Move over Mimosa Yellow. Turquoise is in town.

Yes, turquoise has been anointed as the color of 2010, most notably by eminent color-pickers Pantone.

Pantone picks their colors more scientifically than others; but it seems they’re not the only ones who have decided turquoise will be popping up everywhere this year. Many have settled on the color more subjectively. After all, turquoise has always fascinated people, from being a fashion theme to having deep cultural meaning.

Turquoise represents both reality and mystery – like the ocean and the sky. Turquoise as a stone has been used for protection and warding off evil spirits; many cultures from distant parts of the world have traditionally found a protective, healing quality to the stone.

Best of all it goes with almost everything; I dare you to think of a color that won’t look right next to turquoise in some capacity. (Even Mimosa Yellow looks great!) But especially attractive pairs include neutral colors (for a splash of fresh color), browns, reds (think: redwood) and, in the line of upcoming fashion trends: yellow-green.

The color really is what you decide to make of it; is it part of an elegant design, or a funky design? A Southwestern or European interior? Modern or Victorian? No limits here.

If your clients are looking for a place of relaxing sanctuary this year, some turquoise in your design might just help. It’s calm, like many blue tones, yet exciting and unique, like many green tones. As Pantone put it, “turquoise transports us to an exciting, tropical paradise while offering a sense of protection and healing in stressful times.”

Can you feel the breeze from the beach yet?

Unless you’re looking for a really loud design, bright shades of turquoise are used quite well as an accent color – this is how they really shine the most. Because it’s so great as an accent color, it’s great to consider the happy hue not just for window treatments but also for smaller pieces, like those found in our Bedding and Furniture Collections. Use it to brighten, freshen, renew – or invoke a cool, breezy ambience (outdoor furniture, anyone?).

So, what will you do with turquoise this year?  Share your ideas with us and our community of designers!  We love learning from each other, and feel inspired by the creativity of our customers.

Post on Facebook and become a fan!

Discuss on the xChange forum!

Tweet @DreamDraper!

Have a bright and creative 2010, everyone!

- Carolyn Meitzner, Marketing & Communications

Take the time to get online!

The possibilities of getting your business on the web are endless these days. Having an online portfolio or website will increase your visibility tenfold. Even if you know nothing about web design, there are dozens of simple portfolio and website templates available that you can easily customize with your information and – of course – stunning photographs!

The Internet might be endless, but search engines have been vastly optimized to provide localized information. Make sure your business information shows up in Google or other search engine results for local businesses. Last year, 46% of people looking at local search results ended up visiting the place of business, and 38% called the telephone number listed for information. Over the next year or two, these numbers will only skyrocket more as Internet users turn to search engines instead of yellow pages. What could be better than someone asking “what are local interior design or custom window treatment businesses?” and having your company’s information be the (local!) answer?

Remember to always keep sensitive personal information protected safely on the Internet, and separate business from personal online.

Leverage your online presence with social networking.

You’ve heard the buzz. Social networking isn’t just for 16-year-olds anymore! Chances are, you’re already Twittering or Facebooking your way to success. Just as clients are searching for businesses on search engines, they’re connecting with them through social networks.

Create a Facebook fan page.

The best part about these pages is that they are viewable even to non-Facebook users, and can include as much multimedia content as you wish. You can post photos and videos of your work, connect with customers, and start conversations with them in the context of your business. This is great if you don’t have another portfolio or website available online! Check out the DreamDraper Fan Page for some inspiration.

Create a LinkedIn company page.

Create both a personal profile and company profile on LinkedIn to maximize the great benefits of this social network.  LinkedIn is specifically for professional use, so you can be sure that every contact made on the site will advance your career in some way – whether for acquiring new clients, keeping touch with past clients and other professionals in the business, or just mentoring with others in the industry.

