Blog

Decorating with store-bought window panels & draperies

submitted by: Jennifer 08/24/10

aaaaczy-5gyaaaaaaf2-ag

As much as I am a proponant of custom window coverings that fulfill your every whim, let’s be honest: not everyone has the budget for them. At times it isn’t necessarily the issue of money that holds you back, but if you’re anything like me, your tastes simply change too often to commit to custom draperies. Whatever your reason, inexpensive store-bought window panels or drapes may be the answer to your decorating dilemma. Not sure where to begin? Here are a few pointers to get you on your way along with some of my top picks right now:

1) Start with your measurements. Store-bought draperies come in limited standard sizes so those of you with odd-shaped windows or exceptionally large windows will be out of luck. 84″  or 94″ is what you will likely find on store shelves and this is the typical window length.  However, I always hang the curtain rod closer to the ceiling than to the top of the window itself which makes a room appear taller. This means you will need to 94″ panels for an 84″ window, or 104″ panels for a 94″ window.

2) Pick your color palette. While its true that custom-designed draperies offer infinite color and pattern choices, there are plenty of options for the person buying off-the-shelf these days. So that you don’t get overwhelmed when shopping,  take a look around the house and pick one to three colors that you want to bring out in your window treatments.  Using decorating blogs like this one, magazine photos or search engines online can be a useful tool here; simply type in your color palette to see what’s out there (for example, “Red and white 94″ window panels”).

3) Know what you need them to do. If you’re buying for a bedroom and prefer complete darkness you will want to look for black-out panels which are lined with an opaque fabric on the backside to keep sun out. If natural sunlight and privacy isn’t an issue, you may be shopping for sheer panels.

Ready to start shopping? Here are some of my favorites of the season; maybe one of these will be the the perfect fit for your naked window!

"Amelia", Pier1, $24.88

"Amelia", Pier1, $24.88

"Woven Floral", Pier1, $45

"Woven Floral", Pier1, $45

 

"Smocked Drape", Pottery Barn, $50

"Smocked Drape", Pottery Barn, $50

"Velvet Drape", Pottery Barn, $89

"Velvet Drape", Pottery Barn, $89

"Textured Belgian Linen", Restoration Hardware, $129

"Textured Belgian Linen", Restoration Hardware, $129

                                                           

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in DIY, home improvement, new products | No Comments »

Window Treatments 101

submitted by: Jennifer 02/23/10

Need window treatments but don’t know where to start? Read on as I break down the  basics of some of the most in-demand window covering options from off-the-shelf to custom.

drapes

1. Flowing draperies. These tend to look more formal and graze if not puddle on the floor. Leave parted to one side, both sides or tie back. May be hung on a rod with rings, a rod pocket top or grommets for more casual styles. Expect to pay $135 or more per panel. Available in many fabrics. May be lined or unlined. Usually not energy efficient unless lined.

2. Panels. Similar to draperies but typically more casual. Also hung on a drapery rod with rings, rod pocket top, grommet  or clips. May be found on store shelves starting at $25 and 85″ long (standard). Available in many fabrics, most unlined. Not energy efficient unless specified. Available in limited room-darkening fabrics.

valance

3). Valance. Valances can be very formal, playfully trendy or uber casual depending upon the design. Custom valances can be mounted on a board or drapery rod. You can find ready-made valances at stores like JC Penney starting at 12.00 each for sheers, more for solids. May be combined with panels, shutters or shades.

4. Shutters. A more clean-cut look in my opinion and more masculine when shown in wood stains. Also available in whites/creams. Expect to pay upwards of $400 per window for this custom window covering. Perfect for allowing natural sunlight to filter in. Cheaper versions may bow with temperature changes over time. Usually left alone (i.e. not paired with another window treatment).

sheers

5.  Sheers. May be layered with other sheer or solid panels. Hung on drapery rod with rod pocket top. Available in stores starting at $10 and 85″ long. Available in custom colors/patterns/sizes as well. Not ideal for privacy unless paired with solid panels. Not energy efficient.

