Starting a new business at 45!

Who says you're too old to start something new?

Faye started her drapery business when she was 45 and now, 25 years later is still in business.

Although there have been tough times, a few things have led to her success of working with clients in their homes.

1. People lover. You must be kind. You don't have to be "nicey nice", but liking people is kind of a given.

2. Prepare your client. Make sure you go over details of what your client can expect as a finished product. Don't assume they know about how the end result is supposed to look. This will minimize problems.

3. Be present. Faye has made sure to be available at the time of installation. Showing up, when your client has invested a lot of money or a little, makes you a more trustworthy person.

4. Follow up. Don't be afraid to make that call or send that email. If your client isn't happy, what can you do to help the situation? Faye has sent countless handwritten thank you cards. "Thank you's" go a long way.

Nothing I mentioned has to do with being a good sales person. Techniques are great and we use them, when appropriate, but we all know there's more to running a business than the latest sales aid.

To celebrate send us an email through our website or call us today to receive 10% off your next fabric purchase or Altex blind order.

613-591-9500

Decorating 2 storey windows

June's house (huge Restoration Hardware fan)

France's home. 2 storey bay window

Recently we dragged Dina our photographer along to take some pics of our work. She really wasn't kicking and screaming, we treated her right.

Decorating 2 storey windows can be a challenge. Blinds are great, but if you want to use drapery, going to the top gives you the feeling of height. There's something grand about taking it to the top.

Some things to consider: the extra cost of fabric, professional installation (does your neighbour really know what he's doing? make sure) where to place the hardware, what type of hardware to use.

Feel free to send me an email if you'd like further questions answered regarding decorating a 2 storey window with drapery.

heather@fayefortunedrapery.com

Headboard help

How do you get to bed at night? Do you fall in exhausted and overworked? Or do you get to do something restful, like reading? If "Fifty Shades of Grey" isn't your style, maybe "Wheat Belly" or "Wild" is more like it.

Sometimes our surroundings don't make for the best place to relax. Taking time to make sure your bedroom is uncluttered, visually pleasing and promotes rest can be a challenge, but it's definitely worth it.

Starting with something as simple as a headboard can make a huge difference. Something to lean against other than the wall is great. It doesn't have to be fancy or high end. 


When we first got a headboard, I would head to my room after work and sit on my bed with a cup of tea, it felt so good!

One of our clients, Jana, had seen the Colette bed from Crate and Barrel. She loved it, but not the price. 

Colette bed from Crate and Barrel

Jana's headboard Faye Fortune

We chose a cotton from Joanne fabrics. The nails are brushed silver, they were fun to find! You should be able to find them at a local fabric store. You can visit online sources also.


For more headboard inspiration visit Houzz for lots of great headboard photos. Think outside the box, or visit Pinterest and type headboard tutorial in the search box.

Happy Reading! 

Eclectic Bedroom design by New York Architect Dufner Heighes Inc

Eclectic Bedroom design by Media And Blogs Dreamy Whites

Nancy's chair

This was Nancy's chair. 

Nancy's chair

I believe she told us that she and her sister had bought it for their mom back in the 60's. Because it has such sentimental value, she decided to have it recovered. 

Nancy's new chair

It got a new skirt and some fringe. Nancy has a great spot at her vanity table, perfect place for it!

Have something meaningful you can't part with? Maybe a little makeover is in order.

Visit Faye

Amy's Ensuite

This stuff hangs like a dream. Stay tuned for some pics in the near future of gorgeous ensuite drapery.



Robert Allen Tirso in Sesame

Here is Amy's ensuite

Amy's ensuite RA Tirso in Sesame

Framing the window...


For some reason Faye forgot to get a pic of the whole thing. She's so cute!

High Powered Drapery

Talk about high powered. Recently we had the challenge of motorizing drapery for Chris in his amazing old Ottawa South home. Twenty-two feet of pure window and door, seperated only by a 3.5" perpendicular beam. The challenge was to motorize but also to split the drapery up so the beam wouldn't be an issue. Big THANKS to our installers Richard Burpee and Al Marinier, couldn't have done it without you!

Keep an eye out for this in an upcoming Ottawa magazine that will feature Lori Andrews' designs and also thanks to my design friend Sonya Kinkade of Sonya Kinkade Design for the recommend through twitter. Gotta love Twitter!

Bits and Bobs

My friend Amanda is from England, one day I overheard her use the term "bits and bobs" I loved it. So great a description for a bit of this and a bit of that.

It's been way too long... life got busy and blogging took a back seat. Here's a few things we've been working on lately... some bits and bobs!

Kelly's windows. Kelly is an ottawa area decorator and had found some great fabrics to use for her valances. She wanted to go with an east coast look. You can check out her blog for more of her decorating ideas.

Ripplefold. I'd been wanting drapery in our tv room for some time now and finally got around to it. My family mostly rolls their eyes at me when they see me bring the fabric books home. I chose a fun, modern print from Robert Allen Design called Overpass. I decided to use ripple fold at the top instead of traditional pleat. The result was fun. My kids even admitted that the drapery made the room better, now, we actually like being in the room. Hmmm what's next.

Sky's the limit. Height doesn't scare us! But it can be intimidating. We'll keep you posted with the fun we've been having at Chris' place. It involves scaffold and lots of coffee and bribing for my installers! 22 feet high.

Visit our gallary for more window covering ideas.Get more ideas about ripplefold.
Like us on facebook,  follow us on twitter @fayefortune