From Bland to Brilliant: Transforming a Room with Ceiling-High Drapery
Written by Tamara Kulyk, Window Treatment & Automation Specialist
At Sensational SEAMS, we don’t just design drapery — we transform entire rooms to feel warmer, more elegant, and more personal.
This month’s featured project took us upward — literally. By designing custom ceiling-high drapery, we helped turn a once-bland living room into a brilliant space full of softness, comfort, and that all-important wow factor.
Meet Donna
I’ve known Donna for years through the Home Show, where she coordinates the vendors. She’s seen our displays many times, and when it came time to refresh her own living room, she wanted to support the people she knew, liked, and trusted.
“The room was very bland… I needed some help and direction to give it an anchor or a wow moment.” – Donna
Her living room, with its soaring ceilings and neutral palette, felt unfinished. Donna wanted softness, warmth, and a touch of elegance that would make the space inviting but not overly formal.
This is where we came in.
Living room before the makeover
High Ceiling Drapery and Motorized shades
Designing Upward
Our first suggestion was to take the drapery all the way up to the ceiling. At first, Donna and John couldn’t quite picture it. This is how we bridge that gap—we use sketches directly on a photo of the room to bring our ideas to life.
“As soon as I saw the sketch, I could finally envision it. To have something coming from the ceiling would elongate the whole room—and it was going to make a statement.” – Donna
From there, we helped them select a soft floral fabric that felt subtle yet elegant, perfectly complementing their existing furniture. This is how we added warmth and texture—by lining the drapery with a plush interlining to give it a rich, full presence. To tie everything together, we designed two coordinating pillows in the same fabric, pulling the look deeper into the room.
“I love how subtle it is, but how elegant it is. It’s not a huge wow in the pattern—it’s just a beautiful pattern.” – Donna
High ceiling drapery design with motorized shades by Sensational SEAMS
Beautiful Design with Function!
Of course, design is only half the story. The large windows also brought in too much heat and glare, making the room uncomfortable. This is where we added function to the beauty: honeycomb shades for every window. These not only insulate and keep the room cooler but also diffuse the light beautifully.
To make life even easier, we motorized the top shade and paired it with a solar charger—so Donna and John never have to worry about changing batteries.
“The honeycomb shades made the room so much more comfortable—cooler, softer, and easier to live in.” – Donna
High ceiling drapery and matching cushions
The Finishing Touch!
Finally, this is where our family team came together. My parents, Jamie and Wilma, installed everything with the care and craftsmanship they’re known for. As a family business, this is how we bring it all together—combining design, precision, and teamwork to make sure every detail is perfect.
For us, this project wasn’t just about fabric or shades—it was about loyalty, trust, and collaboration. Donna trusted us with her vision, and together we created a living room that feels warm, elegant, and complete—while reaching new heights in design.
Award-Winning designer Tamara showing off her new design!
Thank you, Donna and John, for trusting us with your window treatment project!
At Sensational SEAMS, we don’t just design drapery — we transform entire rooms to feel warmer, more elegant, and more personal.
This month’s featured project took us upward — literally. By designing custom ceiling-high drapery, we helped turn a once-bland living room into a brilliant space full of softness, comfort, and that all-important wow factor.
Until next month,
Tamara, Wilma & their Team
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