Rod Ladman began his career in the home improvement field in the 1970’s hanging specialty wallpaper (Foils, Mylars, Grasscloth, hand-screened, et al) down in Connecticut. He became the go-to person for this type of work and was always busy with new customers. One customer suggested he become an interior designer and expand his business to include window coverings, which he decided to pursue. Initially installing just Levolor blinds, mini-blinds and Louverdrape Vertical Blinds. He found a whole new audience of interested homeowners who appreciated his craftsmanship, artistry, and attention-to-detail
New construction was growing exponentially in the 1980’s, not only in New Hampshire, but all across New England. To meet the tremendous demand for window treatments to be used during this building boom, Rod began working with other interior designers and got involved in several long term projects. This included work in condominiums, single family homes, Inns, and Timeshare Lodges. He says of that period, “I was hanging draperies 3 or 4 times a week for years in places like Provincetown, Killington, Watervillle Valley, and Lincoln” .
Rod operated his own retail store from 1988 until 2002 offering both retail products, custom design fabrication and expert installation. He estimates that his Meredith Main Street store, which was called ‘Window Design Showcase’, offered about 500,000 fabric samples! Rod recalls”the business was just growing hand over fist for many years It was a lot of fun!”
In explaining his philosophy of working with clients, Rod offers “I’ve worked with interior designers who want to choose things for their clients. and I get that, because sometimes people want the designer to present ideas, or to present the finished product, but I personally really like knowing that the people that we work with are very intimately involved in the process, so they’re getting things, that THEY like, and not what someone else likes”
“Sometimes a client is looking for value, or staying within a budget, or looking for a degree of exclusivity in the design, but in all those situations, Rod feels it still makes sense that the homeowner has an “emotional connection to the fabric”
Rod says “I don’t want to do a job that is just ‘okay’, I want to do something that makes you feel good. I want it so that when the homeowner goes into the room, she thinks ‘Wow, I get to have these things, I get to touch these things!’.
“I want Draperies to feel good, I want them to work well, and not be a struggle. I want homeowners to feel warmer when they close them, I want them to feel more secure. Those are the parts of the job that I feel are really important.”
“It’s also very gratifying because we’re really helping the client to express THEIR taste. I don’t consider myself to be the artist…. I’m just the one who holds the brush”
Rod, who has been in this in this business since 1976, explains, “I chose to work in this industry because I love helping people, creating beauty, and solving problems”. He must, because he has been in the home decorating and beautifying business for 40 years!
Rod Ladman’s Window Designs supplies and installs a wide variety of window coverings from American companies and uses only quality products which are built to last and come with great warranties. Rod sells every type of window covering on the market, and he is an authorized dealer for Hunter Douglas, which is arguably the highest quality window covering supplier in the country.
Rod offers sales, service, repair and replacement for the entire Hunter Douglas line, as well as products by Comfortex Window Fashions and Horizons Window Fashions. We only repair products that we have installed
Rod Ladman is a “Somfy expert”, home automation and motorization of window treatments is one of our passions here at Rod Laman’s Window Designs. We can pair to your Phone, Nest, Google Home, Alexa, or echo to your new solar screens, Honeycomb blinds or Roman blinds. Rod and his team can seamlessly integrate with other sophisticated whole-home automation systems as well. You will love how fun we can make your home. Check out this link to our somfy expert page. Somfy/AwningsNH
Rod’s business office is based in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, and he proudly serves his clients’ window treatment projects through out the state and occasionally out of state as well!
To hear what our customers have to say please click this link Testimonials
