Silk Mountain Creations, Incorporated, is an award winning, wholesale to the trade workroom owned and operated by Catherine and Mark Schulz. We are professional fabricators and problem solvers. We work with designers to create beautiful, unique window treatments and soft furnishings. Whether you need drapery panels, cushions, valances, pillows, custom bedding, upholstered pieces, custom hardware, motorization, custom shaped and upholstered headboards, roman shades, roller shades or something you’ve seen elsewhere, we approach each project with the goal of satisfying you and your client. We are devoted to clear communication between the designer, workroom and installer to reach the goal of satisfaction of the end client. We want your client’s friends to say “WOW! Where did you get that?!”
In both 2009 and 2011, we were awarded First Place by Window Fashion Vision magazine in their Design and Ingenuity Workroom Competition for our interpretation and fabrication of designs from our designer clients.
Catherine is a highly accomplished professional with a lifetime of sewing experience as well as extensive expert training. She is a graduate of the Advance Career Professional Program at the Custom Home Furnishings Academy in North Carolina and a Window Fashions Career Professional as recognized by the national association.
Mark has an extensive background in retail business and expert training in installation. He is a graduate of the Career Professional Program at the Custom Home Furnishings Academy in North Carolina.
In 2001, Catherine established Silk Mountain Creations, a window treatment workroom. The workroom was located in Panther Valley in the mountainous area of northwestern New Jersey. The business and workroom was moved in 2006 to Carmel, Indiana when Mark and Catherine relocated themselves and their business. The workroom is equipped with state of art equipment including electronic industrial sewing machines, boiler irons and a European swag system. A separate workshop is dedicated to wood working, light upholstery and installation aspects of the business.
Catherine and Mark Schulz are members of the Window Covering Association of American and follow the guidelines set forth for quality workmanship and business ethics. They are also active members of national workroom forums of the Custom Home Furnishings School, Workroom Association of America and Minutes Matter Studio graphics program learning and sharing with peers in this business.
Silk Mountain Creations prides itself on giving individual attention to each and every client and project. Each project is customized from start to finish and can include but is not limited to the following:
• Prompt quoting by fax or email complete with required yardages
• Professional measuring
• Consultation regarding fabric and/or treatment suitability
• Creation of treatments from magazine pictures, photographs or sketches
• Scale drawings and/or graphic design by computer are available to help with scale and proportion
• Installation
All linings are supplied by Silk Mountain Creations. We maintain a wide variety of linings and interlinings to provide the best lining for any treatment.
Hardware is a key component of all jobs. As a complete service workroom we can offer an array of different product lines and finishes. Working with the designer we can provide the best hardware for support, decorative element and prevention of difficulties at the installation or client complaints post-installation. Custom traverse rods are available. Motorization is available.
Installation — we don’t just install — we pride ourselves in doing a professional job. It’s show time and the curtain goes up. The right installation can make or break even the best design and fabrication. It’s HOW the curtain goes up!
Whether it’s been made before or it’s just a concept—WE CAN DO IT! Tell us what you want . . . . . . . . we’ll accept the challenge.
Why Buy Custom Window Treatments?
Written by Ann Moore-Spencer on November 7th, 2010
It’s All About Quality And Unique Style.
Beware readers!! I am getting on to my proverbial soap box.
Are you a Window Fashionista or a Decorating Diva? Most you have the best and most unique? Are you interested in quality? Must your space reflect your talent or your passion for a well decorated space? Or are your windows wearing imitations of the real thing; substitutes with serious discounted class and polish? Very often we are happy with what we have until we realise that we have an option for better. Many times we are not aware and settle for the less than fantastic.
Window treatments have changed, as everything else in the decorating world. In the 80s and 90s we were inundated with swags, cascades and jabots. And our eye was caught up in style more than quality. Today’s simpler styling draws more attention to the quality of fabric and workmanship. Although you may be able to purchase a ready-made that is similar to a custom drape, the difference becomes clear if you were to hang them side by side.
