In this series, “Ask The Expert”, we will share answers to common design questions.

Stuck on a Seam?

The appearance of seams is often an important deciding factor when selecting a wallcovering for a client. To better understand the seam visibility of wallcoverings, we’ve asked Kara Wagoner, Sales Manager, to outline the 7 key elements that attribute to a seamless appearance.

QUICK NOTE: It’s important to understand some seam visibility is to be expected with any wallcovering, especially when viewed from specific angles and lighting conditions. Also, colorways can affect the appearance of seams.

To start, let’s define what’s seamless wallcovering?

Kara Wagoner: Seamless is the absence of seams when strips (panels) of textured or patterned wallcovering and fabric are applied to the wall.

1. Matched Patterns

Mosaic and matched patterns such as Woven Wood by Phillip Jeffries have a harmonizing effect on the eye and hide the seams.

2. All Over Weaves

Wallcoverings with vertical warp and horizontal weft will have a practically seamless application. Examples of overall textured weaves includes Hatteras Metallic Wallpaper from Cowtan & Tout and Mark Alexander’s Tipi, screen-printed grasscloth wallcovering.

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3. Machine Woven & Machine Cut

4. Yarn-Dyed Threads versus Piece-Dyed

Yarn-dyed collections utilize yarns that have been dyed in advance. The yarns are generally dyed in very large spools that can produce an entire production run of wallcovering. Because of this, the yarns are completely consistent in color, which translates to a seamless effect on the walls.

5. Vertical Weaves or Patterns

The wallcovering seams are vertical, so everything blends right in.

6. Tighter Weaves & Smaller Patterns

The tighter the weave, the less the seaming. This same rule applies to small patterns and prints.

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7. Lighter colors

Lighter colors help hide the seam better than darker colors.

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DESIGN TIP

To test if a wallcovering will seam, place two samples side-by-side. If you don’t see a visible seam, then it is essentially seamless.

Seaming & Beautifully Paneled

If your client enjoys the inherent beauty of natural woven wallcovering, we have options for that too! The construction of a weave is a distinct indication that a wallcovering will panel beautifully. Thick natural fibers such as raffia, manila hemp and arrowroot also contribute to the paneling effect.

• Horizontal weaves create the illusion of panels because a weave formation runs perpendicular to the seam. Unlike vertical weaves that dissolve the seams, horizontal weaves literally create an intersection from edge-to-edge creating a dramatic paneled look.

• Solid colors or smooth textures will enhance seams on certain wallcoverings.

Lighter colors = less seam visibility.

Darker colors = more pronounced seams and paneling.

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As a design professional or a homeowner, your passion for interiors is one that we share. Our sales associates are eager to help with every step of the process, from selection and sampling to shipping and beyond. It’s the goal of the Design Digest to continually educate customers, providing information that will ensure both beautiful and successful applications and installations.

Have a question or topic you would like us to cover in a future post? Send us a message. We’d love to hear from you.

Representing the world’s leading brands of wallcoverings, KDR Designer Showrooms offers thousands of wallcovering designs including prints, patterns, textures, weaves and more, all suited for residential and contract environments. Visit your local showroom to explore the wallcovering library and PJ Boutique today.

ABOUT THE EXPERT

In the spirit of giving, it’s this the time of year we take a moment to acknowledge our gratitude and blessings the year has brought. Each December, KDR Designer Showrooms selects a few charities to support in the form of a monetary donation. This year, the charity chosen is one close to our hearts at KDR.

In an email sent to employees on December 13, 2019, Kevin Kenney, President/CEO, notified staff about a donation made to Carl’s Cause — a charity founded by KDR’s Kansas City Showroom manager, Kelly Specht and her husband, Bob. Please read Kevin’s letter to learn how the Specht family is helping others cope with mental illness.

Dear KDR Staff,

This year, I decided our contribution would go to a charity started by our Kansas City Showroom manager Kelly Specht, her husband Bob and members of their family.

At the close of our annual Sales & Marketing Planning Meetings in St. Louis, we presented a check to Kelly Specht for a donation to Carl’s Cause charity. The charity is named for their beloved son Carl Specht whom they lost in 2017 when he took his own life.

Please read the story of the Specht family and the charity’s involvement with the Strawberry Hill Facility in Kansas City, affiliated with the University of Kansas Medical division, a prototype if you will of what we need in this country to begin treating mental illness just as we would any other illness. This is an inspiring story of turning unimaginable grief into action and portrays the courage it takes to influence change.

This is a cause worth fighting for and one I am passionate about as I have a child who has suffered from mental illness for nearly 35 years. I have quietly researched and advocated against the mental health stigma for years.

Now seeing the tremendous increase in serious mental illness across our youth and young adults resulting in what is being labeled a suicide crisis with problems in our schools but affecting all age brackets in all walks of life, only to have lack of affordable mental healthcare, I know I have to become a more vocal advocate.

I urge all of you especially our young people to become influencers of change when it comes to those suffering from mental health issues, support those working towards changing the system, help those suffering find help, and become advocates for those who usually have tremendous obstacles in helping themselves, it is conversation we must have.

I have been amazed by how many people have experienced mental health issues with someone close to them but have kept it to themselves until someone else talks about it. It is likely 90% of us will experience mental health issues with someone close to us.

