As a native Memphian, I can remember the days when we actually had 4 distinct seasons. As of late, however, Spring and Fall seem to be a 2 week minor blip in between 9 degree ice storms and 100 degree scorchers. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a little eternal spring where you nest. Looking out at the dogwood blooms and tulips scattering the yard gives me a feeling of renaissance and renewal, and makes my mind scream: “project”! If you are feeling antsy and tired of camping out on Pinterest, get off your tablet and try some of these ideas for yourself.

Cleanliness and Color

I know it’s a cliché, but nothing gives one a feeling of renewal better than a good “spring” cleaning. Try making your own natural environmentally friendly cleaners this time. These recipes are easily found on Google, and are better for you and often cheaper than buying store bought toxic cleaners. Don’t just spring clean; spring edit. Get rid of stuff you don’t need and try to recoup some of your investment on eBay or consignment. While you are doing this try thinking outside the box. Move things around like you’ve never had them, borrow things from other rooms, pull out vintage items from the attic and repurpose them.  And for heavens sake, clean your windows, open up the blinds/drapes, and let the sunlight in! While you are at it, lighten up a room by repainting it, or at least paint an accent wall with a pop of color that picks up some of your accents. Wallpapers are fun again and I do lots of accent walls these days using wallpaper.

Bring Mother Nature Indoors

Plants and natural elements really do uplift the spirit and give one positive feelings upon entering any room. Bring in potted plants, cut aromatic flowers in bowls, and change out your faux floral mixtures. Don’t forget to change out your incense and candles to a more linen or light floral selection. Try unique touches like using old outside pots or wood crates for plants. Buy bushes and plants you can display in the home and then plant them in the yard later. Window boxes are fun to build and display annuals outside every window.

Change Out Key Accents

Seasonally changing out the accents in your room while leaving the core pieces in tact, can easily give you a whole new look and feel. At TannerMeyer Drapery, Bedding, and Blinds I have worked with clients that have done this for years. Many of our clients have us make them a set of Spring/Summer accent pillows and drapery. Take down your heavier printed drapes and change them out with a light and airy linen or sheer. Switch out your traditional Persian rug with a crisp clean jute rug for the warmer months. Even switch out your accents with a lighter “less is more” approach. Repurpose your Fall/Winter accents throughout your house so they don’t’ go to waste. It’s amazing what a minimal investment in accent pieces can do to dramatically change a room and ones’ spirit over the course of a weekend.

It is often said: “change your image and change your life”.  The same goes for your surroundings! Put in the time now, and you’ll be kicking back happily sipping mint juleps and mimosas for many warm months to come.

The home at 690 Adams Avenue stands as one of the city’s most important residences and is a vibrant example of Memphis’ early grandeur and opulence.

Over the centuries, the families who have called this house home were deeply engaged in the development of every aspect of community life—from commerce and banking to benevolence and the arts.  It is hard to find another place in Memphis that so powerfully embodies all these forces for good!

The preservation of The James Lee House as a bed and breakfast affords you the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a bygone era while enjoying the ultimate in luxury and comfort.  We invite you to make our home your destination for exclusive private dinners, tea parties, dessert receptions, rehearsal dinners and more

At TannerMeyer Drapery, Bedding & Blinds we are proud to have worked on such a beautiful and historic home.  When we were approached to work on all of the window treatments throughout the home we had to do what ever we could do be part of such a wonderful project.

TannerMeyer is proud to service the Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Olive Branch, Jonesboro, Jackson, Southaven, and Lakeland areas around the Mid-South.   We love providing beautiful drapery, curtains, blinds, shutters, bedding, rugs and wallpaper to our customers.  For more information, visit us at: www.tannermeyer.net.

By Kip Meyer & Tim Tanner

Tim Tanner and I have owned a drapery, bedding and blind store in Memphis for nearly a decade; first under a franchise name and now as our own, TannerMeyer. Throughout the years we have dressed thousands of windows and beds and have been blessed with thousands of happy clients! Working with so man creative, wonderful clients and designers has taught us many lessons along the way.

Two things we’ve learned is that most homeowners want to fill their spaces with products that are beautiful- but also affordable.  In the interior design world, it is easy to get lost in the world of $300+ per yard fabric and trims and over design yourself right out of most people’s pocketbooks. Though just about anyone can appreciate beautiful design, the most common feedback we have received from our customers is that they want the design process to be EASY while still achieving their desired look. We have also learned that the majority of customers shop two ways: by color and by price.

A third category that we focus on (which is often overlooked) is functionality. This often means light control issues. Will the afternoon sun fade the window treatment fabrics on the west side of the house? If not lined properly, the answer if definitely “yes.” Will light gaps appear where we least expect them? They certainly can if obstacles are not addressed before the purchase and installation.

This past summer, Tim and I visited the huge International Textile Market in High Point, North Carolina. We attended seminars on new and exciting fabrics, learned how to combine existing styles with new and innovative designs, as well as attended multiple seminars on color trends. We took the knowledge we gained from that experience and applied those tips and trends to our selections for the most recent VESTA Show Home and The James Lee House.

