It's The Times for Galaxy!

Cooper Lace's (and the world's, for that matter)  first Mid-Century Modern lace curtain pattern, Galaxy, was featured in the November 27th edition of the New York Times!  The response has been fantastic, and we're grateful that the publication was impressed enough with Bradbury & Bradbury Art Wallpaper's Steve Bauer and his design to show it to the world! Please contact us for more information or samples.

Summer Cottage (Lace)

A client sent us this photo of her Cottage Panels; it reveals the delightful view from a Victorian dormer window to the summer countryside below. Even though we are given only this tiny glimpse, it's easy to imagine the stillness and warmth in this silent room that remains unchanged for a century. Cooper Lace is devoted to preserving this timelessness and offers a great variety of historic lace curtains in every style imaginable.

Anything For You!

We love custom orders; they challenge us to make our clients' homes more beautiful in ways we might not have considered.  Such is the case with this recently completed job, where our customer loved our Prairie Sumac panels, but needed them a few inches wider and much longer than our stock lengths.  Our brilliant Art Department was able to accomplish this, and the results are depicted here.

We also create custom designs working with your concepts or artwork, or will weave any of our patterns in any length (16 feet long?  No problem!)  The cost is much less than you'd think, and the minimum number of panels is usually around a dozen.  Please email or call me for more details.

I Share Your Frustration.

@%$#&^%$!

I am appalled at just how terrible customer service seems to be with many online companies.  I want to use much stronger language, but I'd rather not offend anyone who doesn't know me well.  Those who do know me can easily imagine the actual words currently being flung around my office.

This past week, instead of being in the position of assisting customers, I had to be one; I'm helping a design client with some major purchases for an Arts & Crafts style home spa, and have been commissioned to source materials.

My client is spending thousands of dollars, and I CAN'T GET THE COMPANIES TO CALL OR EVEN EMAIL ME!!!

Hello, certain hot tub and sauna companies: you come up high on the search engines, but you refuse respond to very basic technical questions: You're off the list.

Decorative finish company that can't seem to produce a sample? We went to your competitor.

We at Cooper Lace hear the same sort of complaints from our customers who looked elsewhere first:
They get bumped to voicemail or their emails are never returned. No one helps with measuring. There's a complete indifference to those who want to buy something!

What's so difficult about communicating with your clients?
I LOVE speaking with you!
Day or Night.
Weekday, Weekend or Holiday.

I've spent countless hours over the last 20-odd years with one spouse on the telephone and the other on a step-ladder with a tape measure.  Bring it on; I'm here for you.

Do you have a question about our lace? Call or email me NOW. The office line forwards to my cellphone in the off-hours; I shut it off when I'm sleeping.  Otherwise, we're open for business. I promise to respond to your email as soon as possible; usually within the hour (once again, unless I'm sleeping or on an airplane).

Click here for our contact information and the best customer service of any company, anywhere.

That's my promise to you, Dear Client.

Dan

With Thanks To You All

Seven years ago, on Thanksgiving weekend, I quit my job of 16 years. I was deeply unhappy, and after taking a little time off, decided to create the best lace curtain company in existence. It was a field I knew intimately, and I wanted to offer the most distinctive patterns that were unrivaled for their artistry and quality. Additionally, I was determined to have the finest customer service, not only for any company selling lace, but for any company, anywhere. 

To make my task even more challenging, I launched just as the Great Recession began taking its toll on the global economy. It was damned scary for the first couple of years, but I stuck it out, steadily adding patterns and always keeping my customers' interests in the forefront. My goal was and is to always satisfy my clients and to do it as quickly as possible, even with the typical bumps and glitches that every retailer experiences.  In fact, I received this email today:

"Mr. Cooper, We would like to state that the exchange occurred because of my error. We noticed that when we made you aware that an exchange was needed that you immediately sent the replacements even before receiving our payment.  We have thoroughly enjoyed doing business with you."

