Designer Tips

The Art of Illusion
Giving small, narrow windows dramatic impact can be quite the design challenge. One possible solution is to use panels to widen and elongate the look of the window.

Mount panels above the window and let them puddle at the floor to lengthen the look. To enhance the width, order
the panels slightly larger than the normal ordered width.

Order the panels in a light-color and/or pull back one side of the panels with a tieback or holdback.

Develop a design sensibility. Look through decorating magazines and clip or mark examples of fabrics, window treatments and rooms that appeal to you. Although they may seem unrelated at first, you’ll come to recognize a pattern to your preferences.

Keep the Whole Room in Mind. It may seem obvious that window fashions should relate to the rest of your décor, and
vice versa, but it’s easy to lose track of the numerous elements while you focus on the details of just one component.

Begin with Colors You Like. Open your eyes to the natural world and the world of fashion, and note the colors and
palettes you find most appealing. Looking through travel magazines helps you determine which colors appeal to you in
nature. Translate these to your selections as you choose colors.

Think Long-Term. Quiet colors may wear better visually than strong ones.

Acknowledge the Sun. Color is affected by the direction of the light. Windows facing south and east let in warm, cheery
light. Indirect northern light is softer and cooler. Intense western light is harsher.

Check the Light by Day and Night. Color changes under different light conditions. Tape a sample of fabric to the wall
and look at it at different times of the day and in lamplight.

Expect Impact from Volume. The more there is of a color, the stronger it looks. Bright and offbeat colors may work
better as accents than as principal fabric.

Let Colors Repeat. Patterns that share at least one color combine easily, and solid-color fabrics in hues picked up from a
pattern enhance visual harmony.

Small Patterns Read as Texture. From a distance, you won’t discern the detail of a small pattern; you’ll just get an
overall impression that it is livelier than the effect of a solid color.

Medium-Size Patterns are Versatile. Their details are easy to see and they don’t overwhelm other parts of the décor.
Large patterns have Power and Pitfalls. They add drama and distinction but may make a small space seem smaller.
Plus their details may be lost in the pleats and folds of some treatment styles.

A Mix of Scales Creates Interest. Combine small, medium and large-scale patters in a single treatment or in the overall
décor.

Three is Better Than Two. A combination of three patterns, or two patterns and a solid, is usually more interesting. If
only two patterns are used, choose small and medium, or medium and large; don’t combine relative patterns.

Distribute Pattern Throughout the Space. Placing pattern only at the windows may throw your décor off balance.
Order some cut yardage and have some pillows or accents made.

Consider the Surface. Whether smooth, coarse, shiny, matte, nubby, velvety or some combination of these, the surface of the material-whether fabric, wood, vinyl, bamboo, or something else—will reflect or absorb light in different ways. The
smoother the surface, the more lustrous the effect.

Structure Creates Texture. Open weave and quilted fabrics have dimensional surfaces. Pleated, gathered, swagged, and layered window treatments add visual texture to the walls – even if the fabric is plain.

Texture Adds Patterns. If the weave of a fabric is obvious, it contributes to visual activity in the room. Monochromatic
schemes are more interested if they feature a mix of textures. A texture also enhances schemes that have a mix of solid
colors.

Sheer Fabrics Spread Color and Texture. When light filters through sheers, the shadows that are cast add interest to
the surroundings. If the sheer fabric has a prominent weave, like lace, or is embroidered, the effect is more pronounced.

Handle the Fabric. While there are many right fabric choices for every type of window treatment, some kinds of fabric
won’t be successful for some kinds of treatments. Order a fabric swatch and handle and manipulate your final selections to determine if the fabric will create the effect you desire.

Fabrics:

Draperies and valances are pleated without regard for the pattern. Generally this is not an issue except when using fabrics with VERTICAL STRIPS AND DESIGNS, because of the variation in fullness and fabric width, a vertical line will not fall at the same place from pleat to pleat. Rod pocket styles would be a better choice for these types of fabrics.

Heavy or loosely constructed fabrics are more prone to sagging and drooping; therefore, the hemlines can rise and drop noticeably.

Upholstery fabrics will work well for cornices and certain valances. They DO NOT work well as drapery.

Synthetic fibers are generally more durable and consistent in quality than natural fibers.

Polyester is stable, durable, sun fast, wrinkle proof as well as resistant to mildew and sun rot.

Cotton, a stable durable fiber, will wrinkle, shrink, fade and rot in the sun if not treated.

Linen, while very durable, does shrink, stink and wrinkle.

Moiré fabrics are very unstable and should not be used on styles that require an exact hemline. Select a style that puddles or poufs.

Chintz fabrics are still and tend to show wrinkles. It is not recommended for styles that required the fabric to be shaped
into soft curves.

The color of sheer fabrics intensifies once it is gathered or pleated. Be sure to gather the sample to view a truer representation of the finished product color.

Satins have a beautiful luster, offer a wide range of colors and are a good value. Care should be taken when dressing satins as they do stretch if exposed to moisture or spot if they get wet.

Silks will have variations in color and texture within a single piece and from one piece to another. This is the character of the fabric and is not a flaw or defect. Sunlight could cause variation in color so the fabric isn’t guaranteed against fading, color fastness or durability.

Crinkled or crushed fabric will not form a straight line. These fabrics shouldn’t be used in styles that require an exact
hemline. Select styles that puddle or pouf.