Memory boards tell a story with pictures, letters, colors and themes. It gives a better understanding of someone’s interests, and creates a vibrant focal point in any room, instead of using a plain cork bulletin board. It can celebrate important milestones and showcase an individual’s talents and accomplishments, or it can list daily chores and activities in the household.

I recently came across a blog titled “Living Saavy,” and couldn’t resist posting her idea of using a memory board for her next design project. Fabric samples, paint swatches, sketches, pictures and other accessories give it a clean and organized look, without taking up too much space in the workroom area. Plus, it shows off your creative side. The board is covered with linen fabric and nailheads for a unique touch. You can view the rest of her blog here.

Designer Memory Board. Photo courtesy of Living Saavy

If you want to create a memory board for your next design project, you can see our how-to instructions here. Put your special twist on it!

Our finished memory board!

Simple curtains can be added to glass front cabinets to hide clutter or as a way to soften and add texture or pattern to the room. Installing inside cabinetry can be a challenge as there is not much room for the hardware to project.  One solution is to use simple barrel style, close-fit brackets with 3/8″ steel rod.

Another option is to use hook and loop tape.  Rowley Company has a wide variety of hook and loop products including sew-on and pressure sensitive. For very tight projections, pressure sensitive adhesive backed hook strip can be attached inside the cabinet and there is also hook strip available that is attached to a rigid plastic strip which can be screwed into the cabinet.  The loop strip is then sewn on to the curtain and pressed to the hook strip.

Light weight materials work best for cabinet curtains and lining isn’t always needed, since light will not shine from behind.  A contrasting color will show off the mullions, or a matching color can be used is you want the curtains to blend in with the cabinetry.

Simple white-on-white curtains cover the bottom half of the cabinet glass.

A bright print fabric adds color to this cabinet.

Sheer material is the perfect choice for cabinet doors.

These cabinets do not have glass, a curtain creates a beautiful texture.  Simple ticking stripe creates a retro feeling.

Lace create instant cottage charm.

A small pattern on the cabinet curtains compliments the toile drapery and herringbone tile.

Swags have waned in popularity over recent years but the drape of a swag design is just as appropriate now as in years past if given just a few updates.

This double swag is mounted over a soft cornice.  The shape is reminiscent of a Turban Swag.   The ends fall from the board with a table cloth style drop instead of using a traditional jabot or cascade. Learn how to make this style in the webinar “Simple Swags for Casual Interiors” which is available on our website.

Using sheer to create a more casual swag has become very popular.  A sheer swag can be lined or unlined and is a very light and airy top treatment.  Customize with a light weight trim such as ball fringe or bead fringe.

www.houzz.com

www.ideas-for-home-decorating.com

We love the pillows shown in the May 2012 Issue of Traditional Home Magazine (“On the Line Design” pages 123 -131).  Designer Megan Perry Yorganicioglu uses the simplicity of color blocking and tailored flanges to accent plump knife edge pillows.

 

 

How is this done?  The flange is cut in four separate pieces, with angles sewn at each end.  The flange pieces are then fitted to the pillow front. If the fabric is thin fusible stabilizer or interlining can be added but the corners do get bulky where the flange sections meet, so the flanges should not be too thick. 

To achieve the plump look of the pillows shown in the magazine, use a 10/90 or 25/75 down/feather pillow form. 

 

If you would like to make a Flange Pillow with a Split-Mitered Flange like this one, a free how-to guide is available on our website.

 

The crates are unpacked and the ”shade room” walls are set up.  From left to right, Keith Baranic, Laurie Medford, Susan Woodcock and Scott Rowley.

Bill Taylor, Rowley Company CEO setting up a hardware display for the booth.

Keith Baranic jumped in the crate to help unload the contents.

Annette Minor is unpacking hardware for the Finestra and Aria displays.

New for 2012, our bedding display, created by Laurie Medford, was updated with bold black, white and silver prints and the added texture of burlap.  We love the touch of bling with Diamond Head nails and a beaded pillow.  Other pillows featured grommets and a faux fur bolster just for fun.

A close-up of the pillow collection using Rowley Company pillow forms.

Laurie Medford is giving a demo in the Construction Zone; the place to be!

Laurie Medford and Susan Woodcock; co-presenters in the Construction Zone.



The Rowley team; Keith Baranic, Laurie Medford, Annette Minor, Susan Woodcock, Tamara Meyer and Scott Rowley.