Today, Cooper Lace is the largest retailer of Scottish Cotton lace in North America. We now offer more than seven times as many patterns as when we started with our Exclusives, including our recently added Historics line which features the highly popular Meadow Lily Arts and Crafts pattern. We've grown so much, that I've enlisted a colleague, Christine Light, to handle fulfillment for this and our Traditionals line.

Yes, I'm blowing my own horn, but only because I wanted to show just how very grateful I am to all of you for contributing to that success.  I am humbled by your patronage and your faith in the company that bears my name.

Thank you, and I wish you all the happiest of Thanksgivings.

Dan Cooper

Thanks on Loan

Cooper Lace just received this touching, handwritten note from a very happy customer, and we're very flattered. She's not only thanking us for her curtains, but also for our Lace-on-Loan sample program, which has been hugely popular:  we'll send out entire panels for a two-week loan so that you may examine them in your home at no cost to you, other than the return postage.

If you'd like to see any of our lace curtain panels, please contact me or Christine Light.

Lace of the (Boardwalk) Empire

-HBO/Home Box Office

Once again, Cooper Lace has been selected to provide the lace curtains for the HBO series "Boardwalk Empire". It was a tall order, literally, as we rushed dozens of our longest panels overnight to the Brooklyn, New York set from our warehouses in the United States and Scotland. Among the patterns used were Victorianna,  Lucynda, Brownstone, Grecian, Regency, and Neo-Grec.  Look for them during Episode 11!

We're a Bargain!

A friend sent me the above image: it's an 1850s Illinois newspaper advertisement for lace curtains, and it proudly proclaims lace curtains priced at "$5 to $100 a pair"  I did a little research, and it seems that an 1850s dollar, with inflation, would be worth $27 today.  Thus, this firm's cheapest curtains would be $135 a pair or $62.50 a panel.  In fact, our Cottage Lace Panel starts at only $69 a pair! We don't have anything, though, that costs $2700 a pair or $1350 a panel...

SNEAK PREVIEW! "Bellflower"

Cooper Lace has long been the leading resource for English Arts and Crafts movement lace curtains, and as of today, we've adding yet another pattern by the English architect and designer C. F. A. Voysey. Bellflower, a circa 1900 design, is one of our most intricate patterns to date, and has subtle shading and an alternating repeat that delights the eye. Bellflower was originally a carpet design drawn for the Tompkinson's/Steele's mill, and it, along with Oak & Acorn, create stunning curtain panels when interpreted in 100% cotton lace. Bellflower and Oak & Acorn join The Stag for our current selection of Voysey patterns, along with William Morris' Cherwell to complete our selection of notable English patterns.

We're Adorable...

While Cooper Lace has been featured prominently in many films, television programs, and museums, this is the first time the world of fashion has come knocking on our door:  Adore Me, creators of a beautiful lingerie line contacted us recently; they were in need of lace curtains for the set of a fashion shoot, and were seeking something light and airy that would accentuate their latest additions to their line.  We sent them a large box of samples from our Traditionals collection, and they selected several, including Lydia.  We were mightily impressed with the results; although we admit to being upstaged just a little by the enchanting model....

We're The Best! Ask our customers....

We've always felt that Cooper Lace had the finest customer service, best patterns and largest inventory, but this unsolicited email appeared in our in-box this week.  I promise you this was a new customer, one previously unknown to us, and someone who had absolutely no interest in promoting us:

Oh my God! You guys really take first place! Your website is amazing and you have the best stuff. I have been trying to find just the right lace curtains for months now. No one ever has anything in stock and some don't even respond to emails. I am holding my breath for my curtains to arrive. I cant wait! 

Thanks for being so great.

My best,

(name withheld)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Overly Sensitive?

Every so often, I get a call from someone who suffers from being extremely allergic to chemicals in their home environment, and they want to know if Cooper Lace curtains will be safe for them.  Their questions typically focus on fabric content and and post-weaving treatments such as Scotch-guarding (which is kind of ironic, as our lace curtains are woven in Scotland...)

