Updating Ripplefold Draperies

Ripplefold draperies are not just for hospitals and hotels anymore.  This clean and contemporary style of traversing drapery is a hot trend in upscale residential interiors.

 

Ripplefold is created by sewing a stiff, snap tape to the top of a flat drapery panel.  Corresponding snap carriers, which fit into tracks, are spaced to allow for several different amounts of fullness.  When the drapery is snapped to the carriers it creates a smooth, wavy heading that traverses with ease.

The photo shows the Ripplefold snap tape snapped to the carriers on the track.

When using this style, keep in mind that the drapery must hang below the rod, leaving the hardware exposed. This isn't always the best option in residential interiors, where a more finished look may be desired. 

There are two options to cover the tracks; install under a top treatment or fit the track into a painted pr upholstered routed pole rod.

Ripplefold toile drapery is installed under a custom painted wood pole fascia with matching finials.  www.FinestraDecorativeHardware.com

When using a routed pole rod, choose the two or three inch 4003/unfinished square or round wood poles and the 4003 series track with M-393 brackets available from Rowley Company.

To upholster the pole rods, simple staple fabric with tack strip starting at the front edge.  Wrap the fabric to the back and staple along the edge that will be placed next to the wall.  If using thin material, like silk or faux silk polyester, you may want to add interlining under the material.

After the brackets are mounted to the wall, the upholstered pole is screwed in place and then the track is secured into the brackets.

  

The drapery panels are snapped to the carriers under the upholstered wood pole.

Custom painted finial matches the fabric.

To learn more about making Ripplefold drapery view our recorded webinar "Clean and Contemporary Ripplefold Panels" which can be found in the recorded webinar area of our website.

Before & After Pictures

We would like to thank everyone who attended our webinar Glam for the Fam: A Dining Room Makeover

It was a fun project to work on and the finished room looks fresh, comfortable and ready for the next family dinner, cocktail party or holiday celebration. 

If you missed the presentation, there is a recording online that you can view anytime that is convenient to you,  and at no charge.  The webinar includes information on many topics: design choices, workroom drapery and slipcover fabrication, upholstery techniques and drapery installation including many useful tips and audience questions.

A big thank you to Sarah Gleason, sfgDesigns in Richmond, VA for helping with this project.  Here are a few views of the room "before" and "after". 
 

Dining Room Before

Dining table after with banded table cloth and table runner, new slip covers and chair seats, new draperies and more.

Window treatment before.

New draperies using a bold, graphic print from Greenhouse Fabrics and installed on traversing track with decorative square pole rod from Finestra Decorative Hardware.

Bar and mirror before.

Bar and mirror after.

View from the kitchen before.

View from the kitchen after.

Please be sure to view the past blog entries to see behind the scenes steps of this project and visit the Rowley Company website to register for upcoming live webinars and to view recordings of past presentations.

A Dining Room Makeover: The Process Begins

 

Rowley Company is partnering with up-and-coming interior designer Sarah Gleason, SFG Designs, Richmond, VA to completely make-over a dining room.  

We will record the transformation here, on our blog, from the initial brainstorming and sketches to the final installation of window treatments.  

You can be part of the process by sharing your ideas and comments along the way,  and then participate in our live webinar broadcast on August 23, 2011 at 11:00 am EST where Sarah will join Rowley Company's Laurie Medford and Susan Woodcock to share the details of the room transformation including upholstery and window treatment techniques.

A room. A budget. A thousand ideas.

Sarah shares her thoughts with us... 

"I have run over 1,000 possibilities in my head for how this room should look. I am really having a fit deciding on paint colors...I keep leaning towards a teal, but have also considered yellow, apple green, and light gray.  The family room is dark gray, and I will be repainting the hallway a neutral.  Here is a picture of the dining room for you to see"

  

Inspiration

"I have always had a yen for black, white, and apple green....I am thinking Palm Springs...Rat Pack modern.....maybe apple green walls, pavilion-tent look curtains...I like that black and white trellis fabric from Greenhouse as chair back, with black patent or vinyl on the chair seats"

Greenhouse Fabrics from the Iman II collection, A1636 Black Jack

"I stayed at this hotel last summer, Riveara Palm Springs.  FABULOUS place.  I love the strong graphics, bright colors, modern artwork and very hip light fixtures"  

Check back for more ideas, inspiration, sketches, paint colors, fabrics and window treatment designs.