In addition to more general information on your company profile, clients and other professionals in the industry can “recommend” your work, and their statement about how great your work is will appear right on the profile. Your LinkedIn profile may even appear in search engine results, increasing the exposure of your business.  Optimize the LinkedIn company and personal profiles with keywords related to your industry, specialties and local area.  Start and manage a group to keep in closer touch with your network of other designers or workroom professionals.

“Google” your company and see what people are saying.

If you’ve done a particularly great job (or had an unfortunate experience), a client might have already written about it online. If it’s a local review site with commentary, respond to these reviews and show these dedicated clients that you appreciate their good word – or try to resurrect a negative situation (reply with a future discount or consultation!). To that same effort, if you have a website, set up some sort of forum for customers to provide feedback (and praise your work!). People will appreciate that you listen to their feedback and care about their opinions.

Find Local Business Directories – many offer free listings.

Yahoo! Local is a major provider of free basic business listings. Your local area or region might even have its own directory of businesses.  Craig’s List is burgeoning in popularity for local classifieds; find your city or region and put together a post describing your services for hire.  Angie’s List is useful, too, for maintaining an online image for your company; however, because this site is based on consumer reviews, you should carefully monitor what your clients are saying and respond appropriately.

Make clients and business contacts aware of your online presence.

Absolutely refer everyone to the address of your website or online portfolio.  Playfully ask clients to become fans on Facebook, or to follow you on Twitter.  Get LinkedIn with business contacts and clients.  Handing out business cards, brochures and other print materials? Make sure your email address, website and presence on any social networks is included so they can easily access your company information online.

The # 1 tip?

Be confident, be creative and make it a goal improve your marketing this year!

Good luck in 2010!

Best of luck,

Carolyn Meitzner, Marketing & Communications

Ann Johnson, Author & xChange Forum Moderator

To help your business run more efficiently, some of the new QuickBooks features for 2010 include:

• Enhanced document management saves time by organizing and managing client documents directly within QuickBooks.
• Easier and faster capability for adding and editing multiple list entries.
• Improved report center allows you to quickly scroll through full-size sample reports to make sure you are getting the information you need.

Written for designers by a designer, this easy reading and abundantly illustrated guide shows you how to tap the power of QuickBooks.

Now on sale for $89, save $40!

**The Survival Guide is also included in the DreamDraper Quick Quote program for estimating custom window treatments, and several of our money-saving bundles.

the best marketing tool is a satisfied client!

• Send hand written notes to former clients thanking them for their business – include a business card or some other reminder of your services, but keep the note genuine. Clients will appreciate a warm reminder of how great of a job you did more than a sales pitch!
• Ask them to remember you when neighbors, friends and relatives are looking for a designer.
• If there were other jobs they had mentioned at the time, suggest you could work on them now. Offer a free consultation. Better yet, send a DreamDraper rendering with a suggestion or a tip on a current design trend that would work in their home!

Because it can be such a personal business, successful marketing in interior design must incorporate a very personal touch.  Moreover, success is more likely to come to you and your business if you put your personal design touch forth in almost everything you do!

Tell everyone what you do.

Every meeting is an interview – whether a chance meeting at the grocery store, a contractor in your home or a networking meeting with the local Chamber of Commerce. Either tell them directly what you do or remind them by mentioning a current project. Make them curious in what you do.

Become the local expert.

Write a short informational article for the local newspaper, etc. Give presentations to local groups. It is not always easy to ‘pitch’ yourself to others. Develop confidence in your talents and your selling style. (A great read on this topic is “Pitch Like a Girl” by Ronna Lichtenberg.) Take these public opportunities to market yourself while spreading your love for design.  Studies show that customers have a vastly improved opinion of companies that improve their communities. This is a great way to genuinely contribute to your community.

Most importantly – take the time to sit down and think about your personal brand.

What is unique about you or your business? It doesn’t always have to be a particular service – differentiation can come from a particular style you design well, knowledge of current trends (i.e. which blinds are most eco-friendly), or something else that touches on the emotional side of doing business in interior design. Get past the insecurity and fear of selling yourself.  Learn to value yourself and your talents. Learn how to sell based on your personality and your client’s. Your brand can act as a theme to carry through your marketing efforts, and execute in every job you work on. You will be sure to be remembered!

