Decorating Tips & Advice - Window Treatments

Advice About Window Treatments<

Dear Rhonda:
I have a large window with an arc on the top in my bedroom. What do you suggest to cover it? I'd like to be as unique and dramatic as possible, but not tacky. I also love to let the sunlight in (the window faces east). I'd like something that I can cover at night, and open during the day.

Hunter Douglas makes arced products that will open and close by the use of a Power system. If you wanted to close it off completely at night for 99% black out, I suggest a Duette shade. If you want some light but a sophisticated look, try a Silhouette or Vignette shade. (Those both come with a very high price tag.) If you want to block some light but are on a budget, the Applause would be the product you want.

-Rhonda

Dear Rhonda:
The window in my living room is recessed almost 16 inches. Do I hang blinds inside and curtains on the outer edge or do I hang curtains on the inside of the window(recessed area)?

It depends on the style of room and what type of window treatment you are using. If you have a very formal room and are using swags and jabots or long panels, sheers and an elaborate valance, my suggestion is to hang them on the outer wall not inside the recess. If your room is a comfortable, relaxed kind of room, place the window treatments inside the recess and place a pillow on the recess (depending if it is low enough to sit on). Make it a new area for reading, relaxing, hanging out. I know my cats would love it! If it isn't a space to sit upon, then use it as a surface for artwork, accessories or brik-a-brak.

Do you see the difference in styles there? If its highly traditional, pull outside the space but if it can be used for a new seating area or a fun place then open it up and use it. How lucky you are to have such windows!

Rhonda

Dear Rhonda:
I have 2 windows that are on both sides of my bed-two directly next to my bed and two more forming an "L" the walls horizontal to my bed. How do I put curtains up to tie each "L" shaped pair of windows together? Thanks!

Whatever type of treatment you use, create longer points on the two total outsides. For instance if you use a swag and jabot, place a long jabot next to the bed, then place swags across the window to the corner. Turn the corner and have another swag across that window with a longer jabot on the outside of the second window. Do that for both windows and it makes them appear as one window and ties them together.

Rhonda

Dear Rhonda:
I have a large room that I call my wicker room. This room has a picture window, a medium size window and a sliding glass door. So far I have vinyl vertical blinds The furniture, as you probably already guessed, is wicker. The walls are a light mint green with white wood work. My dilemma is what type of fabric window treatments should I use. I really like the swag look but I am having trouble siding the mechanical bar that operates the vertical veins. I also don't know what color should I go with. The cushions of the wicker furniture is a bold floral print. Should I bring out some color in that or maybe white soft sheer material or not scarf style at all. What suggestions do you have. I am so frustrated that I want to quit which isn't my nature. Everyone in the world has suggestions which is causing a bunch of confusion! HELP!!!

My suggestion is a small valance with side panels. It covers the vertical veins when they are opened but softens the window entirely. I would either use a light beige or white color pulled from the floral print or a mint green the same as the wall color. And by all means, don't get stressed. Picture how much you are going to enjoy your beautiful finished room, gain your strength from there. Can I come over for some tea? Have fun decorating!

Rhonda

Dear Rhonda:
I am sewing a valance for my family room. Is there a standard height for a valance. My windows have a height of 55" and the combined three window length is 168". I plan on sewing a valance with an arch.

Typically you have a header of 2-3" with a rod pocket of 2" and the length with an arch would be 16". Make the arch 12", it gives you a nice scallop.

Rhonda

Dear Rhonda:
What kind of window treatment for a bedroom with one window size 36 by 72, I need to keep my light from this window, I just painted the room a warm yellow, hoping to brighting it up.

I am in love with metal or wooden rods and tab top or tie top draperies. See them here: http://myinteriordecorator.com/drapery.html. Cute stuff. If you keep them unlined and a light color, possibly the same color or a couple tones lighter than the walls, you will get the light flowing feeling you want.

Rhonda

Dear Rhonda:
I have a window treatment dilemma. There are two casement windows abutting each other in a corner with surrounding and adjoining frames and sills. I need ideas as to how to apply window treatments. Help.

I assume the windows roll out, as with most casements. Almost any place that sells curtain rods has hardware for corner windows. There is one bracket that goes in the corner and has two prongs on it. One for one rod to rest on and another for the other rod. If you were interested in doing a wooden rod, there are corner elbows that you attach for the corner. You can even have a cornice created for the corner and applied with L-brackets. About the only type of rod I would not think would work is a metal rod. And that could work if you have an ironworker weld it for you in an L-shape.

As far as style of treatment, that is a much larger discussion and depends on the style of your home and family. I hope that helps!

Rhonda

Dear Rhonda:
My husband and I are on a night schedule. All the sun comes in on the side of the house where our bedroom is. Also my husband has a sleep disorder and I would like to know what colors if any to paint the walls in which we can make our room cozier. We have no color scheme as of yet, but was thinking of going with a nature or jungle motif. I would like something cozy and intimate for him to do his relaxation's and meditations. Make him feel connected and at home. I am so stuck on what to do. Can you help?

First of all, I suggest you get black out window shadings. Hunter Douglas products will block up to 99% of light coming in windows. If you sleep during the day, I think its a priority for you to have shades that will block the sun. Duettes, Silhouettes, or Applause Shades will do the job. I think that is priority ONE!

I like the idea of using a jungle motif. It will allow you to paint the walls a deep green color and use lots of plants and flowers. Find bed coverings that have flowers and colors in it that would work with a jungle theme; use and animal print area rug on the floor or a Sisal type rug; use mosquito cloth for the window coverings; use dark wood or wicker/rattan furnishings; install a ceiling fan for effect; and find accessories and objects d'arte in the same theme. I think that will be a fun room! First and foremost, address the sun coming in the windows.

Rhonda

Related Articles

Ten Tips for Accessorizing Your Home
Personalize, repeat, relate, cover, position, vary, create, place, display, and coordinate.

Dressing Up Your Windows: Curtain and Window Treatment Lessons
Windows are not only our way to look out on the world, but also the world's way of looking back.

Wonderful World of Wallpaper
Wallpaper has been making a comeback, and wallpaper is no longer equivalent to big, ugly flowers; rather, wallpaper offers many options, and some of them include anything but flowers.