'Tis the Season for Winter White

Winter White creates a classic design statement. Winter whites include softened whites, creams, and shades of gray, gold or beige. These warm colors are layered throughout a design to create depth and tonal drama. Woven fabrics, furs, burlaps, washed wood carvings, and distressed accessories are all

examples of this layered color.

Traditional design displays the warm tones of white and creates the warmth and glow within a space. Cooler tones are used for a more contemporary trend and create crisp and distinct design lines. These cooler tones favor the modern color

pallette of gray, silver, and oyster.

Finestra Decorative Hardware

Elle Decor

Honeycomb Pattern: Building Blocks to Modern Design

Floor Covering

Furniture

The honeycomb design motif has become a modern day marvel in interior design. It stems from the classic bee motif that dates all the way back to Napoleon. Its geometric pattern lends itself well to comtemporary and streamlined design.

Drapery Hardware

Fabrics

Pillows/Bedding

Chest: Paul Marra Design, Finial: Finestra Decorative Hardware,
Fabric: Kravet; Pillow: Photografik

Metallics in Design

Anna French Fabrics

Isabella, Gibbens Ferry and Beauregard Finials from Finestra.

Metallics continue to play an important role in today's design trends. They can offer "Sparkle" and sophistication to any design. Luxe metallics include matte golds, champagne tones, and natural patinas.

Over the past few years these have become the new classics in decorative hardware, furniture, bed linens and lighting.

Chair by Curry & Co.

Light Rings by Beaux-Artes.

Pillows by Carpenter+Company

Metallic Silver finials by Finestra.

Lighting by Metropolitan Lighting

Bronze medallion and finials by Finestra.

Renew Furniture Designs with Decorative Medallions

What a unique way to use medallions!

This "Palm Beach in the 70's" design by Kate Schintzius with M. Design Interiors shows a fabulous way to use medallions on furniture pieces. Medallions can be added to any vintage furniture or heirloom piece as a way to renew old designs.

Beauregard Medallion (offered in 4.88"D, 3.5"D, and 6"D)

reference: Design Sponge Online

Custom Carved Drapery Hardware: The Install

Grand Designs can create challenging installations especially when you are dealing with these statistics:

30ft ceilings

24" crown molding from window to ceiling

855 yards of Dupioni Silk

48 large tassels

6ft custom carved plaques straight and mitered for corner installation

Challenge:

After designing the beautiful custom plaque and its placement, how was it going to be installed? There was concern of the weight of the plaque along with the 30ft drapes that would hang from them. In addition, the large crown molding was from window to ceiling. Luckily we received permission from the homeowners to be able to install into the crown molding. But, we only had about a 3"space to fit any kind bracket or attachment for securing the massive treatment.

Solution:

We used 2"D steel plumbing pipe with flanges that attached to the crown molding and protruded 8" off of the wall. Then, we fastened a 1 1/2" steel pipe with flange onto the plaque and slid it into the 2"D pipe coming off of the wall. A hole was drilled through each pipe to insert a bolt through as a set screw and securely fastened with a large nut.

Installation in progress hoisting the 30ft draperies and plaques in place. It took five of us to guide the long panels from the floor to the scaffolding while winding its way up to the top.

Rear entry to pool shown with one side panel installed.

View from second story balcony of the installation in progress. In order to hide the steel pipe used to attach the carved plaques to the wall, Regina made a sleeve out of silk to hide it. The other option would be to hand finish it to match with the fabric or wall trim.

What a fabulous project to be involved in! From start to finish it was an engineering feat to figure out the scale, design and installation of the beautiful carvings! The result is astounding and an inspiration to any designer or manufacturer like Finestra.

Let's have one more glance at the finished product...

Regina Kindelberger, Designer and Workroom

Over The Top Creations, Inc.

Plaque Design and Manufacturing by Finestra

Designing Custom Carved Drapery Hardware

Luxurious projects call for luxurious details. One way to give your client a truly unique and spectacular design is to use custom, hand-carved drapery hardware.

Regina Kindelberger with Over The Top Designs, Inc. recently had a project of grand scale with spectacular architectural details in an entry room of almost 3,000sq/ft. The large room boasted ceilings of 30ft with huge crown molding and floor to ceiling windows. There were two main obstacles to tackle with the project, its sheer size combined with a challenging installation.

Any standard drapery hardware would be lost in the scale of the room, so she set out for a solution and teamed up with Finestra. After I visited the site, it was clear that this project needed something fantastic!

Every design at Finestra starts with a sketch and is hand carved or sculpted by an artist. After the drawing was approved, our artist hand carved the original piece out of walnut. The dimensions span almost 6ft long and 3ft high!

To get the most value for the original wood carving and mold making, we took 3 more design elements out of the original large plaque. We used the center piece for side panels, and the very center medallion we used as a "napkin ring" tie back that included a ring molded into the back of the medallion that helped hold the fabric in place.

After designing a unique carving for this project, the next challenge was the installation!

Check back for the next Blog Post... Custom Carved Drapery Hardware: The Install

Table Runner with Decorative Hardware

Holiday season is approaching! Need a low cost decorative addition to your holiday entertaining? Renew or re-invent old table runners with a splash of color, texture, and high design with Finestra tassels. Choose from one of 36 hand rubbed finishes, or use any Ben Moore or Sherwin Williams color to create your own look.

The decorative tassel shown above is our #27 Tassel measuring 3 5/8"H x 1 5/8"W. There are an array of designs to choose from with various themes.

Decorating a game table? Try our Diamond, Spade, Heart, or Club tassels.

Choose from fruit designs for a bountiful table setting, or a fish tassel for coastal design settings.

If you would like to fabricate your own table runner with Finestra tassels, visit Rowley Company for complete DIY instructions.

http://pdf.rowleycompany.com/manuals/HowTo/Table_Runner.pdf