My Favorite Window Treatments & Tips

Custom Window Treatments can be pricey!

The labor involved and the amount of fabric required really add up.  They also need to have lining and whatever type of hardware needed per treatment.

However, they are a beautiful addition to any space and well worth the investment.

I put together a little round-up of my favorite window treatments I designed the past couple of years.

design by BDG

This kravet fabric is one of my favorites!  I love the way it works up as a simple grommet style panel.

design by BDG

What I love about this stacked roman shade is the fact that it brings in the splash of color this neutral dining room needed.  The print is gorgeous it adds to the simple elegance of this dining room.

design by BDG

This simple roman shade in white with a solid color band looks clean and simple but brings in a splash of color.  I love all things that contrast and this roman is a favorite!

design by BDG

design by BDG

This roman works so great in this nook area because the room really needed a print and color.  With the wood table, chairs, buffet and flooring, the patterend fabric really softened the space.

This Schumacher print is also a long time favorite.

Not everyone can afford to bring in custom treatments but there are so many great semi-custom shades and panels on Etsy that can give you the look for less.  I have used pre-made treatments in many homes and they also add a beautiful touch. 

Take the time to look around at different options.  Also, be sure and check out this popular post on Drapery tips.

Have a great week!

Custom Window Treatments: Fabric Roman Shades

I just installed some new window treatments at this home.  I love how these roman shades turned out.  The fabric really brings in the color and pattern that this pretty nook needed.  

The fabric is Schumacher's Chain Link in Navy.

 It is a bold navy color that is hard to see in my dark photos :(

I have a few more window treatments that we installed in this home that I will post soon.

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.

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.

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...


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!


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

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...

(Decorpad image 1 here , image 2 here, image 3 here, image 4 here, image 5 here)


Here are some great ready-made options..

West Elm- Linen Cotton Grommet Panel

The Ikat Ogee Linen Window Panel-West Elm