Unique Window Treatment Ideas

Let there be light: Window treatments save money, complete decor

With energy efficient glass now doing the job of keeping out the cold, windows can finally do what they were meant to do - let in the light.

“They (homeowners) want to let as much light in as they can,” said Deborah Majchrzak, who designs, sews and installs custom curtains from her home in Kawkawlin.

Majchrzak said homeowners have gone from heavy, elaborate drapes to simple panels that frame the window sans tiebacks and valances. And with the emphasis off ornate fabrics, it’s all eyes on glitzy drapery rings and curtain rods made from stainless steel, bronze and other metals.

“It’s more of a sleek or tailored look,” said Majchrzak, who has been in the window treatment business for about 15 years. “They’re not tied back. They don’t have all of the big valances like they used to.”

The stationary panels accomplish two things, Majchrzak said: Their vertical lines can make a window look longer by bringing the eye up to the top of a room, and their simplicity can bring a comfortable coziness into a décor.   

“It softens the room a little so that it’s not so hard looking or industrial looking,” she said.

And these days, behind every good curtain is a good blind.

Tim Apple, co-owner with his brother Dan Apple of Tri City Blinds in Freeland, said one of the newest trends is blinds that can be opened and closed or tilted up or down without having to get off the couch. 

Motorized blinds, which aren’t entirely inspired by laziness, have been around for awhile. But new designs that can be operated by remote control are making them a must-have for homes with arched windows, skylights and other unique and hard-to-reach spaces, Apple said. 

“Motorization is really coming on strong,” Apple said. “It’s becoming more and more popular. A lot of the bigger houses have windows that you just can’t reach.”

The blinds can be operated with a remote control or can be hard-wired into a wall switch. Some styles can be set up to track the sun by external light or by the hour of the day and time of year, and smart shades can be programmed to raise or lower in response to changing daylight conditions.

Tri City Blinds and other companies that specialize in custom window treatments take the guesswork out of buying blinds with a free in-house consultation to get the right measurements. Most will also bring samples to help give homeowners design ideas. 

And when finished, most companies will have a professional installer hang them.

Design Ideas | Window treatments window the world

Window treatments are, perhaps, the most important aspect of room design. The window treatments not only help define the style of the room but also are the main source of energy efficiency, protecting our rooms from heat, cold and sun damage. Most often, window treatments will be layered.

The first layer will usually be one of the many varying styles of blinds, shades or shutters and will be operated daily for light and privacy control. The shade and blind manufacturers are quickly keeping up with technology so we can control them via remote, a light switch or even the Internet.

The decorative layers of a window treatment can be as unique and varied as the room it complements. Whether sleek, clean and contemporary, rustic and rough-hewn or opulent and luxurious, there are fabrics and window treatment styles to coordinate. There has also been an explosion of fabulous new decorative drapery rods and accessory hardware designs lately.

We are seeing Zen-chic bamboo in Roman shades and decorative drapery hardware. “Luxe” fabrics which, as you would expect, are lush and showy with bold colors and textures that beg to be touched combine beautifully with the rich and opulent “Renaissance” wood drapery rod collection from Kirsch. Soft flowing sheer fabrics with gorgeous burn-out designs are used in both homespun and contemporary settings and can be used either lined or unlined depending on light control needs.

Today's offerings of fabrics are much more diverse than in the past. Our obsession with organic and natural products has paved the way for fabrics with anti-microbial and anti-fungal traits woven into the yarn. Besides stain, mildew and mold resistant fabrics, the concern of VOAs has lead to fabrics being dyed with non toxic dyes. The fabric manufacturers have greatly improved these types of fabric as far as color and print choices, and most importantly, the way they feel to the touch.

As with all room design, your lifestyle and preferences will dictate the choice of fabric, color, style and function of your window treatments. As a designer, my job is to help you make the best selections, using my vast suppliers and workrooms, to create an inviting space that you will enjoy for a long time to come.

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