2007 WF Ingenuity Workroom Competition Ingenious Installation First Place Susan Day, WFCP Associate Susan Day Custom Design, Springfield, IL To make a tall room warmer and less noisy, Susan Day decided to install full-length panels on medallions to accent the attractive 13-foot high arched window and also add coziness to the space. Existing cellular shades in the lower third gave privacy, but the upper arched portion needed softening and, occasionally, total light-blocking ability. A roman shade offered a solution, but the installation posed difficulties. Clear plastic, a permanent marker, and many trips up and down a ladder made her template a straightforward job. Studs were located to design the best medallion spacing based on looks and strength. A temporary frame held two layers of wiggle board in place through installation; screws holding the frame to the wiggle board were angled from below for easy removal later. Installation went fine with a second pair of hands and a second Credits Designer, workroom, and photography: Susan Day, Susan Day Custom Design. Installation: Susan Day and Tom Hayes, Springfield, IL. Partial panels: Quality Drapery, Westfield, IN. Sources Roman-shade fabric: Artmark; lining: Angel's; drapery: Mitchell Fabrics; tassel fringe: D'Kei; medallions: Royal American Wallcraft/Infinette Alternatives. ladder, fastening directly through the wiggle board into the window frame. Then the support frame was removed. Although the drapery panels were not unusual, Day and her client made two design changes at installation. The original design called for Italian stringing, to put the gathered area up high. After the customer played with the draperies, they selected a lower tieback location. The fringed, welted tieback gave a nice detail at eye-level in a space where most things were best appreciated from a bird's-eye-view. "Her fabric choices were not bold and exciting, but on a window this size, they needed to be neutral with some character so as not to overwhelm the room and its occupants," says Day. "Now she could use the room with her family more often, see the television, and be more comfortable." 44 May 2007 www.window-fashions.com