Anyway, our Exclusives line is comprised of 100% cotton, with no synthetics. Our Historics and Traditionals lines are 95% cotton 5% polyester, but note that this tiny amount of synthetic fiber is the stitching on the edging.  We will be happy to loan you one or more of our curtains if you wish to test for adverse reactions.

The are no harsh chemicals used in finishing our lace curtain panels; if need be, a gentle washing in cold water before hanging is suggested for those who prefer to do this with
all fabrics entering their households.  If you or someone you care for is highly chemically sensitive and you have any questions about our lace, please call me at 888-433-7801 or email me at ceo@cooperlace.com

Yours,

Dan Cooper
President & CEO, Cooper Lace

Meadow Lily Lace Curtain Panel

Occasionally, I post a piece devoted to one of our lace patterns; to celebrate the debut of Cooper Lace's Historics line; I thought I'd give you a little background on one of the most popular ones: Meadow Lily

Meadow Lily (lower left)

The design for the Meadow Lily lace panel is taken from the 1910 Come-Packt Furniture catalog "F" (image courtesy of the Winterthur Museum Library).  Filled with Arts & Crafts style appointments including furniture, lighting and lace curtains, this catalog features a glimpse into the well-appointed Craftsman-style home from just after the turn of the 20th century. Meadow Lily is by far the most distinctive pattern of the lot and was recreated by the art department of the mill in Scotland.  We offer it in two widths; 30" and 50", and two colors, white and ecru (ivory).  The panel is also available in lengths ranging from 54" to 108".

For more information, samples or ordering, please contact Christine Light at christine@cooperlace.com or call 866-286-6552

Two New Lines; 19 More Patterns!

Meadow Lily 

Finally!  

Yes, I know I said February 1st, but in the scheme of things, March 14th isn't too bad.  So here's the news:

The Scottish mill that weaves our curtains has been so impressed with our progress (we're their largest North American lace curtain customer), that they've offered us two new lines of historic reproduction lace curtain panels to represent!

Our current line has been renamed Cooper Lace Exclusives, and the two new lines are Cooper Lace Historics and Cooper Lace Traditionals.

Our Historics line is composed of cotton Nottingham lace curtains woven in documented patterns from 1870-1930, and features such notable designers as C. F. A. Voysey.  There are also great mid-Victorian designs, and some wonderful Arts & Crafts patterns such as Meadow Lily (seen above), and a Mackintosh-inspired panel, as well as a Chinoiserie/Art Deco pattern.

Our Traditionals line, also of Nottingham weave, is assembled around the mill's archival patterns of late Victorian and early Edwardian designs; these are the finest examples available of floral and foliate patterns embellished with swags and wreaths. All of our new patterns are available in pure White or Ecru/Ivory.

Lydia from our Traditionals

Because we're literally doubling our offerings, I've enlisted the services of an associate, an old friend and colleague, Christine Light.  I met Christine and encouraged her to work with me for another firm  many years ago, and thus, she is very familiar with the Historics line.Christine is a terrific person, and in her, you'll find the same exceptional customer service and attention to detail that you've found at Cooper Lace Exclusives. You can reach her at christine@cooperlace.com or 866-286-6552.

Patience is a Virture

Or so I'm told...

In my last post, I told everyone to watch this space for a major announcement on February 1st.

The day came and went, and....nothing.

And today, a reader asked "Well?"

Sorry, I was premature.

It's nice to know that someone's reading our blog, though.

We still have a big announcement coming up, but our web designer and developer have been so busy implementing it, we haven't had a chance to launch.  It'll happen sometime this month, and I promise you, it's very exciting news in the World of Lace.  In fact, it will cement Cooper Lace's position as the leading resource of historic cotton lace in North America.

So, thank you for your patience and understanding, and stay tuned!

