MIMI & HILL TAKE US INSIDE THE DESIGN

DESIGNER: Mimi & Hill Designs, founded by Miriam Silver Verga and Hillary Kaplan in 2011, creates unique, authentic spaces that elevate everyday moments. With a blend of vintage finds, custom artisan pieces, and accessible items, their designs reflect each client's individuality, balancing modern lines with timeless elegance.

HOME: A custom-built Nevelhaus home located in Stone Ridge, NY.

HARTMANN&FORBES SAT DOWN WITH HILLARY KAPLAN AND MIRIAM SILVER VERGA OF MIMI & HILL DESIGNS TO DISCUSS THE PROJECT AND THEIR DESIGN INSPIRATION.

H&F: Tell us about the Mimi & Hill Nevelhaus Project. What was the overall design inspiration, and how did Hartmann&Forbes’ window coverings support that design?
M&H: Our Nevelhaus home was a very special project to us as it was Hillary’s second home in Stone Ridge, NY, inspired by the Hudson Valley countryside. Using the color palette we love so much: rich earthy browns, blacks, greens, and oatmeals, we filled the home with layers of textural materials, artisan goods, and vintage finds to add some patina and soul to this new home. Hartmann&Forbes was the perfect partner for this project! Your use of natural fibers, luxurious texture weaves, and the beauty of the handwoven material. The H&F window coverings helped bring the home’s sophisticated countryside aesthetic to life.

H&F: Thank you for including us in this beautiful home! Why was it important to you to work with Hartmann&Forbes on this project?
M&H: During our 13 years in the interior design industry, Hartmann&Forbes has always been our favorite and go-to vendor for window coverings. Your dedication to quality and craftsmanship has kept us as a happy and satisfied customer over the years. Your commitment to artisans and to your clients is a testament to your ethos.

H&F: This home has so many big, beautiful windows. How important was it to have the window coverings automated?
M&H: Automation was especially important in the primary bedroom, where the windows are 9½ ft tall, and the everyday ease of putting the shades up and down was paramount. The remote allows for easy control, especially while still in bed in the morning! Raising the blackout shades that are behind the Woven-to-Size Grassweave shades allows the morning sun to peek through before we even get out of bed. The team at H&F was wonderful at explaining how the dual shade automation would work and how to easily use the system.

H&F: Speaking of the Primary Bedroom, we love how you created a large ceiling pocket to accommodate the Dual Roman/Roller Shades. Tell us about that choice.
M&H: The choice to use the Dual Roman/Roller was an easy decision for the primary bedroom. In a bedroom with five windows, all 9½ ft tall, we knew that we needed to have blackout Performance Rollershades for evening use and to block the morning sun, but we really wanted the beauty of the Woven-to-Size Grassweave Gossamer - Hatch Chalk (LEAM32-03) weave from the Amy Meier Collection to shine as the focal point in the bedroom. So we decided to layer the shades with the Gossamer - Hatch Chalk as the Old Style Roman in the front. That way, we can always lower them to provide as much privacy as needed while allowing light to fill the room.

H&F: For the primary bathroom, you chose a Top-down Splitview^™ Style. What window covering considerations were important to you for that space?
M&H: The top-down Splitview Style works beautifully in the primary bathroom. When the top is brought down, it allows for a view of the trees and woodlands outside, helping create a visceral connection to the natural surroundings while providing the privacy needed for the space. It also allows for tons of natural light.

H&F: What is important to you when choosing the window covering for a project?
M&H: The reason why we love using Hartmann&Forbes is the use of natural materials that bring texture and an artisan handmade feel to every room. Your ability to weave wide, seamless widths and customize weaves make H&F products a constant choice for our Firm.

H&F: Tell us a little about the Hartmann&Forbes designs you chose and why.
M&H: Max Humphrey’s Gingham weave in Black (LEMH500-87) is the quintessential Hudson Valley pattern, bringing us back to plaid shirts and wool blankets. It fits perfectly in our sleepover room, where we balanced it out with faux bois wall treatment and black leather headboards with saddle leather strapping. All of these elements round out the upstate cozy vibe.
Amy Meier’s Gossamer - Hatch Chalk (LEAM32-03) was one of the first things we picked, along with the Roman Clay painted walls, to help create this ethereal and textural primary suite. The Gossamer Hatch pattern uses a subtle, slubby ramie weave that works perfectly with the hues of the soft, cozy alpaca wools, the stonewash green-gray linens, and the creamy leathers that built soft tonal layers throughout the room. The overall effect is one of luxury and coziness while also providing a wonderful backdrop for the multiple window views of the forest and trees outside.

