Rub-a-dub-dub!

Nothing like a cheerful red valance to make you want to do a little laundry.

Flat valance with pleats at corners.
The most adorable powder puff tape trim!
Micro-check fabric from Duralee.  Trim from D'Kei.
Fabricated by SK Fabric Interiors.
Photo by Bob Narod.

100 Windows - #88

It's a grey dreary day where I am, so here is a cheerful little shade. Look at that multi-color pom pom trim.  Look.  At.  It!

The view from across the room is a bit dark but you get the idea.

100 Windows - #83

Ready for Spring? Let's pretend!
This room came about because of the homeowner's desire for something happy, fun and somewhat beachy.  You may be surprised to learn that the client was a single man! His space needed a complete makeover. Once I convinced him to get rid of his worn out recliner, he was open to a totally different look.
The new nautically inspired furniture - most of which was custom made - was complemented by the yellow plaid draperies.

These were simple stationary pinch pleat panels.

In the adjoining room, I used the exact same window treatment to unify the two spaces.

Matching pillows in both spaces also married the two rooms and made it easy for him to move things around.  He didn't want it to feel too "designer-y".

100 Windows - #52

I love what happens to a checked fabric when you shape it into a swag.

And when the asymmetric becomes symmetrical.

100 Windows - #43

More plaid! I didn't realize how many times I have used a plaid fabric until I started this.

There are two interesting things to notice about this window treatment. Since the windows meet in the corner, the curtain rods do, too. That allowed me to use one full panel in each corner which eliminated the gaps that could have resulted from using two. (Ah, I remember this installation well! I think I was up on that ladder for hours!) Hanging the curtains so much higher than the window was graceful and made this small room appear larger.
The other detail is the curtain rod itself.  It was painted to look like bamboo.  It lent a more casual feel to this family room.

100 Windows - #42

Repetition can be a beautiful thing.

In this living room we didn't do anything crazy to compete with the traditional furnishings. We even ignored the fact that these were arched windows, and opted for straight drapery panels in a silk check.

We even repeated the panels in the adjacent dining room. Notice that this room had rectangular transoms instead of the arched, so the repetition of the style and fabric unified the rooms rather than called out their differences.

100 Windows - #40

I'm mad for plaid this week, I guess.
This picture has been in my "Ideas" folder for almost 10 years! I love the whole over-the-top quality of this window treatment, especially the valance with the curved top! The window underneath may not be arched but you can see how you can create interest by adding a gentle curve to the top of your treatment.
This is not my work and I don't know whose it is.  If you know where this picture is from, let us all know. I like to give credit where credit is due!