6.  Honeycomb shades. Usually a custom design. Many colors available. Various levels of energy efficiency available. Ideal for protecting wood flooring and furniture from sun exposure. Ideal for privacy.

sihlouettes

7. Sihlouette by Hunter Douglas. The best of both draperies and shades. Can be paired with another window treatment or left alone. Available in various colors and vein sizes. www.hunterdouglas.com/our-products-detail.jsp?id=33 A high-end treatment with unlimited possibilities. May be installed with remote control. Allows for privacy and natural sunlight filtering. Ideal for maintaining exterior view.

romanshades

8. Roman Shades. Available in a flat fold or more full shape. Available in nearly any fabric/pattern. Ideal for privacy.  May be raised for full sun exposure. Not typically energy efficient.

Ready to see some samples?

For custom orders contact Patti Wommer of Edmond, OK at 405.615.3086.

For shutters and Sihlouettes, contact David of Blind Alley, Oklahoma City, OK at 405.848.0099.

For all other window needs please contact Jennifer Hicks, C.I.D. of Designing Diva Interiors, LLC at 405.816.9716!

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in General, Home staging, home improvement | No Comments »

Need window treatments but don’t know where to start? Read on as I break down the  basics of some of the most in-demand window covering options from off-the-shelf to custom.

drapes

1. Flowing draperies. These tend to look more formal and graze if not puddle on the floor. Leave parted to one side, both sides or tie back. May be hung on a rod with rings, a rod pocket top or grommets for more casual styles. Expect to pay $135 or more per panel. Available in many fabrics. May be lined or unlined. Usually not energy efficient unless lined.

2. Panels. Similar to draperies but typically more casual. Also hung on a drapery rod with rings, rod pocket top, grommet  or clips. May be found on store shelves starting at $25 and 85″ long (standard). Available in many fabrics, most unlined. Not energy efficient unless specified. Available in limited room-darkening fabrics.

valance

3). Valance. Valances can be very formal, playfully trendy or uber casual depending upon the design. Custom valances can be mounted on a board or drapery rod. You can find ready-made valances at stores like JC Penney starting at 12.00 each for sheers, more for solids. May be combined with panels, shutters or shades.

4. Shutters. A more clean-cut look in my opinion and more masculine when shown in wood stains. Also available in whites/creams. Expect to pay upwards of $400 per window for this custom window covering. Perfect for allowing natural sunlight to filter in. Cheaper versions may bow with temperature changes over time. Usually left alone (i.e. not paired with another window treatment).

sheers

5.  Sheers. May be layered with other sheer or solid panels. Hung on drapery rod with rod pocket top. Available in stores starting at $10 and 85″ long. Available in custom colors/patterns/sizes as well. Not ideal for privacy unless paired with solid panels. Not energy efficient.

6.  Honeycomb shades. Usually a custom design. Many colors available. Various levels of energy efficiency available. Ideal for protecting wood flooring and furniture from sun exposure. Ideal for privacy.

sihlouettes

7. Sihlouette by Hunter Douglas. The best of both draperies and shades. Can be paired with another window treatment or left alone. Available in various colors and vein sizes. www.hunterdouglas.com/our-products-detail.jsp?id=33 A high-end treatment with unlimited possibilities. May be installed with remote control. Allows for privacy and natural sunlight filtering. Ideal for maintaining exterior view.

romanshades

8. Roman Shades. Available in a flat fold or more full shape. Available in nearly any fabric/pattern. Ideal for privacy.  May be raised for full sun exposure. Not typically energy efficient.

Ready to see some samples?

For custom orders contact Patti Wommer of Edmond, OK at 405.615.3086.

For shutters and Sihlouettes, contact David of Blind Alley, Oklahoma City, OK at 405.848.0099.

For all other window needs please contact Jennifer Hicks, C.I.D. of Designing Diva Interiors, LLC at 405.816.9716!

405.816.9716 • P.O. Box 850155 Yukon, OK 73085 © 2009 Designing Diva Interiors, LLC