before & after Mastering the Art of Last-Minute Design Shannon Keough "I recently received an urgent call from a property management employee, asking if there was any way I might be able to help their senior gated community pull off a miracle," says designer Nicole Lorber, Distinctive Designs by Nicole LLC. "The community was ten days shy of completing a 10,000-square foot expansion of its clubhouse and had a grand re-opening gala planned, with all of top management slated to attend. Somehow blinds and window treatments had been overlooked in the expansion process. The question: Could I manage to measure, design, order, fabricate, and install 20 double windows worth of blinds and window treatments in ten days?" Although many designers would balk at such a tight turnaround, Lorber was optimistic about the project and agreed to meet with the client. "At the initial meeting, I recommended styles, fabrics, and blinds, and that evening, I put together a DreamDraperAE graphic for the client to present to upper management," says Lorber. The client was not seeking an extremely glamorous look, but wanted to convey a bit of formality. "I recommended a pleated Murphy-style swag with pointed, pleated cascades decked up with bullion fringe. A wider-based stripe was necessary to add interest and ensure the scale of the pattern was bold enough to be seen from the doorways. Solid gold panels helped create a much-needed visual break between the busy carpet and the valance strip." With no time to lose, Lorber placed her orders for the window-treatment materials. "In the middle of the first meeting, I called to check stock and placed reserves for well over what I thought might be needed." Working with three seamstresses (including the 84year-old sister of one her regular employees), she finished the sewing and board mounting in just four days, and completed the installation of the treatments and blinds three days before the party. Projects with tight deadlines can be appealing for a variety of reasons. In addition to the financial benefits that can come with a rush job, a quick turnaround can often be a rewarding challenge for a designer. Preparation is essential, however, for keeping your project on track when working within a limited timeframe. Nicole Lorber Pleated Murphy-style swags with pointed, pleated cascades and bullion fringe add elegance to the ballroom, while the gold panels downplay the pattern in the carpet. Designer: Nicole Lorber, Distinctive Designs by Nicole LLC, Monmouth Junction, NJ. Workroom: Nicole Lorber, Grace Chiarella, Distinctive Designs by Nicole. Judy Chiarella, Kendall Park, NJ. Martha Baker, Princeton, NJ. Marie Chiarella, Oregon. Installation: Douglas and Nicole Lorber. Photography by Nicole Lorber. Valance fabric: Kravet. Panel fabric: Carole Fabric. Lining: Angel's Distributing. Hardware: Kirsch. Blinds: Hunter Douglas. 32 March 2007 www.window-fashions.com