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DESIGNERS' WORKSHOP congratulates Lynn Osborn of The Window Dresser for being our Spring Quarter 2009 "Designer/Decorator of the Quarter." Lynn shares a little about herself, below, as well as some photos of her work. If you would like to be featured as a Designer/Decorator of the Quarter, please let one of our showroom staff know and we will place your name into consideration.
 "I knew when I was young that I had a desire to have a family and be home to raise my children. But I also had a desire to work. I wanted a job in which I could develop my love of textiles and design and be able to manage it around my family, instead of a having a family that I had to work around my job.
Establishing The Window Dresser was an easy solution. After studying interior design at a University in South Carolina, I worked as a designer for a few years at a design gallery before having children. I quickly discovered that my favorite component of my job was transforming a naked window into an element of the room that either offered itself as a focal point with a sophisticated statement, or softly spoke with simplicity that made an understatement that added softness and unity to the room.
I decided to narrow my choices from the broad field of interior decorating and specialize in window treatments—both hard treatments and soft treatments because I feel treatments make such strong a difference in a room. Window treatments can improve the proportions of a room by adding essential elements of color, pattern, texture and shape; it can also control light, privacy, warmth, and noise. Whether elaborate or simple, well-made and well-executed draperies, like no other design element, help make a room complete.
I established The Window Dresser in 1996 when my first-born was a few months old. Through the growing years of my business I have enjoyed the opportunities of attending conferences, classes, workshops, and seminars that continued to keep me focused on offering myself as a business professional in today’s changing world of design and technology.
I have served as Vice President for two years for Jacksonville’s local Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA) chapter and have been an active member since 2003 both in the national chapter and the local chapter. I have also completed the advanced classes of fabricating custom window treatments at the Custom Home Furnishing School. The students in our class had the opportunity to design and fabricate the treatments for the Vanderbilt’s’ guesthouse at the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, NC.
The Window Dresser offers couture for window treatments and bedding. I import digital photos of my client’s windows that they want treated into my computer, design a treatment for their room, and upload the selected fabrics, trim, and hardware into a life-like rendering for them to preview. Being able to do this gives them much confidence before submitting a deposit. With today’s technology and software programs, clients love the ability to see a close-to-life rendering of what their finished product will look like.
Years ago, I fabricated everything that I designed, but as my business grew to what it is today, I became unable to manage both the important and demanding aspects of the business of working with the client and fabricating the product. In 2004, I transitioned from being the designers/workroom to contracting my work out to a fabricator that works with me in great detail manifesting every detail to perfection that I have specified.
In shopping for my clients’ fabrics and trims, I use Designers’ Workshop exclusively. I do not take for granted the resources in which I have access. Not only am I able to use Designers’ Workshop for my fabric selections, but I love the support the staff offers in assisting help when needed, researching fabrics, and following through with delivery of my orders. The team at Designers’ Workshop is an awesome group of ladies!
I love that the selection and creation of the right draperies can set a stage for a wonderful view, add grandeur, soften and unify the overall look of a room. Taking in all aspects of the space and listening to the client’s dreams and desires are all clues that enable and inspire me in a home design. It is a pleasure to combine a client’s personal style and color palette with warmth, richness and functionality."
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