Window Treatments Sticker Shock!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes they are crazy. About $500/window for shutters and we have 45 windows. Drapes for just one room were over $10k.

Do you have walls?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't value custom drapes, don't get them.

Those who are convinced ready-made is "just as good" as custom won't be convinced, so why bother trying?

And because we need more pretty things in this thread...

I guess I am one of the few who actually like these looks but you can really accomplish a lot without going for “custom” drapes, especially if the windows are not a strange size. If you have the $$$ go for it but as far as enviable splurges I would spend that money on fine furniture, not drapes or wall coverings. I find when people have unlimited budgets things look overdone or fussy. Sometimes the most aesthetically appealing spaces have a mix of high end and affordable items because sometimes you can achieve more within constraints.

[Anonymous]

I am willing to bet $1million DCUM dollars that all these extravagantly wealthy custom drapery enthusiasts posting on here are...actually just people who work in the custom drapery industry.
Like seriously I don’t care how wealthy you are no actual person talks about drapery like that LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did some rough calculations for amount of fabric and costs for pinch pleat drapes for a 65" wide window. My sewing books say to use at least double the amount of fabric to the window, ideally 2.5, but let's go with double, for 96" drapes. Add 12" to the 96" for finishing the top and the bottom of each drape. You will need extra fabric for matching print repeats, but that's specific to the print so I'll ignore that here. Most decorator fabrics are 60" wide, and that's close enough to 65" that I wouldn't add more width to each panel. Mid-price ~$50/yard. Average price for lining and interlining $10/yard each.
96+12=108=3yards per length
2 curtains/window = 6 yards per window
6 x $50 = $300
6 x $10 = $60
6 x $10 = $60
Total = $450 in material per window

That's not too terribly bad, if you're willing to do the work yourself. You can also cut the price of the fabric by tracking down sale fabrics. Joanne Fabrics carries a lot of the mid-price quality materials, and they have frequent sales.

You clearly missed the part where OP pointed out that she is a DOCTOR (ob-gyn to be exact) and has all the money but no time to DIY.

I am always surprised when people who are paid very well for their time balk at paying other people for their time, personally.

Balk: hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking.

Where exactly did the OP balk? The OP was surprised.

My kitchen remodel cost 70k. I too would be surprised, no actually shocked, if I got a quote for 71k for window treatments. After that I would then balk at such a price and move on.

Is there a follow up post the OP made balking that I missed? If so please do share. Or are you hens just all bored clucking about window treatments and the outrage, the actual gall, the nerve of expressing suprise?

Cluckers gotta cluck ?

[Anonymous]

I'm adding some DC designers to the mix.

I'm always admiring the window treatments that Kelly Proxmire does in her work...


Check out this room by Darryl Carter:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am willing to bet $1million DCUM dollars that all these extravagantly wealthy custom drapery enthusiasts posting on here are...actually just people who work in the custom drapery industry.
Like seriously I don’t care how wealthy you are no actual person talks about drapery like that LOL.

I'm an educator who can't afford custom drapes, but I love everything home/interior design. I love this conversation. I used to go to the DC Design House every year alone because I don't know anyone interested in this stuff. I'm so grateful for a forum where people are sharing projects and ideas. If I ever won the lottery (guess I'd have to buy a ticket!), I'd quit my job, take design classes, and try to get a job at the Washington Design Center or for a designer.

I have panels from HomeGoods and Restoration Hardware in my home. I'm thinking of learning to sew so I can add some decorative tape to the RH ones, which are really heavy and lined. I think they'd look so good with trim on the leading edge. Still not anything like what's being posted, of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am willing to bet $1million DCUM dollars that all these extravagantly wealthy custom drapery enthusiasts posting on here are...actually just people who work in the custom drapery industry.
Like seriously I don’t care how wealthy you are no actual person talks about drapery like that LOL.

I'm an educator who can't afford custom drapes, but I love everything home/interior design. I love this conversation. I used to go to the DC Design House every year alone because I don't know anyone interested in this stuff. I'm so grateful for a forum where people are sharing projects and ideas. If I ever won the lottery (guess I'd have to buy a ticket!), I'd quit my job, take design classes, and try to get a job at the Washington Design Center or for a designer.

I have panels from HomeGoods and Restoration Hardware in my home. I'm thinking of learning to sew so I can add some decorative tape to the RH ones, which are really heavy and lined. I think they'd look so good with trim on the leading edge. Still not anything like what's being posted, of course.

Do you already have a sewing machine? They sell clear thread you can use to sew on tape. Honestly also stitch witchery would work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am willing to bet $1million DCUM dollars that all these extravagantly wealthy custom drapery enthusiasts posting on here are...actually just people who work in the custom drapery industry.
Like seriously I don’t care how wealthy you are no actual person talks about drapery like that LOL.

