Wednesday, September 5, 2012

LEARN HOW: Professional tips and instruction on custom treatments


Best Dressed Interiors is offering workshops on making custom treatments including drapes, pillows, roman shades, valances, table skirts and more!  Have you ever wanted to learn how to produce these items for your own home or as gifts for friends and families?  I am prepared to share with you what I have learned over the past 20 years of designing and fabricating these treatments.  Basic drapery, and how to add custom details.  Imaginative pillows, including different styles and details.

                                                                            


  Table skirts and valances, roman shades and cushions.  You can learn the skills to create these items and make them custom to your style and taste. 
Don't forget that, once you learn these skills and professional tips, you can make things not only for yourself and your own home, but for friends and families as well.  Think how much you would enjoy making nursery treatments for your daughter's new baby!  Or the pillows you can  make as Christmas or birthday gifts!
The workshops will be offered year round in 4 week sessions.  They will be offered two days a week, each a different topic.  Times (day or evening) will be determined according to interest and what works for the majority of the group.  The first two workshops start Monday Sept.17th and Thurs. Sept 20th.  The Monday class will be on decorative pillows and the Thursday class this time will be on drapery panels. 
You will be guided through decisions on styles and use, fabric selections,  measurements and yardages personally with a pre -class consultation by email or phone.  The classes will be held at my home Suwanee in my workroom where there is plenty of room to cut projects and sew.  We will go step by step and you will be given instruction to work on your project at home but I will also always be available to you by email.  You will be guided through the entire project right through to installation (if needed)  Supplies other than your fabrics can be purchased through me at my wholesale costs.  Total cost for the workshop is $95.
Take this opportunity to learn these skills that will serve you a lifetime and have fun at the same time!
Contact me at mnmterry@gmail.com to sign up or to ask questions.  Sign up today to learn and prepare for the Holidays!!



Tuesday, May 15, 2012

PINTEREST! A NEW DESIGN TOOL

I am finally starting to find out how amazing today's technology and social media can be to my life!  When I first found out about Pinterest, I did not really think I would use it much but I have found it to be fabulous for organization and streamlining.  No more piles of magazine pages, recipe cards, or notes scribbled on to be lost in a drawer or basket somewhere!  Since I started using Pinterest, I have been able to find and make cool new recipes, collaborate on wedding showers and church events as well as  showcase my work and through that make appointments more effective  for my clients.  I have developed Boards for different types of window treatments and bedding so that before we meet, you can not only go and check out my skills and abilities but also get ideas to get the creative process started.  See examples below and click on the link to go directly to my pinterest boards.
  There are boards that include pictures of valances that I have created in the past:http://pinterest.com/thebestdressed/best-dressed-interiors-valances/


 And there is a board showcasing some of the types of panels I have made:http://pinterest.com/thebestdressed/panels-by-best-dressed-interiors/



 I have boards that will give ideas for children's rooms and nurseries:http://pinterest.com/thebestdressed/best-dressed-interiors-kids-rooms-and-nurseries/

Of course there has to be a  board with my favorite things to make although I don't often get pictures of them (I will have to be better at that now that I have a place to showcase them!) http://pinterest.com/thebestdressed/pillows-by-best-dressed-interiors/

 I also have a board with pictures of window treatments that I have collected off the web as sort of an online idea book (as you know when I come to your home to plan your project, I have my big idea book with magazine pictures)  This way we can talk by email or phone about your project while we are looking at the same pictures online before we even meet.  It also works well for projects I do out of town.  Recently I have used this technique to plan drapes for clients in Texas and Alabama..  Since you can add and delete boards so easily, I also shopped for fabric online and pinned samples to a board specifically for my client in Alabama .  We chose a fabric and ordered all online and I will pick it up, make the project and ship directly to her!!     I really hope to expand this part of my business in the upcoming months especially now that we have this awesome tool! Check out that board too at:  http://pinterest.com/thebestdressed/idea-board/


 I would love for you to check out these boards, hopefully get inspired to start a new project in your home, and check out my other boards while you are there, for cool ideas and recipes!  You do not have to be "on" pinterest to go to these links!  Enjoy!!!
Contact me at 678-549-9282  or mnmterry@gmail.com






Saturday, April 14, 2012

LEARN TO SEW!


Have you ever wished you could sew things for your home?  Or have you just wanted to make simple things for yourself or your children?  Do you want your preteen/teen to know how to sew? I am now offering sewing lessons, ranging from beginner to more intermediate and advanced!

