Hi!  It's been pretty busy around here!  Looks like people are tired of putting their lives on hold during this Recession and have decided to take a little pleasure in their lives.

I've noticed that we're getting a lot of requests for paint color consultations lately.  That is DEFINITELY an inexpensive and easy way to update.  And since we're doing them at no charge through the end of the month, it's an even cheaper way to breathe some new life into a room! 

So, what colors are people using?  Well, when I was in Las Vegas at Market last February, grays were all anyone was talking about.  Warm or cool, gray was the color to watch for.  It was morphing to taupe for a warmer perspective, and staying pretty steely for the contemporary collections of furniture and accessories.  As for me, gray is ok.  It's the "new" neutral they say, so it fluctuates and complements the other colors in a room. It can allow for some interesting combinations on accent walls.  It can be very calming, which I think is a large part of it's appeal in this economy. 

I still gravitate to the warmer neutrals, just a personal preference I guess.  I think warmer tones provoke more participation from people, either in a stronger emotional reaction when entering, or a higher activity level in the room.  Great colors for family rooms are warm bieges, yellows, browns and greens.  Greens are nuturing, reminding us of the outdoors.  Bringing in reds heats things up, makes food seem to taste better and steps up the pulse a bit.  For fun, these are great colors.  Just be careful not to make things look too "festive".  Christmas colors all year long can get old!

If you're not into big changes every year or so, go with neutral paint and upholstery fabric.  You can bring it the color and seasonal shifts in easy doses that won't break the bank or take a lot of time or effort.  Think pillows, throws on upholstery, accessories and artwork.  I like to rotate my art collections with the seasons, sometimes just different placements in the same room, sometimes bringing out things I've had stored in the closet for awhile.  

Anyway, color is something I could go on and on about.  The point is, it'll determine how you and yours feel about the room you're in, so it needs to be right.  Call me if I can help, like I said, we're doing free consults through the end of August, as a kind of advertising in lieu of magazine ads.  It's been great for creating referrals so I've decided to keep doing it for awhile.    I haven't decided on my next topic, so you can let me know if there's anything you want me to address.

Remember, a beautiful home can make you feel "taller, thinner and better looking!"  And don't we all want some version of that?!

Bev Hawkinson
Owner, Lead Designer
619.993.3099 cell
 

Founded in 2003 Curtain Call specializes in window fashions, wall finishes and bedding
ensembles that get a “Standing Ovation!” Our Talented team of interior designers helps you take your vision and bring it to life through Fashion Forward Window Treatments, Our Specialty...

We were creating award winning designs on a budget long before it became "Recession Chic." Our experience and resources are available for the best solutions to your home décor problems.

Call today to schedule a free in home or in studio consultation and discover the simple and beautiful way to create the environment you’ve always wanted. From a single blind to a complete renovation we work to bring you the best looks at modest prices.



•    Blinds and shades

•    Motorized treatments

•    Shutters

•    Custom draperies

•    Custom valances

•    Paint and color consultations

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•    Custom/Semi custom bedding collections

•    Residential interior design services

Hi and welcome to the new Curtain Call Blog!  I'll be posting at least once a week with home decor current news and other items I hope you will find interesting.  Feel free to comment or email me any questions you may have regarding home interior design. 

Today, I want to bring a safety issue to your attention. This was just recently published in one of my trade magazines and I think it's a critically important issue to talk about:  cords on Roman Shades.  While we all know about the "breakaway tassels" or multiple cords you see on all blinds or shades manufactured today, roman shades still have a strangulation hazard associated with them that not too many people are aware of. 
A little background:  roman shades are usually hand crafted in a drapery workroom.  Behind the shade, facing the window, is usually where the cords are strung through grommets, at intervals. Spacing depends on the width of the shade, but all have at least 2 sets of strings that pull the shade up from the bottom when the shade is raised.  The hazard exists when children or pets get tangled in the cords in the back, between the grommets. There have been 2 documented deaths because of this.

At this time there is no other way to make roman shades, you need the cords to pull the fabric up.  Prehaps we could construct shades with an additional lining over the cords, but it would be bulky and unattractive from the exterior.  The best thing, in spite of their popularity, would be to not use this treatment in rooms where children or pets can be left unattended.  Alternately, there are hard blind shades that could substitute, with a "mock" roman shade valance over the top to simulate the custom look.  

I hope you found this interesting, next time I'll talk about the new color trends for the fall!  Color, (think paint!) is the easiest and least expensive way to update a room, and I'll be presenting a couple of palettes for you to look at!  Thanks again!

Bev Hawkinson, Associate IIDA 
Interior Designer, Owner of Curtain Call
1curtaincall@sbcglobal.net
760.471.8484