Say ‘No’ to Store-Bought Draperies and Curtains

November 5, 2017/in Jabot Interiors, Window Treatments /by Janis Behan

There are so many things you can do to improve your home without professional help to save money. You can paint the interior of your home on your own, you can sew your own throw pillow covers, create art for the walls, and more. But draperies? That’s a different story. We’re going to break it down here why you should never buy the store-bought kind, and why you should hire a professional to install them.

1. Drapery Quality

When shopping in a chain store for a ready-made set of draperies, you will find that the quality is just not there, when compared to that of a window treatment company’s materials. They are sometimes sewed wrong, have pulls in the fabric, are puckered and hang funny–you name it! Even the touch and feel of the materials isn’t always up to par.

2. Custom Sizing

Height

Not all windows, doors, and ceiling heights are created equal.

Most curtain manufacturers that sell at big box stores–and even fancy boutiques–only sell two sizes: 84-inch panels, which are too short for a room with 8-foot ceilings, or 96-inch panels, which are far too long. Buying ready-made, store-bought draperies means you most likely have to hem them to the correct height. Or add on material, which we do not recommend!

Width

Most store-bought curtain panels are between 45-54 inches wide. If you have a large window in the middle of your living room (that’s larger than say 36 inches wide), two panels will not cut it. You’re looking at three or four panels, depending on the size of your window, but who’s to be sure?

The width of your draperies should actually be about 2.5 to 3 times the width of your window to create the proper look of fullness when hung. On top of that, do you know how wide you should be hanging your hardware? If you want that room to pop, you’re going to want to hang your draperies wide, but only an Interior Designer or drapery expert will know what’s best.

3. Drapery lining

Drapery lining is the key to making your window treatment look and feel high quality. If you are buying some off-the-rack curtains, they will not come with lining, and you may be highly disappointed when you hang them.

If you’re hanging curtains in a bedroom, you likely want them to be blackout curtains, and most curtains without lining will not block out the light in order for you to get that restful sleep you are hoping for. If you’ve taken a close look at the ready-made curtains in stores that actually have drapery lining, you’ll notice that it is cheap, thin cotton lining. Custom lined drapery has the liner sewn directly into the panel and definitely has a quality weight to it.

Do we have you convinced?

Of course, here at Jabot Interiors, we are drapery snobs, and want to save you from all of the mass-produced low-quality curtains out there! We want you to have the best of the best when it comes to custom drapery, and have people be impressed when they walk into your home.

We hope you think of us when you’re planning custom draperies for your home. You can view our work, and contact us when you’re ready to start on your next home improvement project.

How to Choose Window Treatments That Will Lower Your Electric Bill

January 4, 2017/in Jabot Interiors /by Janis Behan

While window treatments can be decorative and dress up a room, they can also serve a very important function.

At this time of year, it can become apparent that your windows may not be fully insulated, and the amount of heat that escapes through your windows could be costing you a great deal on your electric bill. On the other hand, in the summer, those without air conditioning really feel the effects of the sun warming up rooms with windows that are poorly covered.

Here are a few examples of how proper window treatments can help maintain the temperature in your home–and help save you a buck or two!

Drapes

If chosen properly, drapes help insulate your home from both loss of heat in winter, and the gain of the sweltering summer heat. The colour and weight of the fabric are very important factors.

If you have the right kind of drapes, and they are positioned properly, leaving them closed in the summer will help you reduce heat immensely.

Shades

Window shades are one of the simplest and most effective ways to save energy when choosing window treatments. But you have to make sure you install them just right–mounting the shades as close to the glass as possible and right up against the wall will create a tight seal that minimizes both heat gain and loss.

If you choose shades with dual layers of fabric — a light color on one side and a darker color on the other— you can switch the shades based on the season; the light colour will reflect heat in summer, while the dark colour will absorb heat during winter.

Blinds

Blinds can control the amount of desired light in a room, the ventilation, and add privacy. By keeping reflective blinds lowered on a hot day over a sunny window, you can greatly reduce the amount of heat entering into your home. Both interior and exterior blinds can offer this benefit. Exterior blinds can arguably block the heat even better, before it passes through the window.

Awnings

You may not be considering putting awnings on the exterior of your abode, but they can definitely add a little something interesting to a home’s exterior, and offer defence against the sun in regions with very hot weather. They have the most benefits when placed over south-facing or west-facing windows.

Make sure to contact us when you’re working on your next window treatment project, and maybe we can help you save on your electric bill!

Ricci Lee Ingram Charlene ingram Jabot Interiors West Vancouver

This West Vancouver Window Coverings Company is run by a Mother and Daughter

October 13, 2016/in Jabot Interiors /by Janis Behan

Jabot Interiors is a family business.

Inspired by her grandparents’ home and decorating style, the owner of Jabot Interiors, Charlene Ingram, appreciated design even from a young age. After attending design school and spending a few years at companies that specialized in window coverings, she had the confidence to go out on her own and open up Jabot Interiors in West Vancouver.

