Watch me on NBC

As most of you already know, I recently appeared on NBC’s Open House to the Rescue for a fleeting moment. I had the chance to work with the renowned fabric designer, Christopher Hyland, whose showroom is in Manhattan in the D&D building. The producer of the show, Andrew Scerbo and the host, George Oliphant were both really fun to work with. Here are the links:

Scene with me: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid50176160001?bctid=58062634001

Preview of show: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid50176160001?bctid=57167344001

News interview about show: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/station/as-seen-on/Open_House_NYC__to_the_Rescue_New_York.html

This January I hope to shoot some segments for a show I am trying to create called, The Fabric Romancer: Changing People’s Lives, One Window at a Time! For instance: I walk into a dark room with low ceilings and say to the client, “So, you wake up in the morning and walk into this room and feel as though the world is crushing down on you. It’s dark and depressing and sometimes you feel like putting a gun in your mouth for breakfast. Am I right?” She sadly agrees. “Don’t you worry ma’am,” I console her, “I’m gonna make you some gorgeous side-hangs that will frame this window and draw that beautiful view right into your room. We’ll take the hardware right up to the ceiling so that it will draw your eye up and create the feeling of high ceilings. When I’m done, hope will return to your life every time you enter this space.” She smiles with joyful anticipation and thanks me sincerely.

Then, we do the work. Everything seems to be going smoothly. But wait. There’s a problem. Oh no! It looks hopeless. Fear not. I come up with a solution that is creative and effective. Now I’m a hero. Next we reveal the room to the client on camera as she gasps with amazement and bliss and hugs me and thanks me profusely.

It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it. Might as well be me. Stay tuned. There’s more to come!

Is it Drapes or Draperies?

Whenever asked this question I unequivocally respond, “Most definitely, Draperies.” You see, drape is a verb. To drape. As in, He draped his coat over the chair and looked menacingly into her eyes, as if to say, ‘Don’t even think about calling those beautiful window treatments drapes!’  Or, She draped her shawl over her shoulder, rolled her eyes while lighting a cigarette, and loudly asked, in an accusatory voice, ‘Where the hell did you get those god-awful drapes?’

Now, if you sell window treatments for a living, as I do, keep in mind that people do not want to pay good money for a verb. Verbs are fleeting. Always in motion and seldom ready to stand-alone. They need a subject or object to lean on. People want something self-reliant, long-lasting – something that’s gonna stick around for a while – like a noun. It’s stationary, fixed, not goin’ anywhere and proud of it.

I prefer terminology that suggests longevity and permanence (and that will increase my income potential, of course). Let vagabonds and Philistines have their drapes. Give me my draperies, sir, or prepare to be publicly draped in insult and shame!