Always, always have a readily accessible portfolio of your best work.

Even if you are not on the web, you should still use your past work to generate new business! Design a nice flyer or brochure and have it printed professionally. Include before/after pictures and DD renderings, testimonials from satisfied clients, a list of the services you provide and your contact information. Watch the newspaper listings for home sales in your area and mail a hand written introductory note with the brochure.

This brings us to the next point… Read Part II

Here are some easy suggestions for improving your shots:

1. Invest in a digital camera.

I was always picture challenged. Getting a good picture of a window treatment was a gamble that I often lost. An inexpensive digital for your workroom/design studios is a deductible business expense. The cameras have come down in price over the years and come with enough mp and zoom for what you need in taking pictures in a room and posting on the web.

Be sure to always take the pictures at the highest quality possible. Invest in extra memory for your camera if possible, so you can avoid having to take low quality pictures because you are short on memory card space.

2. Prevent fuzzy pictures.

Taking pictures without flash on a digital camera can sometimes be tricky, even when holding the camera as steady as possible. Learn to press the button smoothly. Sometimes we jerk the camera while pushing the button.

Prop the camera on the top of the ladder. Or on another piece of furniture in the room. Better yet, invest in an inexpensive tripod. Joby makes a “Gorillapod,” which can be had for under $20 and will grip & mold to almost any surface!

3. Prevent dark pictures. Overcome silhouettes.

Learn the different settings for your camera’s flash feature. Make sure it is one you can control and is not completely automatic. When taking a picture of a window, the camera picks up the light coming thru the window and adjusts the aperature to that amount of light. In doing so, the lense does not stay open long enough to lighten the details of the treatments inside the room. It is very simple to override this.

First, force the flash. Set your camera for the flash to go off regardless of the light in the room. In smaller room settings, this will be satisfactory.

If that does not work, it is because the flash is only effective up to a certain number of feet. In larger rooms, it is not enough to lighten a second story window or a wide angled treatment. Therefore, you need to fool the camera into thinking there is not a lot of light coming through the window.

• Point the camera to a dark corner of the room.
• Press the button 1/2 way. You can hear it whirr as it reads the light and sets its parameters.
• Point the camera at the window, without releasing the button, and take the picture.
• If you pointed to too dark a corner, your picture will be whited out and heavily over-exposed. Try again, pointing towards a less-dark corner.
• If you pointed to a corner that was not dark enough, you will still have some silhouette issues. Point to a corner that is a little darker.

You need to throw as much light on your subject as possible. If you do not have enough light, the camera lens stays open too long. This can result in a blurred subject. The picture does not have as much detail and when you lighten it using photo editing software it becomes washed out.

A camera flash has limited range. The built in flash on a small camera is very limited as to how far the light will reach and how strong it is. The life of your battery plays a huge part here too. If you have a very good quality camera with a removable flash unit, you can upgrade your flash for one that is stronger with a longer reach. Having a flash that can be aimed towards the ceiling helps to bounce the light and avoid shadows. Always keep your batteries fully charged and have a spare set in the bag. The flash is only as good as the batteries.

If you are having trouble, try turning on lights in the room – but position the lights behind you. Take the lampshades off of the lamps to throw more light. If possible, try to balance the lights to avoid heavy shadows. If there are any lamps or lights in the picture, leave them off. They will simply overexpose. They also tend to throw a yellow light. You can try leaving a soft lamp on in the picture if it will enhance the ambiance – but it will work only if you have enough flash power.

If you want to ensure good light, invest in a couple of small camera spotlights. You can position them to bounce the light off the ceiling and directly on to your treatment.

