This design provides an element not so much of texture, but more of color with great graphic impact turning this small window into a piece of art.

Have you ever been in a room and the sun is just blinding?  Perhaps you can’t see the television or the computer screen since the sun is shining directly on it.  It’s not as easy as just putting up blinds or drapery panels, the windows are an odd shape, perhaps a half moon, arched or palladium style.  Well in this example, blinds were installed in the lower windows but the arched windows still let way too much sun in for comfort.  Custom window treatments were made to fit directly into the arched windows allowing the shape of the windows to still be evident but at the same time giving that light control that was so needed.  The blinds, when raised up, were then concealed with a simple rod pocket sleeve.

A tailored balloon shade is a great way to make good use of deeply folded fabric without cluttering work sufrfaces beneath the window.  In this picture the balloon shade is set at just the right level to allow light where it is needed without compromising privacy.  This window treatment brings to life the room.

A great way to anchor  the window treatments to the rest of the room is to add toss pillows to  in the same fabric.  Here we have used the same silk from the balloon valance to make a kidney pillow for the sofa.  Now the draperies are tied into the furniture giving a cohesive look to the entire room.

A grommet drape is a decorative window treatment where the panels are attached to the rod using grommets.  These come in different shapes and sizes to fit any style of drapery hardware and can be made of plastic or metal.  The plastic grommets snap together and usually do not require any special tools where the metal grommets are more labor intensive to construct.  Don’t be fooled by the word plastic though since they come in many different finishes and colors and can mimic metal finishes.  Once the grommets are attached to the heading of the panels they just slip through a stationary rod. The drape gets its pleating from the natural folds that fall beneath the rod once the material is gathered together. Stationary rods are available in several different finishes to coordinate with the color and style of grommet that you are using and come with custom finials on the ends to add an artistic touch that helps highlight the drape and rod. 

Pinch pleats or French pleats as they are sometimes called are classic.  The elegant pleating will allow the curtain to fall into graceful yet disciplined folds.  A traditional pinch pleat appears in groups of three separated by flat spaces.  Before the pleating is sewn, the heading is stiffened with a special interfacing tape such as buckram which keeps the pleats stiff and regimented.  Pleating is the way in which fullness is added to the fabric forming into narrow vertical folds as it hangs. The pleats are spaced at equal intervals which controls the fullness. The more fabric that is pleated into the drapery panels, the fuller the draperies become.  For the beginner there are tapes specially marked that will pleat the heading for you and takes the guess work out.

Number one,  lining adds insulation value for those cold winter nights and those steamy hot summer days.  In other words lining helps to reduce your utility costs both gas and electric no matter which part of the country you live in.  Who doesn’t want to save money.

Number two, lined draperies cut down on echoing and sound from both indoors and outdoors.  By adding that extra layer of cloth, it absorbs more sound making your surroundings more comfortable.

Number three, lining protects your draperies as well as your furniture from the hot and harmful UV rays, reducing and often illuminating sun rot.  Lined draperies can last 10 to 15 years longer than unlined drapes.

Number four, they offer you complete privacy.

Number five, lined draperies give you that consistent view from outdoors.  In other words, from the street, all of your windows have the same color.  People driving by do not see a green window, a pink window, a blue window ect., they are all consistent when they are all lined.

Number six, light reduction.  Lined draperies greatly reduce the light pouring into your rooms and when blackout lining is used, the windows are darkened for sleeping.  Great for kids and those on the night shift.

Calm colors invite you to relax, get rid of your daily cares and comfort your spirit.  This ready made bedding was kicked up a notch by adding some custom shams and a bolster.

Have a great nights sleep with this reversible coverlet.  One side a gorgeous velvet of oriental coral, the reverse side a deep sage green.  The euro pillows are also reversible and have a multi toned brush fringe along the edges.  Floral shams and a striped pillow add color and whimsy.

This sheffield valance could look like it is floating along the top of this long and narrow window.  The long tails (or jabots) coming down to the half way point of the window help balance the look without the need for side panels.

The same sheffield valance with jabots is used in the bay window of the dinette with a long expanse of pleats (14 to be exact) to frame the windows and enhance the gorgeous views.  Tassel trim and contrast lining finish the treatment.