Blog

Feels Like I’m Just Getting Started

Feels Like I’m Just Getting Started

These 20 years in business have flown by, and I feel like I’m just getting started. I can’t wait to discover what’s ahead…and I’ll be sure to share those Custom Creations adventures with you. But for now, let’s take another look at the past with three more of my...

Open the Shutters-It’ll Lift You Up

Open the Shutters-It’ll Lift You Up

Are you ready for more of my favorite projects as I continue to celebrate my 20th year in business? I really like shutters, so this month all of my favorite projects focus on shutters. Did you know that the wooden shutters we refer to as plantation shutters got their...

Home Wasn’t Built in a Day

Home Wasn’t Built in a Day

Home wasn’t built in a day You can say that again! If you’ve ever built a home, you know all about the details…details…details. And the more details, the more you may second guess your decisions. My July newsletter is all about building my home—there are pictures...

Room with a View…or Not

Room with a View…or Not

Room with a View...or Not This month, each of my favorite projects highlights how to use window treatments to control your view out the window. We all need a little control now and then! Favorite Project #7 One of my clients had a townhouse with gorgeous views of a...

Special Touches

Special Touches

Special Touches I get excited about adding special touches to window treatments to make a great project even better. It’s like the icing on the cake. This month, each of my favorite projects has something extra special. Maybe that’s why they’re so memorable. Favorite...

Counting down 20 years of hits!

Counting down 20 years of hits!

Counting down 20 years of hits! I’ve worked on a lot of incredible projects during my 20 years in business and I’m counting them down. It’s been fun going through pictures and remembering the great clients I’ve met throughout the years—many of them returning clients,...

Cheers to Twenty Years!

Cheers to Twenty Years!

Cheers to Twenty Years! I am so excited to be celebrating 20 years in business in 2021! Here’s to 20 more…and beyond! It was fun to look at what was popular back in 2001 when I started my business. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was published, the movie Shrek...

Un-Decorate Christmas Like a Pro

Un-Decorate Christmas Like a Pro

Un-Decorate Christmas Like a Pro This has been a great year for decluttering and putting our homes in order, hasn’t it? Or maybe organizing was a great thought, but you never got around to it. There’s still time to feel like you’ve accomplished something of real value...

Everyday Guest Rooms

Everyday Guest Rooms

Everyday Guest Rooms If you’re lucky enough to have an extra bedroom, it doesn’t have to be a dedicated guest room that just sits empty most days, waiting for those rare times friends or family spend the night. Consider reclaiming that space and transforming it into a...

Fall into Winter Decorating Ideas

Fall into Winter Decorating Ideas

Fall into Winter Decorating Ideas I’m all about enjoying the fa la la of the holidays as much as possible, which means I don’t want to spend more time and energy decking the halls between Thanksgiving and Christmas than I spend celebrating. Plan ahead with double-duty...

Make Your Staycation More Permanent

Make Your Staycation More Permanent

Make Your Staycation More Permanent From Vacation to Staycation By now, many of us have had to cancel our vacations. We’ve missed out on our favorite cafes, restaurants, and hotel getaways in exchange for some lockdown staycations. There may be a way to bring that...

Love Your Home Office

Love Your Home Office

Love Your Home Office A friend of mine texted me the other day after she had been working from home for just a couple of days. She asked, how do you do it? Well, I’ve been working from home for 19 years now. I know that it takes time to get used to it, it takes...

3 Reasons to Use Smart Windows

3 Reasons to Use Smart Windows

The Top 3 Reasons to Use Smart Windows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZqh2gh2Lp8 We all have smart things – smart phones, smart watches, smart speakers – so why not make your window treatments smart, as well? There are so many reasons to invest in these new gadgets,...

How Windows Affect Your Paint Choices

How Windows Affect Your Paint Choices

How Windows Affect Your Paint Choices Painting a room is a serious investment of both time and money so you want to be sure the color you choose is the right color. You have to consider what you want the room to feel like, how big you want it to appear, and what...

4 Reasons to Hire a Professional for Your Window Treatments

4 Reasons to Hire a Professional for Your Window Treatments

4 Reasons to Hire a Professional for Your Window Treatments You’ve looked at Pinterest and browsed the curtain aisle of your local home goods store. It seems so easy until it’s not. You’re overwhelmed by all the decisions and all the measurements. It’s ok. That’s why...

Unique Ways to Decorate for the Holidays

Unique Ways to Decorate for the Holidays

Unique Ways to Decorate for the Holidays Tis the holiday season and the Christmas music is on full blast in every department store. You’ve got the Hallmark channel going and you’re wondering how to decorate your home this year. Well here are a few unique tips for...

Dressing Up Your Sunroom

Dressing Up Your Sunroom

Dressing Up Your Sunroom The leaves are changing. The air is crisp. The temperatures are basically begging for you to enjoy the outdoors. It’s the perfect time of year to enjoy dinner and drinks in your sunroom! Just because the room is letting the outside in doesn’t...

4 Ways to Have Fun with Corner Windows

4 Ways to Have Fun with Corner Windows

4 Ways to Have Fun with Corner Windows Corner windows can be a challenge to treat – but I like a challenge. This dilemma presents certain opportunities for showcasing some creative window treatments. Let’s talk about a few options. Cornice boards are a very versatile...

How Throw Pillows Transform an Entire Room

How Throw Pillows Transform an Entire Room

How Throw Pillows Transform an Entire Room If you’re looking to jazz up a room without breaking the bank, consider adding some custom throw pillows for a touch of style and design. Throw pillows not only help a room look full and finished, they also provide a number...

A Brief Guide to Decorating Your Kid’s Room

A Brief Guide to Decorating Your Kid’s Room

A Brief Guide to Decorating Your Kid's Room Creating a space where you and your guests can relax and feel at home is one thing, but what the heck do you do with the kid's room? I get this question a lot. So here is my brief guide to creating a space for your children....

4 Design Secrets for Creating a Happy Home

4 Design Secrets for Creating a Happy Home

4 Design Secrets for Creating a Happy Home Did you know that different colors, shapes, and light can stir up all different emotions? By using a few simple design secrets, you can make any space feel happier. Here are 4 design elements that create a happy mood in your...

An image of Ronica Van Gelder smiling.

I love hearing my clients say, “Wow—what a difference this makes!”

As a passionate and dedicated window treatment expert, I take pride in helping new homeowners transform their spaces into warm, inviting environments by dressing up those bare or outdated windows. Think of window treatments as the perfect jewelry to complete a stunning outfit—without them, something essential is missing.

My mission is to bring joy through beautifully tailored designs, and I’ve made the entire shopping experience as easy and enjoyable as possible. Instead of running around to different stores and collecting swatches, I bring an array of samples directly to you. This way, you can instantly see how each option complements your home, saving you time and energy.

With this personalized, stress-free approach, choosing the perfect window treatments becomes an enjoyable experience, and together, we’ll create a space that truly delights you.