• Dress in stages – Start with shades for privacy and comfort control.  Later add sheers that are now pretty and decorative.  These sheers can soften the look of your window and add a touch of finish to your room.  Later you could add stationary side panels – they look like they could cover your entire window but really they just hang at the sides of your window and look nice.  The bonus is they take less fabric and therefore are less costly.  Or you could add only a valance  over the sheers. 

• Keep it simple -   Just add simple stationary panels on the sides that can be lined and inter lined to give a richer look to the panels. Embellishments can be added such as trim, banding or tassels. 

• Make it stationary – Instead of making a roman shade, make the roman shade shorter and let it become the valance.  This works especially well if you already have blinds or shades at the windows.  The roman shade can be hobbled, flat, or London style.  Making them stationary uses less fabric but gives the softer look of fabric. 

Related posts:

1. Window Treatment of the Month – November
2. Window Treatment of the Month – October
3. Window Fashion of the Month – January

This treatment is a soft London fold shade that also doubles as a valance.  Actually it is best as a valance because once it is drawn up and dressed it is better to leave the valance in one position.   Pulling it up and down changes the look and the window treatment needs to be dressed every time it moves.  Who has time for that?? 

The drop sides of the valance frame the window softly.  The pleat that creates the fullness at the bottom can be  lined in a contrast color to give a more custom look.  And of course beads or trim at the hem line add the final detail.

Related posts:

1. Window Treatment of the Month – August
2. Window Treatment of the Month – May
3. Window Treatment of the Month – October

 The straight panels have a contrast band on the cuff so you could use Christmas red and green with a combination tassel or an ivory cuff with banding in the red or the green.  You even could make these reversible with the ivory base and russet colors for Thanksgiving as the banding. 

 The picture with the tie back panels is just an example of the cuff with no banding.  The tassel really helps put the finishing touch on the point of the cuff.  Summertime?  Take the cuff off entirely for a summer, light look. 

Related posts:

1. Window Treatment of the Month – October
2. Window Treatment of the Month – July
3. Window Fashion of the Month – April

 I have always said one can move their furniture into a house with no window treatments and move out the next year with no emotional attachment to their house.  But if you move in and add your own window treatments, it makes all the difference.  The house becomes your home.   The windows are the eyes to our home and the window fashions frame your view to the outside world.

Window fashions can complete your room.  It is like a woman getting dressed to go to a fancy dinner.  The dress, the hair, the shoes and the evening bag are complimented by the earrings and the necklace.  The room and the window are naked until all elements are in place.

These pictures are a great example of what a difference window fashions can make.  This client has a blind at the window which gives her privacy but no piazz.  The difference comes when she adds the panels.   Now the window treatment belongs to her and coordinates with her bedspread (which is out of the picture.) 

So don’t go naked to the dinner party.  Let us help you dress your naked windows so you can enjoy every minute you have in your home.  We spend a lot of time in our homes so your home and window fashions should make you smile every day.

Related posts:

1. We Dress Naked Windows
2. Window Treatment of the Month – November
3. Window Fashion of the Month – February

 There are many reasons to line and interline a custom window treatment.

• Helps protect your fabric from fading
• Blocks out harmful sun rays from fading floors, walls, art work, upholstery, and draperies
• Helps create a sound defusing barrier from outside traffic or neighbor’s parties
• Controls light on your TV or computer screen or on that outside yard light
• Provides comfort – warm inside in the winter and cool inside in the summer
• Makes window treatments look beautiful and adds body to a thin fabric like silk
• Consistent color appearance from the outside of your home

The lining color can be ivory or white or it can be taupe or beige to compliment the outside of your home.  Remember your lining will be seen from the outside of your home so that is a consideration when selecting the color.  Adding interlining between your fabric and the lining gives you another layer of insulation, as well as adding softness and bulk to your fabric.  Dead air space that is created with layers of lining and fabric adds comfort to your home. 

Many fabrics like silk or silk-like polyester fabrics are very thin fabrics.  They are beautiful fabrics and can become more luxurious when interlined. 

As you can see, energy efficiency is not the only reason to add lining to your custom window treatments but at this time of the year, it is an important one.

Related posts:

1. Window Treatment of the Month – November
2. We Dress Naked Windows
3. Drapery Panels

 Sometimes the whole project is just too overwhelming so we do nothing.  And continue to hate what we have or continue with a non-functional room.  Don’t let that happen to you.

