Drapery Valances - Choose Class Not Sass!
Posted by Michele | Filed under Draperies
Before design school, my opinion about drapery treatments was limited. I hated them. I wanted bare windows everywhere to bring the outside in. A glass wall of windows is wonderful but wait until the dead heat of summer. You’ll be screaming for the mini blind guy to pop in some shade control. Function, privacy and sun control are the biggest issues that you want to consider.
My experience over the years has taught me the variety of styles. Today, I will focus on valances. Valances are used for both function, aesthetics, and budget. Decorative rods can be costly depending on the style. A valance can hide a simple traverse rod underneath for opening and closing the panels and save you money. However, if the valance is loaded with fabric for swags and cascades the fabric cost might rise considerably. I will assist your decision of a drapery style by walking you through the variations in the photo examples.
In the first photo, the living room was designed to be dressy and overstated. The drapery treatments are competing for a focal point. The fancy room is lost in the madness, in my opinion. It appears very dated. Note the second photo has a monochromatic look with the exact same valance style. The lighter palette is more peaceful but also more glamorous. It has a nice straight line without the tieback. The secret to tasteful drapery design is to keep it simple. In all areas of design, less is more.
The soft valance below is a good choice when there is a limited budget. An inexpensive rod, roller blind or roman shade can hide underneath underneath. It is more sophisticated than a cornice with fabric stapled over it. That is too 70’s! If your budget allows, add the stationary panels. The wood cornice can be customized to any style of home. I’ve created this look many a time for a client. We’ve painted, stained and faux painted the boxes with guilding to match the design theme.
Sheer panels are used for minimal privacy, letting the light in. It will also cut the sun exposure on the carpet and furnishings in the room. In some climates, panels are also used for warmth and privacy. In this case, I would suggest to the client to use both the sheers and panels with a double traverse rod.
The drapery treatment is the coup de gras, the final touch. When choosing a valance style, keep it simple for contemporary and transitional. For traditional looks, be careful not to add too much fabric and make it overwhelming. For theme rooms, there are numerous styles that can enhance the idea. For instance, I covered a cornice box with bamboo wallpaper for a surfer concept. A faux painter added the beach visuals to the walls. If you are not a fan of valances, then I would suggest looking at Paris Texas Hardware from RM Coco. They have all styles and finishes.
Remember, function is first, then decide on the aesthetics. If you are struggling, we can help. Call for an appointment or if you live outside the area, we can provide online consultation. All we need are good digitals.
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Really Bad Drapery Solutions
Posted by Michele | Filed under Draperies
I beg of you, please, never ever choose this solution as one for your drapery treatments. I found this prize “ugh” on the internet for $4.95 in Shopzilla. Now, I can’t imagine anyone buying it but I suppose there are people who do. This is where it is time to put on my designer snob shoes, get on a box and yell, “Don’t do it!” I don’t care if it’s for your daughter’s room, this is tacky design and dated to boot.
There are so many other solutions. In fact, you can purchase a simple book called The Encyclopedia of Window Fashions which you most likely will find at Home Depot, any fabric store or Amazon. However, there are also many ugly designs showcased, but they do have hundreds of great solutions. The book itself is very outdated in the fabric solutions they are showing but keep this in mind, they are simply showing detail and a way to use fabrics.
This particular window treatment shown above would be best to treat with a roman shade, wood blinds, or silhouette shades. You can have custom shades made that drop from above or pull up at the same time. This handles most privacy issues.
If your budget is too small for custom window coverings, my suggestion then would be to forgo the cafe style and just use drapery panels on each side of the window with a simple rod. If you want to let the light shine in but need privacy, you could purchase a double rod, sheer panels and then privacy panels like this example I am showing.
Now, you tell me, Which one looks better? I’m not talking color, but the way the drapery treatment looks. This is a much more elegant feeling. You can place a style like this in the home as long as the panels are not too flimsy. Personally, I feel the cafe curtains should remain in the cafe’s.
While we are on the subject of flimsy. I want to suggest where that might work. Lets take sheers for instance. You can use sheers in all rooms. There is no rule for drapery treatments. The main thing is to have them look like they fit the decor. Delicate or silk-like textiles would be best in bedrooms. To keep them from looking flimsy it is best to line them which is why custom always looks better. If you can sew, you can also line the draperies.
If I were planning a living room drapery treatment, I would base it on the existing decor or the interior plans I’ve selected. For most living rooms I would choose panels that go from the top of window to the length of floor. I rarely would do a shade unless we want a very casual look. There are plenty of design styles where that application would work. But, if I want an elegant room, I’m going to choose a textile with enough body to hold it’s shape. For bedrooms, I would also do the same unless the budget won’t allow it.
This next shot is a pinch pleat on the top. This creates a more finished or tailored look compared to the other two photos. The pleats keep a nice soft fold to the fabric. It might be too traditional for you but in all the drapery treatments I’ve installed, I would do this every time due to the success of the final professional look. The soft folds tend to look a little sloppier. That is OK for a more casual look. It’s just not my preference in a living room or dining area. Again, if you sew you can purchase a tape that actually creates a fold. Just ask someone at the yardage store.
When I first started out in the design industry, I did not like covering up windows. I agree with that philosophy today unless privacy is at a premium, sun control or keeping the house warm. In order to get away without covering windows you must have nice wood or painted casings, and a great view outside. If you have ugly windows and no casings, then it’s best to dress the windows. If you have a alley to look at , by all means, keep a sheer closed.
Like clothing, you can make a nice impression the first time if you clean up a bit. The same goes for drapery treatments, you don’t have to be super dressy but you can have a polished look. This is one area in the home that I feel you should save your money for. Complete one room at a time if you have to but you will be very pleased in the long run.
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