Wednesday, December 31, 2014

100 Windows - #71

Here's a combination treatment to end the year.
This combination of swags was made for a breakfast room.  The arched window over the center window presented a challenge. I created a hand draped swag over the arch.
Then I stapled this to the tops of the boards of the side swags.
The hardware on this board was purely decorative, but matched the piece at the top of the arch.
The side swags were traditional swags with asymmetric cascades, that included one regular cascade and one double cascade.
This was definitely a "sum is greater than it's parts" kind of window treatment!
Happy New Year!!
 
 
 

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

100 Windows - #70

Just a couple of asymmetric swags.
And a close up showing the pattern combinations or rather, the striped lining of the cascades.

Friday, December 5, 2014

100 Windows - #69

I'll admit, you are going to have to look closely, but this is a very interesting idea. The body of this drapery is brown or a brown print.  Along the top there is about a 4" band of blue that matches the wall color exactly.  It's one of those details that screams "custom".

100 Windows - #68

Now that it is getting colder, I'm already craving the return to warmer weather that is still so far off.
Here's a window treatment to help tide me over.
You get the beach theme by the starfish used as a holdback.  What is more difficult to see is that there are small seashells hand sewn all over this sheer.  I don't know if the drapery panel came this way or if it is a ready-made panel that some DIY'er got ahold of, but I love the idea.  Imagine what small items you could attach to a panel.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

100 Windows - #67

I know you won't believe this but I have started seeing more and more balloon shades around town.
This is a cute nursery.  I love the ruffles on the balloon shade valance.  (Better to make the valance for a nursery - we don't want any corded treatments in children's rooms!!)
This particular balloon is underneath, or attached to a shallow cornice in a solid fabric with cording out of the shade fabric.
And don't you LOVE the circular crib? Totally impractical but I'll allow it!

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

100 Windows - #66

Here's a simple one. A box pleated, board mounted valance.
Great for such a long short window in the kitchen!

Friday, November 21, 2014

100 Windows - #65

Here I used a fresh mix of navy and white to go with the Ralph Lauren bedding.
The fabric was the same in both colors; a tone on tone stripe. We ran the stripe in the navy portion vertically and the white portion, horizontally.
The family dog seemed to approve!

Now all they need is a little artwork above the bed!

Friday, October 31, 2014

100 Windows - #64

A little pumpkin color for this Halloween!
For a traditional cottage in Arlington, VA we chose to do swags.
This was a very small dining room, that included a door to an outside porch.
I added a matching relaxed Roman shade to the door.
The clients had JUST moved in when we added the window treatments.  I'm sure the room is even more finished looking today.
Happy Halloween!  Trick or Treat-ments!

Thursday, October 23, 2014

100 Windows - #63

OK, so here is a window treatment similar to yesterday's only this time it is a real swag not a "faux".  That flat striped underneath layer could just as easily be a cornice, a Roman or a blind. Mixing a print with a stripe is always nice!
If you didn't want to do the flat layer, you could always just do one inside mount swag and call it a day.  Perhaps you remember this treatment I posted a couple of years ago that I did in a stairwell:
In this case I really do feel that you need trim.  It camouflages the fact that you have to cut the board a little narrower than the window opening.


Wednesday, October 22, 2014

100 Windows - #62

Here is a creative idea, and perfect if you have multiple windows lined up and you want the repetition. Or if you have limited yardage of your fabric.
This treatment could be a "no-sew" treatment if you are handy with iron on adhesives and a glue gun. The striped layer underneath looks like it curves up a little at the bottom.  The "swag" part was actually flat so you would just create a pattern for that.  Surely the fringe was glued on! The whole thing could be stapled to a small board for installation or even mounted on a tension rod if you are able to install it inside the window frame.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

100 Windows - #61

I didn't realize that I had taken this picture until I looked at the details.  I thought I took it from the internet and had slipped into my "Ideas" folder.
This was actually a sample I saw at a trade show 5 years ago featuring Deb Barrett and her trunk show full of window treatment ideas.
This over-the-top design shows creative use of contrasting fabrics, flat ties, cording, curved tops and drapery rod finials!

Friday, October 10, 2014

100 Windows - #60

Soooooo... I started with a challenging set of windows:
And was directed by the homeowner to add some color, but not to cover too much glass, as privacy was not an issue, nor was light control:
Being only 5 feet tall and in a room with a cathedral ceiling, this one was interesting for me to try to photograph!

