Just Back from the International Window Covering Expo

This past week, I attended the International Window Covering Expo in Atlanta with Marilyn Croteau. Marilyn owns Croteau Window Coverings and her workroom does all of the window treatments that I design and specify. You can check her out at http://www.croteauwindows.com/. The IWCE offered the opportunity to see what was new in window patterns, shutters, shades, blinds, motorization, fabric, trims, and new technologies that help the design industry solve problems. One of these problem solvers was the x-10 Drop. This is a door handle extension that will work with Schlage hardware. This ingenious piece of hardware will extend the door handle to accomodate blinds and/or shutters on French doors. Until now, Schlage was the only company that did not have an extension to fit. Many of my clients have Schlage door handles and they will be thrilled to have access to this product! Another exciting technology introduced, was the motorization of Roman Shades. This gives us a whole new area to explore when we are challenged with two story windows that need light control.We even found a product that will help hold the base of a drapery panel in place and in perfect folds over a floor vent that is blowing. Small items like these can make a big impact in the overall design of a room, and these technological breakthroughs are always welcome.

The best part of the World Window Covering Expo

No matter how well the products, information or displays are presented, the true success of a show is the people that are involved and the relationships that are formed. The highlight of the Atlanta trip for me was meeting Lee Ann Van Dusen and Patty Grossman owners of Oeco Textiles. http://www.oecotextiles.com/ These amazing women have launched a truly "green" and completely gorgeous line of all natural, "green" manufactured decorative fabrics. These girls offer the true American entrepreneurial story. They have a passion for the environment. They saw the need for truly "green" decorative fabrics. They have a overcome incredible obstacles to pursue their goal with integrity and a committment to not compromise the mission. They are real, down to earth, and lots of fun. It will be thrilling to watch where the journey takes them as I am confident that they will be wildly successful.