FULL FRAME: Designer High Style & Design: Jill Ballew of High Country Drapery Designs, 2022 Designer of the Year

HIGH STYLE & DESIGN

Jill Ballew of High Country Drapery Designs, 2022 Designer of the Year

In part, Jill Ballew’s interest in design and décor is due to her very understanding parents. While growing up, she was permitted to decorate and change the design and décor of her bedroom.

Although Ballew’s interest in design continued when she went to college, she decided to pursue a major in education. But, as it turned out, the school of education was in the same building as the school of design.

“I really thought I was going to be a teacher, but then I saw how much fun the design students were having and it really piqued my interest,” said Ballew. Thus, she switched her major and, as an elective for her coursework, she took a sewing class from which she was able to sew the flower girl dresses for her wedding.

As a mother of five children, Ballew was always focused on the design and décor of her homes (as she and her family have moved around quite a bit). Whenever she entertained, guests always asked her about who decorated her home.

“And when people found I did the decorating myself, they asked if I could do or create something for their homes,” she said. This allowed Ballew to create a home-based side hustle by designing and sewing home décor projects for people. Then, in 2015, Ballew decided to go full time and took a position as an outdoor designer for a local pool company.

This opportunity allowed Ballew to build her confidence in her talents and abilities, but she also learned that the amount of work she was able to do was limited because she was both designing and sewing.

In addition to hiring people who would do the sewing, Ballew began to connect with local interior designers about her experience in designing window treatments. She found the perfect niche

Euro-pleated drapery in a 1920s North Chattanooga dining room.

A lakeview living room with walls of euro-pleated drapery. Interior design by Hertle Designs.

Euro-pleated drapery in a Tennessee sitting room. for her business: to serve as a window treatment expert for interior designers.

“I found that in many cases the designers were unsure if a certain treatment could be applied within a specific space. The designers were very receptive to my opinions and recommendations,” said Ballew. “They saw that I offered a benefit to their business and abilities to service their clients. They were eager to work with me on the design and creation of the window treatments for their projects.

“The fact is that window treatments elevate a home’s interior but are very expensive. And if a designer isn’t on his/her game, it could be a very costly mistake. I think not only my understanding of window treatments, but also knowledge of sewing and creating the window coverings, allows me to offer designers a great resource. I also oversee taking the measurements and doing the installation; I am taking ownership of the entire process and project. I really feel like I have found the perfect opportunity to create a niche business from my expertise and desire to provide great service,” Ballew continued.

Based on High Country Drapery Designs’ success in offering window treatments that are both high-quality and high-tech and incorporate the latest in motorization and automation to designers, it is expanding into areas it has identified as having a growing demographic and, thus, a base of interior designers who need its services in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Florida.

“Our goal is to assist designers in elevating the window covering design and services they can offer to a new level, especially with our experience with specialty windows,” said Ballew. V