Bed Cornices & Custom Bedding A Cornice above a bed adds a touch of glamour	Custom bedding matches the custom draperies	A bed Canopy can co-ordinate with bedding and drapery in the room. A very traditional touch!	A custom made cornice box with coordinating fabric made into custom bedding.	Custom Bedding & side panels over the shutters finish off the Master suite!

TYPES OF FABRICS FOR YOUR DRAPERIES

When you are having custom draperies made, the type of fabric you select will determine, not only how your drapes will look, but it will also determine how long they will last.  Most people are more concerned about the look of the fabric, the pattern and the color, rather than what the fabric is made of.  If you understand some of the positives and negatives of the most common drapery fabrics, it will help you make the best selection for your home.  Fabrics come in three basic types, natural, synthetic (man-made) and blends. Natural fabrics tend to be more breathable, while synthetic fabrics tend to be more durable. Drapes should always be lined and some fabrics need to be interlined to protect the fabric from the sun and extend the life of the fabric. 

Polyester

Polyester is a man-made fabric and one of the most common fabrics used for draperies. It has a very affordable price point and is often blended with other yarns to make blended fabrics.  It is strong, crease and stretch resistant, does not absorb water well and is quick to dry.  Polyester is also easy to clean. The only downside to polyester is that it tends to pill if it is rubbed excessively.  Typically drapes are not rubbed  like clothing or furniture.

Acrylic

Acrylic drapery fabric is lightweight and soft. Acrylic, like polyester tends to pill if rubbed excessively.  It  is a great synthetic fabric to blend with a natural fabric like cotton to increase durability. It is stain and sun-resistant  which are qualities not found in natural fibers.  Acrylic fabrics won't  run or fade with washing.

Cotton

Cotton is another very common fabric used in home decor. It is the strongest of the natural fabrics. It comes in various weights, colors and patterns as well as blends. Cotton is easy to clean although it tends to shrink, stretch and wrinkle easily. Cotton is a natural fiber so exposure to sunlight can weaken the fabric. It is not very durable so it is better to select a cotton blend for your draperies.

Silk

Silk is extremely popular for draperies because of the sense of luxury it adds to a room.  There are various types of silk fabrics and most exhibit a luminous glow in many rich colors.  Silk must be lined and interlined.  This not only protects it from the sunlight which will rot the threads, it also adds fullness and richness to the finished look.  You must consider what window you are putting silk onto as the life of the silk will not be as long if you allow the sun to shine on the fabric.  Silk is a natural fabric and will last for many years if kept out of the sun. Silk is prone to water spotting and the price can range from medium to expensive depending on the type of silk.

Linen

Linen, another natural fabric, is light and casual with a fine luster. It is also a very strong fabric and is stain-resistant. Linen also wrinkles easily so if you don't want a real casual look, linen probably isn't for you. Linen can also be stiff and prone to shrinking. Linen may also be prone to sun rot. Linen blends are also available.  Linen can also be very expensive.

CORNICE BOXES Cornice Boxes are timeless and look great with all types of decors. Whether your home is traditional or modern, a cornice box can be made to suit your style. This box lends itself to a more traditional look with the curved lines and is dressed up with side panels.	Soft curves of the upholstered cornice box and side panels over a Duette Honeycomb Shade finish off this living room window.	In a kitchen nook cornice boxes are a great option when there is not room to hang drapery panels around a kitchen table. Here the boxes are straight for a modern look with triangles in a co-ordinate fabric as a decorative touch.	In a child's room add a splash of color with a cornice box and side panels lined with blackout fabric. Add a blackout roller shade or a blackout cellular shade inside the window for a great nights sleep on those light Summer evenings!	A room darkening Silhouette in a bedroom is finished off with a curved cornice box and black out side panels.
A crossover style cornice box. We have kept this room monochromatic using only cream colors and texture. The Shade in the window is a Duette Honeycomb.	A stunning contrast with the lime green walls and the tone on tone texture of the taupe fabric displayed on this modern cornice box.	A straight cornice box done in two fabrics to coordinate with the black colors used in the master bedroom furniture as well as with the brown and golden tones in the tile and paint.	Cornice Boxes can also be made to bit a bay window. Seen here in a master bedroom with full functioning blackout draperies.	A modern look with straight lines and the design of the fabric.
A very Modern Cornice Box over a Vertiglide on Patio Doors.	Cornice Boxes also look very elegant in a very Traditional home. Seen here with side panels over Silhouette shades in a dining room.