Retro Renovation

Affordable pinch-pleat drapery sources from California Kathy

Mid Mod Pam on May 01 2008 at 8:01 am | Filed under: window treatments

I feel as strongly about pinch-pleat draperies as I do about wallpaper — you need these in your mid-century house, trust me. But, custom-made pinch-pleats can be wicked expensive. To the rescue: California Kathy with some great sounding recommendations.

Hi Pam,

I love checking in every day or so to see what great things you have to show us! Thanks so much for all the time and effort you put into this.

I saw you lust for pinch pleat sheers and this seller on eBay often has them. Here’s the link for what he has today. In case it doesn’t work, his online ID is hotelliquidator-67.

Also, I recently bought some ivory pinch pleat drapes from factorybargaindrapes.com. They have a “Hot Deals” page that has really good pricing. I love the ones I bought - seem to be very well made.

I took Kathy’s advice and checked the site out. I especially like some of the sheers - and what looks to be a wonderful ivory “Vegas Cream” opaque (above). I emailed Kathy — also asking for her retro renovation story — and she added:

Glad you like the sheers. If these particular ones don’t work for you I’d e-mail the guy as he has them often in several different sizes. The pinch pleats I got … are lined and are hand made. They came with the drapery hooks on them and on a hanger. I’m very happy with them. Especially since I found some I liked on their Hot Deal page and spent $100 for two windows! (The living room front window is a 5′ x 5′ picture window.)

I’m from northern California and live in a 1948 ranch. My favorites are the coved ceilings in the living room and a built in china cabinet in the kitchen. The kitchen also has scallop crown molding.

I’m not doing too much in the way of re-hab per se. I did just have a new formica counter put in the kitchen and I’m going to be installing a white subway tile backsplash soon. I’m going to add some 1″ glass tiles randomly as accents. The glass tilies are yellow, blue and red. Here’s the formica we used:

Thanks again for your blog! Kathy

Kathy - thank you!

8 Responses to “Affordable pinch-pleat drapery sources from California Kathy”

1. on 02 May 2008 at 2:59 am 1Amy

   Hi Kathy,
   I’ve been at a loss for what to do for a backsplash now that we’ve installed our new formica countertops and just received the stainless steel edging from dave sanders (Thanks Pam!!). I wouldn’t suppose you have any pictures that gave you the idea for the subway tile and glass tile design? We’ve been thinking of quilted stainless - diner style, but we’re not yet sold on the idea. I think we’re having trouble visualizing.

   We used the 6940 SKYLARK BOOMERANG formica and will be putting in Congoleum VCT flooring. The CX-91 White/ Deep Blue is what we went with

   We’d love to find some period appropriate cabinets for the side of the kitchen that was apparently remodeled at some point in the 80’s. But, finding wood cabinets is proving to be rather difficult.

   And, we love the 1953 Western Holly we picked up from a couple selling the one that was original to their house because they were remodeling for the modern.

   Anyway, I would love some advice or if you could direct me to some websites that helped you make your decisions that would be terrific!

   Thanks!
   ~Amy

2. on 03 May 2008 at 2:00 am 2California Kathy

   Hi Amy,

   I think I just dreamed up the idea but I did find some photos online that were similar to what I was thinking. I’ll have to find them and post ‘em later for you.

   And if I actually finish it soon I ‘ll post the finished product!

   Kathy

3. on 03 May 2008 at 4:40 pm 3tiel roman

   Hi Kathy,

   Where did you find the speckled countertop?

   Tiel

4. on 04 May 2008 at 1:23 am 4Kathy

   Hi Tiel,

   It is a WilsonArt product called Amusement. I love it!

   Kathy

5. on 04 May 2008 at 1:42 pm 5Mary-Frances Main

   What a great resource for drapes!

6. on 07 May 2008 at 2:13 am 6Kathy

   Hi Amy,

   I came across some pics I got from someone I found online This isn’t exactly what I’m thinking of but it does give you an idea of 1″ mosaic with subways.

   I’m pretty sure I have some different pics closer to what I’m thinking of doing. ‘ll post again when I find them.

   Hi Kathy,

   Here are some pictures of my backsplash. The thing that looks black is
   actually red glass strips that I cut from stained glass.

   http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/kitchengodswife/kitchen/behindrangeside.jpg

   http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/kitchengodswife/kitchen/cornerdetail.jpg

   http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/kitchengodswife/kitchen/corner.jpg

   Hope that helps! I have more pictures but have to dig them up if you
   need them.

   Lisa

7. on 07 May 2008 at 2:04 pm 7Amy

   Thanks Kathy,
   I appreciate your help! Pam also thought that we could use tile in our kitchen - she may post some photos. You just want to be sure when embarking on such a big project…
   Thanks again,
   Amy

8. on 13 May 2008 at 11:15 pm 8Kathy

   Amy,

   I found this photo from 1951 Ranch redo blog that shows subway with 1″mosaic glass tiles in their kitchen. Thought you might want to take a look at it. Kathy

   http://www.flickr.com/photos/ranchredo/sets/1826533/show/

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