HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-10-20, Page 23THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1999. PAGE 23.
J^tome Improvement
Creating decorating drama
If eyes are the windows of the
soul, then windows must surely be
the soul of a room, more reflective
of its personality and style than
perhaps any other decorative
element.
Never before have there been so
many options for dressing windows
to marry fashion with function. Not
only do window treatments satisfy
such practical needs as ensuring
privacy, controlling light, framing
(or blocking out) views, and
conserving energy, but they also
enhance the room's design scheme,
provide warmth and charm, and
serve as its focal point.
With so many choices, it's not
surprising that so many people feel
intimidated about making window
treatment decisions. The design
experts at Laura Ashley, offer the
following tips:
• Window treatments should
complement the overall decorating
mood of the room. Don't choose an
overly fussy traditional treatment
for a tailored or contemporary
room.
• Take advantage of the range of
patterned and solid fabrics,
available for window treatments
that co-ordinate with the rest of the
room's decor.
Or buy a few extra yards of
fabric and sew them yourself, using
the wide array of home sewing
patterns available for virtually
every style of window treatment.
• Draperies can either frame the
window or cover it - and they are
the most popular choices for every
style, from traditional to country to
Fresh, French door look
contemporary. Sometimes the
simplest drapery panels are the
most elegant - either pleated or
gathered on a rod with a header, or
suspended from a decorative rod
with hooks or rings.
Make sure that you use fabric
generously - at least double the
width of the window - or the
drapery will look simpy. For an
opulent, full look, they should be
lined.
Rather than letting the draperies
end abruptly at the floor, allow the
hems to gracefully "puddle" or fan
out slightly on the floor.
• Draperies can be layered with
other elements, such as fabric or
matchstick roll-up blinds, balloon
shades, Roman shades, Venetian
blinds or shutters, the combination
of "hard” and . "soft" window
treatments is especially interesting.
• Top treatments can be used
alone or combined with other
elements, either in matching or
complementary fabrics. Valances
can be softly gathered, pleated,
scalloped, ballooned, swagged,
draped, or formed into scarf's, poufs
or rosettes, even made from
wooden cornices covered with
fabric.
Especially popular today are
simple swags and jabots which
cascade down the sides of the
windows, sometimes with contrast
linings.
Top treatments used alone are
good choices when you want to
maximize light and views, or for
smaller or oddly-placed windows
where more elaborate treatments
would be too much.
• Use a continuous treatment to
unify adjacent windows, like bays
or comer windows.
• Window treatments can create
optical illusions or correct
architectural flaws in a room.
For example, to create the effect
of a higher ceiling, position curtain
rods just below the ceiling rather
than over the window frame to
draw- the eye upward, and use
window treatments to create a
strong vertical line.
If windows are narrow, use
draperies to create the illusion of
width by having curtain poles
extend beyond the window frame,
and hang the draperies to frame the
window rather than cover it.
If the room lacks architectural
detail, choose more elaborate
layered window treatments to
create interest.
Differently sized windows in the
same room, a common problem,
can be minimized by cleverly co
ordinating window treatments.
• Lace or sheer panels work well
in many rooms, letting in light but
ensuring privacy. Many lace panels
are available with scalloped edges
and "engineered" designs. They're
best hung from a clear rod.
• For draperies for French or
sliding glass doors, hang the
curtain rod above the frame and
extended beyond it to allow the
doors to open easily. Valances or
fabric-covered rods work well here.
• Finish off your window
treatment by choosing among the
vast array of decorative hardware
and trimmings to complement your
fabric.
Drapery poles, finials, rings,
Continued on page 24
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Continued from page 22
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styles are now available prehung,
complete with door jambs, hinges
and hardware.
Wing's prehung French doors
even include a six-minute step-by-
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For a fresher, brighter look for
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