Drapery panels, the new trend for window dressing!

We have noticed the past few years that the way to dress a window has become simple and practical!

Simple drapery panels have been the trend for many years now, most homeowners might start with blinds for privacy or sun control, then stationary panels are added for adding warmth, style, and to dress-up a room.

One can use a very simple panel treatment, one color panel, that will add color or texture, or sometimes the drapery panel can have more details that might bring more character to the room.

Here are few ideas that can be used to create style and character to the room:

• Adding Buttons:  Buttons would definitely change the overall look of a panel, it can be added to the bottom of pleats, on the sides
  

  Kick pleats with buttons and pinch pleats sheers

   

  

  Duette Architella by Hunter Douglas as the first layer for energy saving and privacy, the side panels form the second layer to add style.

  

  Mock sheers under printed linen fabric, and grouped buttons in the accent fabric.

   

• Creating a layered look using two fabrics over each other for one stationary panel: You can have the first fabric as the first layer and the second layer in sheer that lays on top of the first layer.

 

 

• Selecting unique fabric to make a statement: The type of fabric in terms of pattern, color, texture, and type can create a huge impact. The image below has a very distinctive pattern that enhances the furnishing and the rest of the room and surrounding  The fabric in the image above shows a cut-out fabric that adds a fun textural element to the room.

 

For a distinctive and unique custom, drapery designs call us at (630) 420-0800

We offer a complimentary consultation and estimates!

Top 3 Drapery Trends for todays home!

Drapery Trends: Panels Are Perfect In So Many Places

 

In recent years, we’ve seen increasing use of drapery panels as window treatments, replacing swag treatments or valances in popularity.

Most drapery panels are used to add warmth to a room. Most are stationary panels that also serve as something of a palette, letting people add patterns, textures, and colors to their rooms to create their own special look.

Simplicity is the trend in drapery panel design. The eye-catching details are in the fabric itself, or in the pleating – or perhaps decorative hardware is the design element that adds the “wow” factor to the window treatment. The design itself is clean and simple; it’s the extras that express creativity and individual style.

Private Residence

Drapery panels in urban homes are almost always stationary, and they’re often combined with shades or blinds for privacy. The pleating styles most frequently used include French pleats (sometimes called tacked-top pleats), or two-finger pleats, which is my personal preference because they look awesome and so very rich. Ripple folds also are a favorite in urban homes because they stack so well and allow more “view exposure,” which is especially important in high-rise condominiums where the view is sacred!

In the suburbs, however, most clients like a bit more decorative flair in their panels (at least this has been my observation), although some clients do request simplicity to complement their “clean look” design style.

Horizontal banding in one or more contrasting colors can be fun, as are buttons, unusual pleating, decorative hardware, and “breaking” on the floor, which is very trendy at the moment and preferred by many clients. One reason for the popularity of panels that break on the floor is because it’s frequently seen on television programs, such as HGTV, and in home décor magazine.

The variety of beautiful fabrics available in the market today is astonishing. Fabrics with shiny stones, sparkles, modern embroidery, and shimmery elements are all very popular. And all kinds of textures can be woven into the fabric, which makes them special and unique!

The use of short rods on each side of the window is growing in popularity, and panels are even sometimes mounted on boards instead of on rods.

Dressing up windows with panels enhances the height of the space and gives it a finished look. Consider some of these fun drapery panel projects I have recently completed and give me a call with ideas of how YOU would like to dress up YOUR windows!

Call (630)420-0800 or (630) 854-9082.

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Modern Draperies

The client’s style is modern. She likes simplicity and strives to find unique items for her home. The Baker dining set was purchased years ago for a modern urban home. The challenge was to create contemporary-style window coverings to complement a space with traditional touches – such as the crystal chandelier that came with the house – which she was not ready to change.

The client wanted privacy at night and semi-privacy during the day, to diffuse a less-than-desirable view of a brick wall. She wanted formality and said she loves metallic, sparkly fabrics and décor.

Allure from Lafayette provided the privacy and semi-privacy she was after. Several of its fabrics have shimmery, metallic characteristics. One nice discovery was that the mounting space was perfect for an inside mount, the client’s preference.

The depth and texture of the drapery fabric were a perfect choice. The cut-outs gave it a unique look, and the color provided enough contrast to be interesting but not so much as to distract from the room’s other focal points.

The client absolutely loves the fluttering effect the draperies have whenever the air conditioning is on. (I had noticed air registers on each side of the windows, and I knew the fabric cut-outs would move when air circulated around the fabric. So happy the client appreciates my vision!)

Award Wining Draperies,

These Custom draperies had won the 2nd place International award at the Vision annual design competition!

The category of the competition was the creative use of drapery hardware and trim.

 

Imagine my surprise when I saw this window for the first time! My first thought was, “It is going to be a challenge installing any treatment for this window!”

The client expressed her desire to have the window treatment as “open” as possible since her family likes the light and the beautiful view of the lake. She also said she likes swags. Her third request was to design the window treatment with the chandelier in mind. And she also requested that the color of the fabric complement her existing furnishings and the beautiful Persian rug in the room.

A textured sheer fabric was selected for the cascading swags in order to keep the window open, as the client requested. Layered side panels sweep down from the second tier of the window to the floor, with a slight break to give definition to the window and visually support the swags. The first layer is interlined silk, and the textured sheer used for the swag comes over as a second layer to create a visual connection. The soft mango color of the fabric was selected because it beautifully complements the client’s furnishings.

The hardware was created by connecting several wrought iron pieces from the Helser Brothers Artigiani collection. The pieces selected resemble the chandelier; the crystal pieces were carefully selected and added to create a unique design which looks perfect with the chandelier!

Custom draperies!

The advantage of having custom draperies is having the freedom to select what you desire and not be restricted by what is available on the store shelves.

For example, take a look below, the client wanted a contemporary fabric, have the draperies go all the way to the ceiling, have the fabric and hardware colors in the gray color family, have a two finger pleat for a modern look, have a black-out lining since it is a media room, the black-out will help in giving extra darkening feature to the room.

Once you experience the beauty, the flexibility in choice, and the fine construction of custom draperies, you will not think about store bought curtains again.

Full length custom draperies for media room

Two finger pleats and modern hardware, make this custom draperies outstanding!