When we were asked to collaborate on a project in Rittenhouse Square’s newest dining destination, we knew we were stepping into something special. Come inside with us for a peek behind the curtain as we reveal the meticulous process of enhancing Dear Daphni’s interior through custom drapery — a story of precision, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of luxury in every detail.
(photo by Dear Daphni)
A Milestone on Rittenhouse Square
There are moments in every business journey that mark significant milestones, and as we celebrate our 20th year in business, our collaboration at Dear Daphni restaurant represents exactly that. When Rohe Creative first approached us about the project in early 2023, we knew this collaboration would be special. Over the next 18 months, we worked with the design firm as well as with Summa International (purchasing company) to create custom drapery for this upscale Mediterranean dining destination inside The Laurel. The extended timeline is typical of luxury commercial projects, allowing the teams to perfect every detail — and the result exemplifies everything we’ve learned about executing installations at the highest level.
Rohe Creative’s sophisticated design elements.
The Art of Commercial Design
What fascinates me about commercial projects like Dear Daphni is the intricate dance between vision and execution. These installations unfold over many months, or even years, each phase building upon the last. It’s a journey that demands not just technical expertise, but a deep understanding of how every decision impacts the final guest experience.
a perfect canvas for bringing Rohe Creative’s design vision and our custom draperies to life.
Precision in Planning
In luxury installations, success lies in the details you address before a single piece of fabric is cut. Our team conducted thorough on-site walkthroughs, comparing architectural plans to the actual space. This meticulous approach has become our signature — because in spaces like Dear Daphni, there’s simply no room for anything less than perfection.
helps us anticipate challenges before they arise.
successful window treatment project. (Before & After)
Craftsmanship in Action
Walking through the space and seeing our workroom buzz during fabrication — watching our artisans transform yards of exquisite Pindler fabric, decorative banding, and classic ric rac tape into custom drapery — I’m always struck by the level of detail involved. From the intricate pleating to the trim details, each element demanded absolute precision and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
The Installation Dance
Luxury commercial installations are all about timing and coordination. At Dear Daphni, we found ourselves performing an intricate choreography alongside numerous other trades, all of us racing toward the restaurant’s grand opening. Our lead installer Lenny (who we’ve nicknamed “Spiderman” for his ability to navigate challenging spaces) and the installation team worked in perfect sync with the general contractor’s crew and everyone else on site.
Walking through the space just days before the debut, you might have thought it was months from completion — but that’s the magic of these final stages. As other trades bustled around with their own tasks, our installers meticulously hung each treatment and then carefully wrapped them in protective plastic.
The space was alive with activity — paint touchups here, electrical work there — but our wrapped treatments stood sentinel, protected from dust and debris. This extra step, while perhaps seeming overcautious, is exactly the kind of detail that ensures perfection on opening night and beyond.
Excellence isn’t about meeting expectations — it’s about exceeding them. When the construction was complete and the general contractor unwrapped our treatments, he assured us that they looked “good enough.” But we knew our work wasn’t quite done.
True to our commitment to perfection, Lenny returned early Saturday morning for a six-hour session of steaming and dressing each panel. Because at Vitalia Inc., we understand that the difference between “good enough” and “perfect” lies in these final, devoted hours of attention.
on each panel until they’re nothing short of perfect.
After the steaming was complete and every fold was perfect, we stepped back to take in the full effect. The sunlight filtering through our precisely crafted treatments cast a warm glow across the dining room, while the carefully considered spacing and pleating created the perfect frame for both intimate dinners and lively gatherings. Every detail we had obsessed over during those 18 months came together exactly as envisioned.
with lighting, furniture, and architecture to create an unforgettable dining experience.
A Space Transformed
Looking at Dear Daphni now, with its sophisticated and vibrant atmosphere enhanced by our custom drapery, I’m reminded why we love what we do. The way the treatments complement those stunning green archways and stained glass, how they frame the space and create intimate dining areas — it’s a testament to what happens when vision meets meticulous execution.
This project stands as another chapter in our ongoing collaboration with Rohe Creative, following successful installations at Jasper House apartments in Kensington and Angeloni’s Club Madrid in Atlantic City. Each project teaches us something new, pushing us to evolve and refine our craft even further.
View more of our commercial work in our portfolio.