Custom window treatments differ in so many ways. If you have your window treatments made and they look and feel exactly like the readymade version, I hope you paid less than the ready-made version. In that case you probably got what you paid for. As a client I expect, if given the choice, you will choose a fabric that is of better quality than your typical readymade panel or valance. Also the linings used by your custom window treatment fabricator would be superior to those of ready-mades. You also will have the option of interlining.
The attention to detail and quality when they are created by a professional workroom makes all the difference when they are hung at the window. It is the kind of thing when you experience the real deal it is virtually impossible to have an appetite for substitutes or inferior quality. Let us examine the difference between the two.
Decorator fabrics typically will have a higher thread count, superior weave or printing which results in a fabric that drapes better, feels a better quality and appears superior. Window treatments, therefore, would be perceived as better quality and indeed, would be fabricated from fabric of finer quality.
Professional workrooms also, as a standard, fabricate drapery to a fullness of at least 2 ½ to 1. In other words, 2 ½ times more fabric would be used than the rod width. This presents level of quality that ready-mades do not offer. So if your rod is 60” wide you will typically have in excess of 150” of fabric on the rod. In fact, some professional workrooms, in an attempt to pump up the luxe at the window will actually default to a higher fullness. What do you do when you buy ready-made panels? You buy about 4 to 6 panels to bunch up on the drapery rod. When installed your custom window treatment will be the proper length and installed at the proper height – not flooding. The 84” lengths of readymade panels must be installed just above the window and will almost always be too short. With the narrow widths and little fullness – very skimpy and limp looking.
Custom window treatment specialists and professional custom workrooms pay attention to quality. You would be guaranteed generous hems. The treatment will drape and fall better. Bottom hems will be weighted. Patterns will be matched straight across the window and placed strategically for maximum impact. You would be guaranteed quality sewing, up to date and superior fabrication techniques.
Lining quality is an important differentiator of custom drapery. Unless you are looking for a sheer look, and sometimes even then, lining is not usually optional in a professional workroom. If you choose to line, your linings would be of better quality than those of the ready-mades. In fact, most ready-made panels are not lined.
Linings help your drapery and a top treatment form and hang better, look more unified from the exterior, and add substantial life and richness to the window treatment. Ask your window treatment specialist to examine a sample of lined drapery and compare the difference. Linings are also functional; they protect the decorator fabric from the sun and its harmful UV rays. This could eliminate fading and retard fabric rot. Ever had your window treatment fall apart on the window after a year or so? That is as a result of the effects of the sun. Ready-made drapery typically have lining (if they have at all) that is inferior and does not protect your decorator fabric, enhance the appearance or improve the hang of the drapery.
Interlining is practically never found in ready-mades and is an option for those who choose to have custom window treatments made by a professional workroom. Those who choose to interline do so as a climate control measure, to protect delicate and expensive fabrics such as true silk or to improve the luxury level of the window treatment.
Your custom window treatment will be personalized to your window and your space even if you have challenging windows such as bays, arches, 2-story, etc. You have the opportunity to get style you want, in the colour you want, and in the fabric you want, for any window you have. You are not restricted to the limited offerings of the ready-made options. Imagine having other options beside the predictable and pedestrian rod pocket or tab top panels! A whole new world! Your window treatments can be deliberately integrated into your decor. Your window treatment specialist will work with you to create that cohesive outcome; maximizing the bang for your hard earned dollars. In addition, your window treatment specialist will work with you to ensure that your treatments are installed properly and on hardware that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but suitable for the style and for the unique circumstances of your space. Your custom window treatment specialist would give you superior and unique window fashion, a functionally superior product and quality end to end service. All of these factors are not collectively considered with the ready-made product. Fashions will be well designed for your window. Custom treatments are not mass-produced or cranked out fast and cheap.
Don’t get me wrong. Ready-mades have their place. But is it on those windows in those rooms where you are seeking to make the most decorative impact? Window treatments will make your space appear balanced, finished and polished. Do not ignore this crucial element when you decorate.
