Rooms with a View, Decorating your Windows
The
windows and window treatments in a home are a very important
design feature. They give you a frame for the outdoor views
and help to tie the entire design style together from the
inside.
Today
there are a great variety of treatments to give a grand
or simple dressing to our interiors.
One
of the most important features of a window covering is its
function. Do you need light protection? Privacy? Insulation?
Many different treatments can provide any of these needs,
so it depends on personal preference and style.
The
most typical comment from homeowners is: I don't want to
affect my view.
My response
is: we need to protect the interior of the home for the
longevity of the furnishing, flooring and carpets.
The
sun in the Sierra is very intense. Even with low E glass,
there must be a treatment that will provide blockage of
the UV rays.
I try
to offer the most protection with the best style for each
individual home.
Originally
window shades that pulled down on a roller or Venetian blinds
were one of the only choices. Later pleated shades, honeycomb
shades, woven wood shades and then mini blinds were introduced
to the design professionals.
After
that there were wood blinds that became popular in the 1980's.
When
Sierra Design Studio opened in the late 1980's, we used
wood blinds to give windows a variety in the light protection.
From the complete block out of light to completely open,
as well as a variation when the blinds are down, wood blinds,
mini blinds and even Silloute Window Shading systems, give
the homeowner a great variety of window coverage options.
With
wood blinds there are many different colors and looks that
you can order to compliment any home décor.
Newer on the window covering scene are the mesh style shades.
These shades offer different levels of sun protection while
still having a view of the outdoors. They work especially
well on large windows, as they are light in weight and they
can be motorized or battery operated.
The
screen window coverings come in a variety of colors to match
or blend with the interior décor. Alone, they have
a modern look, but they can be used under drapes for a traditional
window treatment.
Roman
Shades have also made a comeback in window treatments. One
of the great features of the product is the insulating factor
that can be incorporated into the shades. There are even
shades that are marketed as a window blanket. This would
be especially nice if a homeowner lived in a home with windows
that were not airtight and wanted to save on heating by
closing them at night to save on the heating cost. They
would be especially nice in the colder climates. The only
drawback with this type of window covering is that there
are only two options for its use: UP or DOWN.
Another
style that is very popular in the shade or Roman Shade style
is the bamboo and wood style woven shades.
These
newer styles are used in rustic, tropical and casual window
treatments, or as mentioned above, underneath a traditional
drapery for a layered look that give options to controlling
sunlight and privacy.
Of course, there is always the important window covering,
Drapery.
Today,
there is such a great variety in fabrics, trims, tie backs
and hard wear, it difficult to know where to start. From
linens, velvets, patterns and fantastic colors the choices
are endless. For help with coordinating your entire room,
consult a professional to get the most out of your budget.
We use
wrought iron or wood rods in a rustic application. We even
have traversing iron rods available. (That means it draws
the drape with strings on the side of the drape).
Many
of the new homes that we are working on are completed with
drapery and other window coverings that help to create a
warm and cozy interior.
I am
currently working on a beautiful home that has 14 ft. long
drapes in the great room, held back with tassels and chocolate
screens that are motorized underneath. That way the homeowner
and enjoy the magnificent view while they are visiting and
when they are not here their home is protected for the harsh
sunlight by drawing the drapes to block out all the light
and keep the home warmer when they are not here.
No matter
what window covering you choose, remember to cover your
windows, especially in the winter when the sun is lower
and shining directly into your home. This way you'll have
years of enjoyment from you beautiful Mountain Home.