Charlene opened Jabot over twenty five years ago, on April Fool’s Day in 1990. It’s definitely no joke; her shop is even still located in the same place as when she first opened. She’s watched the neighbourhood grow and change, and seen businesses come and go. Their boutique showroom is located in Dundarave Village, an area that has become a place where people come to gather and socialize.

Charlene started out offering just custom window coverings, which is the main part of her business, but naturally progressed into offering interior design and custom furniture as well. When asked about her favourite part of owning her own business, Charlene claims it is “the freedom of making choices and decisions of your own.”

In 1999, Charlene hired on her daughter, Ricci Lee, as her Assistant. She later became her Office Manager–and finally, a Design Consultant.

Ricci grew up around interior design, and spent many hours with her Mom at her shop in West Vancouver, helping her with ideas and playing in the showroom. She was still in school when her Mom offered her a job, and she thought she would try it out. Ricci claims she learned everything she knows from her Mom, “but the biggest thing is her positive attitude and great work ethic, I would like to think that a little of that rubbed off on me,” she says.

Working with family can be tough at times, but both Charlene and Ricci Lee thrive on it. They love that they can always be honest with each other, and no feelings are hurt. The only downfall? Too much shop talk interferes with their mother/daughter downtime. Understandable when you are running your own business!

If you’re interested in getting to know a little bit more about this mother daughter design team, or want to discuss custom window coverings, custom furnishings, or learn more about their work, just fill out the form on the Contact page. Either Charlene or Ricci Lee will get back to you as soon as possible.

A Guide to the Top Styles of Drapery Headings

October 6, 2016/in Jabot Interiors /by Janis Behan

Did you know that there several styles of drapery headings? It might be a detail that most people look over, but different types of pleat styles can change the look of your drapes completely.

Drapery headings can be a focal point of the draperies. You can choose a more classic look with a traditional pinch pleat, or a more modern look with a tacked pleat. If you plan on having full functioning drapes, you will want a pleat style that allows your draperies to stack, but if they are only going to be decorative panels, the pleat styles are limitless.

There are so many different options, which is why we’ve narrowed it down to the top six styles.

The Top Styles of Drapery Headings you can choose for your window coverings:

1. Flemish pleat

The flemish pleat has constant folds of fabric that keep the flow down the length of the drape. Pleat fingers are inverted and flow back instead of forward. Also known as an inverted pleat, reverse pleat, or tack roll pleat.

2. Traditional pinch pleat

The drapery is accented with tight, uniform pleats a few inches below the top of the drape. The pleats are spaced at even intervals to control the fullness of the pleated drapes and weighted at the bottom seams and corners to ensure even, smooth pleating and a clean, crisp appearance. The pinch pleat is a classic style that has been used for many years. They offer an elegant and sophisticated, timeless look.

3. Top pinch pleat

Top tack pinch pleat drapes create a sleek header that controls the fullness. Similar to the traditional pinch pleat, except that the pleats are sewn together at the top of the woven stiffener, instead of a few inches down. Also known as the Euro pleat or Parisian pleat.

4. Tacked Flemish pleat

Same as the Flemish pleat, except the pleats are tacked down longer.

5. Tacked pinch pleat

Same as the traditional pinch pleat, except the pleats are tacked down to make them longer.

6. Single fold pinch pleat

The single fold pinch pleat is fixed in place with woven stiffeners to create a soft, rolling effect that maintain the pleat shape over time.

Jabot Interiors custom furniture West Vancouver

4 Reasons to Buy Custom Furniture

September 29, 2016/in Jabot Interiors /by Janis Behan

You might think that custom furniture will cost you an arm and a leg, but that’s not always the case. A custom piece can transform a room into a piece of art, and create dinner conversation for years to come. Here are just a few reasons why you might want to think about shopping for custom furniture over store-bought.

1. The look and feel

When you think about your home and how you have designed and decorated it, do you really want the same table or lounge chair that everyone else has in their home? Or do you want something that you have put a lot of thought into, that flawlessly matches your space? Custom furniture means you know you’re getting excellent craftmanship and quality materials in your pieces.

2. It fits like a glove

Ordering a custom piece of furniture of your home means you can make it fit perfectly into your space like no other piece of furniture can. Have a small nook that would look great with a bookshelf, but can’t find the right piece? Not only do you get custom height, width, and depth with a bespoke piece, but you can also opt for a unique shape, or perhaps a chair with just the right amount of firmness for your back.

3. It doesn’t have to cost more

Many expensive retailers mark up their cost so that they can make money! Buying local means you can most likely save on shipping costs, and possibly even on the total cost of your piece. Furniture in general is not a cheap purchase, so why not spend your money well, on something that will last longer?

4. Your furniture will be unique and tell a story

Your furniture is yours and yours alone, and it says something about you. Whether it’s a custom combination of materials and fabric that can not be found anywhere else, or a unique design that no one has ever seen before, your furniture will be an extension of you, and often a conversation piece. If you want to be kinder to the environment, you can opt for reclaimed wood or other recycled materials. Or if you’re sentimental, you could even remake a piece of furniture using material taken from something else–like a dining table out of an old door, for example.

