What’s the first thing you usually notice when you enter a room that you’ve never been in before? Is it the flooring? The lighting? The room’s décor? Well, if you’re like most people, you’re probably going to be drawn to the room’s focal point, and more likely than not, that will be the room’s windows.
Large and dramatic or small and functional, a home’s windows do more than provide light and a view of the world outside. Windows
also offer privacy and noise control to the home’s inhabitants, as well as enhance the living space’s overall design concept. Finding the best way to showcase your windows becomes
key.
“Just as picking the right necklace makes the outfit, the right window treatment
completes the room,” says Boston-based interior designer Abbey Koplovitz of Abbey K, Inc. Koplovitz,
who has designed rooms for PBS’s This Old House – Pembroke, knows the importance of making the right choice, too.
“There’s nothing worse than skimpy drapes, valances and cornices that cover too much of
the window, or fabric that doesn’t quite hang right,” states Koplovitz.
Luckily, by following the design basics, you can minimize your chances of
falling victim to this design faux pas.
Something to Please Every Homeowner’s Taste and Budget
From fabric treatments to Roman shades or a single draped scarf, the choices in
window coverings are virtually endless. But once you know the needed function
of the window, how do you make your decision with such a plethora of choices?
Why, by following your room’s design plan, that’s how.
More than likely, the cornerstone of your design plan will be color, so you will
want a window treatment that complements your room’s color choices. Next is
balance—the goal is to achieve visual equilibrium by combining a pleasing mix of
patterns and textures that work well together. Imagine the combination of a “light” visually weighted room (small-scaled furnishings in neutral colors) with a “heavy” window treatment (a neutral-colored sheer with a coarse texture and bold
geometric patterns.) Instant balance!
Then comes rhythm. This is the intentional repetition of a style element, such
as replicating a specific treatment over a row of windows, repeating patterns
or color. Finally, you should bring harmony, emphasis and scale into play.
Harmony ensures that all of the elements will—well, harmonize with each other. You achieve harmony by first uniting the
treatment and the room with a common color, perhaps, and then by providing
variety by ensuring different patterns and textures.
Emphasis is what gives window treatments their “pop” and makes them work as a focal point for the room. Think of a swath of pale
grey silk caressing a gleaming hardwood floor or a formal velvet treatment with
swags and jabots and eye-catching hardware. Think of that special element in
the room that catches the eye.
As for scale, that is what ensures that the window treatment is the right size
for the room. If a treatment is too large, it will overshadow the room and if
it is too small, it will likely become lost amidst the room’s furnishings. Making sure the size balances, matches or plays off each other is
what makes scale work.
And finally, don’t forget about function. A beautiful window treatment will be useless if it
doesn’t suit your needs for the window. So, if you need privacy or protection from the
sun’s glare, make sure the treatment you choose provides that.
Embracing Current Trends in Window Treatments
As with many other elements of interior design, some of the hottest new trends
in window treatments involve going “green” and using eco-friendly materials, such as natural wovens.
“Wovens in the form of natural grasses and reeds are often made of sustainable
and rapidly renewable products,” says Koplovitz, “so some are interesting green choices.”
However, Koplovitz warns that while natural products can be great, they can also
sometimes be pricey—and fragile—so they aren’t suitable for all applications.
“Never without a product for everyone,” Koplovitz adds, “many manufacturers are making natural-looking woven roller shades.”
These roller shades, which are made from man-made materials, look like grass but
are durable and available at a very friendly price point.
Another new trend in window treatments that excites Koplovitz is the new line of
solar shades from Hunter Douglas called Green Screen, which comes in many
colors and openness.
“It is a highly sustainable product,” Koplovitz says. “Green Screen is made from polyurethane stretched over a polyester core.”
That means they contain no PVCs, so there will be no risk of contamination from
Volatile Organic Compounds off-gassing in your home.
“Solar shades are great when privacy is not an issue,” Koplovitz adds. “I recommend them when a homeowner wants to keep the view but still get
protection from heat, glare, and UV exposure.”
Also gaining in popularity is motorization, which gives homeowners remote
control access to adjust their blinds, shades and fabric treatments.
“Motorization continues to be strong especially in homes with soaring ceilings,
hard to reach windows, or for homeowners with mobility issues,” says Koplovitz. “As baby boomers age, these will become increasingly popular.”
And finally, designers and consumers are trending more toward sumptuous and
luxurious fabrics in window treatments, with silk and velvet leading the pack.
“Silk drapes are very popular,” explains Koplovitz. “They add depth and sparkle to a room. Some are even embroidered and textured.”
According to Koplovitz, good quality faux silks are coming on strong, too. “They are a great option where sun is a major factor. The polyester-based fabrics
are more durable and they don’t fade or burn like silk. Plus, they look opulent at often a fraction of the
price.”
Saving money is always an incentive and, luckily, Koplovitz says there isn’t any resulting loss in quality by making the switch. “My workroom cannot always tell the faux silks from the real.”
Who could ask for more from a window treatment?
Ultimately, though, the choice in fabric, design and concept for your window
treatment depends upon your personal taste, your room’s décor and your budget. The final piece
