Window Fashions

A design guide to curtains

Window fashions, like a great-fitting pair of jeans, can accentuate the positive and conceal flaws. Fortunately, you don’t need to try on a few dozen styles to get that perfect fit. Not to say creating the right look for your windows is easy; even those that seem simple must be well designed to function effectively. But with a little guidance from your designer to help inspire you, together you can create window treatments that will improve special proportions, control light and privacy and add color, pattern and texture to your room.

Fabrics are THE most important element in draperies, appearance, construction and style. And…the most fun! It’s the first thing I choose to pull out my client’s personality, décor theme and to tie a room (or rooms) together. Then the joy over choosing prints and solids becomes a bit technical when we have to consider whether it is the right drape for the desired style. Here’s a little “drape direction” to help guide you in your fabric choices.

Cotton:
One of the easiest fabrics to use and comes in a variety of weights, solids, colors and prints.

Linen:
This is a natural fiber so it drapes well, however fabric does wrinkle and may shrink.

Silk:
Drapes well, sports a formal feel.

Velvet:
Great for colder climates…think cozy cabins. Beautiful for the bedroom!

Wool:
Used mostly for tailored window treatments, although it does drape and come across rich.

Just like our choices in clothing fashions, the attitude you’re looking to bring out will play a large part in your curtain selection. There is a core of treatment styles to start with but from there, like those fabulous-fitting jeans, there are a plethora of options to individualize them. For the sake of simplicity, and not to send my readers into a curtain curtail, I want to briefly mention a few common window fashions.

Cornice (also called Pelmets):
This is a flat, firm form that covers the top of a window treatment, concealing hardware. They are generally rectangular, though may have a sharped edge to add architectural detail.

Lambrequin:
A cornice that extends partway down the sides of the window.

Swag:
A drape of fabric at the top of a window. The most formal, traditional, and elegant window treatments are swags with Tails or Jabots, a cascade of fabric on each side of a swag extending partway down the window.

Valance:
Soft fabric panel, often gathered or pleated but can be tailored flat panels, piped, shaped or fringed. They hang above a curtain hiding the rod.

Café Curtains:
Short curtains that hang across the lower half of a window.

Tie Top:
Curtains tied to the rod with strips of fabric or trim.

Tab Top:
Curtains hung by strips of fabric tabs.

Straight Panel:
Varying lengths of fabric hung straight. Often offer a cleaner, more modern look.

Eyelets (or Grommets):
Simple, modern treatment in which large round holes are cut into the top hem of a flat-panel curtain, reinforced with metal circular disks and then threaded onto a rod.

After hours of playing in fabric books, designing the perfect treatment out of an ideal fabric, it’s time to pay attention to the details. Rods, rings, finials, trims, tiebacks (should I, shouldn’t I), finish colors…at this point those bare windows are actually starting to look just fine to you. Although tedious decisions, they are important! The decorative hardware you choose can set the stage for the window itself, especially if the room is lacking in architectural detail. It’s equally important that the hardware compliments the window dressing. And, because the design industry has its own lingo, let me define some frequently used terms in the world of window treatments.

Finial:
Ornamental nob at the end of a curtain rod.

Holdback:
Hardware used to hold curtain back when open.

Tieback:
Band of fabric or trim used to pull the curtain back away from the window,

Traverse Rod:
Trail system that allows curtains attached by hooks to be operated by a cord/pulley.

With a bit of inspiration and a few defined words…Have some fun! Let your fabrics and colors, prints and patterns speak eloquently. Mix hard and soft materials, add some surprise, catch an eye with a bit if dramatic print and/or pattern. And, if you happen to have that fantastic pair of jeans, go ahead, put ’em on! Get joy from BOTH of your fashion worlds!