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Hi Everyone - 

The URL of our blog has moved.  If you have this blog location bookmarked, please change the bookmark to our new location.   http://blog.rowleycompany.com/rblog/

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Cabinet Curtains

Simple curtains can be added to glass front cabinets to hide clutter or as a way to soften and add texture or pattern to the room. Installing inside cabinetry can be a challenge as there is not much room for the hardware to project.  One solution is to use simple barrel style, close-fit brackets with 3/8" steel rod.

Another option is to use hook and loop tape.  Rowley Company has a wide variety of hook and loop products including sew-on and pressure sensitive. For very tight projections, pressure sensitive adhesive backed hook strip can be attached inside the cabinet and there is also hook strip available that is attached to a rigid plastic strip which can be screwed into the cabinet.  The loop strip is then sewn on to the curtain and pressed to the hook strip.

Light weight materials work best for cabinet curtains and lining isn't always needed, since light will not shine from behind.  A contrasting color will show off the mullions, or a matching color can be used is you want the curtains to blend in with the cabinetry.

Simple white-on-white curtains cover the bottom half of the cabinet glass.

A bright print fabric adds color to this cabinet.

Sheer material is the perfect choice for cabinet doors.

These cabinets do not have glass, a curtain creates a beautiful texture.  Simple ticking stripe creates a retro feeling. 

Lace create instant cottage charm.

A small pattern on the cabinet curtains compliments the toile drapery and herringbone tile.

An Inspiration: Relaxing by the Ocean

A fringed umbrella created custom designer shade.  Costal Living

The ocean is represented with every shade of blue from robins egg to teal and navy. Southern Living

This pillow from Cottage and Bungalow  is bright and cheerful, even if a little crabby.

Hand painted oyster shell pillows for the deck from Nautical Luxuries

Make any room feel like a beach cottage with simple ticking slipcovers from Nautical Cottage Blog

That's pretty darned happy!  Cottage and Bungalow

Ruched Headings

Ruched headings are often used in formal living or dining rooms.  When made from silk fabric ruched panels create a dramatic, ball-gown drapery design like the beautiful examples shown below.

Leatherwood Design Company

 Riehl Design Inc.

But ruched headings can also be used for valances, shades or shower curtains.

 The shower curtain below features a ruched heading. 

A large ruffle is sewn into the top of the shower curtain.

A tacking gun is used to create the ruching.

Custom Sewing Institute

 Thank you to Custom Sewing Institute for using Rowley products in the classes at CSI Camp March 9-11, 2012.   This years event had a circus theme and was described as the Greatest Hands-On Event on Earth!  The photo above shows attendees with their beautiful headboard samples.  

For more information about CSI events visit www.csisews.com

Pillows with Split-Mitered Flange

We love the pillows shown in the May 2012 Issue of Traditional Home Magazine (“On the Line Design” pages 123 -131).  Designer Megan Perry Yorganicioglu uses the simplicity of color blocking and tailored flanges to accent plump knife edge pillows.

The same style of flanged pillow is used for Euro shams in the Master Bedroom.

 

But did you notice something different?  Take a closer look at the corners of the flanged pillows.  The flange meets in a miter but each piece is separate.  What a great idea!  When the pillow is filled and karate-chopped the flange creates a playful corner, a custom detail worth paying attention to.

 

How is this done?  The flange is cut in four separate pieces, with angles sewn at each end.  The flange pieces are then fitted to the pillow front. If the fabric is thin fusible stabilizer or interlining can be added but the corners do get bulky where the flange sections meet, so the flanges should not be too thick. 

To achieve the plump look of the pillows shown in the magazine, use a 10/90 or 25/75 down/feather pillow form. 

 

If you would like to make a Flange Pillow with a Split-Mitered Flange like this one, a free how-to guide is available on our website.

 

 

Vision-IWCE 2012 in Chicago

Rowley Company exhibited at Vision-IWCE 2012 in Chicago April 24-26.  We had a great time meeting customers, sharing products, taking orders (free shipping on orders placed at the show!) and spending time with industry professsionals. 

The photos below show the behind-the-scenes views of our booth and the Rowley team.

Thanks to everyone that stopped by to visit, we love meeting customers face-to-face and learning more about you and your business.

The crates are unpacked and the "shade room" walls are set up.  From left to right, Keith Baranic, Laurie Medford, Susan Woodcock and Scott Rowley.

Bill Taylor, Rowley Company CEO setting up a hardware display for the booth.

Keith Baranic jumped in the crate to help unload the contents. 

Annette Minor is unpacking hardware for the Finestra and Aria displays.

New for 2012, our bedding display, created by Laurie Medford, was updated with bold black, white and silver prints and the added texture of burlap.  We love the touch of bling with Diamond Head nails and a beaded pillow.  Other pillows featured grommets and a faux fur bolster just for fun. 

A close-up of the pillow collection using Rowley Company pillow forms.

Laurie Medford is giving a demo in the Construction Zone; the place to be!

Laurie Medford and Susan Woodcock; co-presenters in the Construction Zone.



The Rowley team; Keith Baranic, Laurie Medford, Annette Minor, Susan Woodcock, Tamara Meyer and Scott Rowley.

Nursery: Before and After

We had great fun working on this project and sharing the steps with you.  If you missed the live webinars you can view the recordings on our website.  Here is the finished room!

Just a reminder of the room before.  See our previous blog posts for more about the process of turning this room into a nursery.  This is the view across the room as you enter, of the window and closet door.

Rendering of the proposed window treatment by Merlyn Corcoran, Minutes Matter Studio

Color blocked grommet draperies. 

Aria metal rod from Finestra Decorative Hardware: Swirl finial

The glider and ottoman were recovered.  A chalkboard was created using chalkboard paint and a frame covered in stripe fabric.

A shelving unit perfect for books and toys from IKEA.

Child size upholstered cube is cute and functional!  A soft and stable spot for little ones to pull up on when learning to walk and a comfy seat for a young child to read or for putting on shoes.  When the baby is no longer a baby, it's a cute footstool.

The changing table pad was recovered and wall art was created by laminating fabric to wooden letters.  FirmaFlex fiberboard was used for the board, making it very lightweight.

The crib is decked out with a patchwork duvet and tailored crib skirt. 

The crib skirt is adjustable with the use of snap tape. When the crib mattress is dropped down, a layer can be removed.

Happy parents Mike and Brittany Williams with their new son, Aiden. 

A big thank you to everyone who helped to make this room possible.

JoAnne Lenart-Weary, The Decorating and Staging Academy

Greenhouse Fabrics

Merlyn Corcoran, Minutes Matter Studio

Rodger Walker, Installation

 Brittany and Mike Williams 

and little Aiden Williams (the star of the show!)