When it rains it pours, instead of spacing out installations in a period of two weeks, we have four installations happening all at once. Believe me, I am not complaining as it’s one of the most exciting parts of my job – to see your vision come to life. But it becomes a little daunting when you are accessorizing, organizing pickups, going to the flower market, etc., etc.all while having four installations going on at once.  Part of what I try to accomplish when doing a job, as you may know is present everything at once so at the time of an installation every object is perfectly in place. But of course, that doesn’t always work and you have to start pulling your hair out begging and pleading and hoping that promises do come true. I always accessorize a job at the end. So the thread of how I want the space to look is continuous and the balance works well. I try to make the accessories look like they have been collected from all corners of the world but still have a good sense of balance. A lot of my friends in the industry bring in a few pieces at a time. I think bringing in accessories all at once, in my case on consignment, has the best chances of staying. When the client sees everything at the time of installation it allows the client to see the full emotion of the space. It’s like seeing a woman with just a dress on without any accessories. It just doesn’t give you the sense of a completed look. At time of installation, I will bring flowers and plants as well. Flowers and plants always give a space a wonderful sense of life.  How do you install your jobs? What’s the most successful way to have your job look completed using accessories?

Window treatments are the best way to add a fresh updated look to your space. From traditional to modern, window treatments can be the key component in the design of any room.

For any designer, I think it is very important to have a “Window Wizard” on speed dial for all design projects. My “Window Wizard” is Monte Coleman. I have been using Monte for many years and it’s great to work with someone who knows exactly what you want without having to tell him.  Monte also has a great aesthetic eye and vision to go along with that gift. I am not one for complex window treatments and I mostly use roman shades which allow more natural light into a room. Natural light can help to breathe life into a space.

When I do shades or curtains, I usually take them to the ceiling even if a window does not go all the way up. The purpose of increasing the height of a shade is to make the window feel taller which creates an illusion of a full height window. I will do dummy shades from ceiling to the top of a window or better yet, mirror from the ceiling to the top of window increasing the sense of openness. Many times, I do schoolhouse shades that go from the bottom up which gives you privacy but do not obstruct the sky.

For curtains, I love using taffeta or polished wool like the Collette wool fabrics available at VW Home. The taffeta works great in giving you a luxurious feeling and the polished wool hangs beautifully as curtains and has a tailored sense. Bare windows to me always look incomplete like an unfinished thought, so just finish your thought by adding the appropriate punctuation.

Vicente Wolf with Window Treatment expert Monte Coleman

1.       Why does Roman shades cost so much when they are so simple?

ROMAN SHADES ARE VERY LABOR INTENSIVE. YOU HAVE TO FIRST MAKE THE ACTUAL SHADE. THEN YOU HAVE TO HAND SEW RINGS ON THE BACK FOR THE CORDS TO RUN THRU TO MAKE THE SHADE OPERATE. THESE RINGS SHOULD BE NO MORE THAN 12" APART HORIZONTALLY AND 8" APART VERTICALLY. FOR A SHADE 6' X 6' THAT IS APPROX. 63 RINGS TO BE SEWN BY HAND, THIS TAKES A LOT OF TIME. THE SHADE HAS TO THEN BE APPLIED TO A DUST BOARD OR A CLUTCH SYSTEM. IF YOU ARE USING A DUST BOARD THE BOARD HAS TO BE COVERED IN CLOTH, SCREW EYES PUT ON FOR THE CORDS TO RUN THRU, THE SHADE ATTACHED AND STRING, THIS PROCESS ALSO TAKES QUITE A LOT OF TIME. OF COURSE YOU HAD TO MEASURE IN THE FIRST PLACE AND INSTALL IT. SO IN FACT FOR SOMETHING THAT LOOKS VERY SIMPLE IT IS NOT.

2.       What's the best track to use for curtains?

MY FAVORITE IS AN EXTRUDED ALUMINUM TRACK THAT COMES IN WHITE THAT IS 5/8" X 5/8" THAT USES SIMPLE NYLON CARRIERS. IT IS VERY SMALL AND CLEAN. I ALSO LIKE THE TRACK FROM A COMPANY CALLED "GOELST NORTH AMERICA" THEY HAVE MANY PROFILES SOME OF WHICH COME IN COLORS. IF YOU WANT A TRACK THAT IS CORD DRAWN THIS IS A VERY GOOD PRODUCT AND CAN BE BENT FOR CURVED USES.

3.       When will you not line curtain fabrics?

UNLINED CURTAINS CAN BE VERY BEAUTIFUL. THE CHARACTER OF THE CLOTH IS NOT ALTERED AND IT ALLOWS MORE LIGHT TO COME THRU. UNLINED SILK IS VERY WONDERFUL BUT IN MOST CASES SILK HAS TO BE LINED BECAUSE STRONG SUN DETERIORATES IT VERY QUICKLY, IT WILL ACTUALLY FALL APART. COTTON LINING IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA BECAUSE IT DOES PROTECT THE FABRIC AND HELPS WITH THE DIRT ELEMENT. INTERLINING IS ALSO WONDERFUL FOR A RICH LOOK AND CAN HELP MAKE A STIFF FABRIC HANG BETTER. UNLINED WOOL HANGS THE BEST. I HATE THE IDEA OF LINING SHEER I THINK IT DEFEATS THE POINT OF THE FABRIC.

Word to the wise, change is inevitable so just embrace it! In regards to my work, I adapt to change in various ways.  I adjust my outlook on the industry as it shifts seasonally and I’m more open to exploring new ideas.  Every time I need to “change” the look of a piece of furniture, I make sure I have my fast, effective, and talented upholster Pete on speed dial.

I have been using Pete for the past 28 years to handle all of my upholstery needs and his incredible work can be a highlight to any room.

An upholsterer gives you more room to create original custom designed furniture rather than being limited to the common route of simply walking into a showroom, or a local retailer to fulfill ones upholstery needs.

When you work with a top quality workroom like Pete’s, you are able to customize any design prior to fabrication; altering the proportions of a specific piece or modifying details to fit the specific needs of various clients.

Factoring in a client’s height when producing a sofa, for example, creating a slightly less deep sofa for shorter clients and adding a little more depth to a sofa for taller clients will create a custom piece of furniture tailored to their needs.

It’s getting hard to find a shop where things are done by hand and where natural materials are used.  From horse hair, down fillings, high-end frames, hand tied springs or maintaining the integrity of not using staple guns, these are all key elements when considering custom sofas. So, it’s very important to work wit