4. Avoid using the zoom, if possible.

I have found that using the zoom will bring something in the distance up much closer, but it also impacts the image quality. When taking pictures in a room, avoid using the zoom. Simply move in closer to get the details. And definitely focus on the details.

5. Take a picture of the window straight on.

When in a client’s home and taking initial measures, be sure to stand directly in front of the window and take a base picture. Regardless of whether you plan to design on the picture or not. Remove really obvious items that might obscure details of the window. But don’t be too perfect. The aim is to just get a good picture of the window.

Take it home and file it with your other documents for that client. It is there for reference for a number of reasons:

• Of course, you can design on it.
• You can scale a straight on picture in your DreamDraper and get measures you forgot to take. This will save a trip back to the client later. Only for very specific measures – such as an inside mount shade – will this not work.
• You will see details you missed while talking to the client. Where the cabinet details come out over the window, the light switch next to the door, etc.

This is an excellent habit to get into that will not cost you more than a few moments time.

6.Take a picture of the finished treatment.

Do this first in your workroom before the treatment is packaged. Of course, this is subject to some limitations. But it is important to take pictures of your work – when you can – before it leaves the workroom. If it was a new design or unusual design for you – take pictures of the back. Even better, take pictures as you are fabricating – to show different steps.

If you are a wholesale workroom, it may be the only way to build a portfolio. Set up a neutral wall somewhere in front of which you can display treatments and take a nice picture. This is a good time to zero in on special details – such as the panel header or the knotted cord at the bottom center.

Print for the installer. He/she can see what the finished valance should dress out like.

Let’s say the decorator loves the treatment and comes back 6 months later asking for it again, or the client wants it repeated in the next room. Now you have visual records of the finer details – like the placement of the motif in the face or the size of the decking.

CYA. If there is a dispute over the treatment, you have proof that it was well made and would dress properly.

Finally, if you are really serious about taking portfolio-quality pictures, look around your community for photography classes. I have a friend who is currently taking classes, and learning a lot about her camera. Another friend is hiring her now to take photos of his work for his website. You never know where a little extra knowledge will take you.

7. You can never take too many pictures.

Especially with a digital camera.You can see the results immediately and take another picture, making educated adjustments. Today’s photo software makes it very simple to sort through the pictures on your computer or the camera, delete the bad ones and select the good ones. But, be sure to discipline yourself to edit the pictures within a day or two. Don’t let them stockpile into a job that is too overwhelming.

Be sure to take clear, high resolution pictures of your clients’ windows – before and after. Save the original shot. If you edit it to crop or reduce the file size, save the edited version under another name. DreamDraper loves to feature the great pictures our users take, and high quality photos are of course the best.

- Ann K. Johnson, xChange Forum Moderator/Sew Easy Windows

Took a great shot? Pass it along to us at info@dreamdraper.com !

We love seeing what you can do with the power of DreamDraper.

If you already design bedding pieces, then DreamDraper’s Bedding 1 Collection will boost your business, too!

The Bedding 1 Collection expands your DreamDraper Design Library with 50 designs – including headboards, canopies and coronas, bedskirts, bedspreads, pillows, and much more.

View more information about the Bedding 1 Collection

Take a look these designs DreamDraper users have already been creating with the Bedding 1 Collection:

]]> http://www.dreamdraper.com/index.php/expand-your-capabilities-with-bedding/feed/ 0 http://www.dreamdraper.com/index.php/impress-clients-with-layers/ http://www.dreamdraper.com/index.php/impress-clients-with-layers/#comments Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:40:06 +0000 admin http://www.dreamdraper.com/?p=3943 I didn’t explore this feature for a long time. It is incredibly simple. Wish I’d learned it sooner! Now I use layers for all of my designs. It is so much easier.

How many layers does DreamDraper have?

As many layers as you want to design. The variations are endless!

Why use the layers feature?

