Meet Barbara Sealy of Atlanta Custom Draperies in Alpharetta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Sealy.

Barbara, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In middle school, home economics and wood shop were requirement classes that everyone had to take. After winning the best in both categories in my school, I knew my hands were my gift. Little did I know it would come later in life when I found my passion and my “zen”. During my younger years, I was a secretary in New York. Even then, utilizing my hands for my swift typing, shorthand and great organizational skills. It’s hard to believe that I still know shorthand. This comes in handy to make secret notes that no one can read but me it’s like my own secret code.

After the birth of my second son, I was searching for something that would make me think, calculate and have a passion for. I started working in a custom sewing studio making beautiful custom window treatments, pillows and bedding. Producing gorgeous items that are “jewelry” for the home. I worked with 8 wonderful ladies, some were in the Mensa group. Their knowledge and love drew me to becoming a fabric artist. They taught me how to work with and manipulate fabrics to make them into beautiful things.

While joining the Catholic Church, and going through the classes, I met a woman who also was working with fabric. We shared the love of design through fabrics. I ended up working for her, until she went out on her own into the interior design business. In 2004, with the help of my mother, my sewing studio was opened. My mom gave me the money for my first commercial industrial sewing machine. That was the beginning of my business. It’s been so fulfilling and was certainly the right decision.

My supportive husband has been behind me during all these years and constantly cheering me on through the high points and low points.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In the beginning, it was very scary starting out on my own. I have a saying that even though you have butterflies in your stomach, you push past them and embrace the fear and accept that the only way I’ll change myself is to make an unemotional decision about what I want to do, decide on a plan of action and move forward. It’s normal to feel that way and to make the best decisions you can. My clients appreciate my honest and genuine suggestions. Having enough time to make the treatments, before installation is the greatest challenge. Lead times required and back ordered fabrics, along with trims not coming in, until the 11th hour can add a lot of stress. On occasion, I work through the night in order to make a deadline. Clients sometimes don’t have patience. It’s hard to convey how some things take more time to complete then others.

Please tell us about Atlanta Custom Draperies.
This is a personal, custom service. Creating and providing items for someone’s home, that will last for years, is about as personal as it gets. I am unique in the ability to know what the client is like on a personal level. If my designer can give me insight as to their clients likes and dislikes, that is so helpful. You want to invoke a certain “feeling” in your home. My products help create a feeling of cozy, beauty, safety and comfort this is unique for everyone. My tag line has always been “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” –Ben Franklin.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
One thing that stays with me is that when I was a little girl, my grandmother had told me that curtains make a room and at the time I didn’t know what she meant until I got older. It was like she was trying to tell me what my future held…pretty spot on. I miss her dearly she was very en vogue with fashion for her time.

Contact Info:

• Website: atlantacustomdraperies.com
• Phone: Studio # 770-641-8431
• Email: studio@atlantacustomdraperies.com
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