Welcome to Susan's Blog
All the latest blog posts from Gailani DesignsAdd value to your home with shutters!
Plantation shutters not only add beauty, elegance, and sophistication to any home, they also add great value! Although the initial cost might be high, in the long run it is an economical solution, justifying the starting investment. Here are five reasons why you...
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read moreFrench country style treatments for your windows!
Enjoy the video! Call (630)420-0800 for all your interior design, custom draperies, and custom bedding! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t64iBehXyNw&list=UU0toLJfEWvxpdzrQJwwZOOw&index=8&feature=plcp
read moreHelpful Tips For The Use Of Drapery Lining
The question is often asked, to line or not to line? The use of drapery lining has benefits both aesthetically and functionally. Lining custom draperies adds a richer, lusher look, and it’s very important to help protect the main fabric from fading, fraying and...
read moreFour Ways to Use Draperies Other Than Windows
Door Draperies: This was a trend during the Victorian era. It was a way to express opulence and wealth and fit into the notion that “more is better.” Door draperies are still being used, but it’s uncommon to see them. A potential client once asked for an estimate, but...
read moreMost IMPORTANT Tips to Know About Drapery Panels!
Drapery Trends: Panels Are Perfect In So Many Places In recent years, we’ve seen increasing use of drapery panels as window treatments, replacing swag treatments or valances in popularity. Most drapery panels are used to add warmth to a room. Most are stationary...
read moreHow to be Creatively Artistic? Try a Feathered Valance
A young artist is the client of the month! She’s incredibly creative and expresses her artistic talent not only in painting, but she’s also an amazing dancer, she loves animals, and she has a collection of masks displayed on the wall representing the Central American...
read moreHow to Create the WOW Factor – The Illuminated Room
A new client in Burr Ridge, Illinois, asked me to design his living room and said he wanted a unique design. He further said he wanted me to create “the WOW! Factor” with a design that I’ve never done for another client. An exciting challenge for a designer, right?...
read moreSo Many Choices for Roman Shades, Part 3
In addition to classic and hobbled, there are other styles of Roman shades. We have the London shade, relaxed Roman, Austrian shade, balloon shades, and the mock Roman. London shade: There are several styles of London shades (sometimes called dog ear shades), as you...
read moreMake a Stunning Statement with Hobbled (“Waterfall”) Roman Shades
“Hobbled” and “waterfall” describe the look exactly. These shades sort of fold over each other to create a look similar to cascading water. These shades can be interlined to enhance the look, or sometimes interlining is used to conserve energy. In bedrooms and media...
read morePRESS RELEASE – Gailani Designs Awarded Best Of Houzz 2017
SUSAN GAILANI of Naperville Awarded Best Of Houzz 2017 Over 40 Million Monthly Unique Users Nominated Best Home Building, Remodeling and Design Professionals in North America and Around the World [Naperville, Illinois], January 20, 2017 – Gailani Designs of Naperville...
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Different Styles of Roman Shades for Different Spaces. What Style Works For You?
Roman shades are increasingly popular. Over the past few years, we’ve seen them installed in a variety of settings—including suburban homes with traditional décor, urban townhomes with contemporary flair, and professional offices with business-like furnishings. We’ve...
read moreLearn How To Dress a Window Within a Niche
When you need to dress a window in a niche and there’s very little room for installation, wood blinds or shutters are a great solution! The room in the illustration above was an actual project. As you can see, the room is very small. Our client needed a window...
read more2017 Top Trends in Window Treatments
2017 Trends in Window Treatments: Simplicity is “en vogue” If you’re of a certain age, you will remember that window treatments in the 1970s and 1980s—especially custom draperies—tended to be elaborate, ornate and, some would say, “over the top.” I remember that time...
read moreIs Your Guest Room Ready for the Holidays?
If you’re planning to celebrate the holidays this year with guests from out of town, ask yourself if your guest room is ready for guests. Often we decorate our guest rooms for couples, but sometimes it happens that our guest is a single guy or gal. How do we decorate...
read moreThe Piano Room Project – Serene and Comfy
“Piano Room” was the project we created for our client in Plainfield. The teenage daughter plays the piano, and the room needed to be serene and comfortable so the entire family could thoroughly enjoy her performances. The room had walls with a faux finish that was a...
read moreGrandiose and Opulent Was the Goal for This Window Treatment!
