When spring cleaning uncovers a desire for an update, Custom Drapery Designs makes the process simple from call to completion. Here are some tips for what you can expect during the custom design process.
What questions can you expect during the initial phone consultation?
Before CDD visits your home, we will chat on the phone about your goals. During this talk, we want to know what you have in mind. If you’ve been searching on Pinterest or other websites for ideas, we’d love to hear about that. Send us your inspiration boards if you’d like!
We’ll answer any questions you have and ask some of our own. Here are a few of the most common ones we ask our clients:
What practical needs would you like met through this design? Light filtering? Privacy? More ambiance?
- What is your personal style?
- What is your home’s architectural style? Would you like this design to make a bold statement or blend in with the existing styles?
- What colors do you have in mind?
- What types of fabrics do you like or dislike?
- What is your general investment range?
If you’re not sure how to answer some of these questions, that’s okay! We will guide you to determine both your needs and your desires so we can fulfill both.
What can you expect during the in-home consultation?
We do a phone consultation first, so we can bring sample materials, sketches and other items for a more productive in-home consultation. You’ll be able to feel the fabrics and better envision the hardware in your space. We will talk more about your goals before we sketch some ideas and take initial window measurements.
What inspires the design?
In addition to listening carefully to our client’s preferences and personal styles, we study the home’s architecture as well as any trim already around the windows. During our visit, we note the art, area rugs, furniture and other pieces of décor. Finally, we take in the landscape outside the window to ensure we capitalize on your view.
Brenda Baxter, owner and principal designer, collects inspiration around the world during her travels and through conferences, expos and markets she attends throughout the year. She and Stephanie Freeman, lead designer, keep their fingers on the pulse of trends in the design industry in order to serve and inspire you.
What should you expect from your design proposal?
During the in-home consultation, we will schedule a presentation meeting within the following week. At that time, we will present your design proposal.
This proposal comes in the form of a design board, complete with fabrics, hardware and any lining or trims to be used. We provide sketches of the plan, as well as an estimate.
How long does a typical design take and just what does the “custom” side of the process look like?
Once the proposal has been approved, we begin ordering materials and schedule a professional measurement. With those final dimensions, we order custom hardware that will fit your space perfectly.
As soon as all of the fabric materials arrive, production begins in the workroom. Stitch by stitch, your draperies take shape. This custom process typically takes around six weeks before we’re ready for installation day.
How do Brenda and Stephanie work together?
Brenda and Stephanie collaborate on creating custom drapery. Brenda often brings Stephanie in to specifically handle all of the extras—like accent pieces and finishing touches—to give your space added dimension and take the design to another level.
This video comes from a recent installation where we combined Brenda’s flair for draperies with Stephanie’s eye for accents. You will see how the client’s existing pieces inspired and drove the design. Keep scrolling to see how items from the past paired beautifully with new custom designs to produce a luxurious—yet livable—dining room.
What can you expect on installation day?
You can expect a great deal of hustle and bustle and excitement as we stagger our installers so everyone cooperates within the space. We each do our parts, so that it comes together seamlessly for one big unveiling.
We look forward to these days and delight in the joy on our clients’ faces when they see their renewed spaces for the first time.
Are you ready to schedule your consultation? Contact us today to get started on your own custom design.
