Each week Mansion Global tackles an interior design topic with an elite group of designers from around the world who work on luxury properties. This week we look at how to design your home with window treatments.
Window treatments are the ultimate accessories in a room—the finishing touches that can tie everything in the space together. "They become an additional layer of architecture that completes the space and frames the view," said Jason Oliver Nixon of Madcap Cottage in High Point, North Carolina. "In some cases, they can make up for a lack of architecture," he said.
Since there are so many options out there, narrowing down your choices can be tough, so we turned to the design pros for their tips and tricks for dressing your windows with style.
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Don’t Overpower the Space
"Window dressing comes into play at the final stages of a project and is a necessary step to achieve a balanced and complete look for the scheme. The way you design them can dramatically change the message your room is sending.
"I prefer a modern and fairly neutral approach to window treatments, as I don’t always want to make a statement out of them. The room will dictate the fabric choice in most cases. For example, for a formal living room in modern classic interior, I would go for a lighter color for the curtains, without a pattern (a slight texture or movement in the fabric is okay, but don’t do a repetitive large-scale pattern). A trim on the edge could be a nice touch, or we often have a contrasting color border on the lower horizontal part of the curtain. I like the modern look when the curtains just hover above the floor, almost touching it.
"Childrens' rooms are where you can go wild and use large fun patterns. However, I still like to keep it contained within the color scheme of the room."
A whimsical sailboat patterned shade adds character in a sophisticated way to a child's room designed by Anna Lloyd-Jones.
Photography by ALJ Studio— Anna Lloyd-Jones, Founder and Creative Director of London-based ALJ Studio
Add a Decorative Touch
"Window treatments can instantly warm a room and provide the last layer of refined detail. They should complement the style, colors, and tones of the room and add a bit of charm and handmade detail to a space.
"In terms of length, I love a little longer treatment with interlining and blackout fabric so the curtains have body and weight and break at the floor. I always say they should feel like a beautiful ball gown.
"Beautifully made drapery in a neutral linen with a trim can have the same impact of a multipurpose check, floral, or classic plaid or toile. The treatment style ideas and design direction can provide a special opportunity to bring a custom element into your space and add that final touch.
"There are so many beautiful textiles to choose from today, and with the help of a talented seamstress, your creative visions can become reality. Beautiful velvet, natural linen, embroidery, and classic crewelwork are a few of my favorites."
"Surround yourself with a pattern that you love. Much like a piece of art, oriental rugs, or pillows, when you consider your patterns and design of your window treatments, you should really love the fabric and make a statement."
— Zionsville, Indiana-based designer Julie Browning Bova
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Maximize the Effect
"If you have small windows that don’t have much of a view, draping them fully and making the drapes larger than the actual windows can create a dramatic statement that masks flaws.
"You want the color of your window treatments to work with the other colors in your room and round out the entire look. Look for materials like cotton, linen, silk, or lightweight velvet—all of which drape nicely. You can also have your draperies lined to create a fuller look.
"Pattern works wonders on window treatments. Make sure the one you choose is in scale with the size of your window. The larger your pattern, the larger the window needs to be to really show it off. Consider how the pattern will look when fabricated into a drapery panel or shade. A 54-inch-wide piece of fabric, for example, will shrink down to approximately 20 inches in width once it is pleated into a panel. When this happens, your pattern will not look the same as it did on a flat piece of fabric.
"Curtains should be to the floor if you are doing large panels, and to the sill if you are doing a café-style treatment. It really depends on the architecture of the window itself."
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Subtle tonal patterned drapery adds dimension and plays off the prints in this living room designed by Madcap Cottage.
Courtesy of Madcap Cottage— Jason Oliver Nixon of Madcap Cottage in High Point, North Carolina
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