Headboard Ideas

May 8, 2015 Jennifer Davenport Leave a Comment

When I started researching headboard ideas, it was amazing how many wonderful ideas there are to choose from! One of the most important bedroom decorating ideas is focusing on the headboard. It is the focal point of your room and the jumping off point for your design style.

Headboard Ideas from Jenniferdecorates.com

Beautiful wood and burlap headboard

I want to show you three headboards I designed, and then a ton of great headboard ideas from different Parade of Homes I visited this past year.

My Three DIY Headboard Ideas

Headboard Made From an Old Door

This is my headboard that my husband and I collaborated on together. I didn’t want my master bedroom furniture to be matchy-matchy. (That is a professional interior designing term.) I found this old door at an antique shop for $20.

One of the reasons this particular door works so well as a headboard, is because of the five evenly distributed panels.

My husband framed the door with wood molding. I painted the trim and the old door, and then applied one of my favorite faux painting techniques; antiquing glaze, and elbow grease!

I applied the antiquing glaze and rubbed over it with a damp rag. You really want to work the antiquing glaze into every groove to achieve a distressed look. Once dry, I brushed on two coats of matte finish polyurethane.

A Special Headboard for a Special Little Cowboy

My husband and I also collaborated on this creative headboard idea. My client had a little five year old that wanted a cowboy room. I found some old wood at the flea market, and we put this project together in an afternoon.

A Sweet Headboard and Bed Crown Idea

I recently finished decorating a room for two sweet little girls. I wanted something special above their headboards, and stumbled across a great idea while shopping in Hobby Lobby.

I found this metal shelf on sale for $20. I purchased a tension rod, and two Shabby Chic curtains from Target.

After hanging the metal shelf, I slid the two curtains onto the tension rod and hung the rod inside the shelf. It was so easy, and turned out so sweet!

More Fabulous Headboard Ideas

Love this woven rattan look with coordinating mirror. The orange lamps gives a pop of color!

I took this photo in a model home in Nashville. What a great idea to add lights directly on your headboard!

Nothing makes me reminiscent about the past more than an iron bed. My mother had one in our guest room growing up, and I adored it.

I can’t decide if I like the white iron bed, or the dark brown iron bed.

This headboard design is from a home in downtown Nashville. I love doors as headboards. Check out the nightstands. They are really really cool!

Upholstered headboards are one of my favorites! Although some upholstered headboards can be fairly expensive, you can find them on-line for a really reasonable price .

Here the headboard has burlap for the insets, and small metal upholstery tacks along the edges. Up against the black wood, it really stands out.

This room was one of my favorites! They used distressed wood on the wall all the way up and onto the ceiling. Now that is a unique headboard idea!

This room was one of my favorite on the Parade of Homes tour in Nashville. The gray linen headboard up against the white wood walls really stood out. This entire room has such a clean and light feel.

This was such an adorable idea for a little boy’s room! This was designed by ReFresh Home of Nashville, TN.

If you are looking for ideas on how to make your own headboard, there are tons of DIY designs out there! Enjoy!

Choosing the Right Drapery Fabric

May 7, 2015 Jennifer Davenport 2 Comments

Does the idea of choosing the right drapery fabric almost give you hives? Does walking into a fabric store feel completely overwhelming? Well, before I began my interior design business, I ran a drapery business for 10 years. I have been around fabric a long time, and hope to guide you through the process today, with ease!

Five Steps to Choosing the Right Drapery Fabric

1. COLOR – Start with deciding on the best colors for your drapery fabric. You need to take into consideration the other colors in your room. What are your wall colors? What are the colors in your upholstered furniture?

2. PATTERN – Once you have narrowed down the color or colors you want in your fabric, the next step is choosing the right pattern for your curtains.

In this client’s home, she had a leather couch, and her occasional chair was a brushed gray/green corduroy fabric. So, we could add a lot of pattern and color in the drapes because we had limited pattern in the upholstered furniture.

