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Tuesday, December 26th, 2017
The choice of window treatment for this bedroom is sheer and flowy. You just got to love this King Mansion bed from Fine Furniture Design’s Antebellum Collection.
Window treatments often come last in a homeowner’s design project. Yet they have functions that no other furnishing will be able to replace. Drapes also have a way of tying together a room as their prints and patterns draw the eyes whether to emphasize vertically or horizontally.
But do you know how to begin dressing up your windows?
Now, don’t think of styles or themes for a moment. Remember their function and you will be able to limit your options. If you want drapes, for instance, that provide darkness or privacy, then you will be in need of lined curtains.
If you want to have a little light filtering into the room then you simply need curtains that are decorative and unlined.
Lining comes at a cost but it also comes with greater advantages. This can shield the fabric from being damaged by the sun. Its purpose is to make your curtains last a long time.
The lining is also there to add heft so that you are protected from drafts while having the curtain flow more luxuriously.
There are also curtains with interlining. These are those layers of flannel-like fabrics that are sewn in between the front part of the curtain and the lining itself.
Choosing the Color and Fabric
First, think about the mood that you would want to evoke in the room. If you want a more formal space, then you would need materials like velvet or silk. Both can be dry cleaned.
If you want the washable options because they are more practical, then you can always go for the silky rayon blends as well as the cotton sateen.
For a more casual atmosphere, there are billowy linens and the crushed velvet. Cotton blends and cotton can work with any kind of décor. These can bring a neat look. Wool and wool blends do the same, too.
You now would need to decide if you want the window treatments to blend with the rest of your decorative element or if you would want them to become the center of attention.
If you want to blend, then find curtains that come with the same tone as the walls but just a few shades darker. You can also pick a non-dominant hue which comes from other elements in the room such as an area rug.
Now here’s a simple rule to remember when it comes to patterns and prints – if you have patterned furniture pieces or bedding, then you must go for solid-colored curtains. If, on the other hand, you have solid furniture, then you can choose curtains with interesting patterns such as paisley.
Choosing the Length
The best way to go is to have floor-length curtains. Of course, if a radiator is on the way, you have to consider that, too. There are ready to use panels that come in 63 to 144-inch lengths. Be sure to measure from the floor up to the point where you will hang the rod.
Your curtains can always be hemmed when needed. Remember that short curtains look off or nerdy. For a more classic look, go for curtains that hit the sill or floor.
Panels that reach the floor by 1-3 inches are stylish also. They are more relaxed, though, compared to the traditional floor-length curtains. If your floors are uneven and you’re worried about the accuracy of your measurements, then this style can be more forgiving.
Choosing the Width
The key is to have panels that look filled or ample. The drapes must also be drapey. The combined width should be about 2 to 2.5 times the window’s width. The only exception is when you’re hanging curtains that are there to frame the windows and you have no intentions of shutting them.
If you’re installing pleated panels then consider that they come with built-in fullness so their width should be sufficient to fill the entire span that you intend to cover.
Tags: curtain, curtain design, curtain styles, curtains, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, window treatment, window treatments
Posted in Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Window Design | Comments Off on What Are Drapes For?
Saturday, January 7th, 2017
The floral curtains here served as the beautiful backdrop to this Antebellum piece by FFDM.
Curtains are, indeed, a lot more than a window dressing. They are the fundamental elements that could make or break the atmosphere in a room. They are practical as well as they can offer warmth, privacy, even energy-saving benefits.
The confusion when choosing the right curtain probably begins as you take a look at the number of available patterns, fabrics and styles. Picking the right one could take time. Begin by looking at fabulous homes in websites, books and magazines on interior design.
Read about the buying advice of interior designers so you can make an informed decision.
Ready Made
If you want to make a quick update in your living room or bedroom because you have a limited timeframe, then you could immediately hang curtains which you bought straight from the fabric shop.
With ready made options numbering thousands, there is no longer any need to ask for help from fitters and curtain makers. All you’d do is to take the necessary window measurements then buy the ones that suit those numbers that you recorded.
There are downsides, however, in buying ready made stuff. One is that they are limited in number because you have to find the right measurements. The style that you particularly like for your window might end up not fitting your window frames.
You also have to place a pole or track in order to suit the curtain size that’s the closest to your measurements.
Custom Made
If you choose to have your curtains customized, then find a good tailor that would finish this task. You have the leeway to shop for the materials that you want, in the color that you want and dictate the style that you need for your home. This is especially true when you’re decorating a traditional home.
Find a custom made curtain maker so that you can be confident that the finished curtains would fit your windows.
Another benefit to having a customized curtain is that you’ll have a wider choice with regard to fabrics. This also means that you have a greater way of personalizing your curtain style. Use some tiebacks, additional lining and headings for a more bespoke look.
A probable disadvantage of having custom curtains is that you need to wait a bit longer before you can take them home. The usual lead time is at two to three weeks depending on fabric availability.
In the long term, though, custom curtains offer more value for your money. Since this is so, you need to find a design that won’t easily become outdated or one that you won’t get tired of that easily.
If cost ever becomes a problem, then you can always find a fabric that’s less expensive. Regardless of the fabric price, though, be sure to find quality service with regard to the maker that you choose.
Ask your loved ones about any curtain maker that they can recommend.
Eyelets
These are simple, contemporary aesthetic with pleats. This curtain will require little space on each side of the window.
Curtain Headings
The curtain’s heading can have a huge impact on the overall look of the curtains. This is the way which the curtain is attached to the track or pole.
Pinch or French Pleats
These are the headings that are made by fusing three pleats right at the top of the curtains. These are more expensive than all the other choices since they are quite laborious to make. They are worth your extra investment, though.
Pinch pleats offer a tailored finish with curtains getting into the elegant folds. These are great for formal living rooms.
Pinch Pleats
These are single pleats that are narrow and are forming neat folds. They offer less structure when compared to pinch pleats but they are still attractive because of their uniformity.
Tags: curtain, curtains, decorating with curtains, decorative curtain, designing with curtains, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Choosing the Right Curtain – It’s Not A Mere Window Dressing
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