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THE VIEW: BEAUTIFUL HOME INSIDE & OUT
So where do you begin when tackling your own personal window views? Many homeowners are overwhelmed when it comes to final details of completing a room, most especially the window treatments. However, as with most projects, the task is far less daunting when approached methodically, bit by bit. When it comes to window dressings, although there is much that designers take into consideration, the initial creation begins with the time honored understanding that form follows function. With that in mind, a homeowner can boldly prepare an honest assessment of his window dressing needs. Whether considering self-installation or contracting a professional, communicating a sense of direction sets the ultimate course for producing the final solution. The decision making process begins by asking yourself a few questions: What is your personal style? What is the purpose of the particular window dressing? Is it merely decorative or for privacy? Does it need to be room darkening or light filtering or, depending on the time of day, both? How will it honor the décor and function of the room? Window treatment expert Terry Gensler of Preferred Drapery advises that homeowners assess window treatment needs in layers—especially in new construction scenarios, where often painting the final colors is deferred a year to allow for the drywall finish to set (as well as for budgets to recover!). “Initially, homeowners can get started by taking on the privacy factor or the first layer,” says Gensler. “They have a variety of options including plantation style blinds, pleated shades, roller shades, silhouettes and many others. Presently, we are seeing a return in popularity of roller shades. Not only do they offer simplified function and longevity, but they have also become quite the fashion statement. This is partly due to manufacturers providing more design conscience fabric choices for homeowners.” Window shades address a number of issues from privacy, to room darkening, to light filtering, to added insulation, and even to esthetic appearances. Textile choices today even allow for homeowners to see through drawn shades as if through a veil. This allows for a number of conveniences, including keeping a parental eye on children playing in the yard. Another benefit is defusing incoming sunlight so that a television picture is not washed out. Many shades also come with electronic open/close capabilities. This provides excellent and effortless control, especially for hard to reach places such as Clearstory or Palladian style windows. Hard wiring for electronically operated shades is not necessary because drapery hardware manufacturers offer wireless motors and transmitters. This ensures that electronically operated windowware is a viable solution for new and existing homes alike.
Many homemakers still desire the open feel and connection with the outdoors and therefore broach window adornments with a minimalist ideal. However, most quickly find that too much of a good thing is just too much to handle. Therefore, it’s important to remember that rooms take on different needs and looks throughout the day. For sunny rooms, plantation shutters may be both the desired light filtering choice. They also work to set the esthetically appropriate breezy look of the interior. The same room may take on an entirely different look with the windows veiled in fabric blinds and crowned with billowy arched valances to achieve a softer “garden” look. From a practical stand point, consider your wants and needs for light protection. In the pre-construction phase, this particular foresight proves priceless for homeowners who desire untreated open views. Window glass selections come equipped with various levels of UV protection; however, even with UV protection, carpets, woods, and fabric are all susceptible to the harmful rays of the sun. Therefore, UV and thermal protection are also available in blinds and drapery liners. From there, decisions can be made about desired looks and personal styles. “If a homeowner needs the functionality of a blind that opens and closes daily, then I advise that they select a style that can live up to repetitive usage,” cautions Gensler. “For instance, Roman shades do not hold up well under repetitive usage as well as simple roller blind.”
Though most designers are more adventurous, a frequent request of many homeowners is for a drapery specialist to create a feeling of uniformity with the exterior. Again, with layering, individual rooms can share the look of sheers or blinds from the exterior, while the interior reflects the individual style of each room. Homeowners may want to take into consideration the window and house trim details. As fabric choices are made for liners or shades, keep in mind that it would look best for these to coincide with the tones of the exterior. Although some may insist, an exact color match is not at all necessary. What is important is that the colors simply be of the same tone families. For instance, some whites have yellow tones and some whites have blue tones. If a home’s exterior trim is “stark white,” it would look best to go with window liners that look less yellow. The second layer has more to do with the look of the interior. Some rooms, even with the blinds open, may still require defused light, i.e., in a bedroom or nursery. In these instances, sheers play a defining, more softening role and often complete the exterior view of the house. However, though uniform in look from the exterior, individually each room takes on its own identity when topped by a valance or cornice that defines the room’s unique décor. Individual expression blossoms from room to room in order to create a look that is complimentary to the look and feel of a particular room style, while at the same time maintaining the desired look of uniformity from the exterior. Final layers are not unlike the crescendo of a grand finale. The final layer is the interior visible layer that speaks to all; it provides the room’s tone. Not to be undone, hardware plays a very important role in the completion of a window’s dressing. Homeowners can select complimenting hardware that will uphold their tastes and style of drapery fabric— literally! Again, the choices are endless and include various iron rods, finials, bamboo poles, silken cording, steel wiring and even knobs. Windows are most essentially all about reflection. When it comes to their adornment, how you choose to dress them is all about you complementing your own sense of home-style living. The wonderful thing about window treatments is that there is always more than one right answer! What you choose depends on your individual personality, and what you decide can vary according to your needs, tastes, room design and/or budget. Don’t be overly cautious about what are feigned norms. Designers are a testament to the fact that imagination and resourcefulness have long inspired appealing room design, most especially, window dressings. Have fun and celebrate a style that reflects a look of what homemade comfort is to you. It can be as simple or as lavish as you like: puddles of velvet fabric boldly framing a window from ceiling to floor; flowering chintz cornices with matching swags serving as the rooms crowning achievement; blue sheer silk panels simply mounted under an affixed flat chrome rod; it’s up to you! Whether dressed or undressed, windows illuminate our lives. Window coverings create, rather than reflect, a desired mood that makes us feel most comfortable at home.
BALLOON SHADE: A fabric shade that billows or “balloons” as the shade is adjusted to different lengths. CORNICE: A shallow, box-like structure, usually made of wood, secured across the top of a window either alone as a topper or to conceal drapery hardware underneath. Wood may be finished dressed in fabric. PINCH-PLEAT DRAPERY: A traditional pleated drapery, often able to be drawn open or closed. Commonly used under a coordinating decorative top treatment, such as a valance, cornice or scarf. PUDDLING: A long panel that dramatically lends height to a window by falling from the rod onto the floor into “puddle” of fabric. SCARF: A length of fabric that is swagged or looped across the top of the window on a rod. The panels drape freely on one or both sides. Typically used with a wood or metal pole, sconces or scarf rings. DRAPERY SCONCE: Decorative hardware used to thread a drapery scarf. Usually made of plaster, wood or metal. SWAG: A fabric window topper treatment that scallops and overlaps itself across the face of a window. Usually accompanied with side panels called cascades. CASCADE: Side panels that tier in layered folds of fabric. TAB TOP DRAPERY: Fabric panels made with loops that slip over rods, taking the place of rings.
4205 William Penn Highway • Monroeville, PA 15146
158 Wabash Street • Pittsburgh, PA 15220
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