Today we’d like to introduce you to Edith Williamson.
Edith, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
How did I start? I suppose destiny. As a kid, I would change the interior of my dollhouse frequently, updating and remaking especially the curtains and bedding. My nana spent time teaching me how to sew, and later on, she taught me how to run a sewing machine. In 1981, as a fresh immigrant, sewing was to be a skill I had to apply, and I got hired by a commercial drapery company, then later, by a custom drapery workroom. Loved it! Started a workroom of my own in a two car garage, my boss found out and fired me for ‘conflict of interest.’ I had no choice, but to make it on my own, so in 1983, I named it Best Draperies, and the commitment was on to prove that I can make the best draperies. A year later, I had the trust of 5 design firms and so much work, that I decided to take out a d.b.a. as Inside The Window, moved the business to a commercial location and hired help. The first few years were tough, not only keeping up with fabricating but learning about the business itself. I was fortunate, however, to have a great mentor, Fran Linder, owner of Fran’s Touch Of Class Interiors. Her friendship, her care, and advice helped tremendously to make the right choices. I enrolled in continuous education classes about the drapery industry, got certified as Window Fashions Certified Professional, and all throughout, I was also mastering English as my second language. Parallel to running Inside The Window, a wholesale drapery workroom, I opened Drapery Montage, a retail design studio. Keeping up with two businesses at two different locations, and the demand of family, had me facing the choice of selling the wholesale workroom in 2004. It was a triumphant moment, a sale that yielded a nice amount to expand the retail location. We developed a Ready-Made line of merchandise in draperies and soft furnishings and the new 5,000 sa.ft. location soon Drapery Montage became known as ‘Houston’s drapery store.’ Just celebrated our 34th anniversary, a celebration dedicated to the destiny served to expand on the skilled honed from childhood.
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?
I call my Hungarian accent a burden and a blessing at the same time. Learning the English language, comprehending it’s often difficult spelling and the correct pronunciation to be understood by a Texan, was often challenging. To compensate for the lack of expressing myself, I took drawing classes and it was beneficial in presenting the designs. Also, I realized early on, just how I despise bookkeeping, so I hired out the paperwork to a bookkeeping firm and we’re still with the CPA. And I should mention finding expert help for sewing or the lack of it. From early on, I would hire anyone who was willing to learn and offered to train them.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Drapery Montage – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Our first logo artist highlighted “Superior Quality” on our flyer, and to this day we make sure that what we create, exceeds that. We also take Custom very seriously in everything we fabricate. Actually, our bullet words sum it up best: Inspiration. Design. Custom Fitted. One stitch, at a time! As for being European, we as a company mastered the classical designs, and in 1996 won First Place with swags and cascades made for a Victorian mansion in Galveston. It was a proud moment to walk on the stage with Fran Linder, my mentor, and to formally thank her for her guidance, and for believing. in me. And in her words on that stage: “It is indeed the quality of this shop’s work that sets them miles above the rest!”
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Recently, we have purchased a building of our own and renovated it to fit the needs of both a design studio with a large sample library and a brightly lit workroom. The love affair with the creating, the added years of experience and the recommendations we receive over our work, has us busier than ever. While our ready-made merchandise remains in demand, we are planning to expand on it, and to add a custom finished line of drapery hardware. As for bedding, and accessories, we’re continuously learning and offering new designs.
Pricing:
- Ready-Made draperies $99/width
- In-home consultations $125
Contact Info:
- Address: Drapery Montage
9223 Kingsville St
Houston, TX 77063 - Website: draperymontage.com
- Phone: 713-975-8866
- Email: draperymontage@att.net
- Facebook: facebook.com/draperymontage
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
