Drapery & Design Professional Volume 2012, Issue 6 1

Drapery & Design PROFESSIONALVolume 2012, Issue 6

Ser ving the Custom Home Fur nishings Industr y s ince 1993

4 Drapery & Design Professional Volume 2012, Issue 6

Order Under the

Worktable

Spotlight on

Terri Horton

Drapery & Design PROFESSIONAL MagazineA publication of the Custom Home Furnishings Academy

Table of Contents

Donna Cash operates a workroom in Flowery Branch, GA. She’s a 20-year veteran of the window coverings industry and has an associates degree from the Art Institute of Atlanta. She’s a WFCP Associate, and a member of WCAA, DraperyPro and the De- signers Workroom Council in Georgia. Donna is also a certified yoga instructor. Donna is also the pillow and bedding instructor at CHFA.

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Judy Peters owns Palmetto Drapery LLC in Anderson, SC. She holds a degree in education from Clemson University, and was a middle school science teacher prior to opening her award-winning workroom in 1995. She is a member of the WCAA, WFCP, and is a CHFA Career Professional. Judy is committed to fabricating products that “not simply meet, but exceed client expectations”. Visit her website at www.palmettodrapery.com

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From the Bookshelf

Kristine Gregory is principal of Bedeckers Interior Effects Inc. Kristine is an Allied Member of American Society of Interior Designers, past president of the Richmond Chapter of WCAA and a WFCP Specialist. She is the only designer in the Richmond area who is an expert in both the psychology of color and personal organization. Visit her website at www.bedeckers.com.

Terri Horton is the owner of Puget Sound Draperies in Enumclaw WA, a fabrication and design studio, featuring a unique interactive showroom. Terri is a CHFA Career Professional in window coverings, advanced window coverings and pillows and bedding. She is a co-founder of the Western Washington Workroom Guild.

Drapery & Design Professional Volume 2012, Issue 6 5

Mary Jo Gallagher, IFDA has been principal and owner of Greystone Interiors since 2002. Mary Jo works primarily in high-end custom residential design. Mary Jo works with craftsmen and artists, custom designing cabinetry, lighting, upholstery, interior finishes and murals, guaranteeing that each project is unique and personally put together for each client.

The Challenge: Large

Circular Windows

How to Work with

Sheer Fabrics

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The Ultimate Sample

Kit Part 6: Hard and

Soft Cornices

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Volume 2012 Issue 6

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Spotlight on

Robin S. Jordan

Robin Jordan owns and operates La Ruche’ Window Couture, a one person, retail and wholesale workroom in Slidell, LA. She is a CHF Alumni, a CHF Alumni Design Contest winner and a member of the D&D Pro Network. Robin specializes in detail orientated window treatments and soft furnishings. Visit her website at www.LaRucheWindow.com

Laurie Medford is the Business Development Manager / Expert Services for Rowley Company. Before joining Rowley, Medford owned Centsible Creations, a professional Design, Fabrication and Installation Company for both wholesale and retail customers. Medford is an instructor for Custom Home Furnishings Academy and is member of WCAA and WFCP.

Terri Booser is Executive Director of Custom Home Furnishings Academy. She joined CHFA as an instructor in 2005, and in 2010 expanded her role to the position of Curriculum Director. Prior to her full time role with CHFA, Terri owned and operated An Interior Stitch, a custom wholesale workroom. Terri is the coordinator of the IWCE-Vision Construction Zone and a member of the WCAA, and a WFCP Expert.

6 Drapery & Design Professional Volume 2012, Issue 6

Also in this issue:

44. CHFA 2012 Class Schedule

57. CHFA Career Profess ionals

58. Wisdom From the CHFA Forum

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Helen Houston Creamer is the sole proprietor of Hues & Vues – Inspired Walls & Windows, a retail workroom in Mesquite, NV. The company specializes in custom hard and soft window treatments, interior color, texture and paint solutions as well as upholstery. Helen launched the company in 2008, after a successful 30-year career in marketing.

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Primrose Origami

Pillow

Pillow and Duvet

Closures: Invisible

Zippers

Nevada Behind

the Seams

Share34 39 42Diary of a One-

Person Workroom:

My Final Entry

Lauri Lodini owns and operates My Window Dresser, a one-person, to-the-trade workroom in Langhorne, PA. A workroom owner for seven years, Laura has a fine arts degree from Long Island University. She is a CHF Alumni, CHF Alumni Design Contest winner and WCAA Member. Laura specializes in detail-oriented window treatments and soft furnishings.

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Donna Cash operates a workroom in Flowery Branch, GA. She’s a 20-year veteran of the window coverings industry and has an associates degree from the Art Institute of Atlanta. She’s a WFCP Associate, and a member of WCAA, DraperyPro and the De- signers Workroom Council in Georgia. Donna is also a certified yoga instructor. Donna is also the pillow and bedding instructor at CHFA.

Dawn Saunders is the owner of LakeWorks on Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. Her company started in 2009 after retirement from a corporate career in chemical engineering. Dawn has completed four Career Professional programs at the CHF Academy. Having completed programs in Interior Design and Landscape Design, Dawn is able to offer complete indoor/outdoor home design.

Drapery & Design Professional Volume 2012, Issue 6 7

Margi Kyle is a professional interior designer contributing to the industry in many capacities. She is the National past President for IDS and National Past Vice-President for WCAA. Currently she is the VP of Networking for WITHIT, National Spokesperson for Safe-T-Shade and the Executive Director for We Make Color Easy – The Dewey Color System.