Grandiose and opulent was the goal for this window treatment! The client loves to entertain, and it is very important to her to have a dining room that reflects her style. The client wanted a window covering design that created a luxurious style to the room, using the...
read moreFrench-Inspired Home With an Exotic Bird Theme Throughout
A French-inspired home has birds intertwined into the design theme; birds of all types are in each and every room of the home. An exotic bird was selected for this guest powder room. The vibrant persimmon was selected as the wall color in the room since it is a small...
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Considering Pleats? Top Tips for Choosing Pleated Drapery (Part Two)
Weeks ago, we wrote a blog post about drapery pleating, and specifically we discussed the more common pleats that you most frequently see in homes. Now we’d like to describe some of the more unusual pleats that are available. The “fancier” pleats that we’ll talk about...
read moreTop Ways to Make Your Dining Room Special
Do you want the expected or the unexpected in your dining rooms? Lovely evenings are spent in dining rooms of all varieties, but I would like to share several photos that illustrate the unexpected, creative use of fabric in dining rooms. Kitchen dining...
read moreAn Old Chest of Drawers Gets a Facelift!
Yes, we are the window treatment experts, but, we provide other design services as well! I received a call from Mary, a good client from Naperville, who is debating whether to keep her bedroom set, which has sentimental value, or donate it. I took a good look at the...
read moreCommercial Draperies!
Creativity is not only for residential projects! Being creative while respecting budgets, public safety, building codes, and practicality are traits every interior designer must possess. When designing for a commercial project, interior designers are faced with many...
read moreGuest rooms! What can they tell about your hospitality?
Making a space welcoming and hospitable is the goal when designing guest rooms. Whether designing a guest room in a large suburban space or in a compact city dwelling, each has its own challenges. With careful planning and creativity, guest rooms will be an expression...
read moreTop 12 Trends in Window Treatments
Clients often ask me about window covering design trends, so I thought I would share the Top 12 trends in window treatments that I and my design colleagues have noticed recently. Trend #1 - Simplicity Simplicity. Draperies with crisp, clean lines enhance the...
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Lutron Residential Solutions
Lutron, best known for its light control and dimmer switches, a while ago introduced a line of window covering shades with brand names such as Serena, Sivoia, and Caseta Wireless that will enable the user to control lights, shades, and the thermostat – from anywhere...
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Decorating Outdoor Spaces to Enjoy Life
Finally, summer is here and most of us can’t wait to take advantage of our yards, decks and patios. I think it is a perfect time to write about how to turn your outdoor space into your own private retreat, to enjoy the best that life has to offer. When I think of the...
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Sheers Only?
Sheer draperies (“sheers” is the shortened version) could be the most dynamic, impact creating, and statement-making window treatment! Sometimes when I suggest sheers only, I get this look from the client (REALLY?). Many clients think that having only sheer treatments...
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Considering Pleats? My Tips for Choosing Pleated Drapery
Considering pleated drapery? Confused about which type of drapery pleats or heading to choose? The choices are endless when it comes to drapery pleating. When my clients ask for pleated drapery panels, my creative juices start to flow! Most clients ask for pinch...
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Bead Trim Possibilities are Endless!
Bead trims for window treatments are a little bit like the icing on the cake. The possibilities are endless! Just ask your Window Covering Design specialist to find high-quality, unique bead trims. Bead trims surged in popularity several years ago and they are still...
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Transform the look of your home with Roman Shades
Roman shades are becoming more and more popular, but there are a few pieces of advice I would like to share about them. When selecting your fabric, make sure to use solid-color fabric or fabric with vertical stripes. Look for cotton fabric, because it has proven to be...
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Considering Plantation Shutters?
Plantation shutters not only add beauty, elegance, poise, and dignity to any home, but they also represent great value! Here are five reasons why you should consider plantation shutters for your home: 1) Rich-looking wooden shutters can complement any style of...
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Go Green with your window treatments
Have you considered going green with your window treatments and using recycled hardware for your window treatments and draperies? Here are some advantages to using the hardware mentioned above: All the pictures below show recycled hardware from RMCOCO! They look...
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Do not underestimate the power of pillows!
