About

Maryanne Nowacki began her business, Accent on Windows, in March of 1997. Although her educational background was in Counseling Education (M.Ed. Canisius College) and her professional career spanned over 15 years in sales and management, her passion was fashion, sewing and decorating. “For years I made my own clothes and my children’s clothes and transitioned into home décor from there. I was making drapes and valances for myself, friends and family. I just loved it,” she claims.

Maryanne decided to make a career change when she and her husband, Bob, moved back to the Buffalo area after living in Boston, MA for six years.

Having completed a one year assistantship at Elegant Designs–where Maryanne learned the ins and outs of the blind and shade business–she went off on her own. Accent on Windows was officially launched. Partnerships were formed with Hunter Douglas, Lafayette Venetian Blinds, several Fabric houses, suppliers and local workrooms.

Bob had an engineering background and served as V.P. of quality for Sierra Research and Bell Aerospace. He became a professional installer and also took over the sales and installation of shutters. Maryanne sold the hard and soft treatments to residential and commercial customers. Their “In-Home” business grew and flourished primarily through referrals, word of mouth, and participation in home shows. Today they’ve installed window treatments in thousands of homes, offices, banks, schools, country clubs, municipal and federal buildings.

Maryanne admits that she doesn’t have time to do much of the sewing anymore. She does all the sales, design and works with the customers to select that unique window treatment that suits their taste, décor and budget.

Her husband, Bob, passed away in 2007 but his insistence on “Best Quality Practices” continues today.

Maryanne proudly says, “I love this business, but the best part is the look on my customers’ faces when they see the finished product. The right window treatment can tie the whole room together and transform the light. That look tells me that I’ve done my job well.”