When you hear the words 'elegant window treatments' you may automatically envision either a project that's going to break the bank, or challenge your artistic design capabilities until your credit cards are maxed out. But since windows are such a vital part of any room, attention must be paid to them. When done right, your old, bare windows can become your favorite and newest focal point of the room.
Just be natural
Going green is all the rage these days. Fortunately, somebody came up with something called natural shades/blinds. These are made of woven bamboo, exotic grasses and such, but wood grain blinds are joining their ranks as some of the choices that have become popular among window treatment shoppers. Wood itself, since it is natural and durable, is making a huge comeback when it comes to decorating. Along with bamboo, maple and birch are some of the most popular materials for window treatments right now. You can see what's going on in the world with these blinds, while they let in gently diffused light. This is not however, an open unprotected window; you absolutely maintain privacy.
What happened to elegance?
If stylish and elegant aren't synonymous for you, let's talk about elegance for a moment. When it comes to sophisticated window treatments, draperies will forever be considered the most elegant of all. The industrial revolution saw the beginning of draperies; the spinning wheel, or loom, was created around that time. Trade routes were opening and fabrics were becoming easier to gain access to. Window decorations consisted of lavish amounts of fabric; the more fabric, the more luxuriously elegant these draperies were considered. The rods alone must have been strong enough to support a body!
Speaking of drapery rods...
The panels of drapes can be affixed in many ways to their rods. Drapery rings are probably the most common, but fabric can also be utilized to attach drapery panels. The use of such fabric attachments gives the overall appearance of casual, yet chic. The fabric used can be of the same fabric as the drapes, or for a bit of drama, a contrasting color/fabric can be utilized. Flip-toppers are another way of creating a more dramatic effect. They usually consist of materials literally flopped over the top of the drapery rod. Ergo's the name. Sometimes a bow or beads are added for emphasis.
What about the drapery panels themselves?
Most of the time drapery panels are lined and pleated, and reach the floor. They frame both sides of the window, as with a theater stage curtain. They are considered to be more decorative and less utilitarian. Ordinarily, sheers or some other kind of shades are used under the draperies for privacy and light control. It's possible to make the pleats of your drapes into a French pleat (or pinch pleating), pencil pleat or goblet pleat. The French pleat is ordinarily made from a threefold pleat, which at regular, close intervals, covers the panel. The goblet is similar when it comes to spacing and is made by choking the pleats with a bow or ribbon, making it puff out. A true display of elegance is called a drapery pool. This refers back to the lavish amounts of fabric - so much so that the excess length spills over the floor.
Whether you are looking for window treatments for bay windows or elegant window treatments for standard windows in any room, you'll find everything you need to know at WindowTreatmentsForBayWindowsz.com.
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