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Window Treatment Tips – Dress Up Your Draperies On A
Budget
An important element in our home décor is fabric window
treatments. So often we search for the right style only
to find that the curtain or drapery is not available in
the color we want. Or we find a great color panel, but
cannot purchase it in the size we need. While custom
window draperies and hardware products are designed to
fit your particular home décor and lifestyle, ready made
draperies, with a little imagination, can be altered to
suit your design style and personality. Whether you
would like to incorporate a room theme or just add some
flair to generic drapery panels and hardware, the
following are a few design tips to help you dress up
your draperies on a budget.
Trims and Tassels
It’s the little things that can make a big difference
when it comes to formal or exquisite drapery design.
Just like the jewelry we wear to dress up an outfit,
trims and tassels can perk up an ordinary curtain panel
in the same way. Many local craft and fabric stores
carry a variety of trim and fringes that can be
purchased by the yard. Trim can easily be sewn to the
edges of the drapery by machine or hand to create a
border. Trim used in a contrasting color from the
drapery fabric, can be a striking embellishment. Choose
an elegant or shimmering brush fringe, ribbon loop trim,
lace ruffle or dangling beaded trim. Trim is back in
style.
Tassels can also be purchased in various sizes, textures
and colors to complement any design style. A simple
cotton drapery panel can look elegant when it is adorned
with a silk tassel as a tieback. Tassels can be hung
from the end of the drapery rods as well to lend a
formal feel to the décor of the room. You can even
secure a small tassel onto a curtain valance for a
decorator touch.
Creative Tiebacks
While tiebacks are functional by pulling draperies to
the sides of the window to allow light in, they can also
be made from anything that does the trick. Try using
cord or twine for a nautical theme, raffia for a natural
element in the room, or ribbons and tulle for a little
girl’s room.
Dress up Tab Top Curtains
Popular tab top curtains can be personalized in your
rooms by adding a little detail to the tab. Sew on a
large button to each tab in a contrasting color or
unique shape. Tie ribbon or a string of beads around
each tab. Attach the short end of a team’s banner to the
top edge of a curtain panel just below the tab, in a
sport themed room. Or create your own tabs from fabric
remnants.
Jazzed Up Drapery Rods
Curtain and drapery rods do so much more for a room than
hold up your curtains. Drapery rods are the
ornamentation of the room and allow you to express your
style. Even the most simple of drapery panels can be
dramatized when hung from a decorative rod. Replace
standard café rods with an iron or metal rod in a
complementary finish to your décor. Changing from a
functional traverse rod to a decorative traverse style
can completely enhance the look of a room without
breaking the bank.
For little money you add fun and whimsy to a room by
jazzing up your own curtain rods. Plain wooden finials
and rods can be painted in the colors of a favorite
sport team in a youth bedroom. Scout your craft store
for various items that can be adhered to a wooden finial
such as beads, sequins or small mosaic tiles, for added
sparkle.
Extra long panels
Do you find it difficult to cover extra long or high
windows in your room? Why not purchase two contrasting
color panels and sew them lengthwise together. You can
puddle the excess fabric on the floor or cut and hem
them to the desired length.
Impressive, one of a kind curtains and draperies can be
the focal point of any room. Shop around your local
craft and fabric stores for items that can be sewn or
attached to ready made draperies. Or shop around your
own home for items that can be re-purposed. Lace, old
silk scarves, men’s ties, pockets from unused shirts or
jeans can add charm and personality to an ordinary
curtain. Just use a little ingenuity and you can create
an original window fashion for your home interior.
Article Submitted 01/10/07 By:
Mary M Bajor, CWTC
A Beautiful Room - Interior Redesign & Decorating
(845) 216-5928
www.abeautifulroom.net
mary@abeautifulroom.net |
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