If you all read our recent post on how to decorate small spaces, you know that floor to ceiling drapes are the number one way to make a room appear larger and more spacious for your guests. Longer window treatments not only bring a sense of elegance and a finished look to a space, but they also draw your eye upward, which elongates the entire room. To me, these are crucial, especially if you like to entertain and want to add both functional and decorative elements to your home.
Finding window panels at the store that fit your space and just graze the floor ever so perfectly can be incredibly tricky! When Landon and I were designing our home, we searched high and low for drapes that matched our style and were the exact length we needed. With little luck we decided to pursue custom made drapes, which are actually much more cost efficient and higher quality than store bought panels.
We worked with Amanda at Avec Dieu Couture Home, who was an absolute delight and so incredibly helpful! She worked with us personally to find the exact pattern, size, and type of drapes that we needed. I sat down with her for a little Q&A to get a little bit better understanding of the importance of drapes as well as about her background and company.
Tell us a little bit about the history of your shop and how it got its name.
In my 20’s, I started making drapes for the different homes we lived in because the store bought ones came in one fixed size and their was a wealth of fabrics to choose from if I did them myself. The idea for the company came to me through prayer. It weighed on my heart to start it many years before I actually did. Since the idea never waned I decided I needed to start. This is also how the shop got its name – Avec Dieu or “With God”.
I know you donate a portion of your profits to certain world missions. This is so honorable and inspirational. Where are you currently donating?
We donate to various missions like PSI (Population Services International) and ChildFund to take care of the basic human in other countries. It breaks my heart to see a child starving and those videos float all over the internet. We have also done some local work and donated our products to auction for the Police Department to raise funds and help families of injured officers. We are always looking for new ways to give back and support the mission of our company.
What other products do you offer?
We offer custom drapes, bedding, shower curtains, baby bedding, table linens, and outdoor drapes. We have done work with many businesses including law firms, bakeries, dance studios, shops, etc.
What are the benefits of custom drapes over store bought drapes?
a) They are custom measured so they are they are always the perfect fit. I’m sure we have all been in homes where the drapes are too long or too short for that particular rod to floor measurement and it distracts from the look in the room. Custom drapes allows everyone to have a designer drape and pillow look even if they cannot afford an interior designer.
b) Our custom drapes are a heavier quality than thin store bought drapes. We use medium weight drapery fabrics and high quality lining which gives the drapes a quality weight and finished look. Store bought drapes often have a thin polyester lining, which will do nothing to protect the fabric. Our custom drapes have a thermal suede or blackout lining, which will protect the fabric from sun damage, so the drapes will last for many years. The lining also helps insulate the windows in the home during the summer and winter months when heating and A/C bills can be higher.
c) The selection of fabrics, prints, and colors is infinite, so finding the perfect drape, pillows, duvets, and shower curtains to match existing paint and decor in the home is a sure thing. We offer free assistance to find the exact fabric, so customers can send pictures of rooms and give details of what they would like to see and we will send ideas for drapes and other items that aren’t listed on our site. Because we purchase wholesale from fabric designers and manufacturers the ideas are endless.
What one piece of advice would you give to a Client looking to add stylish drapery to a room?
Drapes are a great way to add color and pattern to a room. It is easy to change out drapes and pillows if you get bored with a pattern or color. Often you will see neutral walls, neutral furniture, and beige or white drapes. The drapes and pillows are a fun way to add color to the neutral walls and furniture, plus it is less costly to change out when you want a new look.
How have you seen curtain trends change over the past few years and where do you see the trends going?
Drape trends are moving away from florals and more towards color block, stripe, trellis, and quatrefoil patterns. Simple, easy, and clean colors and styles. These patterns are easy to coordinate with other fabrics and add a focal point to the room without having to use paint.
For all of you out there who are currently redecorating or want to add an extra personalized and custom feel to your room, I highly recommend you check out Amanda’s shop. Her drapes have completely transformed our home and made a world of difference!
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