New Projects in Print

I am so excited to be able to share some recently completed projects. Three different Red Door Home projects have finally made it to print in the Spring 2010 edition of 100 Decorating Ideas Under $100. They include curtains for a budget remake of a beautiful dining room which appeared in Country French magazine, curtain panels and a pillow for a “pink room” and a stool cover made of Amy Butler fabric from my Sassy Stool Topper pattern.

Country french has always been a favorite decorating style for designers and regular homeowners (like me) alike. It is beautiful, comforable and can be achieved over time with a relatively modest budget.  In this feature article, Donna Talley shows how to accomplish this high end look for less.

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

The upper right hand inset picture below shows a photo of the inspiration room while the larger picture gives a complete view of the room remake on a budget.

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

Donna did such an amazing job including all the little details that make this room so special – decoupage plates, flowers, slip covered chairs, stenciled lamp shades, vintage china, and beautiful fabrics. My contribution to this story was the curtain panels

 100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

 

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

 

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

The original curtains featured a smock pleated header. To achieve the same look for a lot less, I simply used pencil pleating tape on fabric that was purchased from Fabric.com.

Left unlined, the curtain panels were created from one width of fabric with a 1” seam allowance around the entire panel. The pencil pleating tape was sewn about ½ inch from the top and the gathering strings were pulled to the desire window width. To achieve a more gathered look, simply use two widths of fabric.

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

The second article, “At First Blush,” shows how pink is no longer just for little girls rooms. There are several pretty pictures including this table runner (above), a built in book case backed with wallpaper and a trio of mirrors on top of a vintage dresser. I had the pleasure of making the table runner, which Donna later embellished, and the simple curtain panels.

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

 

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

Again, these curtain panels were made from budget-friendly fabric and left unlined. The panels were cut to length and then finished with a one inch hem on all sides.

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

I also created this fringe pillow with a zipper closure (below) from Amy Butler fabric. This pillow adds a feminine feel to the room without being overwhelming.

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

The third and final project is a picture featuring my scalloped edged Sassy Stool Topper pattern. This is a great project since it uses only small amounts of fabric and gives any stool a quick remodel.

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer - Michael Partenio

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications