“Birds and feathers are everywhere this season,” she said. “Not only are feathers featured on the runways of high fashion, but they’re popping up in all things for home fashion as well.  The showrooms are full of products from area rugs to artwork, featuring birds large and small.”

Through this trend, homeowners are now able to bring a light, airy affect to their homes while also including a signature design that makes a statement. With feathers and birds for home interior design, homeowners aren’t confined to one pattern or print. Rather, almost anything goes as long as it’s tied together with complimentary colors, styles, and a tell-tale bird design.

Homeowners, if you’d like to include birds as inspiration for your home décor, then also consider which colors best complement this design. This season, Christine Ringenbach recommends: “Couple this trend with spring greens, peacock blues, and citrus oranges and yellows to update the look of your home.” With these updated colors and a signature feather accent, you’ll blend natural elements with chic style for a look that’s all your own.

Looking for inspiration for your favorite bird designs? Take a look at these home décor products, and note which ones you most want for your home.

Peacock Feather Area Rug

Dual Peacock Artwork

Dainty Bird Toss Pillow

Metal Feather Wall Art

Cream Feather Lamp Base

Peacock Canvas Art

If you would like to incorporate these modern colors or feather designs into your home, then call interior decorator Christine Ringenbach at 702-914-3741. Through her interior design expertise, her access to high quality products, and her assistance with installation, you’ll soon find the home of your dreams become a reality with excellent interior decorating and a stress-free experience.

Author: Allyson Siwajian

While these colors and patterns have stormed the design world, you’ll find this ‘60s influence beyond the realm of home furnishings. Typically, home fashions follow clothing fashions. So this season, you’ll see these trends in your favorite clothing stores, from Banana Republic to Target.

With rising interest in TV’s “Mad Men,” homeowners across the country have been inspired to embrace the minimal look and sleek creativity reminiscent of famed mid-century designers, such as Charles and Ray Eames. Today let’s explore this look a little more. Then you can make the “Mad Men” style your own, and find creative ways to incorporate ‘60s-inspired designs into your home.

Retro with a Modern Twist: “Mad Men” Inspired Styles

Fringed edges and variegated lime green define this woven throw.

This colorful rug features vintage colors in a splashed abstract pattern.

This throw pillow displays many of the muted shades and shapes of the ‘60s.

Nothing says psychedelic like the bold, waved pattern on this area rug.

Next time you watch the show “Mad Men,” check out the furniture in the offices and homes.  You’ll see low, tight-back sofas with exposed metal and wood legs, as well as fabrics, rugs, and upholstery in oranges, greens, and white. See what ‘60s styles you can find, and take note of which techniques you’d like to include in your own home interior design.

To include this season’s colors, patterns, and styles into your home décor, contact Henderson interior decorator Christine Ringenbach by phone at 702-914-3741. Soon you’ll see your home transformed to fit your version of this modern style that reflects the energy of the past.

Authors: Christine Ringenbach and Allyson Siwajian

“When it comes to quality in upholstered furniture, it’s not what you can see that counts,” Henderson interior decorator Christine Ringenbach said. Rather, homeowners, you’ll want to know the sofa’s construction and learn about its interior.

Then once you know what to look for in a sofa’s interior, you’ll also understand why a more expensive sofa (priced at $1800-$2800) reflects finer craftsmanship and higher quality than a less expensive sofa (priced at $1000 and below). With these tips in mind, you can confidently buy a new sofa that’s guaranteed to give you the most for your money.

Tips for Sofa Shopping:

* Select a Fine Frame. The first requirement for a long-lasting sofa is a sturdy frame. Instead of choosing a less expensive, soft wood that may warp, choose a solid wood that will last longer. For the best fit, Christine Ringenbach recommends: “The frame should be at least a 1 ¼” thick kiln-dried hardwood, which is sturdier and will hold fasteners securely so that joints won’t loosen.”

* Include Solid Joints. For the best reinforcement, skip a sofa that’s only held together by nails, staples, or glue. Instead choose a solid construction. To do this, Christine Ringenbach recommends: “Major joints should be double dowelled, reinforced with corner blocks, glued and then screwed in place.”

