  You can take your window treatment from ordinary to extraordinary with the right embellishments. The secret of the interest, lies in the small details. For starters, consider the overall shape of the window covering. A window treatment with an interesting edge will always be more visually appealing. This cornice uses a combination of a straight outside edge and subtle upward curve. Once you have determined your shape, consider adding trim to accentuate the shape. Trimmings offer endless possibilities. Edge your window coverings with fringe, cording, welting, nail heads, or perhaps even add buttons or beads. This cornice board is transformed into a true conversation piece, by simply creating an unusual shape combined with cording and embellished with nail head trim.
There are numerous window covering options available on the market today, however drapery panels are still one of the most widely selected styles, chosen by consumers for their homes. There are a variety of reasons why draperies remain popular and are a smart choice in window treatments: 1) Insulation – Windows are where air enters or escapes a room. Drapes, especially lined drapes, offer by far the best insulation rating for both heat and cold of any window treatment. 2) Privacy – Drapery panels, when closed, allow complete privacy with no light gaps or visibility from the outside in.
3) Cleanability – Fabric drapery panels do not show the dust as much as other window treatments, often needing to be cleaned only once every few years. 4) Comfortable – Window treatments such as 2″ horizontal blinds, shutters or vertical blinds are considered hard window coverings. Drapery panels are soft, not made from a hard material, giving the room warmth and comfort. 5) Aesthetics – The fabric possibilities for drapery panels is limitless, the same can not be said of hard window treatments. 6) Longevity – A lined drape can last up to twenty years or longer! Undoubtedly, drapes are the long lasting window treatment. These six reasons are evidence as to why drapery panels remain popular. Drapes are an aesthetically pleasing window treatment that offers cost saving advantages as well as durability, making them a great choice for your window treatment.
When a functional window treatment is needed, door walls are one of the most difficult to cover. In the past, most door walls were covered with vertical blinds. Today a great alternative, Silhouette window shades, made by Hunter Douglas. These shades are a beautiful, yet extremely, functional window treatment for a door wall. Similar to a horizontal blind, these shades differ in that they are a soft vane of fabric suspended between two sheer panels. The shades qualities include blocking light, privacy and insulation. There are a wide variety of fabrics and color styles available to fit your rooms needs.
The largest advantage of Silhouettes is that when pulled-up completely, the shades virtually disappear, allowing them to hang entirely behind a decorative valance. These shades are offered in a variety of operating systems. The easy rise system uses a continuous cord loop to open and close the shade. The ultra cord system uses a retractable cord system for operation. The cordless system allows the shade to be manually operated, eliminating any cords, perfect for those who have children and pets. The vanes on a Silhouette shade can be adjusted for light control, this option allows visibility when the shade is completely lowered. Another unique feature is that the shade can be ordered as a “top down/bottom up”, allowing the shade to be lowered from the top down or from the bottom up. This style is best used in bathrooms where privacy and light are both needed. A power rise version is also available, allowing shade operation with a remote control. The unique properties of Silhouette shades make them a perfect, functional alternative for your door wall.
The right window treatment can enhance a beautiful room’s good qualities, transforming nondescript windows into decorating assets for your home. Your window treatments are as important to the complete look of your room as much as your furniture, flooring and accessories.
Plan your window treatments when you choose your wall colors, furnishings and floor coverings so everything flows together. When you begin your room make over consider the following, the type of room and the function of the windows in that room, the decor, the window type or style and your budget.
Then to get started decided if you want the windows to be a main focal point in the room or part of the background? You will need to decide if the window treatment will serve as both decorative and functional? Finally, you can decide on a style that best suits the look you want your room to convey.
Using a combination of two different window treatment styles within the same room works well, the key is to make sure that the same fabric or a combination of fabrics is used on all the windows. Make the most of your room by incorporating the window fabric and a variety of complimentary fabrics elsewhere in the room, perhaps some accent pillows. Don’t be afraid to mix styles and fabrics, there are no written rules and each window has an opportunity for your decorating creativity.
Although conventional or ready-made window treatments can be found almost anywhere today, the look of a professional, custom made window treatment is incomparable. The largest difference can be found in the design of the window treatment.
Valances are the hardest ready made window treatment style to find, and not every window in your home should have drapery panels hung from a rod, just because that is what is readily available in pre-made window treatments today.
The next largest difference between custom and ready-made window treatments comes in the fabric selection, fabric choices and textures are endless in custom made, while most ready made treatments are flimsy and limited to solid colors. Note how in the deep burgundy, ready made valance the 2″ horizontal blinds are showing through the valance, the reason, no lining. Lining not only prevents a see-through effect, but gives weight and substance to the material, allowing the window treatment to hang crisply. Many ready-made valances are simply shirred on a rod and usually have a ruffle at the top. In comparison, this custom made valance is cleverly hung from a board using a hook and loop tape, which allows the valance to be easily removed for cleaning and creates a very tailored look to the style. This room is evidence that the quality and variety of custom made window treatments cannot be compared to ready made. So, consider the advantages of a professional’s touch before you decide to buy ready made.
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by Susan Dorbeck
I would like to meet to discuss hetting seven windows boxed to match my house