Reba Byrd, Owner

A:  Sometimes yes and sometimes no.  Often, people come in with some inspiration, such as magazine photos, a pillow or home photos. We've had people bring in a favorite rug, and we had a lady bring a painted board that she wanted to build a color scheme around.  So whether you know or don't know what you want to do, we can help you.

Q:  Why should I use a designer?

A:  Of course it's up to you, but our designers can give you new ideas and make suggestions that can make your project the best it can be.  Let's say you love cardinal red, and you want to redo your bedroom.  A designer will point out that red is a high-energy color, and might recommend a more neutral tone-on-tone or other more restful color combination, but still carry some of your favorite cardinal color into a few accents or into an adjoining study area.

Q:  Why are curtains so tricky?  I've seen attractive "ready to hang" curtains at several stores around town.

A:  Funny you should ask that - I had a customer come in who had bought ready-made silk drapes and they actually had holes in them after a year!  Silk, for example, will slowly disintegrate in the sun, so it's important to use a good lining for silk and other fine fabrics.  Window treatments can transform a room, and a designer will ask you, for example, if preserving your view is paramount, and/or whether you need to plan for privacy.  She'll inquire if you like draperies that open and close, or if you prefer non-functional ones just to soften the room.  She'll help you understand what you really want!

Beth San Antonio

Kelci and Daniel San Antonio

Nikki San Antonio

Q:  Who are the designers?

A:  It's important to me that each of our employees is able to provide excellent design advice to our customers.  No one just operates a cash register!  But each designer has a special expertise and love for one or more design elements.  For drapery expertise, we have Kathryn in Dripping Springs and Beth in San Antonio.  Loren and Beverly can help pull together your room with furniture, accessories and ready-made bedding. 

Designing bedding and pillows is so important and in such high demand, that we make sure that Lacey, Teresa, Karen and Pam in Dripping, and Kelci and Daniel in San Antonio, and in fact, all of our designers can provide excellent help with custom bedding and with pillows of every kind.  (Pam has a special love for baby bedding.)  You can come in anytime and any of these designers can help get you started.  If you know right off the bat that you want draperies, it's best to call ahead to make an appointment with Kathryn or Beth.

Karen Dripping Springs

Pam Dripping Springs

Q:  What's the furthest distance your designers have traveled to see a customer?

A:  We've traveled to Colorado to redo a vacation home and we've gone to Houston a number of times.  We spend most of our time with customers who live in Dripping Springs and the Hill Country area, and in the San Antonio and Austin areas.

Q:  Is there a charge for a home visit?

A:  Yes, we charge based on distance and time.  However, we do credit the travel charge to your final bill if you decide to use our custom services.

Q:  What about the cost-conscious customer?

A:  First, we make sure we have a wide selection of fabrics at different price points to fit every style and budget.  You may want to forgo the home visit and installation if you are a do-it-yourselfer.  Our designers are still available to advise you whether we create the curtains or bedding or you do it.

Q:  How do I get started?

A:  Come on in or give us a call.  Whatever help you need, we're going to give it to you.  And you're going to love your home!

 

"Accessorizing - A Balancing Act" is the subject of our next newsletter.  Are you a symmetrical purist or do you mix accessories with whimsy and abandon?  Whatever your style, see our tried-and-true basics for arranging the decorative items you cherish.  (This is the fun stuff!)

 

Reba Byrd is the owner of Cowgirls and Lace and Le Ragge Ruggs with locations in Dripping Springs and San Antonio.  Cowgirls and Lace specializes in custom window treatments and bedding as well as complete lines of furniture and accessories.