* Choose the Best Springs. For a sofa that won’t sag over time, select a sofa with good springs that are strong, supportive, and comfortable. For this ideal combination, find a sofa with springs that have an eight-way hand-tied construction. As Christine Ringenbach explains: “There are less expensive ways to craft upholstery, but no other technique gives better support and comfort. … Each coil spring has been tied with eight knots, criss-crossing at each contact point.  This is more secure, so that the springs won’t squeak and they will move in unison with each other.”

* Check for Quality Padding. For a durable sofa that won’t deteriorate with time, make sure the frame is covered with high quality padding.  This will give the sofa its final shape and it adds increased comfort. With the right padding in place on your sofa, Christine Ringenbach says, “You should not be able to feel the wood through the padding.”

* Opt for High Quality Cushions. The final step to sofa upholstery is the sofa’s cushions. While cushions should reflect your color scheme and design needs, also consider the sofa cushions’ interior for durability and comfort. To select the best options, Christine Ringenbach recommends: “Seat cushions should have quality foam wrapped with a Dacron polyester blanket for softness.  A quality seat cushion [also] has a ‘crowning’ effect as opposed to inferior quality cushions that look flat.”

With these sofa shopping tips, you’ll soon find the best furniture for your home interior design. For further decorating tips or to order a custom sofa to fit your specific space and design needs, please contact professional interior decorator Christine Ringenbach by phone at 702-914-3741.

Author: Allyson Siwajian

While you’re looking to upgrade your sofa’s style with a new purchase, consider today’s interior design tips by Henderson interior decorator Christine Ringenbach. With these buying rules, soon you’ll find the perfect piece of furniture for your home’s décor.

Shopping for a sofa? Don’t forget these rules (see below) before you buy.

Rule #1: Love the way it looks. If it’s not your ideal look, then why buy it? Instead of settling for a sofa you could live with, choose a sofa you can’t live without. To do this, step beyond the showroom of furniture stores and schedule a consultation with an interior decorator. She can customize your sofa to fit your home décor, which gives you far more choices of fabric and styles than you’ll ever find in a furniture store. With a professional’s insight and industry experience, you’ll easily find a couch worth your purchase.

Rule #2: Consider comfort. While it’s important to find a sofa that matches your interior design, you also want a sofa that’s comfortable. While many consumers tend to become absorbed with the “sit test,” a professional interior decorator can help you find the best fit for your needs in a shorter time span. To do this, she can coordinate just the right amount of fabric and cushioning to give you the firmness or softness you desire. Then with her expertise in furniture dimensions as well, you’ll be able to select exactly what you want for the comfort of your home.

Rule #3: Choose excellent craftsmanship. To achieve both comfort and style, take a good look at the sofa’s craftsmanship. Generally, good tailoring on the sofa’s exterior indicates good quality on the interior too. To learn more about the qualities that differentiate a $1,000 sofa from a more expensive $2,500 sofa, be sure to check this blog for next week’s post on quality upholstery.

Rule #4: Select quality fabric. As the most expensive component of upholstered furniture, fabric is an area that requires you to choose wisely and deliberately. Consider the sofa’s function and estimated use. For example, if the furniture piece is for a seldom-used living room, you may select fabric based on its design more than its durability. However, if you’re purchasing a sofa for a much-used family room, then expect your sofa to experience its fair share of wear and tear. In this case, you’d be better to choose a more durable fabric in an appropriate color. To always find the right balance for your needs, consult your interior decorator, who will know what would work best for your home.

With these buyer’s rules in mind, you’re on your way to finding the best sofa for your home. For more information about shopping for sofas, please contact professional interior decorator Christine Ringenbach at 702-917-3741. Together you can select the best time for a complimentary design consultation, and discover the possibilities for your home’s furniture!

Authors: Allyson Siwajian and Christine Ringenbach

Similar to its namesake in ballgowns and evening wear, dressmaker details are the added frills, lace, rosettes, shine, skirts, and more that give an ordinary fabric a completely custom look. While these do cost more, dressmaker details are worth the investment. Not only do they achieve an exquisite, one-of-a-kind look, they also instantly upgrade any fabric. This allows you to enjoy high-quality décor and bring personality to any room for a look that’s completely your own.

Today preview these three styles for custom window treatments with dressmaker details. Learn industry insight from Henderson interior decorator Christine Ringenbach, and start to envision how dressmaker details could be the facelift your window treatments need for a new, lively look!

