TL;DR
Why custom draperies matter in the South Front District
Neighbors talk: what we see every day
You know this neighborhood — the view from South Front Street changes by the hour with the tide and the light off the Cape Fear River. Folks on Water Street and Front Street want fabric that stands up to that river light, hangs right in older rowhouses, and looks good when you’re watching the sunset from the Riverwalk. We hear that at the shop all the time: “Can you keep the glare out but still let that view show?” The short answer: yes.
Real local install story
Last spring we did a full set of draperies for a condo on South Front Street right by the foot of the Riverwalk. The owners wanted privacy at night but didn’t want to lose the early morning light that hits Front Street. We matched a medium-weight linen blend to the condo’s existing trim, did a light-filtering lining, and used our in-house crew to install a slim, low-profile track so the fabric clears the historic casement windows. They waved to us from the Battleship North Carolina side of the river while we packed up — and that’s the kind of local moment we love.
How we do it — the neighborhood way
Come by our showroom on Oleander (we’re just off Oleander near Wrightsville Avenue) and bring photos or a quick sketch. We measure for you — yes, with a real person who knows how old South Front windows behave — and everything is made here or sourced by us. Because we’re not subcontracting installs, our crew knows how to work with plaster walls, narrow stairwells, and the odd window sill that lots of rental places around Market Street have. We handle the hardware, the hems, and we hang everything so you don’t have to wrestle a ladder while trying to keep a toddler or a dog out of the way.
Fabric choices that make sense here
Pick a fabric that can take river light and occasional humidity. We show samples that look like they belong on Front Street storefronts and in South Front living rooms — durable weaves, easy-to-clean finishes, and options for light-filtering or blackout linings depending on what you need. We keep small sample books at the showroom so you can compare textures next to actual windows (bring a curtain rod sample if you’ve already got one).
Why Strickland’s? (short, neighbor-to-neighbor)
- Showroom on Oleander — easy to pop into between errands.
- 30+ years in Wilmington — we know local houses and how windows behave near the Cape Fear.
- In-house measuring and installation — one team, one responsibility.
- We’ll work around your schedule, including weekend measures for busy folks who work downtown or at the Port.
Common steps — what to expect
- Stop by or call to set a measure (we’ll come to you around the South Front area).
- Choose fabric and hardware in the showroom; we’ll bring large swatches back if you want to see them in-situ.
- We make it, then our crew installs it — you get a walkthrough and care tips when we’re done.
Watch: Strickland’s Window Coverings – 68 years of Value and Service
We’ve been doing this a long time. Here’s a short video on the value and service that’s kept local families coming back for decades.
If you’d rather talk it through in person, reach out to schedule a free in-home consultation or stop by our showroom on Oleander Drive.
FAQ — real questions we hear from South Front neighbors
Do y’all do measurements on weekends?
Yes. We know lots of folks who work downtown or at the Port can only meet on Saturdays, so we offer weekend measures by appointment.
Can you make curtains that still show the river view but block afternoon glare?
Yep. We use layered solutions — a light-filtering panel for daytime, a heavier drapery or lining for glare and evening privacy. That lets you keep the view of the Riverwalk and Battleship without frying your TV or fading your furniture.
Will you hang drapes on old plaster walls in the rowhouses around Market and South Front?
We do. Our crew knows how to anchor hardware safely in plaster and masonry; we use the right anchors and backplates so the hardware stays solid without damaging the wall more than necessary.
How long does it take from order to install?
Typical lead time is a few weeks depending on fabric and complexity. If you’re near Front Street and need something quicker for an event, tell us up front — sometimes we can prioritize local installs or suggest ready-made options that fit your windows while we build the custom pieces.
Can you match a specific restaurant or shop color I love on Front Street?
Bring a photo or a fabric swatch. We’ll pull options that match the tone and give you a few textures so it looks right in your space.
Want to talk in person?
Stop by our Oleander showroom or give us a call. We’ll never send you a link-only quote — we like meeting neighbors, talking through choices, and measuring windows the old-fashioned way.
— Fred Kumpel, Strickland’s Home (showroom on Oleander, proudly serving Wilmington for 30+ years)