Take into consideration how your fabric will look far away. When looking at the fabric on the bolt, take a huge step back and see how it looks. Also, take into consideration what curtain style you have chosen. For example, if you are making long panels, gather up the fabric you are considering and see how it looks. If you have decided on a box pleat, then unroll the fabric, step back and you can see how it will look with most of the fabric not gathered.

How to Choose the Right Fabric

Below I have put together some examples of fabrics that pair well with a coordinating couch and an occasional chair.

Subtle Earth-tone Colors

Here the couch is beige with chevron pillows. The occasional chair has stripes. So, I would add a larger bold print in the drapes that does not have stripes, lines, or any chevron pattern. I would make sure the fabric has some green, because green is the more dominating color in the chair. You can introduce a second color in your drapery fabric. Take a look at the bottom fabric photo. This fabric has slight hints of tangerine. Beautiful.

Gray/Light Tan

Here are the drapery fabric choices I have for this furniture grouping. There is a chevron-type pattern in the pillows, and a larger damask pattern in the occasional chair. So either a large stripe, or a larger geometric print will pair perfectly with this grouping.

Blue/Green and Beige

Now, this is a soft and charming color scheme. The blue/green couch piped in beige, and a beige occasional chair are both open to almost any pattern. But, in keeping with the cottage style look and feel, and larger print with the same mute colors will bring to life the entire room.

3. FABRIC WEIGHT – Another consideration in choosing drapery fabric is making sure you have chosen the ideal weight. For most of the fabrics you will encounter in the fabric store, they will be a standard fabric weight. But, some fabrics are much heavier, and are intended for upholstery. I have made the mistake of trying to make a box pleat curtain from a fabric that was much to0 heavy, and the curtain did not hang properly.

If you are making long drapery panels, and the fabric is really light, then you will need to consider adding interlining and lining to give the drapery panel body. Interlining is a flannel-like cotton fabric that is sewn between the drapery fabric and the lining.

4. FABRIC REPEAT – What in the world is fabric repeat? The larger a pattern is, the larger the repeat. Below is an example of two different fabric repeats.

So, if you have chosen a larger fabric repeat, you will more than likely need more fabric. Why? For valances like a box pleat, fabric is pieced together. And with a larger fabric pattern, matching the pattern means you will have some wasted fabric. See the fabric above with the bird? Well, if you need to match that section if you were making a box pleat curtain, and your repeat is 27″ you may have to move way down the fabric before you come to the next bird pattern. Where the hounds-tooth fabric would not have much, if any, wasted fabric because the repeat is so small.

How to Not Stress Out in The Fabric Store

First of all, most fabric stores have well educated employees that will help you make the right choices. Do not be afraid to ask. That is what they are there for! Second, take photos of your furniture, and colors you want to match. Show them what you are trying to coordinate.

Another wonderful thing about most fabric stores? They usually compile their drapery fabric in rows according to color. And then they place bolts together that coordinate! Below is one of my most popular Pinterest pins on window treatment ideas. I receive a lot of compliments on the coordinating fabric in this custom curtain. While I am flattered, I feel a little guilty. After all, as you can see, the fabric store had these coordinating fabrics hanging on a row of bolts together.Well, I really hope I have helped educate you on choosing the right drapery fabric, and relieving some of the stress involved in the process.

Window Valance Ideas

May 7, 2015 Jennifer Davenport Leave a Comment

Fabulous Window Valance Ideas

Ready to dress your windows? I’ve got some fantastic window valance ideas for you. Most window valances do not require a ton of fabric. This is one of the reasons I love them!

When I am helping a client decide whether they need valances or long drapery panels, a few factors play a role in the decision. Do they have pets or young children that may constantly entangle themselves in the long panels? Would they rather have a more casual design? If the latter is the case, choosing a valance is ideal.

Many times you don’t have to make a decision between the two, because certain windows will only allow for valances. For example, bathroom windows, a row of windows in a kitchen eat-in area, a laundry room window, etc.

Valances Made Simple Class

Have always wanted to learn how to sew your own valances? Or maybe you want to start your own drapery business. Here is a beginner course on how to create 4 different valances!