H&F: You’re known for creating spaces that have timeless elegance. How important is the timelessness of window coverings to you?
M&H: At Mimi & Hill, we always strive to create timeless, elevated designs. We gravitate towards H&F because everything you do has a sense of timelessness that connects with our aesthetic. Your use of natural materials and earthy subtle color palettes makes the window coverings look elegant and stand independently. The H&F craftsmanship is of the highest quality and will always complete our projects by lending it the elevated and refined feel that is distinctly Hartman&Forbes and Mimi & Hill.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful Hudson Valley home with us!

Photos taken by Toni Deis Creative and Nicole Cohen Art

As a designer, you know that beauty lies in the details. At Hartmann&Forbes, we recognize that even the most minor specification errors can lead to significant challenges. To help you achieve flawless installations and satisfied clients, we’ve identified the seven most common specification errors and recommended ways to avoid them in the future. 

1. PRIVACY ENHANCEMENTS OFTEN OVERLOOKED1. PRIVACY ENHANCEMENTS OFTEN OVERLOOKED

It's not uncommon for clients to overlook specifying privacy upgrades when ordering shades. While our natural weaves are visually stunning, they may not provide sufficient privacy or room-darkening capabilities by default.

RECOMMENDATION: For areas such as bedrooms or spaces where light control is crucial, consider this aspect during the initial specification. We offer three effective solutions for enhanced privacy and sun control: privacy liners, independent dual shades, or extra-density weaving. Refer to p.64 of the Style Guide or this PDF for details (must be logged in).

2. ROMAN SHADE CLUTCH DAMAGE FROM MISUSE2. ROMAN SHADE CLUTCH DAMAGE FROM MISUSE

Our Legacy Clutch system is highly effective across numerous applications but requires careful handling due to its delicate spear mechanism. Frequent issues arise when users forcefully pull the shades, attempting to tuck the Roman folds under a valance — an action that exceeds the design limits due to the folds’ length.

RECOMMENDATION: For high-usage areas or where users might not be familiar with a clutch system, consider opting for our Ultra Clutch system, which features a more robust tube mechanism, or upgrade to the Newton motor system for a superior user experience.

3. ISSUES WITH SHADE MEASUREMENT3. ISSUES WITH SHADE MEASUREMENT

Many returned shades require resizing due to inaccurate initial measurements, leading to delays since each shade is custom-handwoven to precise dimensions.

RECOMMENDATION: While our measuring guide is available at hartmannforbes.com, we strongly advise that these measurements serve only as estimates. Always employ a professional installer to ensure accurate measurements for final orders.

4. ROMAN SHADE CONFIGURATION UPDATES4. ROMAN SHADE CONFIGURATION UPDATES

Shades are often returned for conversion to a Splitview Style configuration to address privacy concerns, especially in homes with compromising window placements.

RECOMMENDATION: In privacy-sensitive areas like bathrooms and bedrooms, consider specifying a Splitview Style configuration when initially specifying.

5. REQUESTS FOR POST-PURCHASE MOTORIZATION5. REQUESTS FOR POST-PURCHASE MOTORIZATION

Motorized shades significantly enhance the user experience, providing ease of use and a touch of sophistication. Once clients experience the difference, they commonly request motorization after initially opting for manual shades.

RECOMMENDATION: Always discuss the budget thoroughly with clients, helping them understand the long-term value and daily benefits of investing in a motorized system.

6. ADJUSTING SIDE RETURNS6. ADJUSTING SIDE RETURNS

Side returns on outside mount shades are essential for concealing the hardware when viewed from the side. As shade operation technologies evolve and become bulkier, the need for appropriate side returns becomes more pronounced.

RECOMMENDATION: We generally recommend the shortest possible side return. However, the larger the operation method chosen, the more critical it becomes to review and adjust the side returns before placing an order. Consider a structured valance, removing the standard valance, and installing the shade within the valance framework for a seamless look, especially when opting for Newton or automation.

7. INTERIOR LIGHTING CONSIDERATIONS7. INTERIOR LIGHTING CONSIDERATIONS

The use of direct interior front-lighting or accent/spot-lighting on natural shades is strongly discouraged. These artificial interior lighting methods can overshadow the subtle, intricate textures that define the artistry of our craftsmanship. Such lighting can also distort the appearance of our handwoven, natural materials, drawing unwanted attention to inherent, organic surface variations, such as rippling or wrinkling.

RECOMMENDATION: If the use of direct front lighting or accent lighting on the shades is unavoidable, selecting a more heavily-textured weave can help minimize the appearance of any organic surface variations. Please be aware, however, that challenges that may arise specific to the use of artificial interior lighting fall outside the scope of our craftsmanship warranty.

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By addressing these common specification errors, you can ensure a smoother process, leading to higher client satisfaction and fewer post-installation issues. For more detailed guidance, please refer to our comprehensive Style Guide or contact our support team directly.