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Create Beautiful Windows And Make

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INSPIRE 2012 Recap

Drapery & Design

PROFESSIONALa publication of the

Custom Home Furnishings Academy

Drapery & Design PROFESSIONAL is a bimonthly trade publication specifically for those who sell, design or create custom window treatments, upholstery, slipcovers and related services. Contributions from readers are wel-comed. We look for articles that teach new techniques, inspire readers to tackle new projects and inform readers

of current trends in fabrication and design. To request submission guidelines, please e-mail Michele@

CHFAcademy.com. To request a media kit, please contact the communica-

tions director.

CHF Academy13900-F South Lakes Dr.

Charlotte, NC 28273704-333-4636 phone

704-333-4639 fax

Magazine Advisory Board

Jo Moore, Holly Bucciarelli, Nancy Letts, Beuancha Jeffries, Michelle Jamieson, Va-nessa Downs, Martha DeMeo, Sarah Dev-

aney-O’Neil, Amy Meinecke

Editor-in-ChiefCommunications Director

Michele WilliamsMichele@CHFAcademy.com

Visual Design and LayoutSteven Nance Graphic Design

Executive DirectorTerri Booser

Terri@CHFAcademy.com

52 54

Marybeth Crouch is the owner of Draped in Style together with her daughter Vanessa Crouch in the Louisville Kentucky area. Marybeth started the company 7 years ago doing custom window treatments and has expanded to include upholstery, bedding and accessories. Marybeth credits her success to honesty and superb customer service. Marybeth serves on the WCAA Board together with involvement in BNI, NAWBO and Home Builders Association.

28 Drapery & Design Professional Volume 2012, Issue 6

M asquerade is the creation of Robin S. Jordan, owner of La Ruché Window Cou-ture in Slidell, LA. Her Alumni Showcase

vignette features a grand, pink mask-shaped cornice complete with eyes and eyelashes. An iron twist rod serves as its handle. Below that are pleated swags with tassel trim, and long and short bishop’s sleeve panels with a contrast hem and knotted tieback. Robin used products from Rowley Company (FirmaF-lex, batting and Diamond Head decorative nails), Fin-estra (button borders), Greenhouse Fabrics (silk and velvet fabrics), Orion Ornamental Iron (twist rod), Hanes (white and black sateen lining), and Woven Materials (tassel trim, decorative cording and decora-tive braid). She’s a member of the D&D Pro Network, as well as a CHFA Window Treatment and Advanced Window Treatment Fabrication Career Professional.

What inspired this treatment?My inspiration for the treatment was my hometown of New Orleans. Mardi Gras season had begun and while waiting for my lunch at a local gift shop I spotted a beautiful pink and silver mask decorated with glitter and trimmings.

Were any parts of the fabrication especially challenging? Yes, the installation plan for the cornice, iron rod, panels and swags. The panels needed to be behind the rod, and the swags behind the panels. This needed to be done with the panels creating a return to hide all of the elements.

Drafting the shape of the cornice was also a challenge. I used Minutes Matter Studio software and photo clipped a JPEG. I sent the final shape to a local printer and had it printed to scale. Finally, creating and attach-ing the eyes and feather element were a bit tricky.

Would you do anything differently?Only a few things. First, I would spend more time mak-ing sure the shape of the cornice was perfect and then curve the side of the cornice. I would also sew and attach the eyes using döfix fabric stiffener and staples. Finally, I would use a thicker batting and do a better job of preplanning the installation.

What fabrication techniques were new to you?I had never used Rowley Company’s Diamond Head decorative nails, or controlled the bulk in swags by sewing in and cutting out excess interlining. Attaching the feathers to the cornice using a long tufting needle and cording was new to me, as well.

Where do you find inspiration for creative, cus-tom window treatments?I find inspiration in art, fabrics, history and nature. I’m always looking for unusual things that can be used as window treatments. I also find inspiration in the designs from Jackie Von Tobel’s books. I use Minutes Matter Studio and combine different treatments to create new looks.

What techniques do you want to explore?I would like to make more cornices in unique shapes, and explore historic swag designs.

What equipment is essential to your workroom?I couldn’t live without my padded worktable and my Juki straight stitch machine. I also use my pneumatic stapler and air compressor for covering boards and making cornices.

What do you offer to gain a client’s loyalty?I offer quality work and deliver window treatments on time and on budget. I manage the job from start to finish, and stand behind my work. I’m available if any problems arise anytime during and after the process. I also go to every installation to make sure treatments are dressed properly and to shoot photos of my work.

What are your personal goals for the next five years?I’ve recently started to draw and paint, and would like to explore new techniques with different art media. My goal is to be more organized in my work so I can spend more of my free time painting and drawing. I would also like to have more time to travel with my husband and family.

What are your business goals for the next five years?I’d like to add a few wholesale accounts, as well as find new ways to market the retail side of my business. I’ve recently taken the slipcover classes with Jeanelle Dech at CHFA and would love to market that part of my busi-ness more effectively.

What are your other interests and hobbies?Drawing and painting, cooking, gardening, boating, fishing, and traveling.

What did you do before starting your career in custom home furnishings? My first career was in cosmetology, which I started in 1980. I owned and operated a salon in New Orleans from 1993 to 2010. I’m still a licensed cosmetologist. �

Spotlight on

Robin S. Jordan

Drapery & Design Professional Volume 2012, Issue 6 29