An Intro to Window Treatments
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In a recent post, we discussed how having a well-considered lighting scheme tends to be a lower priority on our clients’ to-do lists. Similarly, window treatments are often overlooked. Regardless of style, window treatments can be costly and are not the focal point of any given room and for these reasons, clients often feel that their budget is better spent elsewhere. But here’s the thing, though your window treatments are not (and should not be) the focal point of the room in question, a space without them often feels incomplete. Let us be clear, we’re not suggesting that anyone should splash out on uber-ritzy, designer-fabric drapery in lieu of a couch, for example! Rather, we merely suggest that you take the time to explore the wide world of window coverings. With a plethora of options and materials available, it is certainly possible to find something with an appropriate price tag attached. Here are just three examples of window treatments from our recent projects…
Roman Blinds
To put it simply, Roman blinds are a type of window covering that is designed to partially or fully block out the sun and create privacy. When drawn up, the material gathers into horizontal folds. Romans come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colours and forms. For standard-size windows, you can find Roman blinds anywhere from Etsy to West Elm. If your windows are of a custom size or you have a very specific look in mind, custom Romans are a beautiful, albeit pricey, solution. In our clients’ dining room above, we used these custom Romans to block out the sun during certain times of day and also add texture. Though they are made of a gorgeous orange, patterned fabric, they are by no means the star of the show. Instead, they simply complement the tanned-leather dining chairs and chandelier beautifully.
Drapery
Drapery can work in various rooms within your home but we particularly like it in a bedroom. The long swathes of fabric bring a certain warmth to a bedroom, which makes it incredibly inviting plus, they are also a great way to add colour. Aesthetics and ambience aside though, drapery has a very practical and valuable purpose in a bedroom: they block out light, which is proven to promote better sleep. Similar to the Roman blind, drapery comes in many forms and the cost spectrum is wide. You can buy them “off the rack,” so to speak, anywhere from Pottery Barn to Wayfair or you can go the custom route. In our clients’ bedroom above, we used a heavy, warm-violet fabric to create these custom, ripple-fold drapes on a decorative, chrome rod. The full-length of the drapery brings height to the room and the colour plays beautifully against the Farrow & Ball wallpaper.
Roller Blinds
For a clean and contemporary look that is unobtrusive but effective in filtering out light, we tend to gravitate to roller blinds. With roller blinds, you can select the percentage of light you want to let through or opt for opaque rollers for a complete blackout. They come in a variety of colours and textures and, depending on budget, this type of window treatment is also a great choice if you’re looking for something automated. In this clients’ family room, we installed modern charcoal-coloured roller blinds in keeping with the vibe of the room and to prevent glare, while watching TV.
