Little tools can make a big difference sometimes. Today I have an appointment to install some drapery wands on some draperies I installed last week. We installed drapery panels in two rooms, all on square rods with grommets in the drapery panels. My client and I agreed that all but the non-functioning panels should get drapery wands to minimize the handling of the fabric when drawing open and closed. As it turns out one week into suing her new draperies, she decided she wants to draw the one window because – heck, now she can! So off I go today to install two more wands. These little wizards can really improve the functionality of drapery panels and at the same time save the fabric from excess wear. I think wands are a MUST with grommet draperies because grommets tend to get a bit sticky on the rod. By applying push/pull action from the top of the panel, drapery wands help drapery panels on grommets or rings travel smoothly. Try it and let me know what you think!

Typically this is our busy season. Clients want their homes to sparkle for the holidays so with our plethera of capabilities, this place gets humming around October 1st and we don’t come up for air until December 15th. It’s a fun time to work for folks because they are excited about getting their project or gift made and it’s a time of year when lots of friends and family will see the outcome of a new home improvement installation. What needs to take on more sparkle in your home or business? A new iron project, new window treatments, a freshened up guest room – call me to discuss! There’s still time!

Welcome to the first blog post by Texas Iron and Interiors! We make such a wide range of wrought iron products with so many uses in and around the home or business that I thought it necessary to get my ideas out there and share them with everyone. The main point I want to get across on my first blog is that all our products are hand crafted right here in our Dripping Springs, Texas shop. We don’t buy in bulk from foreign countries because we want to maintain a Made in the USA brand! Go Texan!

Are you a designer, builder, home staging expert, do-it-yourself homeeowner? Check back often for info about decorating with wrought iron furniture, drapery hardware and accessories, and bookmark this site to ask about problem rooms, windows and to get new tips on updating a tired look. I hope you will find my blog an informative and helpful resource to conmsult when you need a little hand.

Let’s get started by talking about one of the easiest – yet most difficult area to decorate – the wall over the mantel. Some of us have a huge rectangular strip extending from the mantel upward to 20 feet. Some have a traditionally smaller area framed by molding. Others have all brick or rockwork adorning their mantel. It’s such a focal point that you can relaly undo yourself trying to find the perfect thing to complement the space. If you are overwhelmed by all the choices in framed artwork, or you just don’t have the perfect family portrait, I suggest a large wrought iron plaque hung by a couple of our Near Wall Tapestry Brackets. You can either do one large piece custom designed for the style of your home or hang a series as pictured below. The products in my photos are available on our website www.ironandinteriors.com or call me to help design a custom piece for your mantel wall. Iron looks great in any style home!

I love this grouping over a mantel hung from our Near Wall Tapestry Brackets