Savvy Shoppers’ Survey

White Workroom
525 Broadway (Spring St.)/212-941-5910
Weekdays by appointment 9am–6pm.

The Edge: A decorator’s source for custom draperies. § Will also do retail. A pair of side panels, with interlining and center-edge trim, for a nine-foot window starts at $350, fabric not included. No credit cards. Discounter.

Furniture & furnishings
Window treatments

Sundial-Schwartz
1582 1st Ave. (82nd St.)/212-717-4207
Weekdays 10am–5pm, Sat 10am–3pm (closed Sat June–Aug).

The Edge: Features mirroring and window treatments. § Sundial will install mirrors and remodel and resilver antique mirrors. Sells custom-design window treatments, blinds, shades, storm windows, and draperies. All styles of custom and standard shower doors. Discounter. § “Helpful staff and always reliable.”

Furniture & furnishings
Window treatments

Sheila’s Interiors
68 Orchard St. (Grand St.)/212-777-3767
Sun–Thurs 9:30am–5pm, Fri 9am–2pm.

The Edge: Discounts decorator items. § Stocks, or is able to order, a wide selection of wallpaper, fabrics, vertical and horizontal blinds, and shades. Can make up items into drapes, bedspreads, tablecloths, etc. Fair prices. Discounter. § “Good prices.”

Furniture & furnishings
Window treatments
quality style service value: 32 32 32 32

Shades From the Midnight Sun
914-779-7237
By appointment.

The Edge: Custom-made shades. § Caters to decorators and individuals. Can match shades to furniture and wallpaper. Shades from $60 to $900. A New York Times and Martha Stewart Livingsource.

Furniture & furnishings
Window treatments

Mardi Philips Design
31 Jane St. (8th Ave.)/212-242-2376
By appointment.

The Edge: Elaborate custom window treatments. § Specializes in Roman shades and elaborate custom curtain treatments, as well as cushions, pillows, and slipcovers. Roman shades for a 54- by 72-inch window start at $300, excluding fabric. Installation available for an extra charge. No credit cards.

Furniture & furnishings
Window treatments
quality style service value: 40 40 15 40

Lamps & Shades Unlimited
44 Elm St. (New Canaan, CT)/203-966-1314
Mon-Sat 10am–5pm

The Edge: Fantastic source. § Lamp shades—from those on hand to custom creations—are lovely, in fine fabrics often patterned with trims. Stocks Empire lampshades in 100% silk, boxpleated, in five colors from white to red, in multiple sizes. Also on hand, country-feeling checks and stripes in cotton. Featured in top design magazines and fine homes, including Kykuit, the Rockefeller home in Tarrytown, New York. To complement the shades, a nice collection of solid brass, Italian ceramic, and decorator lamps. § “Very helpful for decorating with one-of-a kind shades.”

Furniture & furnishings
Window treatments
quality style service value: 40 40 35 35

Just Shades
21 Spring St. (Elizabeth St.)/212-966-2757
Thurs–Tues 9:30am–4pm.

The Edge: Hundreds of appealing lamp shades in all shapes and fabrics. § They specialize in lamp shades in every conceivable fabric, from burlap and parchment to linen and silk. Old shades can be recovered with your own fabric. Stocks thousands of shades in all fabrics, plain and pleated. § “All styles and sizes—everything you need in shades.”

Furniture & furnishings
Window treatments
quality style service value: 39 38 28 32

Drapery Exchange, Inc.
1899 Post Road (Darien, CT)/203-655-3844
Mon–Sat 10am–5pm.

The Edge: Second to none for top-of-the-line draperies (including balloon shades) seeking a second life. § The store sells—and therefore buys—used draperies in mint condition. All the top fabric houses appear here. The store prices the draperies, with half the proceeds going to the consignee. Mainly expensive drapes. The shop will arrange alterations so the treatments will fit your windows. Expensive for used, but top-quality new drapes cost even more. Drapes, even used, can run into the thousands of dollars.

Furniture & furnishings
Window treatments
quality style service value: 41 41 37 42

Crosstown Shade and Glass
200 W. 86th St. (Amsterdam & Broadway)/212-787-8040
Tues and Thurs 9:30am–7pm, Wed and Fri 9:30am–5pm, Sat 9am–4pm.

The Edge: Grime busters. § While most of their business is custom window treatments and blinds, they’re especially good at washing and repairing venetian blinds.

Furniture & furnishings
Window treatments

AlphaPuck Designs
139 Fulton St., Room 210 (Nassau St.)/212-267-2561
By appointment.

The Edge: Quality, reasonably priced window treatments and upholstery. § Custom slipcovers, upholstery, and window treatments (Roman shades to drapes). The shop is oriented to designers. Requires a 50% cash deposit. Ask for Madeline Boutte. No credit cards.

Furniture & furnishings
Window treatments
quality style service value: 40 40 50 40