The Rural Voice, 1993-11, Page 37There's a
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330 Victoria St. 519-482-3404
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107 Queen St. 519-284-2464
Home Decorating
Valances make a comeback
BY KENDRA KRAUTER
Window Treatments can make or
break a room, so it is important to
choose wisely. We shall continue our
discussion on types of treatments for
various styles.
We must keep
in mind that most
of the drapery
styles have evol-
ved from English
and French cast-
les and estates of
kings, queens and
noblemen. If we
are going to adapt
these styles to
most of our
homes now we
must scale down
considerably. In
opulence only ..
never skimp on
the fullness. A sheer or semi -sheer
should be three times full. This means
the measurement of the window, plus
the distance out on the wall, plus slack,
plus the return (the part that goes back
to the wall). As I mentioned before,
select a less expensive fabric if you are
on a budget instead of cutting back on
fullness. Heavier drapery can be cut
back to two -and -a -half times fullness.
Valances have made a huge come-
back in the past decade. Pelmets and
valances fit over the curtain or drapery
to cover headings and tracks. I have
found that the word "pelmet" means
something different to different people.
The English people tell me it is the
same thing as a valance. Others say it
is a valance that is made of wood and
covered with fabric to match or co-
ordinate with the drapery setting, or
just painted. I myself have always
thought it was the short double folded
jabots on Austrian valances. Who's
right? There are many types of valan-
ces and for the sake of less confusion
I'll call them all valances. There are
very formal styles such as Austrian
Swags with or without Pelmets, Swags
and Jabots. More traditional ones
include Pleated, or Shirred. Contempo-
rary styles include swags over drapery
poles, while the Box pleated, or uphol-
stered valance box gives a very tailored
look. Balloon valances, poof or cloud
valances with ruffles give a very
romantic look.
The fabric you select will dictate
what type of look you will end up with
as well. Some fabrics will certainly be
suited to some styles better than others
so weigh your options and don't be
afraid to ask questions where you buy
your fabric or have your drapery made.
Today almost anything goes, so you
can add a valance over a roller blind,
venetian (mini) blind, roman blind,
vertical blind, sheers, tie backs, bishop
sleeves or open -and -closed drapery. It
will, in most cases, finish the look,
cover the track, and give the window a
softer look.
When you are planning to add a
valance try to keep the proportion to the
window in mind. I like to make the
valance 1/5 of the length of the drapery,
or from the top of the window to the
floor. This is a good rule to follow, but
there are exceptions to every rule. If
the valance has straight harsh lines it
will look longer than a ruffled balloon,
or a soft flowing swag. Just keep in
mind that it can always be made shorter
if it is too long but it is much morc
difficult to make it longer!
Tie backs on drapery are both prac-
tical and decorative. They allow the
light to come into the room and give
you a chance to use your imagination.
They can be a contrast print or colour,
co-ordinate of the valance, big floppy
bows with flowing long tails, silky
ropes, or tassels, as well as brass ros-
ettes. Tie backs on the drapery allow a
softer look for your window setting.
I hope this has given you a bit of in-
sight into the world of window cover-
ings. I am sure that there are many
styles that I have forgotten to mention.
It is very difficult to describe and
explain these without pictures. Save
pictures of settings you like and if you
started an "Idea Book" add them to it.
It will help you when it comes time to
do the windows to have all your
pictures at your finger tips.
As always if you have any questions
I can answer for you or if you have
topics you would like to see covered in
my column please drop me a line c/o
The Rural Voice, P.O. Box 429, 136
Queen St. S., Blyth, ON NOM IH0.0
'Til next month,
Kendra
Kendra Krauter is a qualified
interior decorator who lives near
Ethel, ON.
NOVEMBER 1993 33