Romantic Rosettes

Romantic Rosettes

Christine’s interior design insight: “Here the designer draws your eye [or line of vision] to the bottom of the side panel, using a crinkle pleated fabric as a contrast skirt.  A couple of fabric rosettes add that extra designer touch.”

Beaded Accents

Beaded Accents

Christine’s interior design insight: “Simple side panels are taken to the next level with an attached header that features specialty box pleats. [These are] enhanced with an oversized braided gimp trim and the added bling of judiciously placed beaded dangles.”

Diagonal Design

Diagonal Design

Christine’s interior design insight: “[With] this side panel, the dressmaker detailing incorporates fabric-covered buttons in a contrast color placed at the base of each goblet pleat.  We also see the same contrast color of the buttons repeated in the band of fabric, which—in conjunction with the beaded bullion fringe—accentuates a diagonal design line in this side panel.”

Dressmaker Details Make a Difference

Just as a dressmaker takes special care to add exquisite details to make a luxurious, couture gown, the dressmaker details of a drapery add an entirely custom element to a window treatment. To embrace this beauty for your own home, call Christine Ringenbach at 702-914-3741 and schedule a complimentary consultation. With her professional design assistance and your personal style, soon your home will exude a sense of elegance and luxury that’s unique to your space with dressmaker details designed for custom window treatments.

Author: Allyson Siwajian

“It’s like adding jewelry to the proverbial little black dress, which goes from ‘ho hum’ to ‘ooh la la’ with the addition of a beautiful necklace and earrings,” Henderson interior decorator Christine Ringenbach said.

To create this beautiful balance, Henderson homeowners, you’ll need to include the four basic components of drapery hardware:

1. Rod: As the cylindrical base, the rod is typically 1 3/8” in diameter. However, for a design that requires a more substantial look, rods can be 2” or even 3” in diameter.
2. Brackets: Secured to the rod, the brackets attach to the wall and hold the weight of the window treatment in place.
3. Finials: Available in a variety of designs, the finials are the decorative end pieces that bring character to the rod.
4. Rings: Intended to wrap around the rod, the rings hold the drapery fabric in place for a finished window treatment.

While most drapery hardware is available in iron or wood, it can be easily customized to fit your home’s décor through its style and design details. Take a look at these styles below, and select which elements you would most like to include in window treatments in your own home.

Traditional Inspiration

Traditional Inspiration

This drapery hardware achieves a traditional look with its fluted, wooden rod (note the carved lines as opposed to a smooth surface) and its finials in a classic pinecone design. The classic look is completed with traditional round rings in a golden tone.

Rustic Edge           

Rustic Edge

With its squared iron rod and corresponding rectangular rings, this design reflects a less traditional style. It’s finished with polished finials that don’t take up too much wall space but provide just the right amount of design intrigue.

Delicate Detail

Delicate Detail

To attain a transitional look, this window treatment features ruched, tab-top side panels in a sheer material upon a thin rod of burnished nickel. The design is completed with metal and blown glass finials—a current design favorite among homeowners.

Contemporary Combination

Contemporary Combination

This drapery hardware displays a distinctive contemporary look, especially through its slim, nickel rod with finials that combine wenge-colored wood and burnished nickel. This design’s modern edge is further established with rectangular rings to encompass the cylindrical, round rod.

Enjoy these Designs in your Home

Henderson homeowners, if you’d like accentuate your home’s custom window treatments with customized drapery hardware, then call interior decorator Christine Ringenbach at 702-914-3741. She can recreate the designs shown above or fashion a completely new look to coordinate with your home décor. With her professional assistance and access to design industry products, soon you’ll enjoy window treatments with drapery hardware that cater specifically to your home décor style!

Authors: Allyson Siwajian with Christine Ringenbach

Homeowners, if you’d like to see this renovation in your window treatments, then gather inspiration from these designs and learn from Christine’s interior decorating tips. Then imagine how your custom window treatments can transform the look of your home décor.

Modern Elegance           

This window treatment features a stylish tassel tieback as its passementerie.

Elegant Passementerie

Christine’s tips: This “tassel tieback has been used to pull back a side panel into an elegant drape of fabric, which then breaks onto the floor in a soft puddle.”

Regal Red            

The passementerie in this window treatment is the tassel trim and the elegant tassel tieback.