During the course of an interior design project, when it is time to consider pillows, there is often no money left in the budget and the pillow project is cancelled. This is an unfortunate occurrence. Pillows are important elements in establishing the “feel” and...
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Window Treatment Design Options Can Lead to Confusion
With literally millions of options for window treatments, are you confused, puzzled and unsure what to choose? Do you have large windows, tall windows, narrow windows? Or do you have arched, corner, bowed, bay or downright tiny windows? Regardless of your window...
read moreHave you ever considered a custom headboard for your bed?
Many of you have probably noticed the increasing use of custom headboards for beds. I would be willing to bet that the ones you liked and admired the most were custom headboards, rather than the ones that can be purchased as a set with other bedroom furniture....
read moreShades only? Or custom draperies and valances as well?
So you got your shades – for privacy and light control – but the room still does not feel homey, warm and comfortable? What adds warmth and the feel of down-home comfort are the textures, patterns and colors of fabrics. Whether it is pillows, custom draperies or...
read moreDo the Rooms in Your House Flow?
It is human nature to appreciate beauty and to want to live in an environment that has harmony and is reflective of the homeowner’s style. I have worked with many clients who are talented and naturally creative men and women, but who have not quite developed an eye...
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What is the value of hiring a professional interior designer?
What is the value of hiring a professional interior designer? Good designers are artists: A space in a home is a blank canvas for any interior designer. It stimulates an idea of what the finished room will look like. The end product is nothing less than a work of art....
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Custom Draperies vs. Ready- Made
Why Clients Buy Custom Draperies vs. Ready-Made I asked my clients what makes them buy custom draperies. Here are the answers: Ready-made looks very skimpy and drab. They are either too long, too short or not wide enough. Often, store bought draperies are only 36’’...
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Fabric shades for a chandelier, an amazing finishing touch!
Have you ever thought of dressing your chandelier with fabric shades? Adding that extra touch with custom shades for any lighting can add a lot to any room. Custom shades for the lighting fixtures, can be made from the same fabrics used in your space or perhaps a...
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Add Some Color At Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving is a beautiful holiday and is celebrated by people of different backgrounds. Often, the dinner table is the center of attention. Why not decorate it in a unique way? Add some color at Thanksgiving Dinner!
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Time for New Curtains? And Get Ready For The Holidays!
Are you ready for the holidays? Is your home ready? Now's a great time to decorate with new curtains. One of the most noticeable change for any room is the curtains. If you want to make changes it is never too late. Whether it is just valances, sheers, drapery panels...
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Fall colors! How about bringing them in your home?
Fall is a beautiful season. We are lucky to live in the Midwest where we can experience the transformation of colors. Follow these simple tips to incorporate some of those dynamic colors into your home without breaking the bank: Come up with a personal color guide....
read moreOctober is Child Safety Month
October is Child Safety Month! The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are urging parents and caregivers during October to check their window coverings for exposed or dangling cords that can pose a strangulation hazard to infants and young children,
read moreA powder room gets a new window treatment, Burr Ridge IL.
A new window treatment was created to dress the window in the powder room. The client wanted a valance with french flair, which was the style of the home located in Burr Ridge IL. The floral fabric with a beautiful bird motif was used as the main fabric, and check...
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Plantation Shutters
Plantation shutters not only add beauty, elegance, poise, and refinement to any home, but they also come at a great value! Here are five reasons why you should add shutters to your home: The rich, wooden shutters can be added to any type of interior space, whether the...
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Scary Windows will not scare us!
October is the season of cold weather, vibrant colors, apple orchards, pumpkin picking, and Halloween! While your children are dressing up in fun and scary costumes, take some extra time this month to dress up the scary windows in your home. I’m talking about those...
read moreOctober is Child Safety Month
The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are urging parents and caregivers during October to check their window coverings for exposed or dangling cords that can pose a strangulation hazard to infants and young...
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Blackout shades are not only for bedrooms!
If you have a media room, then room darkening are probably on your wish list! We can dress your windows with beautiful draperies and roman shades that will be decorative and add style to your space when open. Draw them closed and you can really “set the stage” for...
read moreDo you want to get your home ready for the Holidays? It is not too early to start now!
It’s only September, but if you want your home ready for the holidays, the time to start thinking about window treatments is now! Before meeting with a professional, start an idea file for yourself; gather colors you like, magazine photos, advertisements, articles,...
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