nov dec issue FINAL.indd - Custom Home Furnishings Academy

Step-by-Step
Chris Watt
Flat Roman Shades
Kicked Up A Notch!
Figure 1: Side Wall Before
Thoughtful planning and vision can
take a “simple” flat Roman shade
and “kick it up a notch” resulting in
an extraordinarily custom shade that
can place your workroom reputation well above
others. Our designers and clients often do not
understand that there is a difference. It is within
our abilities to educate them. But be careful, once
they learn what the possibilities can be, their
expectations (and yours) will never be the same!
I recently completed a job, for Interior Designer, Jo Ann
James, that is a perfect example of such a situation.
The design of the shades—flat Roman shades made out of
paisley fabric with plain contrast 3" bottom banding, the
band exposed 2" when pulled up—was nothing unusual.
However, this job had a number of special circumstances and
illustrates why there are no “standards” for Roman shade
construction in my workroom.
The Project
Window covering for side-by-side windows, Figures 1 and 2.
8 flat Roman shades with contrast hems,
3" exposed when lowered,
2" skirt exposed when raised.
4 shades, 34" x 70" (inside mount).
4 shades, 34" x 92" (outside mount).
The fabric is from Lee Jofa and has a 19.5" repeat.
The Challenge
1. All shades must have consistent fabric repeat placement,
starting at the top.
2. Each fold must have the same pattern placement.
3. The shades must look identical when raised.
4. No face fabric should be visible from the outside of the
home.
5. The clutch lift system must be concealed so it will not be
seen from the outside or inside of the home.
Figure 2: Back Wall Before
The Planning Process
1. Determine the ring spacing overall.
Since the fabric has a 19.5" pattern repeat, I divided
this number by 2 and established the primary spacing at
9.75". This spacing results in every other fold showing
the same pattern at the bottom. (For a 24" or 27" repeat,
consider dividing into thirds, resulting in every third fold
showing the same pattern at the bottom edge. This will
still create a consistent and pleasing pattern of folds when
the shades are raised.)
2. Find a way to get side-by-side shades of different lengths
to look identical when raised.
I had already decided to start the first row of rings from
the top of the board at 11.75", then space all other rows
every 9.75" (1/2 of 19.5" pattern repeat). The last row
of rings needed to be appropriately placed to reveal 2"
of bottom skirt (the contrast). In a mock-up, I folded the
shade and noted that the flap between the rings is about
half the space between the rings (4 7/8"). I rounded this
up to 5" and determined that to expose 2" of skirt, the
48 The Custom Home Furnishings Magazine November/December 2006