In the VESTA Show Home “The Maple,” we wanted to not only focus on the design of the home, but also on the products that offer great functionality and reliability. After all, these products affect the way we live our everyday lives. That is why in the kitchen, and the master bedroom we selected products never seen before in a VESTA Show. The “Silhouettes” and “Pirouettes” shades by Hunter-Douglas are not only beautiful, but they also protect wood floors, furnishings, and art work from fading by the way they filter light into a room. In addition to the function of these shades, they still allow you to have a view outside when the shades are open! When you want total privacy, the vanes of these products completely close, and when you want a full, unobstructed view, the shades completely disappear into their own head rail.

While cream and taupe have been common staples for the past five years, this staple neutral is changing. It is all about color, color and more color. In addition to more color, big & bold patterns are also making resurgence. The combination of a large scale and colorful print in an updated design keeps the Southern home traditional yet modern.

Another home we did was The James Lee House (www.jamesleehouse.com). This historic mansion sits in the middle of Memphis’ Victorian Village and owner Jose Velazquez has transformed this estate into a world class Bed & Breakfast.  The window challenges we faced here were many: a. create fabulous window treatments that not only portrayed the period the house was built but also create something more fresh and transitional, b. create window treatments that were fabulous but within the owners budget, & c. make window treatments that were 14 feet long that blocked light and drafts. In the picture you will see the living room and dining room. We got our inspiration from an actual picture of this fabulous room from the mid 1800s. However, we did not want to hang heavy Victorian velvet patterned drapes. The solution was to install natural free flowing silk drapes in a current neutral blue solid, and add lace sheers reminiscent of the “old south”. Not only did we achieve a fresh look but we combined it with period sheers. At the same time we played with linings and interlinings to achieve the thermal, light, and noise control necessary for the needs of this establishment.

Whenever you are entering into any design or renovation project, ask yourself the three simple questions. What is my vision or design? What kind of functionality do I want to achieve? And what is my budget?  If you are honest, one of these will outweigh the others. Either way, answering these three simple questions will lead you on your path to design success!

The 2013 VESTA Home Show is upon us! This year’s VESTA home show features six fabulous new homes in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the mid south.  Once again the show will be located in South East Germantown at St. James Place.

Event: 2013 VESTA Home Show “Home for the Holidays”
Location: St. James Place of Germantown (on Forest Hill Irene Rd. almost to Winchester)
Dates: Nov. 9 – Dec. 1, 2013 Open Tuesday – Sunday (closed Mondays)
Hours: Tues – Sat: 10:00AM – 7:00PM Sun: 1:00PM – 7:00PM
Tickets: Gen. Admission: $12 / Seniors(60+): $10 / Youths(7-14): $5

Parking: Free VESTA Parking will be available on-site.

TannerMeyer is proud to partner with Builder Dave Tucker and The Great American Home Store.  We can be seen in “The Maple” which is the first house on the left as you enter St. James Place.   Our products are featured on 24 windows and 3 bathrooms.  We have installed beautiful floor to ceiling draperies, hardware, and shades that include Hunter Douglas’ Pirouettes, Silhouettes, and Vignettes throughout the home.   Builders and designers are really going above and beyond this year and we are proud to be part of such a great show.

The Six Homes on Tour are:

1. The Maple  (TannerMeyer’s Home)

2. Mansion de Piedra

3. Bianco

 

  4. Monteleone

 

  5. Silverton

 

  6. Votre Maison

 

The Memphis Area Home Builders Association is pleased to partner with The Neighborhood Christian Centers to bring you the 2013 VESTA Home Show. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of general admission tickets goes to support the good work of this organization in our community.

TannerMeyer shares ways to achieve the ultimate look of refinement and sophistication in a living space or bedroom.

Drapery and bedding make an incredible impact on the look and feel of an entire room.  If you want to design a room that has that finished look to it, it is imperative that you select high-quality window treatments and bedding that will catch your eye and offer a luxuriously comfortable ambiance.

Many people ask how to achieve the “finished look” with their bedding or drapery.  The answer is simple:  Fabric, Fabric, Fabric!  Today more than ever, consumers are attuned to the texture of fabrics used in home design.  TannerMeyer Drapery, Bedding, & Blinds has long been in sync with customers’ concerns and preferences, offering an array of textured fabrics for drapery and bedding; from rich chenilles and hand-sewn crewel embroideries to finely-woven slubby linens.

“The mood of a room can change dramatically thanks to the texture of the drapery and bedding,” said Tim Tanner, co-founder of TannerMeyer, the largest provider of designer drapery, bedding, and blinds in the Mid-South for nearly a decade. The texture of the fabric is as important as the color and style.

The Importance of High-Quality Drapery

Drapery panels finish, frame, and add warmth to any room. Take the time to look at a room with and without drapes.  You will notice a dramatic difference! This is a major reason why just about any “makeover” show will incorporate drapery panels to portray that final, finishing touch!

Insider Tip:  Block drafts and save money on your utility bill using window treatments. 

Drapery panels and blinds can block major drafts in the winter and heat in the summer.  Be sure to install drapes with two linings behind the facing fabric (outer lining fabric and interlining flannel).  If drapery is not your thing, use dual or triple layered Hunter Douglas honeycomb blinds for the same purpose.