• Less work. You design the treatment once, putting different components on different layers. With a blink of an eye, you can turn layers on and off, showing different variations on the treatment.
• DreamDraper runs faster. It is not burdened with several canvases full of pictures and components. Each time you add a picture or design to a canvas or fill a treatment with color or pattern, it adds ‘weight’ to the portfolio. Using layers, you don’t have to fill up multiple canvases, you use only one. All of your functions run faster.
• Impressive presentation. Take your laptop to the client and show them variations with just a blink of the eye. Imagine how fast you can convince them to add the extras when you can add them to the design with one click.

Use the layers on your renderings to build up a design. Flip the layers on and off to show the designs with different variations. The pictures below are from a single canvas in DreamDraper. By turning the layers on and off, I can show four variations on one design. Click on each image to enlarge

How do you use the layers?

1. Plan out your treatment. Usually, the picture, floor plan or elevation drawing are on layer 1. Layer 2 might be the design the client has asked for. Layer 3 and 4 can be the extras you think will make the treatment really special. Or, you could make layer 3 the same design as layer 2, but with completely different colors.
2. Open the layers window on the right of your screen and stick it to stay open (Click on the push pin if a PC and on the yellow button if a Mac).
3. It shows a list of layers for this canvas. Add new layers by clicking on the + sign at the bottom of the window. Delete layers by clicking on the trash can. Rename your layers by clicking on the pencil.
4. Select the layer you want to work in by clicking on the layer name. It will be highlighted in the list. Each layer has an eye. Click on the eye to close it and everything on that layer disappears. Click on it again to open it and everything reappears. Each layer also has a lock. Click on the lock to lock the layer so you do not accidentally move anything on it.

When working with layers, you simply have to keep track of which layer you are on:

• The layer you are on is highlighted in the list. Simply select a new layer by clicking on it in the list.
• Can’t select the design? Is the layer locked? Click on the lock to unlock it.
• Can’t remember which layer the design is on? Simply close the eyes on each layer. When the component disappears, it is on that layer.

The rest is up to your imagination! If you’d like to learn even more about using layers and creating a variety of options for client presentations, feel free to ask a question or check out the tutorial and webinar information below.

Another example of layers: Click on each image below to enlarge and view more detail!

How can you learn about the layers?

Check out the tutorial on layers. The tutorial is short and it explains the layers feature. You’ll easily learn the basics of using it. Registered DreamDraper users can also go to the file sharing subforum and download the layers tutorial .ddf portfolio and play.

We also conduct a great webinar on Edit Points and Layers. The instructor demonstrates how to use these functions and gives some great tips. The current webinar schedule is always available to you on our Webinars page. In fact, our next “Edit Points & Layers – Learn to Draw” webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, January 20 at Noon Eastern!

So get to work and have fun working with layers and impressing clients!

- Ann K. Johnson

xChange Forum Moderator

Sew Easy Windows

The Window Decorating Book is now for sale!

In addition to offering visual inspiration and guidance on designing and selecting window treatments, this beautiful book includes many hand-illustrated DreamDraper designs and discusses the importance of DreamDraper software in helping designers demonstrate to clients how their window treatment and alternative options will look.

•  Creative solutions for any type of window
•  Full color photographs featuring the latest in window coverings, products and trends
•  Informative glossary
•  Specifications for creating a variety of treatments
•  Question & Answer section
•  Care & Cost information

See our Resources for more books from Charles Randall and other authors!

“An exceptional guide to window coverings featuring more than 800 photographs and illustrations, The Window Decorating Book is both unique and compelling in covering the scope of window products available on the market today. You will be encouraged to explore and consider all of your options, including sections on specifications and fabric quantities, should you wish to do so. The Window Decorating Book not only provides an inspiring visual catalog of ways to use draperies, blinds, shades, and shutters imaginatively, but also delves into the details; providing vital information on the pros and cons of various products, and how to choose fabrics and treatments that create the right atmosphere for any room of the house.” – http://randallonline.com/

To order, call 800-BOOK-LOG (800-247-6553).

