Wednesday, October 14, 2009
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By Owner, Window Bonnets
For the last 2 months of the year, every order gave our customer an entry into our final giveaway contest.... a free 9" cornice kit. We had over 100 entries. On January 1, 2009, all the names were typed up, folded and put into a punch bowl. Since we were at relatives in Hinkley, CA, I had Joe and Marion assist with the drawing. Marion stirred them all up and Joe pulled out the name. Phylis Stoyanowski of Desert Hot Springs placed an order on 12/18/08. She purchased for multiple windows to start with, some 5 as I recall. When I called to let her know that she had won, I offered to give here an additional free kit, or credit her for one she had already purchased. Phylis opted for the additional kit so she could complete all her bedrooms. When she has her windows done, I will drop in, get pictures and feature her on the website. Stay tuned...See our newest designs at:http://www.windowbonnets.com/html/bedrooms.html
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
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By Owner, Window Bonnets
Their home was burned to the ground. Can you imagine shopping at your local Target store and getting a call as you come out, hearing fire and police sirens off in the distance. The phone, oh yes, get the cell phone, it is your neighbor calling to say your home is on fire, in fact nearly burnt to the ground now! The fencing, the pool decking, hot tub, house, a car in the drive and tragically the two family dogs, are gone. Best news, no human family members at home, hubby, the children, your sister and husband, all safe, because they were NOT at home. Shirley and family had a modest home, but one they had for more than 20 years! Lots of memories for her grown children and all the family. Now they are gone and the rebuilding begins. It took more than 6 months, but now it stands big and beautiful, new and ready to start filling with more memories. In the original home Shirley had beautiful window cornces made and decorated by hers and her sisters hand, customzied for each room. The new home was going to have them again. She found Window Bonnets and the styrofoam based cornice kits they used the first time. We had them in stock and since I was in Phoenix, I personally delivered her order for six windows to her rental home. I got the tour of the new home and the details of their experience.
Her sister was there to help with the cornice assembly and decoration, the day I delivered the kits, they had just purchased the last of the material. Their cornices are beautiful. I took these pictures during their open house celebration. So many neighbors, friends and strangers helped them in their time of need. This was their way of saying "thank you."
Take a look, the open house was days before they started moving in so there is no furniture, but I think you will easily admire the design, workmanship and beauty.
All the cornices are 15" high. Shirley had the ceilings raisedjust over a foot, so they look great. Catch the close-up. Pleats, I had not seen such great pleats in any so far. I had made one myself, but not near as good-looking as these. The medium weight Jacard fabric is easy to work with, very professional look. 
The guest bedroom, first down the hall to the left. This cornice is very similar to the living room, pleats with cords embellishing the center segment. Neutral colors for the greatest design flexibility. The top and bottom fabric is a faux suede. Very elegant, very nice. It will be appropriate for years to come and many different color combinations.
This bedroom is designed for a baby's room, the playful color combo of blue and lavender and the eyelet lace design also gives it that "fun" appeal.
Shirley's master bedroom also sports pleats in the center, with contrasting cords at the top and bottom. Shirley's sister is truly the master of pleating.
Now last but not least is the Kitchen. As with all their cornices, the kitchen one is 15" high, pleats and cords.
Contrast these lovely designs with the others in our Gallery of Homes:
http://www.windowbonnets.com/html/gallery_of_homes.htmlBuy one yourself and see how easy it is to create a beautiful window treatment!Jan Klatt
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
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By Owner, Window Bonnets
This last week, a new customer, Shirley, contacted us that the website was not working for them to purchase their new window bonnets. I tried it myself, and sure enough an error appeared. Well, I solved the error post haste but she asked if I could just take her info and run the sale manually. No problem, glad to assist. She wanted to purchase not 1 or 2 window bonnets kits, but 6 ea. 15" window cornice kits! Even with our sale prices that is a significant purchase. As it turned out I was working only 15 miles from their home so I decided to deliver them personally. On Wednesday evening, 8/3, I packed my little PT Cruiser with 6 large boxes, and 6 smaller boxes and off I went. I had called before leaving and talked with Shirley's husband that I was on my way, 7PM or so. When I knocked on the door, a woman's voice yelled to come on in. I announced myself and Shirley's husband came round and said, "Oh, honey, I forgot to tell you but Jan is coming by to deliver our Window Bonnets." As I looked around, there were boxes, bags, blankets, etc all about. Just then, Shirley came from around the kitchen counter walked straight up to me and gave me a big hug and "thank you."
Shirley introduced me to her husband, her sister, brother-in-law and I just said hello to a bunch of others in the backyard. The house and patio had all sorts of people. She enlisted their aid and we unloaded my car and added to the already crowded floor space. Shirley and her sister had finished purchasing all the material for her bonnets just that afternoon. She was very excited to get things going.
Then in the mists of all this I was invited to dinner and then to go see the "house." It was just a block or so down the street. You see, Shirley's home had burned down, every inch totally destroyed including the yard fence, the hot tub, pool decking destroyed, all posessions gone, even a car burned in the drive and their 2 dogs died. All they had were the clothes on their backs. It was the largest and most devastating home fire in the city of Chandler. And as a result this very nice couple became surrounded by friends, neighbors and strangers all willing to help. The local TV had a charity drive to help them, the neighborhood school pitched in as well. And here I arrive 18 days before they are to have the OPEN HOUSE for their newly rebuilt home. I am given a warm welcome, a personal tour of the new home and yes, an invite to the open house.
Shirley and hubby had every reason to be angry and depressed by their tremendous losses. Oh insurance covered the rebuild, the hottub, the car, etc. But they were just so happy and grateful that so many people--friends and total strangers had come to their aid and now they want to give back in the form of this open house. They are truly warm, grateful and gracious people.
I will be attending the open house, September 21. I will be getting pictures so everyone can see the house. Shirley said her sister had created such beautiful designs in their old home and she was anxious to get new ones up in their all new home. WOW, what a story!! I will celebrate and bring the pictures home to this blog and also as a feature on our website, http://www.windowbonnets.com/. Keep watch. The picture at the top is of a 15" window bonnet. Shirley will have 6 of these bonnets, so keep a watch here.
