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attractive and fashionable windows
by Rob Carlton
You cannot stand it. The same old dreary windows that do little
to add life to your home. It is time for a change. But, where do
you start? How do you keep from making an expensive or
embarrassing mistake? In fact, how can you know what you really
want?
1.Start with one room at a time.
There may be the temptation, especially when moving into a new
home, to decorate all of the rooms at once. This takes far too
much energy and can sap your creative juices, leaving the
decorating flat and less interesting. It can also make
decorating your home an overwhelming task. Go slow. Do one room
at a time and then move on to the next one.
2.Assess, review your needs.
With pen and paper in hand, jot down some notes about all of
the windows in the room. Measure them and note their size and
shape. Rough sketches will help. Are the windows too large? Too
small? Odd sizes? Mismatched sizes? Is there too much light in
the room? Not enough light? Do you want to block an
unattractive view? Do you want to enjoy the beautiful view? Do
you need privacy? Daytime privacy? Nighttime privacy? Or both?
Do you want to liven up a dreary room? How do other family
members feel about these needs? What is your budget for the
windows?
3.Look for help, tips and ideas.
Seek inspiration. One thing is for certain, no matter what the
challenge or situation that you are facing with your windows,
someone else has already dealt with the same situation. There
is a way, or many ways, to attractively treat the windows in
your room. You can find examples of how others have decorated
their windows in magazines, window decorating books, window
decorating websites and by talking with friends and relatives.
4.Make a plan.
Using your list of needs, rank the needs in order of importance
and then make a plan that addresses your needs in that order.
There is a way to treat issue.
5.Address your window coverings in stages.
This is especially if you are uncertain about your preferences
or if you are working on a budget. Begin with the shades,
blinds or shutters. Once these are selected and installed, move
to draperies or curtains, including the traverse or curtain rod.
Finally, add the finishing touches such as cornices, decorative
tie backs and finishing hardware.
6.Combine and contrast colors.
Using color in your window treatment is an excellent way to put
life and energy as well as set the tone and mood of a room.
Experiment with mixing colors from opposite ends of the color
spectrum.
7.Mix fabrics for texture.
Fabric is composed of either natural or synthetic fibers and
how they are woven, knitted or felted together. The type fiber
and the weave or knitting will determine the texture of the
material or fabric. Mixing fabrics and textures can be an
excellent way to create interest and set the tone of your
window treatments. For example, you may consider using velvet
over organdy or silk over linen. Common fabrics for window
treatments include brocade, cambric, canvas, chintz, cotton
duck, crewel, damask, gingham, lace, linen, muslin, organdy,
satin, silk, taffeta and velvet.
8.Mix patterns.
Mixing patterns can also liven up and set the mood for a room.
Here are some tips for mixing patterns.
a. Match the scale, of the pattern to the area where it is
going to be used. For example, use larger patterns on the
drapes or curtains, medium patterns on valances or cornices and
small patterns on accent pieces.
b. Use geometric patterns with one another. For example, you
can use stripes with checks, plaids or dots.
c. Common colors in mixed patterns tie the two together. For
example, blue stripes mixed with matching blue dots will tie
the two patterns together.
9.Make small windows big.
Make big windows smaller. One of your goals should be to make
the room harmonious. Mismatched windows or windows of
dissimilar size and shape can disrupt this harmony. You can
make small windows appear larger by placing a heading such as a
valance or cornice on the wall above the window and using
curtains or drapes of similar length. Large windows can be
treated with a series of blinds or drapes breaking up the
expanse. Large cathedral windows can be treated by installing a
curtain or traverse rod on the lower part of the window and
leaving the upper portion untreated.
10.Let your window coverings evolve.
Like a garden, the interior decoration of your home, including
window treatments will be subject to change. Let your windows
evolve as the interior of your home changes to reflect changes
in your lifestyle or tastes. The first order for your windows
is to provide privacy and light control. This will be
accomplished with shades, blinds, miniblinds or shutters. Then
you can begin creating mood with decorative treatments of
color, design and texture. As you gain confidence and
experience with decorating, you can change and expand your
window treatments.
If you are tired of the same old boring drapery and curtains,
now is the time to make a change. Follow these steps. Look for
tips and ideas in books, magazines and websites. You are on
your way to a complete window make over.
Here are some tips to help you begin your window coverings ( http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com/window-coverings.html
) makeover.
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