Beginner and intermediate classes will consist of  (4) two hour classes held once a week.  Class will be held weekdays and/or weeknights according to interest.
Advanced classes will be held in form of workshop, times and format will be discussed when class is formed.
Bring your own machine (can use mine in class if needed) and materials and choose your own project.
Cost for entire program is $75 for beginners, $100 for intermediate and advanced.

Apron with added detail



BEGINNER:  In the beginner class, (ages 10 to adult)  students will learn basic sewing skills including hand sewing, how to use their machine, read and interpret a pattern, and make a simple project such as pajama pants, aprons, simple pillows, or easy childrens clothes.

Pillowcase dress

Simple pillows, hand stiched closure
Draw string pj pants

INTERMEDIATE: In the intermediate class, I will be helping students who have sewn before develop skills in a little more intricate children's clothes and home decorating projects such as more difficult pillows, drapery panels, valances and roman shades.  These pictures show some of the types of projects you try out!
Corded pillow with zipper


Baby Bubble
 
Unlined Pleated Panels with sew on trim
Simple roman shade




ADVANCED:
In the advanced class, I will be teaching a higher level of detail and intricacy of home decor sewing.  This will be in the form of workshops for roman shades, drapery panels with details, valances with details and more intricate pillows and cushions.  The pictures below give an idea of what we can accomplish.
Grommet Panels/ Roman shade with banding
Shaped bottom roman shade with trim





















































                                                                                     
Drapery panels with added details

                                              






Depending on interest, I am hoping to offer week long summer camps for preteens and teens.  Please let me know If you are interested so that we can start forming a schedule.  
Contact me now at mnmterry@gmail.com or 678-549-9292 to sign up.


Tuesday, April 3, 2012

IT'S SPRING, TIME TO SPRUCE UP YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE!


kenrashsoutdoorfurniture.com
 The pollen is almost over, so it is time to spruce up that outdoor space! Let Best Dressed Interiors help with new pillow and cushion covers or start fresh with new foam and covers.
Using a variety of colors and patterns you can bring new life to your outdoor furniture and increase your living space.  Now is the time so that you can really enjoy it before the typical Atlanta hot weather sets in!




the-dreamhome.com
 Stripes are traditional and give a crisp and fresh look, and they are really nice paired with florals!  
bottosblog.blogspot.com
                                     
 Its always great to mix up patterns just remember to pair different size patterns for the best look!
decorpad.com      
jennycastledesign.blogspot.com


 Try out the newest bright colors, Orange is really on fire this season!  Check out stores like Lewis and Sheron (lsfabric.com) Forsyth Fabrics   (forsythfabrics.com) Calico Corners and Frugal Fabrics for all the great choices and contact me for fabric yardages.  The time is now, have fun shopping!!

Friday, January 13, 2012

PORTFOLIO

2012!  It's a brand new year and we all hope it is a BRIGHT one!  I decided to take the calm month of January to update my portfolio.  Hopefully it will inspire new creativity in all who see it and you will find something new to do in your home!  I will probably be adding more pictures to it over the year, and I am determined to take my camera on every install!   You can click on the picture to see it better. ENJOY!

Panels
Lovely silk panels with attached valance!
The horizontal stripes  look great too!

Extra tall panels with sheers,
used to hide the palladian window. 

Adorable nursery curtains  
Details!  Scalloped edge with pleated ruffle and covered button.
Grommet Panels and Roman Shade
Repetitive use of this beautiful print gives a lovely unity to the room.
 Bedding and Bed Crowns
Sweet bed crown in a girl's room!
Don"t forget to layer on the detail and mix several patterns!
Luscious blues and satins wrap this Master Retreat in comfort.
Valences and Top Treatments
Valence in breakfast room.
Cornice Boards
Tailored top treatment, double layer with pleated ruffle and flat
decorative tape.

Top treatment over panels in a bedroom.
Valence with points and tassel detail.
Cornice boards and panels in another nursery.
 Shades
Perfect for this tiny window!
Scallop detail at the bottom of this shade adds interest!

Repeating patterns unifies the two treatments.
This shade adds elegance and continuity to this oddly shaped set of windows.
Each of these treatments are special because extra attention was given to adding custom details, thought and care was given in the choice of fabrics, and each design was given much thought and planning.