Yours,

Dan

Custom Lace Door Panels and Sidelights

I'm always flattered when clients send me photographs of Cooper Lace's curtains in situ. This one just came in from a delightful customer in Boulder, Colorado, who is obsessed with the work of C. F. A. Voysey. One of her many lace curtain purchases was a front door panel and matching sidelights for her magnificent house's entry.  She selected "Oak & Acorn" and our seamstress carefully cut and hemmed them to her measurements.  Incidentally, Oak and Acorn wallpaper is available from Trustworth Studios, and the coordinating carpet is available through English Wilton, who maintains an exclusive library of Voysey's carpet designs.

Gothic Redux

Here are some more shots from our "Great Expectations" shoot of last week. I had a wonderfultime running around Hills House in Amherst, MA with photographer Huong Phan:

Too Big For a Cottage

As of March 1st, 2012, Cooper’s Cottage Lace, LLC will be known as Cooper Lace. After five years of rapid growth, “Cottage” was beginning to sound a bit quaint; we started with six Arts and Crafts lace patterns, all of which focused on the 1890-1910 period, and now we have fourteen patterns appropriate for houses dating from 1790 to the present! Our unique approach to selecting distinctive patterns quickly separated us from all of the other lace retailers and won us rave reviews for our quality and beautiful patterns, to say nothing of our consistently providing the best and most personalized customer service. Our patterns are available in more lengths, and more importantly, more widths than any other company. We’ve expanded from a tiny newcomer to the leading provider of the finest 100% Scottish Cotton lace panels, and our products now enhance countless homes, museums and film sets. I’m very proud of our success, and so very grateful to all of you who have supported us over the past five years. Our new website will go online very shortly, and, to celebrate, my next blog entry shall introduce our newest pattern, which I promise you is the most spectacular lace curtain design created in the past century! Its sneak preview at a trade show last week actually stopped attendees in their tracks; in 21 years of selling and designing lace curtains, I've never seen a response like this to a lace curtain panel!

That's A Wrap!

We've just placed the last (for the time being) of our rush Christmas and Hanukkah orders on the loading dock. It's been frantic, and our seamstress, Ana, has been truly heroic in finishing the dozens of custom requests we've received in the past weeks. Now it's time for year-end inventory and a week of planning for what promises to be our best year yet.

Not that I can complain about the last year; folks, you've been wonderful, and I am humbled and flattered by your patronage.

The big news is that shortly, we shall be unveiling our newest lace curtain pattern, and I promise you that it will be the most spectacular lace panel to be woven in the past century!

I make this claim with no reticence or qualifiers. No other lace curtain pattern in production comes even close to it; It's of a style that has been ignored by so many for so long, and will be unique in its field. I've shown it to a select few, and I've never seen such a response in my tenure. And there are other surprises that shall accompany it! So watch this space, and be amazed.

Finally, I wish you all the happiest of holidays, and thank you again for making 2011 such a great year for us.

Yours,

Dan Cooper, President
Cooper's Cottage Lace, LLC

Above and Beyond

This post started out as a promotional piece mentioning that Cooper's Cottage Lace had just sold lace curtains to the set of the television show Pan Am on ABC. But overnight, it turned into an example of how far we're willing to go for a customer in need.

The first order of our new Regency Panels had arrived on the set in Brooklyn, NY, last Monday, as requested. The next day, I happened to be in Manhattan visiting clients and meeting with the photographers of my next book to discuss layout and content. A call came in the afternoon; the set decorators needed more lace, but it had to be on set in Brooklyn by 8:00 am the next day.

Mind you, the lace was in the warehouse in Amherst, MA, 175 miles north of New York City. And it was too late to get it on Fedex. The shoot was scheduled for 9:00 am...panic ensued. So, I trained home, arriving around midnight, set my alarm for 3:30 am, and drove the lace down to Brooklyn, arriving at 7:03 at the gates of Steiner Studios. (I had left an hour to spare, in case traffic got ugly). I turned around, and returned to Amherst at 11am, in time to complete the day's work, content in the knowledge that the show would go on...

Watch for the episode "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" on December 4th; I'm told that's the air date!