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Interior Design Tampa-Interior Design Blogs©

The Curtain Exchange | Window of Opportunities

The Curtain Exchange was started over a decade ago in New Orleans by Georgina O’Hara Callan, aka The Goddess of Curtains. (What a fabulous title, no?) It started out as a curtain consignment boutique until the demand for newer curtains in various styles became so big that it spurred the birth of a booming new business. Now there are 19 store locations in the U.S. (lucky for us, one of them is in Tampa!) and they reach people nation-wide by offering their wonderful services via telephone and email.

Image via Studio M

During my recent visit, I had the pleasure of speaking with the Tampa store owner Kari Dickerson, as well as Denise- one of the curtain experts. Kari, who has been featured in Vertical Tampa Bay (pp 68-69), shared with me that their motto is to “make curtains easy” for designers and clientele alike!!

Image via The Curtain Exchange

Image via The Curtain Exchange

Image via The Curtain Exchange

Ok so what does The Curtain Exchange have to offer? In one word OPTIONS!! Every woman loves options and OH MY do they have them!

Image via Studio M

Image via The Curtain Exchange

Image via The Curtain Exchange

They offer over 100 in-stock ready-made curtain styles you can take home with you, quick ship curtains made up of in-stock fabric in just a few weeks, and custom-made curtains made from their 800 fabrics and 50+ heading options!

They also offer custom and quick-ship bedding, window shades, top treatments, decorative trims and tie-backs, blinds, shutters, and custom, quick-ship, and in-stock drapery hardware. A total one-stop-shop, if you ask me!

Image via The Curtain Exchange

They have a wide range of linen, silk, cotton, damask, print, sheer and woven fabrics, many of which are made exclusively for The Curtain Exchange.

Another great option is that they offer motorized hardware- perfect for lofts, high rises, and any really tall windows.

Quality.

The Curtain Exchange ads can be seen in a variety of prestigious design magazines, such as Veranda, Traditional Home, and Elle Décor, which focus on quality design and products. They have also been featured in Real Simple magazine as an excellent curtain resource.

Image via The Curtain Exchange

The Curtain Exchange’s attention to detail is certainly evident when you take a look at they’re products. Two things that are very important in certain curtains are lining and weighted corners. The Curtain Exchange nails this (along with other details) where a lot of curtain companies take short cuts resulting in curtains that don’t look and hang right.

Image via The Curtain Exchange

Exceptional window treatments are what these people do all day, every day. Trust me- they know windows and there’s really no comparison when it comes to their selection, service, and quality.

Convenience.

No store nearby? No problem. Call or email them and they will work with you on your window treatment needs and send you memos by mail or email images to you.

Most of their window panels are in hard to find 120” lengths and they will hem them for you at no charge! And they will let you take home an entire window panel for 48 hours so you can see what it looks like in your space in different light! Worried about the risk of purchasing all plaid curtains and not knowing how they’ll look? Worry no more. Take it, try it, experience it, love it! That’s awesome.

Their fabrics come from all over the world but their curtains, shades and custom bedding are all made in the USA. No super long waits!

They have people who will install for you- no waiting on the husband to finally get around to it!

*A little inside secret- a selection of basic, ready-made window treatments available for online purchase is in the works!*

Insider tips and advice.

Online you will find a Q&A section about curtains along with window treatment ideas and the in-store specialists are very helpful and knowledgeable.

In speaking with Kari, I asked her what a good rule of thumb is for panel-to-window width ratio. Her answer was, “Most of our panels are pleated at 30” wide. I’m seeing people go more casual now doing two times your window width as opposed to the previous standard of two and a half times…”

Kari and Denise’s curtain no-no’s…
-Bad lining that makes curtains unintentionally see-through
-Curtain “short-cuts”. “Pillowcase” side hems that are quick-stitched on and then turned inside-out.

Kari’s words of wisdom…
-Go with what you love. Too many people want to get everybody else’s opinion…If you love it, put it in your home and don’t be afraid to take chances.

A special thank you to Kari and Denise for your time and friendliness and to The Curtain Exchange for some great photos. I would also like to thank Leslie Carother’s for introducing me to such a fabulous resource! However, I’m totally obsessed with their curtains SO this recent visit is going to end up costing me a fortune…haha! The hubby is going to be SO Excited….

Written by: Alicia Griffin

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