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.
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