7 HD video lessons with anytime, anywhere access
Class materials, including instructions for sewing a variety of valances
Detailed instruction, explanation and demonstration
Answers to your questions in my virtual classroom

Window Valance Ideas

Well, below are several fantastic ideas for valances. You might have a hard time choosing your favorite.

Roman Shades

This eat-in kitchen area is beautiful! Roman shades were made to sit inside each individual window. Roman shades are the most expensive valance to have made. It does require more fabric than most valances, and there is a lot of hands-on labor involved. The upside is, if you choose a stationary valance, you may still need blinds for privacy. This can help off-set the price of choosing roman shades, because you would not have the added cost of purchasing blinds.

The subtlety of these Roman shades make this whole area so dreamy!

These Roman shades have a small little topper, giving them an added touch.

I love anything with a bow, so of course, I was drawn to this curtain. This would be an adorable shade to hang in a guest bathroom, or spare bedroom.

Valance With a “Kick”

I saw this valance in a Parade of Homes in Franklin, TN. How clever is this valance? The front fabric is a simple checked, and the back fabric is a beautiful gingham. This valance is mounted on a board, and pulled up using barrel reins.

What horse-lover would not love this room? The wood wall extended to the ceiling is spectacular!

Rolled Valance Instructions

This would really be an easy valance for a beginner’s sewing project. Here are instructions on making this valance:

1. Measure the width of your window, and add an inch to that measurement for your seam allowance.

2. Measure how far down you want your valance to hang. Then, add another 12″ to roll up the end of the curtain like shown in photo. Add 2″ for mounting on board, and another 1/2″ for the bottom seam allowance.

3. For the width of your board, you need to add 1″ to the measurement of the width of your window. Purchase a 1″ x 2″ pine board from your local home improvement store. They will cut the board for you for free!

4. Figure out your fabric pattern.

5. Lay your fabric pieces right side together. Sew the sides and bottom together. Turn, and press.

6. Cover your pine board with extra fabric. Then staple the top of your valance to the board.

7. Simply roll up your valance, use barrel reins, or leather belts to secure in place.

8. Mount your valance to the wall using “L” shape brackets. Easy!

NOTE: Mount your “L” shape brackets to the wall first. Then place your rolled valance on the top of the bracket and screw your board to bracket.

Balloon Valance

Balloon valances have been around forever. I happen to love them! Again, they don’t take a lot of fabric, are mounted on a board making drapery hardware inexpensive, and they are easy to sew!

These balloon curtains are a bit more formal. There are two pleats added, and beautiful tassel trim at the bottom.

These would be so cute in a boys room, or a bonus room! I love the simple color stripe down the middle. The balloon valance is drawn up casually, and two pleats are added to the top. Love it!

This beautiful window valance hangs above a stunning white bathtub. If you look closely in the photo you can see that the seamstress added little white beading trim.

I really love the fabric in this valance, a beautiful big print, with muted colors.

Cafe Curtains

Do you need privacy on the bottom half of your window? These cafe curtains are the perfect solution!

I love all of the bold colors in this cafe curtain! When choosing a smaller curtain, you can really go bold!

Cornice Board

When I saw this cornice board in the parade of home, I drooled. I love the ruffle, the scalloped edges, and I LOVE the buttons! It turned what could have been a very boring cornice board, into a charming valance.

Not Sure What to Do With a Door and a Window?

Here is a great solution for window treatments for a window and a door on the same wall. The Roman shade on the door is made out of the same fabric, and is trimmed in the complimentary fabric just like the long drapery panels.

Well, I hope these window valance ideas help narrow down exactly what you are going to choose. Once you have picked your design, it is time to decide on fabric. I think I just heard you moan. No worries, come over to my post “Choosing The Right Drapery Fabric”, and I will help make the process much easier for you!

Beautiful Homes

March 12, 2015 Jennifer Davenport Leave a Comment

I absolutely love driving through neighborhoods with beautiful homes! If I have my camera with me, and I usually do, the shutter is clicking away. I’m lucky because my husband enjoys this activity with me. If we travel out-of-town, we will always look up historic neighborhoods to go see. So, I’ve got quite a collection to share with you today!