Adding Finesse with Luxurious Custom Bedding

Just like high-quality drapery, luxurious bedding adds that perfect finishing touch to a room.  Dress up your bed with elegant sheets, blankets, and a luxurious duvet or coverlet.  Layer textures and color with blankets, throws, and pillows.

Insider Tip:  Add volume to your bedding by using 2-3 duvet fillers under your coverlet or duvet to add loft and instant elegance. 

So whether you are looking to finish your living room or refine your bedroom, the best place to start is with high-quality drapery and bedding.  Choose colors and designs that reflect your style and don’t be tempted to skimp on quality, because that is what pulls the room together and makes the final impact.

About TannerMeyer

TannerMeyer is the largest provider of designer window treatments and bedding in the Mid-South.  For years we have been asking our customers what is most important to them when shopping for designer drapery, bedding, and blinds. Of course selection, price, and quality are important, but at the end of the day the resounding answer is “MAKE IT EASY.”  Making it easy is what we are all about at TannerMeyer Drapery, Bedding, and Blinds. Just how do we do this you may ask? A large part of the reason the process is easy is because founders Tim Tanner and Kip Meyer have spent years in the design industry specifically focused on only Drapery, Bedding, and Blinds and provide exceptional service and insight for each customer.

TannerMeyer shares a few kernels of knowledge from what they have garnered from fourteen years of experience in home staging. 

Window treatments, bedding, and blinds all come together to give a home a stylishly refined quality.  When staging a home to sell, they also play an important part in bringing a cohesive quality that is inviting and inspiring for prospective buyers.  Here are few tips we have picked up over the years to help you successfully stage a home to sell:

Find a Common Theme Throughout

What do I mean by this you ask? I mean pick a color palette and do not vary. Pick a primary semi neutral color for the walls and don’t go more than two shades lighter or two shades darker throughout the rest of the house. Include window treatments, bedding, and other textiles within the selected palette.  Make the tiles, backsplash, granite, and (yes) the outside all fit within that color scheme. When in doubt always pick the lighter choice. Even if everything is light you can ground a room with a medium-dark floor or other elements such as black/charcoal/wrought iron features. Also, art and focal pieces tend to pop in a room full of neutral tones.

Layers and focal points

Pick something that inspires you and build the rest of the room around it. When starting from scratch I recommend picking one of the most expensive elements such as rugs, curtains, or art and moving forward from there. Keep in mind the focal points of the room at the same time. Focal points could be a fireplace, drapery around an arched window, art, or anywhere your eye tends to go first. From there, build the other layers to compliment and not compete with your focal points. Another hint: it is nice to pick a brilliant pop of color in each room.  If you are not sure how to do this, pick one of the colors in the art or in the rug and distribute that color with small accents throughout. Keep those pops of color sharp and limit these accents to only strategic places. There are lots of books on the different layers in a room that are worthy of reading because most people do not naturally think in terms or layering, focal points, and accents.

Keep things in Proportion.

This means do not put a large L shaped sofa in a room where it takes up the entire space. Make sure your pieces are proportioned correctly for the space. Hint: try taping down the actual size of furniture pieces on the floor first so that you can see how the proportions will look. Be sure rugs are correctly proportioned to the desired look you are going for. Art should make sense, and it should be hung correctly and sparingly. In your main rooms try to use drapery to warm, finish, and frame a room. Use mirrors on focal walls to make the room appear larger and light filled. Arrange things in triangles if the room allows it. Also arrange accessories in sets of 3’s or in odd sets. Put like accessories with like accessories. If you walk into a room and something bothers you, for heaven’s sake take it out—and please keep personal pictures to a minimum.

Details, Details, Details

The devil really is in the details—especially when staging a house for resale. Make sure everything is sparkling clean and manicured inside and out. Clean your blinds, shutters, curtains, and other window treatments to remove dust and instantly refresh each room.  Hint: your front yard, front door, and entry hall is your first impression. Keep these areas impeccable and inviting at all times. Make sure your lighting is divine and leave the blinds and shutters open to “let the sunshine in”.  It is also worthwhile to invest $15 in dimmers if the lighting is too bright. Part of being detailed is knowing when to get rid of something. The rule of thumb here is less is more. If you think you have too many things in a room, remove half of it!

By keeping these four simple concepts in mind anyone can stage a house. If you don’t remember any of this, remember one thing: You are not selling a house, you are selling a lifestyle!

About TannerMeyer

TannerMeyer is the largest provider of designer window treatments and bedding in the Mid-South.  For years we have been asking our customers what is most important to them when shopping for designer drapery, bedding, and blinds. Of course selection, price, and quality are important, but at the end of the day the resounding answer is “MAKE IT EASY.”  Making it easy is what we are all about at TannerMeyer Drapery, Bedding, and Blinds. Just how do we do this you may ask? A large part of the reason the process is easy is because founders Tim Tanner and Kip Meyer have spent years in the design industry specifically focused on only Drapery, Bedding, and Blinds and provide exceptional service and insight for each customer.