I'm an educator who can't afford custom drapes, but I love everything home/interior design. I love this conversation. I used to go to the DC Design House every year alone because I don't know anyone interested in this stuff. I'm so grateful for a forum where people are sharing projects and ideas. If I ever won the lottery (guess I'd have to buy a ticket!), I'd quit my job, take design classes, and try to get a job at the Washington Design Center or for a designer.

I have panels from HomeGoods and Restoration Hardware in my home. I'm thinking of learning to sew so I can add some decorative tape to the RH ones, which are really heavy and lined. I think they'd look so good with trim on the leading edge. Still not anything like what's being posted, of course.

Do you already have a sewing machine? They sell clear thread you can use to sew on tape. Honestly also stitch witchery would work.

I don’t have one yet! I was thinking of waiting until after the holidays because I heard that they are like cars and the dealers want to make room for the new year if models?

I have seen some websites with discounted trim and fabric (Etsy, housefabric.com), but I think I need to see something in person to pick a trim.

If anyone knows where one can buy trim at a discount in the region, please share! I have Samuel and Sons taste, but my budget isn’t even close.

[Anonymous]

Just buy a cheap ass sewing machine from Amazon. You definitely don’t need a fancy first sewing machine.

You can look at trim samples at the Design Center, G St Fabrics and Will’s Home Decorating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am willing to bet $1million DCUM dollars that all these extravagantly wealthy custom drapery enthusiasts posting on here are...actually just people who work in the custom drapery industry.
Like seriously I don’t care how wealthy you are no actual person talks about drapery like that LOL.

I'm an educator who can't afford custom drapes, but I love everything home/interior design. I love this conversation. I used to go to the DC Design House every year alone because I don't know anyone interested in this stuff. I'm so grateful for a forum where people are sharing projects and ideas. If I ever won the lottery (guess I'd have to buy a ticket!), I'd quit my job, take design classes, and try to get a job at the Washington Design Center or for a designer.

I have panels from HomeGoods and Restoration Hardware in my home. I'm thinking of learning to sew so I can add some decorative tape to the RH ones, which are really heavy and lined. I think they'd look so good with trim on the leading edge. Still not anything like what's being posted, of course.

Do you already have a sewing machine? They sell clear thread you can use to sew on tape. Honestly also stitch witchery would work.

Don’t use stitch witchery to add leading trim to drapes. Any drapery panel will stretch a bit with time, and if you bind up the leading edge with adhesive, it won’t stretch the same way and you’ll end up with puckering along the tape in a few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am willing to bet $1million DCUM dollars that all these extravagantly wealthy custom drapery enthusiasts posting on here are...actually just people who work in the custom drapery industry.
Like seriously I don’t care how wealthy you are no actual person talks about drapery like that LOL.

I'm an educator who can't afford custom drapes, but I love everything home/interior design. I love this conversation. I used to go to the DC Design House every year alone because I don't know anyone interested in this stuff. I'm so grateful for a forum where people are sharing projects and ideas. If I ever won the lottery (guess I'd have to buy a ticket!), I'd quit my job, take design classes, and try to get a job at the Washington Design Center or for a designer.

I have panels from HomeGoods and Restoration Hardware in my home. I'm thinking of learning to sew so I can add some decorative tape to the RH ones, which are really heavy and lined. I think they'd look so good with trim on the leading edge. Still not anything like what's being posted, of course.

Do you already have a sewing machine? They sell clear thread you can use to sew on tape. Honestly also stitch witchery would work.

Don’t use stitch witchery to add leading trim to drapes. Any drapery panel will stretch a bit with time, and if you bind up the leading edge with adhesive, it won’t stretch the same way and you’ll end up with puckering along the tape in a few years.

Also, if you’re putting on leading trim either by sewing or with a fusible, don’t pin/align everything with the drape flat on a table, hang it from the rod and then pin everything in place while it’s hanging. All fabric will stretch when it’s hung, and it can be pretty significant in some fabrics (it can be a half inch or more right off the bat in some fabrics). By hanging it up and then aligning the trim, you’ll be fitting it to the hung length rather than the flat length, which will give you a better result.

[Anonymous]

Nothing says "custom" than stitch witchery. LOL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing says "custom" than stitch witchery. LOL.

I’m the poster who suggested not using stitch witchery because of sagging, but just stop. No, stitch witchery won’t give you the same effect as totally custom drapes, but if you can’t sew and your budget is tight, customizing something from IKEA with a trim that ties together the rest of your decor can still improve the overall look.

[Anonymous]

Yes, they are very expensive because they are custom size and the best fabrics. It’s like a one of a kind handmade Armani gown. Whether that’s the right price point or use of money for you personally — shrug. I have Pottery Barn panels because that’s what I can afford. They are lovely. But heck yeah I’d get custom if I could.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm adding some DC designers to the mix.

I'm always admiring the window treatments that Kelly Proxmire does in her work...


Check out this room by Darryl Carter:

I would be very mad if I paid a designer a ton of money to do this room. It is so incredibly boring and has no life in it at all.