Celebrating 15 Years
July 2016 


  
 

Margaret Blunt, Owner,
Sew Beautiful

Having recently hosted overnight guests, I know the feeling of preparing your house for company.  I didn't have enough time to do all I really wanted to do (like a full remodel of the guest bathroom) so I settled for what I COULD do in a short amount of time (paint the bathroom and change out accessories). 

Believe it or not, Christmas is going to be here in a little over five months. That doesn't mean you have to jump off your poolside chaise lounge and drive to the mall immediately to start shopping! However, to make the Holidays go as smoothly as planned, now is the time to get the ball rolling on decorating updates to your living spaces so you won't get slammed when "the Holiday Season" arrives.  Read our Feature Article, "Christmas in July," for tips on what you can do now to have your home entertainment-ready by Thanksgiving.

This month's feature project highlights several beautiful shutter jobs we've recently completed that demonstrate how perfectly shutters can work in every room of the house!

If you're looking for the perfect window treatment to meet your light control and privacy needs, ask us about Hunter Douglas' Smart Shades Savings Event, going on now through September 12.

All the best -
 
 
Margaret
SewBeautiful
In This Issue
Shutters: A Versatile, Timeless Look!
Did You Know...
Christmas in July
Hunter Douglas Rebate
 Services We Offer
Designer Fabrics
Like us on Facebook 

 

Shutters: A Versatile, Timeless Look!

For a classic, timeless look, shutters are the perfect addition to any home's décor. The beauty of shutters is in their versatility - they provide light control, privacy and insulation, plus they are fade resistant, low-maintenance and easy to clean. Shutters come in a variety of stain and paint colors to complement any decorating style. Whether you're looking for privacy in a bedroom or bathroom, or light control in a study or kitchen, shutters are customizable for any space, and can fit all your needs.



A beautiful dark-stained shutter was selected to match the window trim in our client's master bathroom. These inside-mounted shutters not only seamlessly blend with the window, they complete the room!














 For another client, a white  painted shutter with a hidden  tilt was selected for this guest  bathroom, resulting in a crisp,  fresh look to coordinate with  the "beachy" style of her  home. 

















In this gorgeous Annapolis home, the clients chose this café-style shutter because it provides the subtle privacy they needed in their dining room, while maintaining an 
open view to the scenic outdoors. 




For a shutter customer, we fit these double-hung windows with transoms, which are the perfect choice for this library. The divider rails fit the natural breaks in the windows, while each bank of louvers operates independently, providing flexible light and privacy control, ideal for TV viewing or reading. 











Painted white shutters are a great fit for this guest bedroom as they provide the room's occupants with light control and privacy during their stay.






If you're thinking you'd like to add shutters to your holiday "to-do" list be sure to plan ahead and get started early. Depending on the details of your shutter project, it's a good idea to allow for an eight-week turn-around time. 

Did You Know...

...The humble sewing needle may have been one of the most important tools ever invented, because without adequate clothing, there was little protection from the elements in prehistoric times. Before the needle, ancient clothing probably consisted of draping furs over the body, or crudely sewing skins together with an awl and leather thong. 
A set of bone needles from the Cave of Courbet in the Aveyron Valley, near Toulouse, France, believed to be over 13,000 years old
Our modern sewing needle is a direct descendent of the bone needles used thousands of years ago. Using a crude flint tool, splinters of bone would have been cut out and trimmed roughly into a pointed shape. The needle was then polished and smoothed with a mix of sand and water. The needle's eye was bored with a rudimentary stone drill.    

Homo Sapiens developed the needle about 35,000 years ago, allowing for the development of more complex clothing that could be layered and fitted.

The first modern curtains didn't appear until around the latter part of the 16th century in England. Before that, internal wooden shutters were used to keep out the light and cold.

Christmas in July

Thinking ahead to the Holidays now gives you plenty of time to fully prepare your house for company by Thanksgiving. Do you need a full room remodel or just an update? Either way, it doesn't hurt to start planning now.

  Here are some tips to help you get started on your home decorating projects:
  1. Define the scope of your project - Are you planning a complete room makeover, or do you just need new draperies for your dining room or new bedding for your guest bedroom?
     
  2. Set a goal or timeline of when you'd like the project to be finished - Thanksgiving, Christmas or a special Holiday party? Plan ahead to allow plenty of time - custom projects can take six to eight weeks, so summer is a great time to start thinking about those Holiday projects.  
     
  3. Establish a budget - How much will it cost to turn your home decorating ideas into a reality? If your wish list is larger than your budget, consider doing your project in phases, or just concentrate on one room at a time.
     
  4. Discover your own unique decorating style - While lying on the beach or poolside, peruse magazines, Houzz or Pinterest. Make a portfolio of ideas - photos to show your decorator so they too can see what you're envisioning.
  1. Consider the small changes that will make a big impact - Paint a room, get a new rug, or add throw pillows or new artwork to spruce up your space without planning a whole-room makeover.
     
  2. Hire a designer to help you with your project - With their access to resources, he/she can help you realize your vision and keep it on a timeline.  Schedule your appointment now to make your decorating dreams a reality!
Even minor changes can give your room a totally updated look. You will be confident because your Holiday guests will feel relaxed and comfortable in the beautiful areas you helped to create! 
 
Remember to start thinking about these projects soon - you'll be glad you did. And for those items you weren't able to get around to, why not add them to Santa's list!

We love this Christmas at the Beach Collection from one of our vendors, Eastern Accents. Let us help you add a little Christmas to your beach house or help you start your shopping early. These whimsical pillows would make great gifts too!

If you, or someone you know, are looking for help with a decorating project please contact us for an in-home consultation. We help homeowners dress their windows and complete their rooms with well designed and beautifully made custom window treatments, pillows, cushions, bedding, upholstery, area rugs and more. To schedule an in-home consultation, call (410) 544-3300 or email 

Hunter Douglas Rebate through Sept. 12