How Much Should I Budget for Drapery?

I often get asked; “How much should I budget for drapery for my home?” The rule of thumb when budgeting for drapery for a whole house is about $1,000 for every 35” Wide X 71” Long window for something decorative. This will allow you freedom to do something more elaborate in your dining room and something simpler in the kitchen, etc. Keep in mind, though, that homes that are being built the past 10 or so years have much larger windows than prior to that time. The $1,000 a window rule does not apply to wider windows or in cases where you want actual operable traversing drapery. I find when doing operable blackout drapery over media room windows or for master bedrooms, etc. that you can double the $1,000 for every 35” span.

This may seem expensive if this is the first time you have considered purchasing drapery, but keep in mind that good custom drapery is meant to last 20 years. Most people end up replacing it due to the trends changing by that time more than due to the need to actually replace it. If you pro-rate the fees for custom drapes out over that amount of time it is a great value. Consider some of the benefits:

• Black-out drapery can considerably reduce a high electric bill for a West facing window.
• You get some window insulation on any type of drapery treatment
• Drapes help with noise control – especially in rooms with wood or tile flooring
• Mostly drapes customize and add beauty to a room

If you are trying to consider if it is worth it, I suggest starting small and try a drapery treatment in one room. Most of my clients who do this end up thinking it is very well worth it and move on to other rooms in their home.

Colorado Black Bears http://ping.fm/XzYoI

Colorado Black Bears

Check out the pictures my brother Robert took from a recent camping trip in Colorado. He is such a mountain man. Yes…he was really that close to a bear. He says the black bears are not as aggressive as the Grizzlies. I would not be taking my chances!

Robin

Interior Design Society Meeting September 17th http://ping.fm/gWcZa

Interior Design Society Meeting September 17th

Please join us Friday September 17, 2010 from 9:00 am - 10:30 am at Waterloo Icehouse 360/2222 for the next meeting of the IDS Austin TX Chapter. It will be a fun, informative, and interesting meeting where you are encouraged to network with other design professionals from the Austin area.

Our guest speaker will be Tonya Huffman of Your Local City to discuss building relationships with like businesses. Our featured trade partner will be A & A Custom Interiors.

For more information please contact Robin Bond at 512-358-7200 or barbara@robinbondinteriors.com

Waterloo Icehouse
6203 N. Capital of Texas Highway
Austin, TX 78731 US
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The Interior Design Society (IDS) is an independent national organization more than 3,000 members strong. One of the country’s largest design organizations dedicated to serving the residential interior design industry, the Interior Design Society offers members community, education and business support. The IDS National headquarters is located in High Point, NC, the world’s home furnishings capital.

Founded in 1973 by the National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA) to support interior designers based within furniture stores, the Interior Design Society has long since expanded its focus. All qualified residential design professionals, including those who work in a retail environment, are welcome and encouraged to join IDS as an adjunct to their classroom education.

New possibilities, new opportunities and a host of organizational improvements are intended to make IDS membership all the more valuable and personally rewarding for all members.

OUR MISSION: To strengthen and grow the Interior Design Society by providing its members with valuable education, resources, programs, and services to aid them in their path to professionalism in residential interior design.

Whether you are new to residential interior design or someone who has been in the field forever, the Interior Design Society has much to offer. IDS members work in many settings and come to the organization with a variety of experience and educational backgrounds. What we all have in common is a passion for beautiful design, a thirst for knowledge and a resolute commitment to help clients create the home of their dreams.

Advance Your Career
Seminars, design workshops, and the CQRID certification exam (http://www.cqrid.org/) can contribute to career advancement, even without a four-year degree. IDS has a place for everyone associated with residential interior design or designers.

Membership levels begin with the Student level followed by Affiliate, Associate, Professional. As you advance, so does your membership level. To advance from Student to Associate, you can have education, experience or a combination of both.

Hope in the City 10 year Anniversary http://ping.fm/0xxFU

Hope in the City 10 year Anniversary

This past Saturday, my church, Hope in the City, celebrated its 10 year anniversary. I guess you would say our church is not your conventional type of church. We celebrated with great worship music, balloons, confetti, food, and some people even dressed in costumes! Like I mentioned, we are not conventional. It was a great day of fun, friends, and family. We have certainly made some great friendships there over the years.

Happy Birthday Hope In The City!