Shades + Glass + Fabric
As a New York City Designer, I have been aware of the companies Manhattan Shade & Glass + WindowModes. Both are family owned firms that have supported the design community for decades.
The first has a retail store on 3rd Avenue + the later has a location down a little on 3rd, at the D + D Building. Now the 2 companies have merged. As a member of The Interior Design Society, I was invited on a tour of their Hauppauge facility. Truth be told that I had no idea of the state-the-art factory I was going to visit. From the moment I walked in the door, I detected something was different there. Spotless, organized + friendly - not what I expected from a busy factory. During the walk-thru + presentation it was clearly evident that these people know everything about the fabrication of motorized window shades, roman shades + drapery. They are also experts in upholstery as there were many pieces waiting to be redone.
This is the machine that makes motorized shades. It cuts the roller and lines up the material so the fabric matches-up to the fraction of an inch. Not shown in the picture, but there is a Mac computer where the dimensions get entered + then the machine adjusts to all the perfect settings. Fantastic.
Another cutting table.
A board showing the many pieces + parts that make-up a roller shade.
This is true beauty.
Cardboard sonotubes hold the shape of solar shade materials on the bolt.
From this image it looks like just another glazier shop. But they are experts in glass. Any kind of glass, for any type of installation. These multi-million dollar machines have air suction to hold the glass + water jets to cut the glass. Everything is automated. Push in the numbers + the machines do all the work.
They have a very special coated glass product, GlassKote, that is colored on one side, (or should I say multi-colored stripes or metallics if you want), all rich in hue + strong enough to be used as a full shower wall, back splash in a kitchen or intricately shaped for a thick rounded kitchen counter or desk. You dream it, they can make it. Building a building? Need a glass facade that changes colors? Give them a call.
It was a late night + I couldn't grasp all the details of all the types of fabrications or what these masterful pieces of equipment could actually do. Suffice to say that I know who to call when I get stumped on a project. It was a treat to be surrounded by a group of engineering professionals that have the designer's back. No promises but they can make things happen on a tight timeline + handle every aspect from measure to install on every project. Thrilled to meet them! Certainly I will be calling soon, maybe just to talk "shop"?
March 3, 2013 in Elements, Renovations, Tiles, Walls Glass, Motorized Shades, Solar Shades, Upholstery 
Reader Comments (3)
I couldn't agree with you more about your wonderful review of Manhattan Shade and Glass in Hauppauge. As a decorative artisan, I was equally enthralled with everything that goes on in that factory. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the beautiful individually crafted gold-leafed glass pieces that were strategically placed to create a focal wall. It was simply breathtaking!
Debbie Viola
I love the fact that you write about local family owned businesses. Its important for New Yorkers to
Be Loyal- Shop Local. As the owner of a third generation, soon to be 87 year old family picture framing business, this kind of conversation is our life blood. These relationships with the world of interior design make us stay on top of our game.
Robyn Pocker