Every Window Needs to be Dressed

When it comes to windows, there are a lot of opinions.  Some people want to leave the windows uncovered and soak in the view.  Others want to blackout any stitch of sunshine.  And still others want to have the option to do either.  I am of the mindset that every window needs some sort of treatment.  Window treatments give the room a completed look.  When windows sit stark naked, it feels like something is missing.  Most people tend to boycott treatments because they remember the old days of draperies and sheers covering every window.  There are so many options beyond heavy draperies or even plain blinds these days. 

Non-functional drapery panels are an easy way to give the look of full draperies but not go the expense.  These panels don’t open and close, but they do frame the window nicely. The fabric coordinates with the rest of the space making the room look well-thought-out.

A unique window calls for a unique treatment.  Despite the tinting on the glass, this homeowner had trouble with the sun beating through his window.  Remote controlled fabric shades work to block out the sun when its rays are too harsh or to roll up completely when the view out the window is desired.  A pretty cornice board along the top hides the mechanics of the shades and matches the décor of the bathroom.  

For an office suite or a more contemporary home, roller shades are a great solution.  They eliminate all hassle of dusting (something I hate about blinds) and they control the light while still allowing a view.  

My point is that window treatments serve a variety of purposes- light control, privacy, aesthetics, and so on.  You would be mortified for your friends to see you naked, so don’t submit your windows to that shame.

All Things Love

Ah Valentine’s Day is upon us.  In honor of tomorrow’s holiday centered around all things love I thought I would highlight things I love.  Specifically, the 5 things I love most in my house.  

5 Window Seat- It serves as additional storage which the anti-clutter part of me adores.  I also love that it gives a purpose to the bump-out in the wall.  The fun patterns and textures on the pillows help to tie the area in to the rest of the room.

4 My damask print pillow-  When we first moved here over two years ago I volunteered to host a New Year’s Eve party.  Keep in mind, we moved in mid- December.  I had all the furniture taken care of and was trying to bring in new accessories for the finishing touch.  As soon as I laid eyes on this pillow I knew it was perfect for one of our living room sofas!  I have always been drawn to damask patterns and this pillow uses it in a modern way.

3 Pewter “T”- I picked this piece while on vacation in Myrtle Beach a few years back.  I’m of the school of thought that anything to represent your initials is a must-have.  This accessory can double as a bookend or just something decorative.

2 Glasstop table-  I’m a huge fan of glass tables.  When you can see through a furniture piece it creates the illusion of invisibility thus making the space feel larger.  I love a room to be full and complete but hate when it feels cramped.  Using a glass table keeps the cramped feeling at bay. 

1 Striped Foyer- I spent hours thinking over what to do in this area.  The problem with a decorator trying to select something for herself is she knows too much.  There were so many ideas I had for the walls- I toyed with changing the paint to a bold color, adding a grasscloth wallcovering, putting in a dramatic rug.  Ultimately I was inspired by a photo I found online that showcased a wall painted in a similar striped pattern.  I chose to leave the base color the same since that’s what ran into the living room.  I used an off-white and charcoal gray to keep the color scheme sharp but modern.  I love walking in the door each day and being enveloped in these bold stripes.  Now if I could find time to paint a portrait of Mr. Wendel (my dog) to hang on the wall, the space would be complete!

What do you love about your space?  Make a list, then celebrate those things.  Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

Easy ways to make a space feel larger

You wouldn’t normally think adding something to a space would make it feel larger, but that is just what hanging drapery panels can do.  Most windows do not go floor to ceiling in a room, thus leaving wall space above and below the window frame.  Our tendency is to take a drapery rod and mount it on or directly above the frame.  In that same line of thought, we usually only draw the rod out far enough for the finials to stop at the side edges of the window.  What we are left with are window treatments hung tightly around the window and a lot of wall space to spare.  Mounting a rod this way can dwarf not only your window, but the whole room , as well.  

