Drapes are complicated and can be expensive - get them right the first time. Lisa Worth shows us the key first steps to dressing your windows.
Step #1 - What's the function of the drape?
Privacy?
Do you require complete blackness to sleep? OR do you need the light filtered in your family room so you can watch your favorite shows?
To provide interior decoration? Are they simply decorative?
To conceal a window's architectural flaws?
To frame views of and a lovely architectural window? Not all treatments work with all window styles.
What is the focus? A window treatment must frame a lovely view and not upstage it.
Many windows are poorly designed and drapery can help to mask flaws and make small windows appear larger. Drapery can also accentuate flaws....if not designed properly.
All of the questions above must be answered before you can proceed any further as they impact the:
style of treatment
lining
fabric choices
Photo Courtesy of ThibautDesign.com
Here is a roman blind - soft and pretty. There is little space either side of this window and most people don't want panel drapery in a kitchen setting as they can be heavy and get dirty with food, pets and kids.
Photo courtesy of HouseBeautiful.com
This is a perfect example of panel drapery framing a view and provide minimal decoration - they do not upstage the view
Photo courtesy of HouseBeautiful.com
This is a perfect example of "heavy drapery" that dominates a room and allows little light to penetrate through the fabric.
Photo courtesy of HouseBeautiful.com
Here is an example of light drapery that is to close but allows some light penetration and views while filtering rays.
Photo courtesy of HouseBeautiful.com
Look at how the drapery emphasizes the window heights by simply framing the windows- that is key to remember. Your drapery can accentuate the positive or the negative!!!!!
Step #2 Measure
If the treatment is inset in the casing ie a roman blind you must measure inside the window.
If it is outside the window you want to measure outside casing to casing as well as the distance either side of the casing - this is referred to as a FINISHED WIDTH.
You should always take the treatment outside the casing at least 8", space permitting as otherwise the drape can stack too far into the window.
For finished length you must measure top of the casing to the finished floor and above the casing to the crown molding or the ceiling. Establish where you are mounting the rod and then back out the rod size, that is your FINISHED LENGTH.
Step #3 What's your budget?
Now you have your treatment and measurements, you can budget for linings, fabrication and estimate your yardages.
Once you've figured out your yardages, you can now start with fabric selection.
ie. 30 yards you may want to keep the cost per yard down - 2 yards for a roman blind you can splurge on a dynamic fabric.
NOW LOOK AT ALL THE FABRICS AVAILABLE! This is a whole other show so Lisa will definitely be back soon to discuss this topic and more.
Fabric seen on Steven and Chris courtesy of "Worth Interior Design Ltd." www.worthinteriordesign.com
Drapery Hardware seen on Steven and Chris courtesy of "Alhambra" http://www.alhambra-hardware.com/
Drapery Fabrication seen on Steven and Chris courtesy of "Image Custom Drapery" 15 Connie Crescent Concord, Ontario L4K 1L3 (905) 669-2393
Wall paint seen on the Drapery flat of Steven and Chris courtesy of "Para Paints" http://www.para.com/
