Simple Steps to Dressing a Window. 

 

   Window treatments has always been a hobby of mine and have appeared in many forms and styles. As an artist sometimes they would appear in my drawings or paintings and I would use them to add drama to the piece. I would  buy tons of tapestry or cloth so I could throw them around my studio. I always love color and was never afraid to use it. To me cloth were like paints at the end of the brush. They always created that dramatic effect that my guest would oooooh and aaaaah over. The reaction was brought on with the overall design of the room but with the right window treatment, it made the effect even that much better. For centuries artist, magicians and designers have used curtains as a tool to create dramatic effect in paintings, the stage or in a room. 
 
   The Choices for window treatment could be so overwhelming that most people throw there hands in the air and give up. To make it more manageable we must first break it down into sections. First thing is to narrow down the "mood" you want to create in the room. This is when you find  out colors and type of drapes (cloth) your going to use. Second try not to over do it and look at a lot of pictures to get the imagination going. What also helps is to try to look at the whole wall where the window opens and not just the window. Third and finally is to  get to work. Remember that it will take time and effort, and you might not get it right the first time. But once you do the rewards are great.
 
 The first step is to look over the room and feel or see what kind of an effect  you want to create. This is a good time to start looking at pictures to get ideas and to spark the imagination.  Try to pick out the color and cloth you are going to use at this point. Try to narrow it down to 3-5 choices. You can use colors to create  moods. Solid colored drapes add dimension to the fabric and works best in large rooms with large windows. You can pick certain colors from the room like pillows or rugs to coordinate your theme or color. Limit patterned cloth to smaller rooms.  Too much patterns on the fabric could be overwhelming on large rooms and windows. I would only use patterns as an accent and according to the mood you want to set.  The window treatment should be a secondary player in the over all effect of the room.  You can keep a small scrap book to help you organize your ideas.
   
  Second, don't over do it and break it down into "acts" or sections. Most people and sometimes designer themselves, have the tendency to over dress the window. Too many layers, tassels or heavy cloths can drown the window and room. If you are trying to do a period piece then I would do the research and apply what is appropriate. You can also use a sheer curtain as a first layer to give you privacy and "fuse" the light. For centuries artist have used this tool in their studios to even the lighting. This works best for Northern and Southern windows.
       
   To get an idea to window treatment  what I find that helps, is to look at the wall and not just the window. Look at how the window  "opens" in the wall. If there are two windows on a the same wall then it's easy enough to have them both dress the same. But if there are 3 windows in the room but are not in the same wall then I would dress them 2-1: the one would be dressed differently. Creating that slight drama. You can also create an accent wall to achieve the same effect but that is a different topic that will get to some other time. Remember to always look or gauge the wall to the room. Try to keep your focus on the mood that you are creating. Don’t be afraid to use colors and trust your first instinct.  
 
  Finally, get started. Narrow down the color and type of fabric you are going to use based on the mood you want to create. By this point you should have narrowed it down to 2-3 choices on the color and type of fabric. Buy several sample pieces and place them around to get a fell of what they are going to look like. Don't over do it with the patterns and tassels. Solids color works best in large room with large windows. The idea to window treatment is to break down the room into walls. You can create a different "act" with each wall but don't forget to always have the mood in the back of your mind as your guide. Creation always takes work, But the rewards go beyond the physical or the monetary. Creation rest in the heart and the mind and the act in it self is the reward.