Window treatment expert helps clients find their finishing interior design touches

This piece is sponsored by Montgomery’s.

It probably should have been a clue when Jodie Fabian, at age 10, spray-painted her gray bedroom walls to give the space a new look.

She’s now the window treatments manager at Montgomery’s — after a multifaceted career that included military service and working in the tech industry before going back to school to follow her passion for interior design.

“I started in Illinois working as an in-home design consultant in large metros — so my vehicle was my office on the go,” she said. “I measured, priced and advised, arranged for installation and essentially ran my own in-home window treatment business.”

Life brought her back to her home state of South Dakota several years ago, and she began working for a window blinds company.

“I saw Montgomery’s was hiring for a design consultant, but when I met with them, they said right away with my background in window treatments, would I like to specialize in that? And, of course, I would,” Fabian said. “It’s so fun to see what window treatments can do. For some, it’s a wood blind on a window. But for me, it’s the finishing touch.”

Since joining the design team earlier this year, she has advised many clients on how to update their home or design from scratch, focusing on a range of options for window treatments.

“I always start with why. What aspect doesn’t your current window treatments provide? Are you trying to create a new look or otherwise update?” she said.

“And then it’s about getting to know your needs. Window treatments provide basic needs in addition to design — privacy and light control and decorative elegance, so I go into every aspect and get to know the customer.”

Many customers are gravitating to more modern conveniences that blend style with technology in their window treatments.

“It used to be that only very specific window treatments could be automated or motorized based on weight or other size limitations, but now it’s really expanded to any window treatment,” Fabian said. “And once it’s motorized, we have options for whether it’s hardwired into the home or uses a plug-in adapter or even batteries.”

Window treatments can be operated with a remote control or even through an app.

“You can be in another state and lower the shades in your home from your phone,” Fabian said. “It’s really expanded in recent years. There are a lot of customers looking for that convenience while wanting the window treatment to function flawlessly, and those are kinds of solutions we offer.”

Montgomery’s offers a large selection of custom Hunter Douglas window treatments, including sheers and shadings, honeycomb shades, shutters, horizontal blinds, vertical blinds, Roman shades, roller shades and woven wood shades.

From a style standpoint, the banded or zebra shade has become very popular, offering “more of a clean line, where they operate like a roller shade, providing an option for light control with a modern design,” Fabian said. “You also can find the right fabric or material and bring it into a more traditional home if you want more warmth but textured.”

Montgomery’s talented sewing team also can create draperies, bed covers, valances and more.

“When it comes to fabric, it’s a finishing touch that brings character into the home and completes the look. We have a large selection of fabrics for a range of budgets, so if you can dream it, we can make it,” Fabian said. “If you have beautiful chairs and side tables, why not put something over the window to finish it?”

Fabian also works with commercial clients to determine everything from high-rise window coverings to floor-to-ceiling drapery.

“We can help create a nice, streamlined look, taking your environment and decor into account,” Fabian said.

Plus, all Montgomery’s design services are complimentary.

“There’s no charge whatsoever, and our designers know everything in the store but also have the backup of our department leads,” Fabian said. “So as a team, we can help with everything from mattresses to flooring, lighting and window treatments in addition to furniture.”

Learn more and connect

To learn more about window treatments at Montgomery’s, visit Jodie Fabian at the Sioux Falls store or contact her at 605-332-4400, ext. 312, or [email protected].