Thank you for joining all of us at KDR in the spirit of giving this holiday season! #ThisIsKDR

Sincerely,
Kevin Kenney
President/CEO, KDR Designer Showroom

The mission of Carl’s Cause is to change the future of mental health by:

– combating stigma
– creating awareness
– connecting resources

“Our goal is to bring mental health awareness to the ‘stadium level’, where it’s OK to talk openly about mental health among families, friends, co-workers and children of all ages.”

– Kelly Specht

What you need to know about the new tariffs and which vendors are affected. Read on to learn more.

TARIFF NOTICE ON DRAPERY HARDWARE

There are important changes to our drapery hardware fees that we would like to inform you about. Some KDR drapery hardware vendors have been passing on tariff charges on certain drapery hardware items. These tariffs can be as much as 12%, which will show up as an additional line item charge on your invoice.

We suggest checking with a KDR Sales Associate prior to quoting any prices for these vendors.

DRAPERY HARDWARE VENDORS WITH TARIFFS

• Kirsch Drapery Hardware – tariff charges of 12% on all Wood Trends products and most Architrac^® rodding and components.
• Paris Texas Hardware – 10% on all items
• The Finial Company – 10% on all items

TARIFF FREE!

These drapery hardware vendors have no additional tariff charges at this time:

• Select Drapery Hardware
• Orion Drapery Hardware
• Helser Brothers

For questions about tariff charges or if you would like to learn more about our drapery hardware products, please contact us or walk right in your local KDR showroom.

This season offered new opportunities beyond the latest collections and introductions from furniture, textile and window covering manufacturers. KDR’s Fall Market kicked-off with an insightful conversation with a panel of leading, local workroom owners. The Future of Designer Workrooms asked local custom workroom owners, what does the future hold for this segment of the industry. Read on to learn more.

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“It’s an opportunity for the designer to ask questions about special options and custom capabilities.”

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MARKET FAVORITES 

Trade professionals met one-on-one with manufacturer representatives for in-depth knowledge about products and discover the latest collections. Participants in the Fall Market Passport Giveaway could enter for a chance to win the grand prize giveaway; $400 Nordstrom gift card.

FOR GOOD MEASURE 

Designers received a special gift with a limited- edition KDR tape measure and reusable tote, courtesy of Hartmann&Forbes.

SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY 

Fall Market continues with exclusive savings from participating furniture manufacturers. Save up to an additional 20% on furniture special orders, take an extra 15% off select showroom inventory, plus enjoy furniture freight savers and free receiving and delivery now through October. See details on our Sales page.

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PANEL RECAP: THE FUTURE OF DESIGNER WORKROOM 

From digital disruptions, to shifting shopping behaviors and a transforming workforce, the interior design industry has changed. Today in high-end residential interiors, the skilled craftspeople of custom workrooms are vital more than ever – yet, the industry changes have left them vulnerable. The following panel of workroom experts weighed in.

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St. Louis Panel 

Nicky Berry, The Berry Studio 
Cindy Ponder, Brewer Quilt & Design 
Patty McGowd, Castlewood Designs 

Moderated by Kevin Kenney, President/CEO, KDR Designer Showrooms

Kansas City Panel 

Kelly Wilson, Weave Gotcha Covered 
Linda Adams, Sew Divine 
Barbara Holt, Sterlinghouse 

Moderated by Kevin Kenney, President/CEO, KDR Designer Showrooms

Minneapolis Panel 

Jim Kaiser, Artistic Drapery & Upholstery 
Jan Benz, Accent Drapery 
Maud Duggan, Union Place 

Moderated by Ashlee Morgan, Window Covering Department Supervisor, KDR Designer Showrooms

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The Future of Designer Workrooms conversation covered: 

• Transparency in pricing
• Value of turnkey services
• Technology
• Uniform means of communication between designer and workroom
• Timeliness of production
• Educating and marketing to the new generations of design professionals?
• Will your workroom alter ready-made product? 

In summary, The Future of Designer Workrooms panel discussion was an important first step to help guide us in future collaborations of educational seminars for the year ahead. Stay tuned for what’s to come in 2020. 

Scroll to view photo galleries and the KDR Fall Market Giveaway winners.

Fall Market Giveaway Winners 

Congratulations to the Fall Market 2019 winners! The winners each receive a gift card valued at $400 to Nordstrom. Attendees can enter for a chance to win the grand prize gift in the KDR Fall Market Passport Giveaway. One winner per showroom location. 

• St. Louis Showroom Winner: Melanie Christoff, Cure Design Group
• Kansas City Showroom Winner: Christine Julian, Christine Julian Interiors
• Minneapolis Showroom Winner: Janice Lusignan, Drapes by Janice

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We extend our gratitude to event partners. 

Special thanks to our panel of designer workroom owners. 

Industry partners: Walbrandt Technologies, Woven Concepts, Cosentino, Twigs & Moss.

Manufacturer representatives from: Century, Hancock & Moore, Jessica Charles, Taylor King, Maitland-Smith, Hickory Chair, Pearson, Hickory White, Lillian August, Sherrill Furniture, Thayer Coggin, Lee Industries, Hartmann&Forbes, Paris Texas Hardware, The Finial Company, Select, Kirsch, Zimmer + Rohde, Kravet, Lee Jofa, Romo, Phillip Jeffries, Samuel & Sons, Cowtan & Tout, JAB, Robert Allen Duralee, Norbar and more.

Catering provided by Gourmet to Go, Blue Pot Catering, Lila Buffet Styling, The Dapper Doughnut, Donutology and Sip Coffeebar.

Photography courtesy of Rachel Hwang.