In addition to custom window treatments, Kreative Kamaaina offers ready-made draperies, wooden drapery poles and shoji panels.

The sun shines through the floor-to-ceiling windows on the corner of Kamakee and Queen, accentuating the array of fabric colors that fill the new Kreative Kamaaina Design Gallery. Opened this past January, the gallery is an extension of the local, homegrown company’s Kalihi location.

After about 40 years as Trends of Hawaii and almost 10 years under its current name, the company is finally able to broaden its reach with the Queen Street location by catering to the retail market in addition to wholesale and commercial dealers.

Interior design consultants (from left) Laura Trudeau and Emely Carlos assist Design Gallery manager Camille Andrade-D’Amato in providing customers with one-on-one service.

As one of the few showrooms in Hawaii dedicated to window treatments, Kreative Kamaaina has distributorships with Panaz Fabrics, Swavelle Mill Creek Fabrics and Bravo Fabrics, to name a few. But its assortment of materials isn’t just for window treatments; the staff helps customers conceptualize everything from bedding to dining ensembles. Design Gallery manager Camille Andrade-D’Amato says, “[We can make] anything with fabric. You can go from an Island-style living motif to Asian fusion to something that’s really traditional.”

Buyers are encouraged to bring in photos of their living space or pictures from magazines illustrating their design ideas. Or, for a small service charge, a designer can make an on-site visit to create the perfect window-treatment concept. Customers can even bring in their own fabrics. If they don’t see anything to their liking within the gallery, consultants will help them find the exact material they desire.

In addition to drapes, valances and every other type of interior window treatment imaginable, Kreative Kamaaina also offers exterior window treatments, which save power. “If your window treatment is on the outside, it cuts down on the heat [indoors] faster,” says Andrade-D’Amato. “This cuts down on energy bills because it keeps the room cooler.” Kreative Kamaaina specialists can also fashion exterior roller screens and embellish outdoor furniture with their exterior fabric lines.

Everything is made at their Kalihi location, and installation is included. As an added bonus, Kreative Kamaaina specialists can tailor the window treatment to be motorized.
The key to fashioning window treatments is to find a combination of style, accessibility, functionality and décor. “Window treatments are what make a room,” says Andrade-D’Amato.