Window Treatments - Is It Time For New Window Treatments In Your Home?

Photo courtesy of Hunter Douglas

If Your Window Treatments Are 7 Years Old - It's Time For A New Look

How do you know if it's time for a new look in your home? One of the first things I look at when I visit a home for a design consultation are the window treatments. After about seven years, window treatments may need refreshing. Perhaps the color of the fabric has faded, it's time for a color change in the home or there is a need for more or less privacy in a room.

When done right, window treatments are the finishing touch to a room, like jewelry is to your outfit. So, just like our wardrobes, window treatments need to be updated now and then. For instance, you may want room darkening shades in a new baby's room or maybe you've changed your furniture and want a cleaner, less cluttered decorating style.

Seven years ago window treatments had a different look than today's current style. While some people may still like the look of swags and trims, I find that the' less is more' approach is more up to date with the times. People want simplicity, ease of use and fabrics that are fade resistant, energy efficient, child safe and environmentally friendly.

Do you like your window treatments? Are they working for you or is it time to look into bringing your rooms up to date?

Check back for my next blog post on the questions to consider when looking for a new window treatment for your home.

Mary Alice Smith of M. A. Smith, Ltd. Interior Design serving New Jersey, Ocean and Monmouth County, the Jersey Shore and metropolitan New York areas.

To schedule an appointment call: 732 690-2030 or email me:
masmith@masmithinteriordesign.com

M. A. Smith, Ltd.
Interior Design
732 690-2030
masmith@masmithinteriordesign.com
Allied Member ASID
http://masmithinteriordesign.com
Blog: HouseZenGarden and Best Design Coach
Serving New Jersey and Metropolitan New York

 

Part IV - The ups and downs of Window Treatments

Photo courtesy of Southern Living magazine

 

Today's topic from my website's list of my interior design services is :  Window Treatments.

 

Years ago, at the start of my interior design career, I experienced a lot of 'ups and downs' especially when it came to window treatment design. Problem windows, problems with estimating window treatments, problems with installing window treatments were on my daily agenda. But, I was determined to get a handle on this, one of the most important aspects of designing a room.

 

What changed and what did I learn over those years of angst and worry? The answer I found, after the first few projects, was that the most important place to start when designing window treatments is  -measuring correctly! Also, I discovered the importance of taking more than enough photographs of the undecorated window and the surrounding walls and ceiling.

 

In addition, I submitted (for approval) a drawing of the window treatment, not only to my client, but also to the people who make the window treatments, the fabricators. Luckily I found not only the best fabricators, but my installers are skilled and ready to tackle any problem without losing their cool.

 

Besides accuracy and details, the right choice of fabric is tantamount to the end result in window design. Now, as in the past, I can say that my best designs were classic and timeless. So here's a list to keep in mind for your window treatment at home:

• Measure accurately all windows, walls and everything near the window

• Do you need light filtering or just a pretty treatment or ...both?

• Would a stripe 'raise the ceiling' if used vertically?

• Will this look good 3, 5 or 10 years from now?

• Less is more - today's windows have a simpler profile

Lastly, there is a difference between professionally designed/fabricated window treatments and store bought. Yes, custom window treatments are more expensive, but they will look great for years to come, they will hang better than store bought, etc. Simply put, they do for a room what beautiful jewelry does in creating a look for the woman or man!


Stay 'tuned' for a BestDesignCoach blog post to find out about the next item on my Website's list to consider when decorating a home.

Most important... if you or someone you know is renovating, redecorating or involved with a new construction project - send them to this page or better, send them to me to see how we can help them, or you!

Then call me, Mary Alice at 732 690-2030 or email me at:
masmith729@comcast.net to get your project off to a great start.

M. A. Smith, Ltd.
Interior Design
732 690-2030
Allied Member ASID
Serving New Jersey and metropolitan New York with exceptional interior design