The Art of Window Treatment

Window treatments – that oft overlooked design element – can be hugely impactful to great room design. It tends to be the last thing we think about (much to the room’s detriment!) when we plan our design. Simply put, they’re one of the best ways to help express a unique design aesthetic and punch up the room’s personality.

There are tons of reasons to consider your window treatment, but first, please consider The Golden Rule of drape placement.

DON’T:                                                                          DO:

These two windows are exactly the same size, but the window on the right looks much larger. This, my friends is the secret to hanging draperies. Always, always, hang your drapes to the ceiling! Where possible, extend the drapes wider horizontally. This will make so much difference folks! Just say no to bad drape placement.

So, what are the advantages of a great window treatment?

Practicality. Most people want the option of privacy and the added insulation provided by window treatments.

Drama. Nothing says drama like floor-to-ceiling panels of creamy, luxurious fabric, and there is no more obvious way to add airy drama in flash.

Personality. Window treatments are just another way to express your design aesthetic and style – pick something fun that complements your design but expresses a different side of your style!

Continuity. See how the drapes below really carry the design through the whole room? They complement the accent colors, shapes, and patterns, creating a far more cohesive look.

Texture. Texture is a great tool to help a design feel more complete – especially if you’re going for a more subtle look, textured window treatments add an extra layer of interest.

Pattern. In case you hadn’t noticed, window treatments are a fabulous way to introduce all types of pattern – they cover a ton of surface area, but are an easier and safer way to incorporate pattern than a wallpaper or large furniture piece.

Color. Beautiful bright drapes all but eliminate the need for any other accent color in the room – how easy is that?

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Bookcase 101: Ten Designer Tricks for Styling

Holy Smokes, I’m not sure what it is, but boy people sure do struggle with accessorizing shelves. Too much, too little, too small too big – it can be overwhelming to try to balance the proportion, color and volume of a styled bookcase. It takes practice, but with a little study you can achieve a well-styled bookcase that finishes, rather than detracts from the room.

1. Remove everything from your shelves (and realize they need a good dusting…) Starting with a blank canvas will help you see the space anew and replace only what you love.

2. Edit your books. Relegate paperbacks to your nightstand. Organize your books into several stacks and sort by size.

3. Place your largest items – a grouping of books, storage baskets, vases, larger framed photos – on the bottom shelves to ground your bookcase.

4. Use the top shelf to visually “frame” the bookcase by running small books of similar heights across the top.

5. There is more than one way to skin a cat – and stack a book. Stacking books in varying directions can add interest while cutting down the need for too many cluttering accessories.

6. Layer it – layering some objects of varying heights in front of and behind each other can turn a lackluster shelf into a great vignette.

7. Group things in odd numbers. This balances the shelf visually and keeps it from falling flat.

8. Make it personal. Reserve a couple of shelves to just showcase things you truly enjoy –a family photo or a statuette. Finish off with small items, but use sparingly! (A pretty shell or a vintage clock, maybe.) And please. No stuffed animals.

9. Peruse the home decor aisles of Target, Crate & Barrel, and Ikea for inexpensive and seasonal items. Check out local budget bookstores for reasonably priced hardback coffee table books.

10. Give your stuff some breathing room. Leave at least 10-15% of each shelf open.

Step back and assess. Is there too much stuff on one side? Too many black things on that one shelf? Is it too symmetrical? Don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfect right away. None of these rules are hard and fast – you may prefer your shelves to have more books, less books, fuller, emptier, themed-by-color or jumbled up. Take a few days and play around with it!