Soft fabric shades are a simple but elegant solution for regulating light, room temperature and privacy, and can be made in a number of diverse styles. The most familiar of these include flat Roman and relaxed Roman shades, balloon shades, hobbled, and London shades.

Shown here is a London shade made from four different fabrics and two different trims.  London shades have a distinct tail on either side.  The teal blue face fabric is made of silk with embroidered flowers.  The fabric used on the inverted pleat is a small woven cotton incorporating the teal blue and yelllow. The fabric used on the faux skirt is a yellow small dot print, also a silk.  The inverted pleats are accentuated with a micro-cording using gold silk fabric.  Lastly, a tassel trim was applied at the bottom edge.




Here is a picture showing the backside of a shade using the Safe-T-Shade construction method.





Red Plaid Silk Balloon Shade

Relaxed Roman Shades

Many times clients begin the search of what they want by researching magazines, books, catalogues, or the Internet. In this case, my client knew she wanted a relaxed Roman shade using black & white fabric. Since I have accounts with numerous fabric manufacturers such as Robert Allen, Kravet, and Stout Brothers I was able to utilize their research departments to find just the right fabric. Within a matter of days I received memo samples from these companies. My client could feel the fabrics, see the design, know the contents, and compare prices quickly. Once installed these functional shades complimented the iron medallion display above the fireplace beautifully.

    Relaxed Roman shades made of opaque sheer fabric

A Rolled Shade Under A Valance

Hobbled Roman Shade

Hobbled Roman shade with scalloped edge trimmed in crystal beading.


This hobbled Roman shade allows for varying amounts of light to enter the room.


At night, the shades are lowered so that the family can have privacy but still enjoy the benefit of the hobbled look.


During the day, the shade is raised so that bright sunshine can illuminate the beads shown at the scalloped edge.

Flat Roman Shades