You can also order this book from your favorite online bookstore:

Specifications:

11″ x 8.5″/279 x 216 mm

336 pages, soft-cover

ISBN: 1-890379-17-4

About The Authors:

Kathleen S. Stoehr has been covering interior design trends for over a decade; not only as former Editor-in-Chief of Window Fashions magazine but also as a current contributing freelance writer for Draperies & Window Coverings magazine, among other publications. She has authored numerous books including: Dream Floors, Dream Windows, and The Complete Home Decorating Idea Book.

Charles T. Randall manages Window Décor by Charles Randall, a retail window decorating company in Southern California and to date, Charles has decorated more than 60,000 windows. He is also the author of The Encyclopedia of Window Fashions, a book that has sold more than 1 million copies, and is listed in Samantha Ettus’ book The Experts’ Guide to Life at Home, as a leading expert on window decorating.

New features include…

More images, from many designers:

Including a Showcase Gallery of beautiful contemporary and traditional designs.

Additional designs and examples of what can be accomplished with DreamDraper can be viewed on the Room Elevations and Space Planning pages.

Social features – become a part of the DreamDraper community!

Read and comment on our new blog - the most recent posts appear at the bottom of every page!

View our feed of tweets (also at the bottom of every page) and follow us on Twitter!

Participate in the conversation on our xChange forum.

Expanded support, all in one easy-to-find spot on the top menu, including…

Tutorials – whether you’re just getting started with the program or need to review, these videos will help you make the most of DreamDraper’s features with step-by-step instructions and demonstrations!

Webinars – learn more about using our products and other topics to enhance your design business. Check out our free and more advanced webinars, with new topics and schedules being added all the time!

FAQs – more questions and answers than ever before, plus newly organized categories to help you find what you’re looking for. Get the answers to popular questions quickly, and remember that you can always contact us with additional inquiries!

Resources – suggested books for inspiration and information on a variety of window treatment styles and techniques, from some of our favorite authors.

Improved navigation for easier access to more information –

Use the “Browse Products” menu (at top right) or boxes on the home page to learn more about our design software, quoting for QuickBooks, design collections, measuring forms & other products, money-saving bundles and services.

The top menu and “Browse Products” menu (at top right) are the same on every page, so you can navigate the site from any page.

Check the box at the top right of the home page for information on our current sales and newest products!

More links to the store and “add to cart” buttons for faster, easier shopping. Look for:

So have fun exploring the new dreamDraper.com!

We hope you enjoy every visit you make, and welcome your feedback!

]]> http://www.dreamdraper.com/index.php/welcome-to-the-new-dreamdraper-com/feed/ 0 http://www.dreamdraper.com/index.php/mfay-2-collection-now-available-25-new-designs/ http://www.dreamdraper.com/index.php/mfay-2-collection-now-available-25-new-designs/#comments Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:31:10 +0000 admin http://www.dreamdraper.com/?p=3696 Evan Marsh Designs recently released our M’Fay 2 Collection of beautifully detailed window treatment patterns as another add-on to the DreamDraper® design program.

M’Fay 2 features 25 new designs ranging in style from traditional patterns (like the Queen Ann Valance) and soft cornices to contemporary styles (including M’Fay’s Medallion Swag series and Shaped Tiebacks!).

Special Holiday Discount!

Now through Monday, Nov. 30, save an additional 5% on the new M’Fay 2 Collection and all other Evan Marsh Designs products. Use Coupon Code THANKS09

The M’Fay 2 Collection is also available in several of our money-saving bundles:

• The Trifecta
• M’Fay 1 & 2 Collections
• The Total Solution Premium Suite
• G5 + the Trifecta

Purchase a bundle today to really take advantage of our additional holiday discount!

All designs download directly into the DreamDraper program’s Design Library.

As always, our exclusive BREAK-APART™ design technology allows you to fully ungroup any design into its components with just a single click of the mouse.

DreamDraper add-on design collections are the perfect way to make sure you can design any and all of your clients’ dreams!