An interior decorator told you that it would cost $3,000 for custom window treatments? That is ridiculous!
What kind of window treatments were you hoping for? Drapery panels with blackout? Or venetian blinds, custom plantation shutters, etc?
How many windows do you have in your sunroom?
Seriously, I've made all the window treatments in my house just because I like the "custom" look too. You can do it so much cheaper if you do it yourself... often cheaper than buying them pre-made in the store and definitely cheaper than having someone make them for you.
Do you have a sewing machine? Basic, lined panels are very easy to do.
Also, do you have a King Cotton fabric store in Huntsville? (I know there is one in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham.) I always get my decor fabrics from there and they have a great sale selection. I love silk drapes and have gotten dupioni silk for only $9 a yard and other kinds of decor fabric (upholstery fabric for the armchair) for only $6 a yard. Maybe there is a place like that in Huntsville?
I'm still in shock over someone telling you it would cost $3,000... that is, unless you have a zillion windows and wanted some custom made wood plantation shutters!
Re: *Monica* re:draperies
I know! Crazy, right? Well, there are alot of windows. There are 8 in the sunroom and 2 in the BR...so 10 all together. That means several panels. That also included their fee ($75 consult, then $60/hr for their time) plus the cost of the fabric and then the fee to whomever actually made them...plus fringe and harware. Yeah, it really added up. In my mind, I thought it would cost about $1,000, but after talking to them it seemed to triple. I kinda freaked and just backed out completely. So, here I sit, still with nothing on those windows b/c I am soooo confused as to what to do.
We have top down/bottom up blinds on the windows now. Not sure if you know what those are, but they will be staying. I guess what I'm wanting is just panels with black-out liners. I need for them to be able to block light and heat. I also want them to look luxurious. I just never like the way ready made panels look when I put them up. I spent about $500 on Caleb's windows with panels from Potery Barn and harware from Lowe's and I just don't think they look all that great.
I need serious help deciding what color, fabric and pattern to choose. I also need help with what kind of hardware to buy b/c there are some pretty thick moldings around all the windows. If I took a picture of the windows, do you think you could give me some advice? I would still have to pay someone to make them for me....I do NOT sew at ALL! Don't even own a machine and am clueless about that stuff! But, at least I would have a better idea of what to buy and I would still save money on the fees that I would have paid the Interior Decorator. I just really need to get this done before the baby arrives, because we will put the baby in the sunroom for the first couple of months and it is just too bright and hot in there as is.
Someone I know here mentioned King Cotton to me. We do have one here! I actually wrote down the number, but never called or went there b/c I've just been overwhemed by all of it! Like I said, window treatments are NOT my thing! I just want to point to a pic of something I like and then snap my fingers and for it to be done! LOL! It is not a fun process to me like decorating the rest of the house is.
Okay, so I think I'll take pics of the custom treatments we already have in the house (they were made and installed when the house was built b/c it was a Tour of Homes home) and then I'll also take pics of the Master BR and Sunroom windows. Then, I'll post them on here for you (and anyone else) to help me!
Sure! Couldn't hurt! Thanks!
Yes... post some pictures and then I might be able to visualize it more. Also, you should definitely check out King Cotton. A lot of time if I can find a fabric I love (especially if it is on clearance!) then it helps me get inspired for the entire room.
natural m/c and d&c at 10 weeks - 1/24/2014
DX w/ hetero C677t and A1298C MTHFR - 3/4/2014
If you go in King Cotton (or any fabric store) and find fabric you like, you can always ask if they recommend a seamstress. At at any upscale fabric store they should be able to help you pick out fabrics according to the design in the rest of your home. That way you could cut out the interior decorator all together.
I'm sure it's going to be expensive to buy fabric, blackout liners, and the rest of the materials for 10 windows, but surely it would be cheaper than $3000.