 Window
Fashions - Fabulous Draperies & Window Coverings
By Georgia Hasapes of Angela's Draperies
Draperies are beautiful accessories to any room. It takes time to find the
right drape. Every room is different and therefore may require a different
treatment. Some rooms require more light and others require privacy. Here
are some wonderful tips I learned from my mother, who has been designing
drapes for over 30 years.
Before you decide on the drape, take a good look at your room and answer
some important questions:
1) Is your room formal or informal?
2) How do you choose the right fabric? And will you be washing these drapes
frequently?
3) Does your room need lots of light or little?
4) How do I pick the right colour and pattern?
5) Have you thought about drapery hardware and accents?
Answering the first question is important. If you are choosing drapes for a
dining room, you may want the look to be elegant. Floor-length draperies are
the most dramatic and formal. These drapes are “eloquent” because they drape
down to the floor and are usually lined with another fabric to give them
extra body and fullness. Informal drapes on the other hand only cover the
window frame leaving the wall exposed, thus creating a more “cozy and
casual” feeling.
When it comes to fabric selection a good thing to remember is good quality
fabrics are pricier. Simple drapes usually require less fabric and can cut
costs. Pure natural fibers, such as linen or cotton, are usually the best to
choose when it comes to drapes. These materials tend to be stronger and
don’t break down from sun exposure, but can also be very pricy. Be careful
when choosing synthetic fibers, such as rayon or acrylic, although often
more economical, they can shrink and pill. Drapes in the kitchen and
children’s rooms tend to be washed more than others. In this case opt for a
polyester blend. These blends are crease and stretch resistant and have less
shrinkage. Bed sheeting is the best material to use in these rooms because
they are constructed for extensive washes and last a very long time.
My mother recently designed drapes for an entertainment room with west
facing windows. Knowing that the customer needed darkness for the TV, she
suggested including blackout lining to block out the light. At the same time
she made the drape versatile by choosing the roman shade style. This design
allows the drape to be folded completely up like a valance, hang over the
whole window, or somewhere in between. The drape was designed with
flexibility to allow the owner to enjoy the mountain view and fresh air, or
seal off light to watch movies on the big screen. Deciding how much light a
room needs or doesn’t need is very important to the overall feel of the
room. Most people want their bedrooms to be dark and private, but also want
the light.
In some rooms, like kitchens and living room, people want as much light as
possible without blocking the view. One of the most common choices in this
case is blinds. Whether vertical or horizontal, blinds can be a great
alternative to covering your whole window with drapes. Blinds are one of the
most economical ways to treat a window. They are length adjustable and can
be turned up, flat or down. Most people choose to have a valance with
blinds. Valances disguise the hardware used for blinds and can be a great
way to accent a window that does not have drapes. Always double check that
the drape you choose will not interfere with opening the window. Some
windows open from the top. If you place a blind inside your window it will
interfere with the window opening.
There are many colours and patterns to choose. The best choice when it comes
to draperies is to stick to something simple. Certain patterns like stripes
and polka dots can be very trendy one year, and then totally out the next.
Remember each room has a different ambiance and theme, so choose a colour
and pattern that matches. People like to match the drapes with other accents
in the room, for example bedding, cushions, tablecloth or placemats. Take a
look at your wall paint. If you like colour, it may be easier to display
those colours in a drape rather than on a wall. However if your walls are
bold and bright you may want to choose a solid colour that blends and
accents the wall.
Drapery hardware like rods, finials, rings and brackets can add a special
look to the plainest drapes. There are two choices with hardware - metal or
wood. Both choices are fantastic and offer very different looks. Finials are
drapery stops placed on the end of rods. They come in all sorts of shapes
and designs. When choosing the rod make sure it is wider than the window. If
the window is close to the wall, measure the length between the wall and
window to ensure you have enough space for the finial. Rings are very
elegant and are usually used with fine fabrics like silk. Rods and brackets
usually come in the same package, however always make sure the pieces match.
Other accents like tie-backs, ribbons, bows, hooks and holdbacks can be used
to add special touches to the drapes. Most of these are used to hold the
drape in place, like at the side of a window. Hardware is important because
it supports the drape, this is especially important when using heavy
materials.
Drapes make lasting impressions and finish off your room decor, so always
remember to choose something that you will enjoy.
Dina Hasapes owns Angela’s Draperies & has worked with many of
Calgary’s top designers & show homebuilders. She offers custom made
draperies, window coverings & in home consultations. Dina can be reached at
403.242.2130. |
