Shhhhh…did you know that window treatments are a decorator’s secret weapon? Although you may not remember the curtains or shades you saw in a particular location, it’s likely that the treatment on the windows played a huge part in completing the look of the room. Whether you’re looking to add elegance, drama, modernity or pop, window treatments can transform any space.
Tall, large scale windows, such as those found in pre-war and loft-style buildings, provide the best opportunity to use curtains in your home. This pre-war building at 1095 Park Avenue has glorious seven-foot windows just begging for long curtains to grace them.
Photo by Lucia Engstrom
Modern buildings (those built since the 1950s) tend to have smaller windows so using shades typically works better. To make a small window appear larger, try mounting your shades on the outside of the window. The Roman shades pictured here were designed with an overhanging flap at the top and a two inch chocolate brown border for a children’s room at 60 East 88th Street.
Photo by Lucia Engstrom
Patterned or colored window treatments can be used to liven a space and will lend a playful feel to any room. For example, add a colored trim detail or contrast border to your solid color curtains for a more dynamic feel. A valance can be used to make a window feel more formal and tailored. If bold statements aren’t your thing, use a sheer fabric that will let in light and offer the space softness and elegance, such as the ones used here in a turn of the century building at 16 East 96th Street.
Photo by Lucia Engstrom
None of this should intimidate you: it’s easy to create beautiful, semi-customized window treatments yourself. Visit The Shade Store online or stop by any one of their three New York City locations. And if you thought Restoration Hardware wasn’t doing enough amazing things, they now offer semi-custom shades as well! For full customization, contact Lore Decorators at (212) 534-1025. They will send a specialist to your home to discuss your needs and to take measurements, and will deliver your shades or curtains for installation when the order is complete. What are you waiting for?
1 Comment
I love the decals you have for the wall they are so cute. Since it is alraedy like an outdoor scene with the flowers maybe paint the bottom half a pretty green color different than the stems and the top a pretty blue color. On Behr.com I really like the Fresh Greens (460B-5) for the green and maybe Tropical Holiday (530B-6) for the blue? While I like that idea of going with a green and a blue to create a landscape, I also like choosing a randomly girly color to go with the decals like in the pic your posted. What about a purple color or a yellow?