No.

Well your bed, your sofa, and your windows don’t wear the same size as other houses either. There is no such thing as standard measurements anymore. The beauty of custom-made goods is that they are made for a particular application and a specific set of measurements.  Much the same way that a great fitting pair of jeans can lift your spirits, a well made and custom-fitted bedding ensemble raises the quality and luxury level of any bedroom.  Custom-made window treatments are like a great hairstyle cut exactly for your face and body.  You do not have to settle for off the rack blandness, when you can get custom drapes for the same or for a little more than something made to fit as many windows as possible.  You can also showcase your personality.  Because off the rack big box stores are trying to appeal to as many shoppers as possible, they offer very little in the way of personality and color. Custom upholstery and slipcovers that fit also offer a chance to stamp your personality on your room.

So remember that custom goods for your home are the equivalent of haute couture in fashion.  It’s all about the fit and the freedom of choice.  And even better—your sofa doesn’t care about vanity sizing and whether it can fit into a size 4 or not! Its cushions can be stuffed to the limits.

Maybe you stayed at one of the uber cool new hotels — sleek lines and zen serenity made you feel calm and peaceful. Did you love that feeling? Duplicate it in your own bedroom. Sumptuous silks, linens, and cottons will build layers of quiet texture that will embrace you on your way to a restful sleep.

Went on photographic safari in Africa? Make your own “Out of Africa” haven in your family room. Wonderful animal prints, subdued florals, and earthen color tones will remind you of that fabulous vacation when the stress of the real world is trying to pull you down.

Stayed in a quaint bed and breakfast built in the 1760′s? Recreate that warm and cozy feeling in your own living room. Beautiful crewels, Jacobean prints, and jewel tone colors will have you back to New England in no time.

Vacations and travel relax us, satisfy our sense of adventure, and provide us with wonderful memories for years to come. Why not use all of those sensory experiences to inspire your next decorating project? The talented staff at Calico Corners can help you duplicate these looks and many more. With just one style cue from you they can help you create an entire room or your whole house so that it fits your personality and makes a style statement that is all you.

You wear what you like, what makes you feel good about yourself.  Take those cues and transfer them into your home design.  If you like bold prints, upholster a piece of furniture in a floral fabric. Prefer plaids?  Mix and match plaids in different scales to brighten a solid sofa.

The most consistent colors in your closet are probably your favorites, use them as your primary color scheme or just add a punch of your favorite color as an accent.  Don’t forget,  just like jewelry completes an outfit, trim and drapery hardware add that finishing touch that makes your room special and unique.

But the material is just the beginning. Bolts and bolts can be confusing without someone to guide you through them.  My guide, Shirley Dunegan, combines design experience, in-depth product knowledge and great taste – along with humor!   My initial material choice turned out to be incompatible with my daily use. Shirley steered me from an expensive mistake, and after many false starts, suggested this fabulous, not-to-be-forgotten hibiscus damask.  A perfect choice – sophisticated, fun, and fabulous!  I even used some of the material to remake the room’s cornice.

Mine is a Calico Corners family. My mother’s 1960 curtain material came from Calico, as did the sofa material. Then there’s my wing chair, the host and hostess chair slipcovers, and my coral jewel box powder room — need I go on? The only place I’m going is to Calico Corners!

We will help you get boredom out of your bedroom, give your windows a better view and create some pillow talk with ideas and tips on dressing your home for less with Calico Corners.

It is you that will make this site great by participating. We will continue, of course, to let you know about special sales and events at the stores, but we encourage you to come back to the site frequently to take part in the dialogue. This site is about you, so please use it, enjoy and share. Let’s continue to explore the world of home decorating together.