 The goal should be to create a pleasing environment.  Starting with a plan is the road to enjoyment.  When the project looks too big, we are overwhelmed.  But if we can break it down into smaller sections we can check off items that get done.  And making a list and crossing items off is empowering.

 Maybe help is what you need.  If you don’t know how to start a plan, hire a designer. Often a client will call for an appointment to help them with the whole plan or even with the decision making process.  You probably have an end result in mind; you just need help getting there. A one hour consultation can help you put the plan in focus and the cost for one hour can save you from mistakes later.

 I have often consulted with clients for just one hour.  They tell me their dreams for the project and I make suggestions, often things they had not considered.  Sometimes clients are remodeling and want more help picking the kitchen tile and the counter tops.  I meet them at the flooring store to help them with their selections.  Sometimes they bring selections to me so we can evaluate the choices.   Getting help with paint colors, furniture arrangement, or wall decor can make a big difference with a little help.   The client wants  to be in control about where they shop for these items, but they also want help with the correct selection. 

 Get help so you can enjoy the finished project.   Redecorating should be fun!

Related posts:

1. Gathering Decorating Ideas

You can use contrasting fabrics and trim on the slanted hems or accent cording to enhance the shape.  In this picture each side is hung from its own rod which is ideal if the window is very wide.  Keep in mind that you always see the back fabric of the upper and lower angle, so be sure to choose a compatible or contrasting fabric.

If you need a stationary window treatment, this will add movement and interest to an otherwise rectangular window or door.

Related posts:

1. Window Treatment of the Month – June
2. Window Fashion of the Month – February
3. Window Treatment of the Month – November

Of course they also provide comfort control in winter and summer as well as privacy control when necessary.  Since they come in 2 ½”, 3 ½” and 4 ½” louvers, they also give you a great view to the world out your windows.

But shutters have many unique features as well.  When shutters are installed on windows they make the room appear larger and that is very important if you have smaller rooms.   The classic style allows for a one time investment to last a life time.   And no dry cleaning bills!  Child safety is an issue even if you only have children in your home occasionally – such as grandchildren.  Shutters have no cords to wrap around a child’s or pet’s neck.  And since shutters have no cords, there are no cords to break which makes shutters very low maintenance.

One advantage I had not considered is the outside air you can get through the louvers when you want to leave the windows open but still maintain some privacy.  Open your window, leave the shutters over your windows but tilt them up leaving room for air to flow through the louvers.  Shutters are stable and attached to the shutter frame so they don’t rattle or create any banging noise when the breeze is coming into your home.  Much different from other treatments that rattle as the breeze blows through.

And I discovered that shutters are not just for rectangular windows or doors.  They fit almost any arch or specialty shape.

Low maintenance, child safety, energy efficient,  and beautiful.  What could be better? 

Related posts:

1. Shutters as Window Furniture
2. October Child Safety Month
3. Cord Safety

 But here are some thoughts as you plan your paint colors to help you prevent having to repaint your walls. 

• Dark walls are very striking and a single dark wall can be a focal point.
• Painting all the walls a dark color will give you a cozy look. 
• Dark walls show off best if the woodwork is painted white or a very light color.

• Also dark walls need a white ceiling.
• In addition to light woodwork, the flooring should be light.  If the walls are dark, if the woodwork is dark – stained or painted – if the flooring is dark, it will seem like a cave and will have no style or interest.
• The furniture could be light and/0r dark, but if all of them are dark, the furniture pieces will just blend into the wall and have no interest. 

• Dark walls do suck up the light so they are not good for rooms where you apply makeup or where you match clothing colors.  But a small guest powder room can be very cozy with dark walls.

 So what I am really saying is that contrast is important.  All white rooms can be boring and all dark rooms the same.  Contrast creates the most interest    So if the walls are dark, mix it up with light woodwork, light floors, and a combination of colors and intensity on the furniture. 

Related posts:

1. Stunning Walls
2. Wallflower or Wow-factor � color secrets
3. Color Mixing for 2011

The swags are over a pole so you can add a pole that has a metalic look that matches your cabinet pulls or faucet handles. Or you can add a grooved wood pole that coordinates your cabinet’s stain. 

 The contrast liner in the goblet creates an accent color that can be a burst of color, but in small quantities does not over take the room.  Add tassels and trim and you have created a valance rich in texture and interest.  Your guests will love it!

Related posts:

1. Window Treatment of the Month – August
2. Window Treatment of the Month – July
3. Window Fashion of the Month – January