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.
Updating your bedroom is a perfect cure for the midwinter blues. There is no need to re-do the complete room with a few simple changes you can have a new retreat in no time. Neutral bedding is a great starting point, it allows you the option of frequently changing the accent pillows and adding a new throw or foot runner to the bed, creating an entirely different look. Functional, pinch pleated drapery panels can be hung from a metal rod with rings that are attached to the drapery panels with clips, saving on the cost or need for a traverse rod. Taking both the color of the wall and drapery fabric into the room by using an area rug and accent pillows on the bed, gives the room a cohesive look. Add a new wall accent or even lighting and you have a complete make over. Quick, easy changes that will give your bedroom a new look and keep the blues at bay.
As we begin the new year and a desire for a new start, we often want a new look. Our homes are a perfect place to give us just that, a new look. With every new year comes new design trends, out with the old and in with the new. Some of the new interior design ideas for 2014 are rather timeless and are looks we really can afford. The emphasis will be on a classic, modest, relaxed feel to our homes. Rather than one fixed look, the industry moves towards a more personal home with a concentration on self expression a more eclectic look.
We will see earthy tones with shades of browns moving toward various grays. A move toward softer, ultra pale or blush toned walls with the use of bold, vibrant colors on the furniture. Accent colors of turquoise and indigo, in very deep, vibrant saturated tones will be found in textiles. Wood furniture will be lighter, honey toned like cherry and walnut. Dark accent painted walls will be seen in black and deep navy. Wall macrame accents will make a come-back from the 70’s. Furniture and case goods, like tables and consoles will be covered in animal hides, bringing a variety of texture to rooms. Kitchens will still remain the heart of our homes, with an emphasis on open shelving and a hint of glamour, perhaps in the back splash, counter top or a unique lighting fixture. Copper will be the new metallic with the use of more eco-friendly products, taking center stage. Whatever the current trends may be, may you find inspiration in 2014 to bring your decorating ideas and style to fruition.
Drapery panels offer energy saving benefits, keeping the warmth in and the cold out. The horizontal blinds in these windows offer excellent light control but lack the advantages that the drapery panels offer. When these drapery panels are open the main purpose is to be aesthetically pleasing, the decorative, white, wood rod accentuates the the crown molding and trim while the fabric color is subtle and visually suited to the room.
However, once the drapery panels are closed the biggest advantage is not visual. With the cold winter months upon us keeping our homes warm becomes important. Having lined drapery panels is crucial and there are a variety of linings that can be used to increase drapery panels thermal insulating properties. These heavier linings and interlinings unfortunately are not found in ready made drapery panels, but are definitely an unseen benefit of custom draperies.
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by Susan Dorbeck