Regal Passementerie

Christine’s tips: “Tassel trim has been applied to the leading edge of this side panel, which has the effect of not only adding a custom detail to an otherwise plain panel, but [also] it adds weight to that edge so it hangs with a richer fullness.  The designer could have used a fabric tieback, but instead opted for a tassel tieback, which makes it look much more elegant.  The addition of trim on this drapery also adds color to an otherwise plain burgundy treatment. [To create unity,] the tassel trim takes its cue from the colors in the wallpaper.”

Traditional Neutrals

In this window treatment, the tassel fringe trim, key tassels, and lip cord act as passementerie.

Traditional Passementerie

Christine’s tips: “The tassel fringe at the hem of this cornice accentuate the curved shape. Just imagine how boring this would be with no trim.  In addition, the designer added a dangling key tassel periodically and [also] smartly used a lip cord on the side edge to enhance the fit of the treatment into the window.”

Country Cottage           

This window treatment’s tassel-trim passementerie complements both the side panel and its contrast cuff.

Country Passementerie

Christine’s tips: “The colors of the tassel trim on the base of this contrast cuff help to marry the colors and patterns of the plaid fabric and the small patterned fabric.”

Add Passementerie to your Home

Homeowners, “however exotic this French word sounds, passementerie are readily available in a wide range of materials and prices, making it possible for everyone to binge on fringe,” Christine said. So if you’d like to update your home, create a more elegant space, and add details that make a difference to your window treatments, then contact Christine Ringenbach at 702-914-3741. Soon you’ll enjoy the elegance of your new additions, all of which can be completely customized to your personal style and home décor.

Author: Allyson Siwajian

Henderson homeowners, if you adore the luxurious romance, traditional accents, and formal atmosphere of Victorian style interior design, then try these interior decorating tips to create a dining room that fits your favorite designs.

Accentuate the room's theme with coordinating furniture, fabrics, and ornate details.

Include a Chandelier: Begin your décor with your most important accent piece—the chandelier. Since it will be a focal point of the room and an elegant way to produce ambient light, select a chandelier that will set the tone for additional décor. In this example (see above), the chandelier features crystal accents and ornate designs in its metal.

Opt for Striped Wallpaper: A staple of Victorian homes is its feminine prints, patterns, and light color schemes. Follow this tradition with wallpaper in pale or muted tones. However, rather than select a busy print, try calming vertical stripes and add ornate details at the top of the wall for increased beauty.

Choose Rich Fabrics and Woods: With the walls and lighting to set the tone, next select furniture and fabrics that will increase the luxurious feel found in so many Victorian homes. Try rich, dark wood for the dining table and sideboard. Add a velvet table runner with fringed tassels. Select plush chair cushions, and let these be in a light neutral tone to best complement the dark cherry hues of the wood.

Embrace Floor-to-Ceiling Window Treatments: To further enhance the dining room’s Victorian appearance, use floor-length stationary side panels. Incorporate a thick material and multiple tiers for a lavish affect, and consider using custom window treatments (which consist of multiple layers of fabric) to achieve that ideal rich, full look. Finish the window treatments with ornate fringe-trim swags and carved rods.

Add a Sideboard: A traditional Victorian dining room isn’t complete without a sideboard for serving food or hosting additional décor. While your dining table takes center stage, let your sideboard take its place against a side wall. Again select a rich wood to coordinate with the room’s theme, and consider a design with ornate detailing.

Consider Modern Accents: While your room exudes a Victorian atmosphere, consider adding a few up-to-date details to acknowledge the modernity of your time. Instead of tall, thin candle sticks, try thick candles with wide-base candlesticks. Rather than include shining brass, update your room with burnished gold accents. Exchange an oval mirror for a rectangular shape. Also, feel free to try architectural modernity, such as crown molding or a copper brushed ceiling or even a grandfather clock with thick sides and smooth edges.

Through every element of your dining room décor, you can create a beautiful Victorian style that echoes antique accents and acknowledges the current time period. If you would like to see this style in your own home, then contact Henderson interior decorator Christine Ringenbach at 702-914-3741. With her professional decorating expertise and your design dream, soon you’ll experience the class, elegance, and romance of Victorian-era décor in your home!

Author: Allyson Siwajian

Today, Henderson interior decorator Christine Ringenbach discusses how custom window treatments can give that additional elegance and graceful touch. Discover what she has to say about the details, and consider how these window dressings can inspire you for your own home décor.