Looking for a unique piece to add to your home? Contact Jabot Interiors in West Vancouver. We’ll help your furniture dreams become reality.

Contact Jabot

Custom furniture & Draperies West Vancouver

Jabot Interiors has a Mini Personal Decorating Planner for You

July 18, 2016/in Interior Design, Jabot Interiors /by Janis Behan

Before you meet with a designer, take a long dispassionate look at the furnishings and rooms around you. Then take a look at this personal decorating planner that we have set up for you, and use the questionnaire and worksheets to help establish your goals, priorities, and your budget.

TIP: Your consultant/designer will give you many new ideas, so expect to revise the worksheets a few times. You might want to print out or photocopy a few of these.

First, evaluate your lifestyle. Add as many personal notes as you like.

1. What is your remodelling or redecorating project?

____________________________________________________________
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2. What are your goals for this project?

____________________________________________________________
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3. What is your first priority?

____________________________________________________________
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4. What is your second priority?

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5. What is your third priority?

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6. Gather cut-outs from magazines and design books of what you like and what you don’t like.

Keep them in separate files–rooms you love, and rooms you hate. This is an essential design step as pictures speak for you. It’s a technique that helps clarify your own style. These will speak volumes on your first meeting with a designer.

TIP: Stick a post-it note to each tear-sheet and write down what strikes you in the picture. It might be a detail, or it might be the overall feeling of the room. Remember, this is just a gathering of ideas, not things that will be copied.

Don’t expect your favourite pictures to look similar; they can seem un-related. They can reveal strong preferences for particular details, colours, moods, and show common ground. This will strongly help clue your designer into your style.

Get to know Jabot: 5 Questions with Ricci-Lee Ingram

July 5, 2016/in Jabot Interiors /by Janis Behan

As part of our “Get to know Jabot” series, we are speaking with the ladies behind Jabot Interiors to learn a little bit more about them, and how they got to where they are now. A few weeks ago, we sat down with Charlene Ingram, owner of Jabot Interiors, and asked her a few questions about why she got into this business–this week, we we’re chatting with her daughter and Design Consultant, Ricci-Lee Ingram.

Q: How did you get into design?

I grew up with it. My mom managed a window covering business when I was young and I spent many nights with her in the office labeling boxes, “helping” her put ideas together and playing in the showroom.

Q: Did you always know you would work with your Mom? Why did you go into business with her?

I didn’t have a plan to work with her; I had spent a year in college and wasn’t enjoying it so when my mom asked if I wanted to be her assistant, I decided to give it a try.

Q: What have you learned working with your Mom?

Everything I know I learned from her, but the biggest thing is her positive attitude and great work ethic, I would like to think that a little of that rubbed off on me.

Q: What are your favourite and least favourite parts about working with family?

I like that we can be really honest with each other without worrying about hurt feelings, and having that great support system in place. I would say my least favourite is how it limits the quality of our “down time” together; the business portion always seems to invade our personal time.

Q: How are you inspired in your work?

I get inspired by a challenge, throw a difficult window or a tight budget at me and let me run with it.

Thank you Ricci! It seems like these ladies have a wonderful personal, and working, relationship with one another!

Get to know Jabot: 5 Questions with Charlene Ingram

June 14, 2016/in Jabot Interiors /by Janis Behan

We wanted you to really get to know the people behind the scenes at Jabot Interiors, so we did a Q & A session with Design Consultant and Owner of Jabot Interiors, Charlene Ingram.

Q: What made you get into interior design, and make the jump to opening your own business?

I always loved decorating from the time I was a young girl, I naturally just followed my passion. I worked for a large window covering chain for 3 years and ended up managing the North Vancouver location. I learned the the ins and outs of business there, but eventually, I knew I would be running something of my own. When I turned 30, I made the leap.

Q: How has your business changed over the years?

We started out with just window coverings which is the main part of our business, however, we have evolved into doing interior design as well. There are so many options of window coverings and ways that people do business, find business etc., that it’s not as simple anymore.

Q: What is the biggest thing you have learned in your 26 years of running Jabot Interiors?

That by trusting and believing in yourself you can make it happen, always!

Q: Where do you receive your inspiration?

Everywhere I look–and pictures of interiors. When I do a clients home, I do it from what I feel in the home, from them, and the space they have. I know it sounds funny to some, but when I am in the space, I intuitively get a connection to what it needs, and what I know the client will love. This is what is inspirational to me and when the client lets me run with it, it is very satisfying. I just feel sure; I don’t think, I know.

Q: What is your favourite part about owning your own business?

The freedom of making choices and decisions of your own.

Thank you for taking the time, Charlene!

Plain or Patterned Drapes

February 16, 2016/in Jabot Interiors, Window Treatments /by Ricci

Get to know Jabot

October 15, 2015/in Jabot Interiors /by Ricci

The doors to Jabot Window Coverings & Interiors opened April Fools Day 1990. My friends and family thought I was crazy starting a business during a recession, but 25 1/2 years later, here we are, and the home decor industry is bigger than ever!