Treating your windows with creativity and flair

B7

By Sarah Pacey

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

When you're flipping through the pages of your favorite design magazine, or even looking at model homes, what catches your eye first?

1 of 2

Would it surprise you to know that most homeowners find their eyes drawn to creatively designed window treatments?

Why? Well, maybe it's because most homeowners have a wide variety of window shapes, styles and sizes to address when decorating their own homes.

We're always looking for fresh ideas… or maybe we're simply daunted by all the windows we're dealing with and the myriad of choices available!

After determining what your window treatment will do, consider the theme or style of the room – casual, contemporary, traditional or trendy.

Once you've defined your style, think "out of the box" for hardware needs. For example, in a family room with a casual sports theme, consider using golf clubs, hockey sticks or even pool cues as window treatment hardware. In a trendy or contemporary room, perhaps a high-tech, quasi-industrial look of cable wires for drapery hardware will dramatically enhance your design.

In some instances, you may even choose to create a window where one doesn't currently exist, such as an underground basement room. By installing shutters or a closed fabric window treatment, you can immediately create the feeling of being connected to the outdoors!

Selecting a window treatment fabric that co-ordinates with the rest of the fabrics in the room will help to pull the entire design together. Choosing a window treatment fabric that blends with your wall colour will give you a soft, elegant backdrop to your room.

Consider "topping" your window with a beautifully created and unique top treatment. Valances come in a variety of design styles to suit every room – from inverted pleats, to scalloped edges, to swags and cornices of every shape.

Add personality to your draperies and top treatments by accenting them with cording, beads or fringe – a wonderful way to create even more of a custom look.

Think about incorporating one of today's gorgeous decorative rods into your window treatment plan. They're guaranteed to set off your windows in a truly dramatic fashion.

Still feeling overwhelmed? Then, we suggest you contact a professional decorator. She can help you save lots of time, money and angst!

Sarah Pacey is the award-winning owner of the local Interiors by Decorating Den, which serves commercial and residential interior decorating needs from Oromocto to Grand Falls. Contact her office today with questions or to book your in-house consultation at 392-8882 or by e-mail at paceyteam@decoratingden.com.