Fabrics, Drapes, Etc.

[Gryphon]

Another thing that gives a house a more high end look is fabrics and window treatments, but if you've ever had custom ones made, you know it can be expensive.

A few ideas:

Use high end stuff sparingly for "punch". A few toss pillows done in a very nice fabric, a side chair covered in something luxurious, expensive shams complementing a bargain bedspread.

Search the remnant rack at the fabric store. A few leftover yards is enough to do most small projects, and can usually be found at tremendous discounts.

Get samples. Many designers get large memo samples of fabric for their showrooms. When the fabrics are discontinued, the samples get tossed. See if you can get your hands on them. They are great for pillows, etc. I once covered a chair cushion in fabric that retailed for over $200 a yard this way.

Add style to off the rack drapes. Sewing on fringe, tassles, etc. is a great way to give a custom look to less expensive stuff. Most off the rack draperies are available at 84" inch lengths. If you need longer, you can sew a coordinating fabric on as a header or as a contrasting "cuff" at the bottom.

Use good hardware. Nice, thick, rods are much more elegant than the skinny ones that most of us are used to. Splurge on those.

Most draperies should be lined. Adding lining to inexpensive store bought stuff will give them more weight and body.

Bedsheets make great drapes. Lined and hung on a great rod, they will look much more expensive than they are.

Mix and match. A bedroom with a matching "set" of drapes, bedspread, shams, and bedskirt is boring. Mix things up! Different patterns and textures, solids and prints, will give you a designer look instead of a "straight off the catalog page" one.

[Red Haired Girl]

hard to find a good fabric shop in this area... my favorite isMary Jo's in Gastonia NC... but don't get to go often....
where do you shop for your fabrics, Gryphon????

when we redecorated out previous home, i ordered fabric off line.  we ordered wall paper from www.decoratetoday.com. Then, i kept shopping on the site, and found ready made pillows to match, and also bought yardage of fabric to match.  I picked a simple pattern for the drapes, but they were elegant!  I'll try to find some pics. 

I think that this was one reason our home sold so quickly! 

[Red Haired Girl]

Here is a pic, but it doesn't do justice to the drapes... only shows one side.... alas..... and there are the pillows, too.    It was really neat... COLORFUL to the max... but, i LOVE color!

and you can see that we had one of those foyers with the high ceiling... but it was open, and seemed to be part of this living room.  I really liked it.  The stained glass window was from an old church, and had lots of character.

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Ah, and there is our sweet cat on the arm of the sofa.... i am looking for a good home for her... anyone intersted... she is sweet.... likes people and kids, tolerates dogs...

[Gryphon]

why dont you want the cat anymore??


Im lucky to have a few good non-chain fabric shops near me. But Im also known to find a few good yards on ebay!

[Sunny]

Hardware (in any room) can really make a difference, huh? Such a small touch & expense which can change the entire look of a room.

For almost 3 years I've been 'dealing' with these handles on the kicthen cabinets that the previous owners put on. Bronze with white porcelain that had painted pink & blue FLOWERS.

After tiling the kitchen last week, husband picked out all new handles (to the small price of $56) - a nice polished nickel...and the kitchen really pops now! It's amazing.

[Red Haired Girl]

Hardware (in any room) can really make a difference, huh? Such a small touch & expense which can change the entire look of a room.

For almost 3 years I've been 'dealing' with these handles on the kicthen cabinets that the previous owners put on. Bronze with white porcelain that had painted pink & blue FLOWERS.

After tiling the kitchen last week, husband picked out all new handles (to the small price of $56) - a nice polished nickel...and the kitchen really pops now! It's amazing.

Isn't it sad that we sometimes "put up" with things like this till we get ready to move, and then we fix it all for the prospective buyer... had it been fixed three years ago, you would have enjoyed it all that time....I have found this to be so true for myslef, and for other people... it is like my mom always saving the best towels for when someone special came to visit... i like to use my best towels...