Seen Around Town

Janet Lorusso April 18, 2016

Another sprint through the Boston Design Center revealed some interesting trends in side and cocktail tables ...

Side Tables

Sleek and sexy side tables in a mix of metals ...

like this terrific mixed metal take on neoclassical style

and these patterned m etal drink tables.

There were a lot of nice options in metal and glass ...

and in metal and stone.

There was this fabulous pair of cantilevered nesting drink tables,

and this chrome base with a removable lacquer tray top.

This was a really fun option in a whimsical color and shape.

There is a definite trend toward acrylic tables in a variety of styles that would fit seamlessly in almost any room while maintaining a light and open look.

Cocktail Tables

There is a current trend toward pairs of square cocktail tables as a more flexible alternative to a single rectangular one. Here are some interesting ones in zinc with gilded iron bases and some glamor-meets-campaign ones with mirrored tops on classic x-frame wood bases.

There are still plenty of more classic style cocktail tables, but in newer material mixes such as this round cocktail table with a great antiqued, beveled mirrored top on a distressed, turned-leg base.

We hope you have enjoyed this quick shopping trip through the latest table options...