DRAPERY (one of my favourite topics) Part 1

These are simple yet solid rules to drapery.

Photo credit - Pinterest

Why have drapes at all? For their ability to give you ease of privacy. They also protect you, your floors and furnishings from the sun; they keep the annoying glare from the sun beaming through your window and hitting your television screen and believe it or not, with proper lining, they make your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

A well made and fitted drape will add an element of decorative richness to any space, they add softness and cosiness, they add romance and grandeur, they take away the emptiness and echo of vast spaces. Last but not least, drapery can also correct windows that may not be symmetrical or that are irregular in shape or size. There are “ways” in drapery that fool the eye. Drapery is a design completing detail. It’s a designer’s polishing and finishing tool.

Drapes will add softness and cosiness, they add romance and grandeur…

This is a picture of a basement with irregular ceilings. Even though the windows are not large, the drapes are floor length. The floor length drapes keep the eye vertical, this creates the illusion of taller ceilings while correcting the irregular ceilings. These soft drapes give the impression that the windows are bigger than they actually are. Imagine this space without the drapes…

PHOTO CREDIT, L. RODRIGUES

The amount of time and money you’ve spent on renovations merits attention to the importance of the finishing details. I don’t know what it is, but by the time the renovation is nearing its end we want it to be over and give up on the final details. Is it we’ve spent enough money or we’re tired of the never ending decisions? Decisions like mirrors, art, rugs etc… This is true of drapery. By the time you get to the point of dressing your windows you are nearing the end. You’re exhausted on every level, I get it. Make sure you save enough energy and funds for the finishing details. This will make or break your entire project. Or, all your efforts will have been for nothing.

PHOTO CREDIT - PINTEREST

If you’re going to redo a space and you’re opting for drapery, make sure the draperies fit. “Fit” being the key word. Make sure they have the right amount of weight that will “balance" and meet your level of renovation, in dollar spent and in balance of the space. Nothing looks worse than a truly fabulous space and cheap box store drapes. Thin drapes, that look like spaghetti strands on each side. It really ruins the whole experience and makes you look like you really cheapened out or ran out money and ideas in the end. I’ve even seen it with big names on house flipping t.v. shows! Come on!

Your final details will make or break your entire project…

This drapery is far too stretched out to work correctly. There isn’t enough fabric. Although hung at the right point, it’s too short.

photo credit - pinterest