Today we’d like to introduce you to Judee Secontine.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Judee. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Believe it or not, there were home economics courses when I went to school! It was one of my favorite classes. I just loved being able to create something from a piece of fabric.
I couldn’t afford a sewing machine at home, so I continued sewing and creating everything by hand.
Fast forward twenty years: my husband purchased me a Husqvarna sewing machine for Christmas. I started to create window treatments and bedding for my own home. My first project was drapes for my family room, and it was a lot more daunting of a task than I had expected. With help from some close friends who were well versed in sewing, I was able to learn some valuable advanced skills and create a look for my home that I was proud of. This was such a contagious feeling that I started to redo my kitchen and took a stab at upholstery as well. I absolutely loved what I was doing. My sewing and design skills were something the whole family could enjoy, especially when Halloween rolled around. I would make costumes based on whatever ideas the kids would come up with, and every year they won Best Costume. A favorite was a huge Tyrannosaurus Rex with a 6-foot tail.
Soon this hobby really took off. I loved to go into Boston to scour remnant houses for inexpensive yet high-quality fabrics and unique home accents. Making my home characteristic and having pieces with stories and history was one of my passions. My friends loved how I designed my home so much they wanted me to show them my spots and make them things with what they found.
In 2008, like many families, it was a little more difficult to make ends meet than it had been in the past. It had been years since I had a career other than a full-time mom, and I felt that there had to be something that I could do. My friends encouraged me to take my enthusiasm for design and creation to new heights, so I began growing my company by doing projects for friends. Then, through word of mouth, I began to branch outwards to new areas of New England. Soon, I was doing projects not just for family homes but also for businesses. Next I began to branch outward to boarding schools, and through those to meeting new families and new companies.
I no longer just scour the remnant homes. I carry high-end fabrics from suppliers, and I am a certified Hunter Douglas representative for shades and blinds. I am always looking for new and upcoming opportunities so I can show my clients classic quality as well as ahead-of-the-curve merchandise. Though I have trained myself to sew and create since I was a child, I attend design expos such as High Point to keep up-to-date on the latest trends and new spins on classics that never go out of style.
Nothing makes me happier than giving people their custom experience, a home or company where they can thrive with their new and uniquely tailored design.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No pain, no gain. Being a mom with a husband who travels a lot for work is hard, but he is so loving and supportive of my passion for this company. Like many women, my biggest challenge is juggling mom duties (three great kids who are very active in sports) with my career.
Another challenge was hiring someone who is knowledgeable about hanging window treatments. I was lucky to come across a handyman who I trained in the art of installing window treatments, especially challenging with old New England homes where nothing is ever squared or level!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Curtain Call Interior Design story. Tell us more about the business.
At Curtain Call Interior Design we specialize in custom window treatments, bedding, and upholstery. Our services transform ideas into reality. From inspiration to creation to fabrication and installation, we provide the entire service. We carry many lines of fabric, trims, and accessories. We are a certified Hunter Douglas representative. We also have in-house upholstery services. When designing a suitable window treatment our primary focus incorporates function, lighting, privacy, view, and of course beauty!
What sets us apart from our competitors is simple: we create a relaxing and pleasing atmosphere that reflects their and their family’s individual and unique lifestyle. Our design is not our style; we bring out the client’s individual and unique style. In the end, it really is all about our clients and making their home or business their sanctuary.
I am most proud of the many families we have helped by creating a home to unwind in at the end of the day—a place where family loves to be together, whether lounging by the pool on beautiful custom cushion sofas or relaxing in the family room surrounded by soothing colors and eye-pleasing accents. Our goal is to over-deliver and exceed expectations on every level. We treat our clients how we want to be treated.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.curtaincallinteriordesign.com
- Phone: 978.761.8651
- Email: Judee@curtaincallinteriordesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curtaincallinteriordesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curtaincallinteriordesignllc/
Image Credit:
Ann Antes
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