This master bedroom vignette features one of my favorite fabrics. It is a lush silk, whose pattern is achieved by rows of sewn on fringe intersecting. Its a lovely concept, made even more yummy by it's buttery color and tone-on-tone fringe. This special drape is the perfect background for the finely carved table and chairs, where a couple can enjoy an intimate snack for two. An elegant, yet inviting, retreat.
This deceivingly simple window treatment was challenging to create. It is located in a powder bath, and the client wanted something definitely out of the ordinary. Japanese style inspired this space, so we created an abstract treatment reminiscent of a kimono. It needed to offer some privacy while still allowing views of the garden outside. We used multiple layers of a fine sheer linen, with hidden clear acrylic rods to keep the panels straight and aligned. Often, part of designing unusual things is figuring out the engineering that enables us to make the dream become reality.
The dominant architectural feature of this twenty foot high Calabasas living room, is its beautiful set of high arched windows, sitting over the lower window/doors. While many people treat only the lower windows and ignore the top ones, I knew that maximum impact could only happen if the drapes went from floor to ceiling. The client threw caution to the winds, and allowed us to fashion these in a rich, eye catching red. This transformed the room, making the most of the coffered ceiling and the soaring windows.
This simple vignette in an Agoura Hills master suite, shows how the right draperies can influence the feeling of the entire space. Here, the fabric pattern suggests, rather than shouts, a tropical ambience. It is complemented by the patterns of the tall bedside lamps, which also offer subtle suggestions of jungle animals in this sensuous room.
Unique is the word that best describes this window grouping in Westlake's North Ranch. Christopher Guy's "people chairs" are a playful mix of formal carved chair and exhuberent whimsy. The silhouettes they form can be seen on both inside and outside of the glass. Dressing the tall windows was a real challenge, since I wanted a style that could "hold its own" with the chairs without detracting from them or the beautiful arched windows. My solution was to use two layers of sheers--an unlined cream taffeta hanging straight and a brown crinkled sheer tied over the top. Since sun control was not an issue in this area, using a treatment that framed the windows , rather than full draperies, allowed people to enjoy the chairs, the garden, and the soaring windows!
Classically graceful draperies complement the setting in this Westlake Village dining room. Although the overall feeling is traditional, the addition of modern elements, like the abstract painting by Sokol-Hohne, and Contemporary ceramic bowl sitting atop the Italian style scrolled table, keep things fresh and unexpected. In that spirit, even the traditional damask drapes get a modern twist with custom branch like rods.
Neutral need not be boring, as you can see in this sitting area detail. Layers and layers of texture is what makes it so interesting. The smooth ivory lamp is deeply carved, and has contrasting texture linen shade and dark wood base. It sits on a two- textured table of wicker and glass. Wonderful draperies made of natural cotton patterned with a jute overlay, make an ideal background for this understated ensemble.
Beautifully blended wall and window coverings team in this lovely monochromatic powder bath, First we found the wall-covering, a pretty aqua paper with a raised "sandy" textured pattern of swirls. Then we were fortunate enough to discover a fabric seemingly born to be its mate. Its color is just the right shade of aqua, and its subtle geometric diamonds play well against the curves in the paper. The opulent balloon shades and complementary paper make a tasty combo in this Hidden Valley bathroom.
Not every window treatment needs to speak volumes. Sometimes a room calls for a window covering that is totally quiet and understated. Such was the case in this "tropical plantation" themed kitchen and family room. Direct sun was not a problem here, so open weave, woven wood shades worked perfectly. They filter the light without obscuring the wonderful garden views beyond.
The greatest challenge in designing my own living room window treatments, was making my four windows - so vastly different in size, shape, and placement - look cohesive. With windows on the left inset into a recess, and those on the right flush with the wall, I needed a creative joices flowing. Past experience has taught me that its preferable to work WITH asymmetry than trying to camouflage it. Accordingly, I started with a basic premise, straight, ungathered linen panels forming the unifying backdrop for each window set, and then used a purposely asymmetrical grouping of scarves as top treatments. The scarves are made of an exceptionally fluid and airy pierced fabric, which I had made into 3 swoops of varying widths and lengths. The finished treatment gives me lots of filtered light, highlights the towering architecture, and lends cohesion to this unusual space.
A drapery treatment worth its close-up! Here, two plain woven drapes are combined to great effect. Our client dd not want the boldness of an all wine colored drape, nor the plain look of an all beige drape. Using them together gave her exactly the balance she sought. To add a special touch, we found a great trim that combined both colors, and inserted it where the two colors meet.
We work with a wide variety of clients with a wide variety of styles. This client, a Middle Easterner living in Hidden Valley, liked the ornate decor admired in her culture. For her, we created opulent backgrounds to highlight her treasures. On walls and ceiling, we installed a gold tone wallpaper with actual 3 dimensional "jewels" glued on. This served as background for the elaborate red and gold patterned draperies, topped with a gilded carved ornament. To this were added swags, fringes and extra long tassels on an arched cornice that echoes the shape of her windows.
Our Middle Eastern client sought an office fit for a French king. Since our style tends to be more understated, it was great fun to work in this formal French style. This photo, and the following two, show several aspects of the project. Because the builder had designed an Art Deco home, but our client desired 18th Century Versailles, we had to really transform the space. Our client located a master craftsman to create the intricate inlaid patterns on the wood floor, and we went about designing the new display cabinets, and inset carvings to be installed all around the room. (shown in next photo). The collaborative effort had begun.
Transforming his modern office cabinets and paneling into our client's desire for Versailles was exceptionally challenging. We were not allowed to replace anything existing, so we had to create a new cabinet large enough to house and light enormous jade sculptures and other collectibles, above the existing cabinets and make the two blend seamlessly. Additionally, we had to create a design elaborately ornamented enough for his taste. My "aha" moment came when it occurred to me that decorative carvings, finished in metallic gold, could be used at the top of all the wainscot panels and as the primary decorative element in the cabinet to unify and change the character of the whole room. Our own masterful team of craftsmen lived up to this difficult task to make it all happen!
In this office, we needed a contrast hue to offset the red/brown color of the wood floors, paneling and cabinetry. We selected a blue gray tone to use on the damask wallpaper and draperies, which complements the wood beautifully. Then window treatments added the final touch to the opulent space. The drapery fabric has subtle gold dots, which are echoed in the gold lining, fringe trims and elaborate tiebacks. All elements combined to achieve sufficient splendor to please our exacting clients.