If you are ever visiting Nashville, make a point to go visit Franklin. It is one of my favorite places in Tennessee. The streets are lined with historic homes. There is an historic square with tons of shops and fabulous places to eat!

This is a home you will pass as your drive into Franklin. I can totally see myself drinking a cup of coffee on this enclosed porch. What a stunning home.

I visited a Parade of Homes in Grove, TN. I love how new homes being built are full of windows. A well-lit home is so important. The metal roof must sound fabulous during a rain storm.

Last fall, my husband and I visited Asheville, N.C. Talk about some beautiful historic homes! This house is actually a bed and breakfast. The windows add so much character to the home!

This home looks like an sweet grandma lives here, and bakes homemade cookies every day.

I am not sure what I love more about this home; the large pillars, or the teal painted door. The ivy growing on the rock wall is completely inviting and charming.

This home intrigued me. I really liked the size. But, it was the front door that really set off the entire home.

So, I’m pretty sure some seriously fabulous parties are thrown here. Can you imagine pulling up the driveway and walking up these grand stairs?

We visit Rock City quite a bit. There are a ton of homes at the top of Rock City that are literally out-of-this-world. The streets are narrow and very curvy. I cannot imagine what it was like during the construction of these homes.

Here is another home at the top of Rock City. Take a peek through the gate and you can see mountains in the distance. Breathtaking! This is a new construction home in Franklin. I really think if I could have a dream home, it would be a brand new home built to look like an old home.

This historic mansion is part of Belle Meade Plantation located in Nashville, Tn. My son and daughter-in-law were married here. It is a great place to visit if you are on vacation in Nashville.

This home belongs to an acquaintance of mine. Everyone thinks this is an historic home, but it was built about five years ago. It is located in the rolling hills of Lascassas, TN.

Well, there are some of the homes I photographed this year. I don’t know whether I am a “house-gawker”, or a “house-stalker”. But, looking at beautiful homes makes me happy. I hope you enjoyed them as well.

Cool Light Ideas

February 16, 2015 Jennifer Davenport Leave a Comment

I am enamored with all the different and absolutely cool light ideas that are so popular right now. Light ideas have become their own statement and in most cases, their own piece of art. I would love to share several different ideas with you.

This is a photo I took when I toured a parade of homes this last fall. Most of the photos I will share with you today are from many home tours I have visited. This is a fun teen room. Don’t you love the green ceiling? It makes this light fixture stand out boldly!

I would love to have this living room! This light fixture is perfect for the space. It is just the right scale for the large room, and the second story window filters stunning light onto the chandelier.

I am a huge fan of mixing elegance with rustic! This light fits the bill to a “T”. The patina on the metal looks aged to perfection.

What a happy little eat-in kitchen area. First of all, I love the drapes! The chandelier isn’t overpowering in this space, and pairs well with the metal drapery rod.

There really isn’t anything I don’t like about this living room. The wood beams coupled with the metal light is a perfect marriage of rustic and elegance. P.S. Don’t you love the brick?

Here is another teen room/guest room. This beautiful light is the focal point of the entire room. Most rooms have a simple ceiling fan or builder grade dome light. Why not incorporate a really cool light instead? Make it the conversation piece! I love this light!

How cool and funky! This would be perfect in a bonus room!

Until I saw this, I had never thought about using lanterns for bathroom light fixtures. But, I really like these!

When I see a home decorated with this light design, I think they are so beautiful. But, then I always think, I could never keep that clean. But they are pretty!

My favorite one!

What a perfect reading lamp!

Again, this chandelier is the focal point of the room. The drapes, dining room table and chairs are a soft and muted design, which easily makes the chandelier the star of the show.

What a fun little study area. Metal light fixtures are extremely popular. I think the two lights over each personal working area is a brilliant idea.

There is no question that having really cool light ideas can be an investment. But, I always tell clients, know where to spend money, and know where to save money. Unique lighting is a great place to spend your decorating budget. Shop around for great deals, find something that really floats your boat!