Here is the question: Would you recommend hiring an interior designer to put up curtains throughout a brownstone?
My answer, If you have the money yes’ You’ll be happy with all the time you saved, and have someone to thank and refer us to. A professional touch can’t be denied neither can a personal touch. No, if don’t have the money or you are the do-it-yourself type. learn a trade and become a specialist at dressing brownstone era windows. Have something to talk about a lunch.
I like the advice about ABC and Janovic.Try Delancey Street, you can make you own and add flair with all the accessories.
8:10…
This is what’s called a forum, some people ask questions of readers and some readers answer based on their experiences. If you re-read the question you will realize they were asking if we WOULD do that, not to recommend someone.
Also, I don’t think a home owner needs to be “trained” to figure out curtains, maybe just some helpful advice from others….
No matter what the service or item in question is, it always helps to have a clue before you buy, or hire a professional. This is true for curtains or plumbing fixtures. Why not do some research and figure out what you like or want, first? Saves time whether you try to buy or do yourself, or hire someone.
Can someone just answere the dudes question instead of getting on your hire horse about saving money and trying to be your own “designer” when you’re not trained to be one?
I agree as to looking in magazines and books for ideas. Tear out or photocopy anything that interests you and take them with you when you shop. Janovic may be a great place to go, as well, but unless you want to pass out from sticker shock, ABC Carpet and Home is a pricey education. Gorgeous fabrics, though.
You might also want to try Harry Zarin Fabrics on Grand and Essex Street on the Lower East Side. They also custom make curtains and draperies, and give generous swatches. There are many choices – curtains, drapes, various kinds of shades. You got lined, unlined, sheers, all kinds of fabrications, the choices are huge.
Look online and get catalogs from places like Smith and Noble for shades, as well as Pottery Barn, West Elm, Anthropologie, and Restoration Home. Often they have just what you need. If you want to hire a professional to guide you, write me at montrosemorris@yahoo.com. It’s what I do.
If you want to save some money, I would say no. I think if you have a general idea of what you want, you have pictures from magazines of colors, fabrics, and style of curtains and rods, you should use a curtain company rather than a designer. I live in a loft with 13 foot ceilings and wanted silk curtains in some places and linen roman shades with a chain pulley in others. Janovic came out and measured all my windows and made everything custom and they look wonderful. THey have “designers” in the store who will look at your pictures and suggest identical things from their distributers.
I also got a quote from ABC carpet’s fabric department, they offer the same services, and while they were great, I got just what I wanted from Janovic for 1/3 the price.
My advice is to go to a magazine shop or book store and look for the style that you want, then go to a fabric store, like ABC fabric and see what fabrics you want. THey can even give you a little swatch of fabrics you like. Then go to a place like Janovic, armed with your preferences.
Sure, hire an interior designer if you want to be ripped off and are so insecure about your own curtain decisions.
Here is the question: Would you recommend hiring an interior designer to put up curtains throughout a brownstone?
My answer, If you have the money yes’ You’ll be happy with all the time you saved, and have someone to thank and refer us to. A professional touch can’t be denied neither can a personal touch. No, if don’t have the money or you are the do-it-yourself type. learn a trade and become a specialist at dressing brownstone era windows. Have something to talk about a lunch.
I like the advice about ABC and Janovic.Try Delancey Street, you can make you own and add flair with all the accessories.
yeah!
8:10…
This is what’s called a forum, some people ask questions of readers and some readers answer based on their experiences. If you re-read the question you will realize they were asking if we WOULD do that, not to recommend someone.
Also, I don’t think a home owner needs to be “trained” to figure out curtains, maybe just some helpful advice from others….
No matter what the service or item in question is, it always helps to have a clue before you buy, or hire a professional. This is true for curtains or plumbing fixtures. Why not do some research and figure out what you like or want, first? Saves time whether you try to buy or do yourself, or hire someone.
Can someone just answere the dudes question instead of getting on your hire horse about saving money and trying to be your own “designer” when you’re not trained to be one?
I agree as to looking in magazines and books for ideas. Tear out or photocopy anything that interests you and take them with you when you shop. Janovic may be a great place to go, as well, but unless you want to pass out from sticker shock, ABC Carpet and Home is a pricey education. Gorgeous fabrics, though.
You might also want to try Harry Zarin Fabrics on Grand and Essex Street on the Lower East Side. They also custom make curtains and draperies, and give generous swatches. There are many choices – curtains, drapes, various kinds of shades. You got lined, unlined, sheers, all kinds of fabrications, the choices are huge.
Look online and get catalogs from places like Smith and Noble for shades, as well as Pottery Barn, West Elm, Anthropologie, and Restoration Home. Often they have just what you need. If you want to hire a professional to guide you, write me at montrosemorris@yahoo.com. It’s what I do.
If you want to save some money, I would say no. I think if you have a general idea of what you want, you have pictures from magazines of colors, fabrics, and style of curtains and rods, you should use a curtain company rather than a designer. I live in a loft with 13 foot ceilings and wanted silk curtains in some places and linen roman shades with a chain pulley in others. Janovic came out and measured all my windows and made everything custom and they look wonderful. THey have “designers” in the store who will look at your pictures and suggest identical things from their distributers.
I also got a quote from ABC carpet’s fabric department, they offer the same services, and while they were great, I got just what I wanted from Janovic for 1/3 the price.
My advice is to go to a magazine shop or book store and look for the style that you want, then go to a fabric store, like ABC fabric and see what fabrics you want. THey can even give you a little swatch of fabrics you like. Then go to a place like Janovic, armed with your preferences.
Good Luck