Beautiful Windows

Cornices,

2011-04-19T11:02:00.000-07:00

Cornices, whether upholstered, wood, metal or soft, provide an eye-catching focal point in any room. These treatments can be a great solution for those areas in the home that cannot accommodate a full drapery panel – and yet provide the beauty of fabric nonetheless. And in my case, my window is directly above a very wide file cabinet. There’s no room for draperies; even curtains would crowd the area too much.
Many architectural flaws have been hidden by cornices as well: consider that windows of uneven height can be made to appear level by employing a cornice or two; some can even be hinged on one side to swing out from a window or French door, in case access is required on an infrequent basis.
Unlike many window treatments, cornices are not about addressing immediate needs such as sun control or privacy issues; more so, they celebrate much of what is joyful about having a beautiful window to appreciate. Cornices often will “finish” the design of a window by hiding drapery hardware or even a damaged window frame and will also add another dimension of detail to a room. And don’t forget: cornices do not need to be fabric covered in order to meld well with a room. Consider how a wood cornice can add architectural detail; how a wallpapered cornice could blend with similarly papered walls; or how a painted cornice could provide an attractive accent. Each choice will change the look and feel of the interior.

The difference between curtains and drapes?

2011-04-08T13:07:00.001-07:00

Ever wondered about the difference between curtains and drapes? Traditionally curtains had a function; they filtered outdoor light or blocked the light when drawn. Drapes are mostly ornate and are made of richer fabrics and are hung to the ground making drapes the more formal of the two. This is mostly a speculative difference; it really depends on who you talk to. A homeowner uses the term curtains and professional designer refers to drapes.
Before purchasing drapes determine the function of the drapes. Drapes can be used as the focal point of a window treatment that enhances your decorating style. Drapes can also serve practical purposes like manipulating direct sunlight and increasing privacy in certain areas in the home. Purchasing the wrong fabric for your drapes can affect how the drapes hang, the desired effect of the window treatment and the drapes overall appearance. There are many different types of fabric that drapes can be made from; silk drapes, velvet drapes and cotton drapes. Choose a fabric that suits your decorating style and also the location of the window requiring the drapes. Remember that some fabrics like silk drapes tend to be damaged by the sun and should not be hung in windows that receive a lot of sunlight. The other types of fabrics make excellent draperies but have draw backs too. For example cotton and rayon make excellent drapes but on the flip side they wrinkle easily and also have a tendency to shrink. Brocade makes perfect formal and room darkening drapes but is not suitable for kitchen drapes which need to be light and airy.
Draperies when properly installed complete window treatment. Some drapes may require a combination of drapes and blinds to complete the look. This all depends on the style of the window and the drape function.
Drapes can be store bought or handmade. Store bought drapes tend to be costly, especially silk and velvet drapes. For a perfect fit on your window drapes it is best to make your own drapes. Making drapes does not need to be an overwhelming task. You do not have to be an accomplished seamstress to make your own drapes. All you need is the ability to measure and sew some stitches. Choose your fabric carefully taking into account the fabrics compatibility with the rest of your room's décor. After a careful study of magazines you start to have a better understanding of the style drape you want. Measure the windows and decide on the drapes length. Full length drapes fall to the floor and require a heavier material to drape effectively. Drapes that hang halfway from the window sill to the floor are called apron length and require modestly heavy material since draping is not as important. Remember, for the width of the drapes double the window measurement for the length of the fabric. Add a foot to the length of the drapes. This addition is for the pleating and hemming of the drapes. There is a lot of information on how to make drapes available. Find a book or website with instructions on how to make the many different styles of drapes available.
Improperly chosen Drapes can draw negative attention to your windows
Once you are finished with your drapes make sure you hang them properly. Improperly hung drapes can ruin your window treatment. When hanging your draperies make sure they are pressed and wrinkle free. Provide yourself with ample working room to lay the drapes out while threading them onto the rod. Hang the rod onto the bracket and work to space the gathers out evenly starting by bunching the gathers in the middle and working your way outwards towards the edge.

Interior Design

2011-03-29T11:42:00.000-07:00

Interior design is a multi–faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment and home lifestyle enhancement.
The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis, and integration of knowledge into the creative process, whereby the needs and resources of the client are satisfied to produce an interior space that fulfills the project goals.

A style, or theme, is a consistent idea used throughout a room to create a feeling of completeness. Styles are not to be confused with design concepts, or the higher-level party, which involve a deeper understanding of the architectural context, the social-cultural and the programmatic requirements of the client.

These themes often follow period styles. Examples of this are Louis XV, Louis XVI, Victorian, Islamic, Feng Shui, International, Mid-Century Modern, Minimalist, English Georgian, Gothic, Indian Mughal, Art Deco, and many more. The evolution of interior decoration themes has now grown to include themes not necessarily consistent with a specific period style allowing the mixing of pieces from different periods. Each element should contribute to form, function, or both and maintain a consistent standard of quality and combine to create the desired design. A designer develops a home architecture and interior design for a customer that has a style and theme that the prospective owner likes and mentally connects to. For the last 10 years, decorators, designers, and architects have been re-discovering the unique furniture that was developed post-war of the 1950s and the 1960s from new material that were developed for military applications. Some of the trendsetters include Charles and Ray Eames, Knoll and Herman Miller. Themes in home design are usually not overused, but serves as a guideline for designing.