Monday, March 21, 2011

DRAPERY DO's and DON'Ts

Drapery will quickly transform a room even though people avoid it because of the price tag. There is no way around it, window treatments are expensive. Just like with everything there is a huge range in costs, depending on fabric, hardware and custom vs. ready-made.  No matter which route you take the end result is well worth the journey!
 I am a fan of very simple panels.  I pictured below my two favorite styles; Grommet and Flat Panel.
Grommet Draperies
This is drawing of a grommet style panel (thanks Calico Corners for the drawing).  This is a great option for ready made panels because they fall nicely and the hardware is sewn into the fabric so you don't have to deal with rings.  This is a great look for a more modern, transitional room.

Flat Panel Draperies
This is a flat panel drapery.  The rings are typically sewn on (custom) and the fabric loosely falls (some call this style "floppy top").  This style works great in any type of interior.

Here are some drapery design tips and ideas...

dining rooms - blue walls wainscoting white orange drapes zebra mirror polished chrome lamps espresso leather dining chairs nailhead trim espresso dining table chocolate brown circle rug
To get a custom look without a custom price tag this is simply two panels in two different colors per window (when you buy ready-made you typically need two panels per side, so four panels per window if you have large windows).  I love what the pop of orange does for this room!

dining rooms - gray walls marble Saarinen table black leather nailhead trim French chairs white drapes yellow art glossy espresso wood floors
Those of you that can sew or know someone that has that amazing talent (I have serious envy of people that can sew) this is an easy way to create a unique custom drapery.  Take a white ready-made panel and sew on a trim, ribbon, or fabric border.

Location, Location, Location
bedrooms - chocolate brown velvet drapes pillows zebra cowhide rug red plaid chair x-base nightstand table glass column lamps white black leather headboard nailhead trim yellow walls buddha
A common mistake is to hang the drapery rod right above the window.  I always install that puppy right below the crown molding or as close to it as possible (if there isn't molding than a few inches down from the ceiling).  Making this simple change will make a huge difference!  It makes the window look bigger and the ceiling look higher.  Notice the rod placement...

dining rooms - Eric Cohler Venetian 9 Light 2 Tier Chandelier white slipcovered wingback chairs wood dining table wood dining chairs striped blue ticking cushions brass chandelier white drapes bamboo roman shades seagrass rug art gallery zebra rug yellow accents bold blue brown dining roomEric Cohler Venetian 9 Light 2 Tier Chandelier


living rooms - blue walls blue chairs nailhead trim brown velvet sofa square glass cocktail table chair rail sisal rug blue brown drapes brown lamps
(Decorpad image 1 here , image 2 here, image 3 here, image 4 here, image 5 here)


Here are some great ready-made options..

Linen Cotton Grommet Window Panel


West Elm- Linen Cotton Grommet Panel
Ikat Ogee Linen Window Panel
The Ikat Ogee Linen Window Panel-West Elm
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4 comments:

  1. Jen of MadeByGirlApril 6, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    drapes make such an impact...i still have to buy the rings to hang some i had made! :))))


    www.madebygirl.com
    madebygirl.blogspot.com

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  2. Lara JeanApril 25, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    Your blog is so awesome. Do you have any suggestions on hanging 2 sets of drapes, like a sheer, and then a solid so during the day you can let the light in, but at night shut it out? Or is that a bad idea?

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  3. Tammy@InStitchesJanuary 3, 2012 at 6:56 AM

    Window treatments, my favorite subject ! I'm doing a lot of grommet panels lately.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousApril 14, 2014 at 5:24 PM

    Could anyone help me find out where i can get the robins egg blue chairs with the brown trim. Ive been looking for over a month and i cant find them anywhere????

    ReplyDelete