The fabric was from Robert Allen.  The striped contrast fabric on the valance was from Maxwell.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

100 Windows - #59

Sorry about the dim lighting, but I get so many questions on treating an arched window.  Here is a beautiful solution.  Hang the drapes from a rod that goes straight across the top of the window, ignoring the curve.  I think the black and white graphic print makes it.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

100 Windows - #58

Here are a couple of fun ideas.
First, take a look at this cornice board with it's cutout.  A plaque that says "Relax" was fit into the opening. There are so many things you could put in that little opening.  Think of it as a shadowbox for display.  It would even be interesting if you put a contrasting fabric inside, or changed the size or shape of the opening.
Next, the grass skirt used as a valance completes the beachy theme. I have also seen this type of grass used as a bedskirt.  You just cut it to your correct length.  In case you can't tell, this valance and curtain are over a tub in a bathroom.

Monday, October 6, 2014

100 Windows -#57

It's sweet. You could use it on a single window or in repetition on a whole bunch of windows.
In this case, the swag was hung from two hooks at the top corners of the window.  What makes it special is the teardrop shape, the contrast banding and the little ball in place of a tassel.
You could also do a similar swag mounted to a board or attached to a rod.

Friday, October 3, 2014

100 Windows - #56

Though technically not a window, the details of this shower curtain could be used on a drapery panel or a Roman shade.
The contrast black border around four sides was emphasized by the whimsy of the narrow pink leopard banding.
This bath was part of a teenage suite I did a few years ago.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

100 Windows - #55

I wish the colors in this treatment I saw in a model home were flashier so you could see the detail.  It's simple:  about 4" down from the pleated edge, trim was added horizontally across the top.  Although the easiest way to do this would be BEFORE the drapery was pleated, I suppose if you were very patient and really good with your adhesives, you could add the trim after the fact.
I've run a contrast band right through the middle of some pinch pleats (see below), but this I have yet to try.



Monday, September 29, 2014

100 Windows - #54

Did you know that some window treatments can be mounted directly to the window frame?
These valances are made in three pieces; two swags and a center banner valance, all stapled to the outside edge of the window frame. This was in another model home, so that is probably why they chose to mount it that way - less holes in the wall, less hardware - but it is hard to make the sides look finished if you are doing it yourself.
The three holdbacks at the top of each arch are purely decorative.
Love the contrast banding! Love the tassel!

Friday, September 26, 2014

100 Windows - #53

So much to love here!!
This is a little difficult to see but when I start to dissect it, you will get it.
From the outside of the house this room is part of a multisided turret.  Inside, the large tub is set into the turret with windows that are almost two stories high. I believe at the very top of the windows are flat cornice boards with the long double cascades coming out from underneath.  Note the beaded trim. So pretty for catching the light, just like the crystals on the chandelier.  The pleated shades cover the bottom windows to provide the necessary privacy.  The flat upholstered panels marry the top and bottom sets of windows and provide a lovely focal point. What a great idea to cover an otherwise unsightly and boring expanse of white wall, and to make the whole space cozier.
I also love the tile on the tub steps and the way the whole space was styled with plants and candles. If I got in that tub, I would never want to get out!

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

100 Windows - #52

I love what happens to a checked fabric when you shape it into a swag.
And when the asymmetric becomes symmetrical.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

100 Windows - #51

I love this bathroom I saw in a model home.
The window treatment is just perfect in it's simplicity.
I also think having a TV in the bathroom is a great idea, though some may disagree.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

100 Windows - #50

#50 ??!!  We are halfway through! This calls for a celebration so today I will share with you one of my all time favorite projects. It's hard to believe I did this 8 years ago.
Initially, I loved how the graphic black and white print played on the gold walls.  If memory serves me correctly, the wall color is Benjamin Moore's Dorset Gold.
I was also fascinated by the playful mix of floral, check and stripe. Not everyone can take that much pattern but using just black and white is a good way to ease into it.
The striped Roman shade can be lowered to block the evening sunlight when doing the dinner dishes.
On the same wall as the sink is a window seat which is so much fun to have in a kitchen! We duplicated the window treatment and used the black and white on the sides of the seat cushion but used a colorful print on top.
We played around with adding even MORE color and pattern with some throw pillows.  Do you like it better with or without?  You can catch a glimpse of the adjoining family room on the right side of the photo.

The family room had just one window, actually a door, so we treated it to a long drape in the same combination of floral and check.
Button detail on the drapery tieback.
More button details but this time I used the check, and placed the button at the bottom of each pinch pleat.  Details make the difference!!

Monday, August 11, 2014

100 Windows - #49

Before the walls were painted. Before the room was accessorized. Before the final choice for bedding was made, we decided on this valance.
Well actually, we decided on three!

Repetition is so much nicer than just one!