Home & Garden Window Treatments 101 Diane Guididas The search for window treatments can be a daunting task. There are so many options available. How does one begin to navigate through the maze? Let’s begin with the basics and try to keep it simple. The term “window treatments” covers a vast array of products available. The term includes everything from blinds and shutters to drapery panels and roman shades. The functions of window treatments vary greatly also from providing privacy and light control to being the “icing on the cake” when it comes to completing a Mercer County Woman beautifully designed room. There are many things to consider when selecting window treatments. They should include the function of the room, the direction that the window faces, as well as how the window treatments compliments the surrounding décor. Does the room need darkening because it is too bright? Is there something odd about the placement of the window or windows? Should it be inside mounted, outside mounted or end mounted? When privacy is an issue, it is smart to consider shades or blinds for the first “layer”. Many manufacturers offer top down bottom up functions which offer great flexibility. Layering window treatments is always a good way to treat a window. Sometimes a shade or blind will provide needed privacy but may feel stark or incomplete. By adding another layer of drapery panels or sheers, the look is softened. When addressing the issue of light control, a few questions to consider would be the function of the room. If it is a bedroom, room darkening or blackout options would be appropriate. If it’s a window in the Kitchen, woven shades or a light diffusing shade would be suitable. Energy efficiency should also be a consideration when selecting window treatments. There are products available, which, if kept closed, will keep the hot air out in the summer months and the warm air in during the winter months. By installing these special shades, home and business owners can greatly reduce their energy bills. Child safety has also become a serious consideration when selecting shades. New federal guidelines have been implemented to prevent the strangulation of children and pets. Cords on shades have caused tragic results. Manufacturers have been feverishly working on cordless options to prevent serious injury. Cordless shades should always be installed in rooms that small children occupy. If you currently have corded shades in your home, I strongly suggest that you replace them with one of the new cordless options to prevent a tragedy. Motorization has become a popular option. What was once primarily used for skylight shades is now being used to control the light and energy in your home, even when you are not occupying it. Shades and blinds can be controlled by the push of a button and programmed to suit your lifestyle. The appropriate window covering can make a space more comfortable to love and work in. Recently, I heard from a client who was concerned about how hot his south facing home office was and how uncomfortable it was for him to work in the space. Replacing his wood blinds with more energy efficient shades made a huge difference in making the office a more comfortable place to work. A small change can have a huge impact on the environment of a space. Once the first (or privacy) layer is selected, the fun part starts. Selecting the appropriate soft treatment, valance, roman shade, panels, etc. is the first step. Then, the search for 19 Window Treatments by Diane Diane Guididas [email protected] We’ll Enhance Your Windows to Reflect Your Lifestyle. 609-336-0372 www.windowtreatmentsbydiane.com the perfect fabric begins. Once again, it’s best to begin with the style of the room, color scheme and how the room functions. Starting with a blank slate (like a new house) can be scary for some but music to my ears! I will often ask my clients to select a focal point, something that they love. It might be a plate, a photo, or even a favorite shirt. Then, the fun begins. Once the flooring, wall colors and furniture has been selected, options for the window treatments are discussed. Drapery panels, whether operational or stationary, and roman shades are quite popular now. There are numerous options available in drapery hardware, from traverse rods and medallions to motorization and resin finials. Often, my clients are a bit apprehensive when I suggest fabrics and contrast trims but, once the window treatments are installed, I gain their trust and praise and they can’t wait to begin another project. Color, texture and pattern options are so vast. Styles are always changing. I always tell my client to “trust their gut” on whether they like a certain color or pattern. I’ve been known to visit their closets to determine what colors my clients are attracted to. Swag and jabots, though popular in the past, are being replaced by more tailored, simple styles. Even though board mounted valances have been the used extensively in the past, medallion mounted valances have become a trend. Trim options have become extremely popular. Fringe trim, brush fringe, and beaded fringe are now available in just about every color combination imaginable. Pillows, table covers and table rounds can really pull a design scheme together and finish off a room. If you have a room or a window that you are challenged by, please contact my office so that I can conduct a design consultation and help to navigate you through the maze. Diane Guididas is a member of the National Window Covering Association of America. Diane is a dealer for HunterDouglas, Comfortex, Graber, Norman, Kirsch, Kravet, Robert Allen and many other fabric, trim and hardware distributors. Window Treatments by Diane Phone: 609-336-0372 diane@ windowtreatmentsbydiane.com July / August 2012