When I hang window treatments, I take the rod all the way up to the crown molding (if there is no molding, go to the ceiling line).  This adds dramatic height and plays up the vertical space in the room.  When hanging stationary panels on windows greater than 3ft in width, I recommend foregoing the long rod spanning the window width and instead using two short ones on each end.  This is an especially helpful tip if you are using store-bought panels because it creates a sense of fullness.  Even for custom made draperies, two small rods looks stunning on a window and the rods appear more substantial.  To create the illusion a window is wider than it is, place the rods out to the side of the window frame so that only a portion of the panel is overlapping the window.  

Stretching the Dollar to Cover Your Windows

We all want unique items.  There is something about having what no one else does that makes us proud.  But sometimes lack of time and money get in the way of us having one-of-a-kind pieces.  When it comes to window treatments like draperies there IS a way to have the best of both worlds.  Store- bought window treatments can be dressed up to appear as if they were custom made.  Adding trims with beads, baubles or tassels instantly allow the panels to appear expensive.  Another embellishment option that gives a more streamlined look is adding a band of fabric along the edge of the treatment. 

Don't forget about the hardware.  My advice to my clients is to always splurge on a rod with a larger diameter (1.5- 3 inches). Steer clear of the thin half-inch metal poles that look as though they will snap if you stare at them too long.  Finials add a sophisticated element that enhances the decor of the room. You want a finial to have some weight to it so it looks sturdy and correctly proportioned to the size of the rod.

A popular look for hardware right now is to use a pair of shorter rods instead of one long one.  This can only be done if the panels are not functional (meaning they do not open and close).  I refer to non-functional panels as "dummy panels".  You hang these drapes on either side of the window, each with its own rod.  The appeal to this method is that you aren't staring at a rod that sprawls the width of the window.  Instead your eye can focus on the beautiful draperies that flank the window casing. 

Happy window dressing!

At Bay

As a kid, I wanted to move to a house with a bay window in my bedroom.  For some reason I thought this was the end-all-be-all of bedroom features.  As far as I was concerned, it didn't even have to have a closet- just a bay window with a window seat.  After all, I was as obsessed with storage and effieciency then as I am now, so the window seat was non-negotiable.  We never moved to a house with a bay window but I did spend a lot of time with my realtor grandfather in houses that had one, so that sufficed. 

Many other people fantasize about having bay windows in their home but once they get one, they just aren't sure what to do with it.  Do we put curtains up?  Do we need a window seat?  Do we just leave it alone?? All of these questions end up leading to frustration.  Here are a few photos of bay windows done well.

                  

                  Kitchen seating

Open and airy reading nook

Seating & storage

For every individual style there is a solution to the bay window dilemma.  It really isn't as difficult as it may seem.  I hope these ideas provide some bay window inspiration!

Dress Your Naked Windows

Do you ever walk into a room and think there is something missing? Check out the windows. Chances are, that's where the problem lies. Too often we focus all our attention (and budget) on the furniture, which causes us to forget about the windows. This is a HUGE mistake!!There are a host of reasons why you should dress them- light control, privacy, to protect the pieces in the room from being faded by sunlight, to soften the architectural features, and to tie the windows into the decor of the rest of the space.

Blinds, roller shades, honeycomb shades, etc all provide light control, privacy and they protect your space from the harsh rays of the sun. Fabric treatments like valances, draperies and sheers serve to soften the windows harsh features and provide a way to incorporate the windows into the room's design. Some fabric treatments, such as roman shades, sheers and draperies, can do all of the functions listed previously.

So how do you know what works best for YOUR window?? It really depends on your lifestyle, design style preference, the amount of natural light you receive, as well as how much privacy you need. Window treatment styles and the fabric used to make them will dictate whether they evoke a formal feel or a more casual, relaxed environment. The photos above show different window treatments, both used in living rooms. Which appears more formal to you and which has a more relaxed look?

Your windows should be a reflection of the space, so dress them appropriately ;)