Dressing Up the Windows

The 3rd project that was emphasized in the blog Back on the Grid was about custom window treatments that were completed for several rooms of a local home.

The homeowners had spent a lot of time customizing these rooms to meet the needs of their guests as well as to reflect their style and to highlight their interests.  The only thing left was to incorporate the finishing touch of the window treatments and that’s where the fun began.

BEFORE PHOTOS

Here are some tips to deciding how to “dress up” your windows.  Start by answering the following questions.  The answers will guide you to whether you require custom pieces or if you can buy ready-made selections from local storefronts.

1.  Where in the design process are you?

If you are at the beginning, you have the most flexibility.  You can typically find ready-made options that you like (within your budget) which you can then use as your guide when incorporating in the accessories and artwork.

In our example, each room was already complete with wall colors and accessories so the choices of ready-made treatments was very limited and in some cases, not available at all to suit the style and/or colors that were already there.  This is when the search for specific fabrics to address the colors and styles started to create custom pieces to connect all the aspects of each room.

Cornice toppers were created for the two bathrooms with coordinating fabrics and notions while a simple valance was incorporated into the kitchen with fabric that was a perfect match to the wall colors.

Here are the AFTER pictures:

Cornice Treatment in Bath

Swag Cornice in Guest Bath

Kitchen Valance

2.  What is the main purpose of your treatment – functionality (privacy, reducing glare) or adding a decorative flair to a room? (Maybe it is both)

The answer to this question will help narrow your treatment search by style/functionality and also help you pull together a budget.  Start with the functional pieces needed (shades, blinds, shutters, etc.) as they are usually installed first and on the inside of your window framing (as seen below).

Treatment Installed on Inside of Frame

In some cases, this would be the completed treatment but if you are planning to take it a step further with some soft treatments on the outside of the window frame, the next step is to determine the style and hardware requirements to complete the job.

For example:  If you chose a valance or panel with a rod pocket, you would be able to purchase an inexpensive standard rod to install it.  If you chose a more specialized look like tab-top or grommet treatments, you would need to purchase decorative rods because they will be exposed at the top.  See the examples below:

Rod Pocket Valance

Grommet and Decorative Rod Example

More extensive designs may require a double rod to accommodate a layering look if you choose panels combined with a top treatment.

Double Rod Treatment

These last AFTER photos show the most unique and customized treatments that we have completed so far that required specialty hardware for the installation.

Awning Treatments in Football Room

These window treatments use two curtain rods of different depths to complete the look of an awning.

Interior Awning

Football/Media Room

Adjacent to this Football Room is one devoted to baseball.  It has been decorated with some memorabilia including seating from the stadium.  Very fun!

Baseball Room

Close Up of Construction

Interior Awning

If you are ready to jazz up the rooms in your home with window treatments, keep the questions above in mind as you make your way through the process.  Having detailed measurements of the window will also be important as you shop to ensure that the treatments will fit properly in/around your window frames.

ONE LAST TIP:

The proper fullness of a window treatment is determined by measuring the width of your rod multiplied by 1 1/2 for a standard fullness, 2 for a bit more and 3 for luxurious.  This will determine the number of panels/valances that you will need.

If you have any questions or ideas you would like to share, please do so ~ we’d love to hear from you.