What’s so special about Custom Draperies?

Many of my clients ask me what makes a custom window treatment special?  To answer that question, let’s consider the steps to a finished treatment.

There are literally thousands of different fabrics, trims, and hardware designs available to choose from.  As an Interior Decorator, I select those samples that I feel will appeal to my clientele.  I work with my clients to determine the perfect fabric choice for their room’s size, colour and design.   We may also want to add trims, like fringe or tassels, to enhance the fabric.  Accurate measurements must be taken in order to turn fabric into a beautiful finished treatment.  Hardware must be selected to hold up the treatment and to complement the design. 

Quality custom window treatments are crafted by skilled workrooms.  They are always luxuriously full – never skimpy – and the weighted corners in the hems of side panels, insure an even, continuous hemline.  Lining also plays a major role in custom designed window treatments, and there are different types for different applications.  The most basic function of lining is to protect the drapery fabric, and your furnishings, from the sun.  Some linings are little heavier, for lightweight fabrics like silk, while other linings completely block the sun for sleeping.  It’s also important to consider how a lining will affect the overall draping of the fabric. 

Last but not least, custom window treatments are professionally installed, on the appropriate hardware.  A professional installer knows where and how to mount the hardware to achieve the look intended by the decorator.  He has the right tools for the job, and he follows instructions better than most husbands.

The next time you find yourself looking at a perfectly dressed window, consider all the care that went into it, to really appreciate its beauty.

Creating a well-designed window treatment

When you’re flipping through the pages of your favorite design magazine or even looking at model homes, what catches your eye first?  Would it surprise you to know that most homeowners find their eyes drawn to creatively designed window treatments? 

Beautiful custom drapery panels add drama to this living room, and bring attention to the ornate mirror.

Why?  Well, it’s likely due in part to the fact that windows form a focal point in any room, and we are drawn to natural light like moths to a flame.  It may also be that many homeowners live with the barest minimum of window coverings, and they are wowed by more creative treatments.  So, how does one achieve a well-designed window treatment in one’s own home? 

One of your first decisions is recognizing the functional requirements of your window coverings.    Some homeowners are adamant about not obstructing a wonderful vista like a golf course, while others have an unsightly view of the neighbour’s brick wall, that they want to mask.  Light control is another function of a window covering.  How much light do you receive, and at what time of day?  Do you need to block it completely, for sleeping or TV viewing, or just filter it softly?   Privacy is the third consideration when selecting a window treatment.  Does the window face a street or other busy public space, where people might be able to look into your room?  Keep in mind that, at night, when it’s dark outside and light inside, it may be possible to see inside your home through uncovered windows.    Privacy treatments also act as extra security, by keeping strangers from looking into your home when you are away.  If you travel regularly, or for long periods, this may be important to you. 

Once you have determined functional needs, it’s time to focus on decorative aspects of your window treatments. Think about whether you want to draw more attention to the windows, or minimize their appearance.  For instance, if there is another focal point in the room, like a fireplace, you might opt for an understated fabric treatment on the windows.  If the window are the focal point, but the view isn’t wonderful, then you may want to make more of a statement with your fabric treatments.   And if there is a wonderful view, then any fabric treatments should enhance the view without overpowering it.

These colourful panels were designed so that the stripes would run horizontally, for a more contemporary vibe.

The style of the window coverings will depend on the style of the room.  Are you casual, contemporary, traditional, formal, minimalist?  Problem solving is another element that affects the ultimate design of the window treatments.  Do you want to make the window look wider or taller?  Is the window off-centre?  Does a 2-storey window need to feel more intimate?  Are you trying to create a ‘window’ where none exists?  All of these problems may be addressed with cleverly designed window treatments.

Because there are so many fabulous window treatment design options available today, it’s wise to start doing your homework early.  Visit model homes, read magazines, and attend decorating seminars.  Start developing your own Window Design Idea File!  If you find all the options overwhelming, consider working with a design professional to help guide you through the process, to make sure that you end up with window treatments that you will be happy with for a long time.

Energy-efficient Window Coverings

Sit by a bare window on a sunny day, and you’ll feel the sun’s warmth.  Sit by that same window on a cold, windy night, and you’ll feel chilled to the bone!  With today’s economic concerns, smart homeowners are continually searching for ways to cut expenses and save on their monthly energy bills.  Not only that, but did you know that window coverings that are directly attached to the window frame may qualify for the Home Renovation Tax Credit? 

Duette cellular shades in this guest room provide insulation, as well as room-darkening and privacy. When raised, they can fit completely behind the drapery valances.

Naturally, the best place to start is to be sure our homes are well insulated.  But all too often, while overall home insulation is a priority, windows seems to be neglected.  No matter what your climate, bare windows are a primary spot for energy escape.  In cold climates, heat naturally moves toward the cold to escape.  And in warmer areas, outdoor heat moves toward the windows of our air conditioned homes.

Since windows make up 20% of a typical homes exterior, and 40% of contemporary home construction, numerous large uncovered windows can break your energy budget.  This is especially true when these windows face a cold northern exposure in the winter or a sun-saturated west wall in summer.

It’s important to know that many window treatment products have actually been assigned an R-Value.  Building materials are assigned R-Values according to each product’s ability to resist heat movement.  The higher the R-Value, the better it insulates your home.  Most windows have an R-value of 0.9 to 3.0, and can be responsible for 40 – 70% of heat or cold transfer for an entire home. 

Using multiple layers at your windows, including blinds (or ‘hard’ treatments) and draperies (or ‘soft’ treatments), can actually increase an R-value by 1 to nearly 5 points!  So let’s look at a few of the more efficient hard window treatment options to help you create cozy room, and cut energy costs at the same time.

Cellular shades are pleated on both sides, to create air pockets between the window and the room, and are one of the most energy-efficient blinds.  Hunter Douglas calls their cellular shades Duette® Honeycomb Shades.  These soft, elegant looking shades actually increase energy values at the window by 25 to 175%, depending upon single, double, or triple thickness in the air-trapping construction.  Available in nearly 300 colors, and a variety of styles, the R-value for Duette’s® can reach as high as 4.8 for the triple honeycomb shade.  They’re durable, easy to clean, mildew resistant, and require little to no maintenance.   

This sunroom addition features Duette honeycomb shades in the overhead windows, and vertical blinds at the sliding doors.

Vertical Blinds are composed of 3” wide strips of fabric or PVC suspended from a metal track hung at the top of the window.  Available in hundreds of colors, textures and embossed patterns, vertical blinds can increase window insulation by 37 to 123% AND block 95-99% of ultraviolet light.  R-Values reach as high as 3.92 for vertical blinds when closed over double glazed glass.

Vignette Shades are roman-style fabric blinds from Hunter Douglas.  These beautiful shades feature the gentle look of a fine drapery, but are made of generously contoured folds of rich fabrics.  They provide a 49% increase in window insulation value and can block 99% of UV light.  They boast an R-value of 2.63 when closed over double-glazed glass, and are available in over a hundred fabric/color options.

Because there are numerous shade options available on the market today, here are three questions you should answer before making your specific product selection:  Do you need special insulation protection, for heat or cold?  How much protection do you need from the sun’s UV rays?  What style of treatment will work best with the rest of your room’s design direction? 

Most importantly, talk to a window coverings expert or interior decorator!  They not only have a vast store of knowledge on which product would work best for your individual situation, but they’ll be able to add that all important decorative element to your overall window treatment design. 

To view all Hunter Douglas products with test results available, see www.hunterdouglas.com for a complete listing.