Design a Regal Atmosphere with Creative Mounting, Contrasting Fabric, and Decorative Trim:

Display a luxurious look with this regal window treatment style.

Mounting: “Rather than drapery hardware, this treatment is mounted on a bow-front shaped board for added dimension at the top.”

Dressmaker Detail: “It features dressmaker details, such as covered buttons [in a contrasting color] and a contrast band of fabric at the top.”

Trim and Tieback: “Check out the passementerie, a French term for the decorative trim you see in the tassel-fringe trim on the leading edge of the drapery. [It’s also on] the tassel tieback, which holds the entire panel to the side in a long, graceful swoop.”

Side Panel Length: “For added elegance, the panel breaks on the floor.”

Overall Appearance: “The whole panels looks so full and rich. [This is] because it is not only lined, but interlined, which is a third layer of flannel between the two fabrics. [It’s] a technique you will never see in ready-mades.”

Replicate a Victorian Style with Ornate Swags, Skirts, and Puddling:

Accentuate the room's overall theme with coordinating custom window treatments, such as these Victorian-style window dressings.

Mounting: “This window treatment [features a] beautifully, carved wood rod and finials.”

Dressmaker Detail: “The dressmaker detail [is] shown at the bottom of the panel, where the designer has added a ‘skirt’ with trim detail in the seaming between the skirt and the panel.”

Trim: “The tassel-fringe trimmed swag draped over the top of the side panel” adds instant design intrigue.

Side Panel Length: “These panels break on the floor, for a bit of puddling.”

Overall Appearance: “In this treatment, the eye is immediately drawn to the top not only because of the beautifully carved wood rod and finials, but because of the tassel-fringe trimmed swag. … A secondary focal point is the dressmaker detail.”

Hire a Professional with High-Quality Products:

Homeowners, if you would like such luxurious window treatments for your home interior design, then contact interior decorator Christine Ringenbach at 702-914-3741.

As a member of INTERIORS by Decorating Den, she can view your current home décor, work with you to define your ideal vision, order the custom products for the design, and completely install the window treatments in your home. Since you only pay for the products used in the design, you’ll receive exactly the look you need for an experience that’s completely stress-free.

Author: Allyson Siwajian

Homeowners, today Henderson interior decorator Christine Ringenbach explains exactly how to create window treatments that complement arched windows and complete your home’s décor.

View these design examples from INTERIORS by Decorating Den, and find which style most reflects your home interior design. Then take Christine’s custom window treatment tips, and know that your arched windows can display architectural intrigue while contributing to the overall décor as well.

Maintain the Arch Shape: Fabric Side Panels and Swags

Arched Window Treatments: Side Panels and Swags

Christine’s tips: “This is actually just a simple pair of side panels on wood rods with swags draped around the arch. Tassel-fringe trim on the swags adds weight to the bottom edges, so they drape nicely. The swags are held in place on the wall with wood holdbacks.”

Accentuate Tall Arches: Floor-Length Side Panels on One Rod

Arched Window Treatments: Floor-Length Side Panels on One Rod

Christine’s tips: “Sometimes it’s very effective to just hang side panels in the wall space between the windows, which allows the arches to still be seen. The panels hang from a wood rod, which ties all three windows into one continuous treatment.  Again, you see the panels breaking on the floor.”

Showcase the Arches: Side Panels, Short Cuffs, and Short Rods

Arched Window Treatments: Side Panels with Short Cuffs on Short Rods

Christine’s tips: “This is another example of how effective side panels can be with arched windows.  In this case, short wood rods—which are only as wide as the panel—are tucked into the space between each arch. These panels feature a contrast cuff of fabric at the top with bullion fringe to help draw the eye [or line of vision] upward on the wall.”

Play with Shape: Multilevel, Elongated Swags

Arched Window Treatments: Multilevel, Elongated Swags

Christine’s tips: “Here is a creative way to use an elongated swag to tie the upper arched window into the rest of the treatment. This room would have an entirely different look if the swag had stayed at the lower level of the rest of the swags.”

Create a Custom Look in Your Home

Homeowners, would you like to see your home’s arched windows completely decorated to fit their shape and your style? Then partner with interior decorator Christine Ringenbach. Reach her by phone at 702-914-3741, or visit her website for more information about her interior decorating work in the Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada areas.

Author: Allyson Siwajian