Just Window Shopping

…From the pages of Suburban Home and Garden…

It’s often said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. But when it comes to home design, we like to mix it up a bit and say the windows are the eyes to the world. With such a grand role in your home, it’s important to choose the right window treatment. The options are limitless, but don’t be intimidated. With the help of a design expert, you will be able to create whatever mood and style of interior you want just by accessorizing your windows

When it comes to choosing the right window treatments, know that there are no set-in-stone rules to follow. That being said, there are some decisions that need careful consideration. Window specialists like those at Accents on Windows, Sunbeam Window & Door and Tri-State Verticals and Draperies can help you determine what will work best for you

The first thing to take into consideration when decorating with window treatments is the particular room in which the treatments are being used. Different rooms often dictate different treatments. A formal living room, for example, is designed to impress. Draperies often work well in living rooms. They help frame your window, add a touch of theatrical excitement and eliminate the hard edges of the window. Keith Scialdo, owner of Tri-State Verticals and Draperies says, “Draperies are a staple in window treatments. I’ve been doing this for so many years and they are a classic style that never goes out.” Don’t feel limited by draperies though. Valences and cornices combined with the variable of fabric are just some of the other options to consider.

On the other hand, a bedroom is designed to be a private sanctuary where you retire at the end of the day. Wayne Reiss, owner of Sunbeam Window & Door says, “In a bedroom you need to consider more light control and room darkening products.” Blackout shades are a good option to ensure not waking up with the sun. Larry Lipkin, owner of Accents on Windows also suggests decorating with draperies made with special lining to ensure light control. It’s a perfect way to achieve a dark room and add style to your bedroom interior.

Another great option to consider for bedrooms and other casual rooms are shutters and wood blinds. Lipkin, Reiss and Scialdo all list these at the top of the trend list. Lipkin says, “Shutters add a crisp, clean look to any room.” And in addition to a great look, Scialdo says, “People like wood blinds because of the versatility with light control. You can still have a view without having to lift them up and down.”

Wood blinds and shutters also work great in bathrooms and kitchens. Since dampness, steam and grease are all in a days work in these rooms, shutters and wood blinds are a great choice because they allow for easy cleaning. Reiss specifically recommends faux wood blinds because they are more resistant to warping. However, if you do want curtains in your kitchen, keep in mind you want the window treatment to accessorize your window, not your kitchen sink. Keep the design simple and at a length that doesn’t make contact with your sink and shower.

Window treatments are an enhancing home accessory, but sometimes they are not necessary. If you have a stunning view and/or beautiful architectural features, a window might be best kept untreated. Understand though, that no matter how great the architectural detail and the view, privacy and sunlight issues often make window treatments a necessity. Also, take into consideration that a window that looks great in daylight could look like an empty black hole at night.

Other aspects of the window to take into consideration are the proportions and design. In one home, it is common to find a variety of window proportions. That being said, what looks great in the master bedroom might not work in the guest bedroom, even though the decorating style is the same. For example, if you have deep-set windows, shades or shutters over the window with curtains on the side work as a great combination. On the other hand, if you have tall and narrow windows, you might want to use simple draperies that showcase the proportions. And when it comes to more awkward window shapes like dormers and skylights, often custom-made shades work well. When it comes down to it, it’s about what you like and what works. Reiss says, “We discuss what works best, case-by-case, with the customer.”

Using your creativity and the expertise of professionals at Accents on Windows, Jen N Josh Blind Co., Sunbeam Window & Door and Tri-State Vertical & Draperies, you can’t go wrong in choosing a beautiful window treatment. Scialdo says, “The window treatment really depends on the individual.” With all these choices, you can really create a window treatment that accomplishes the perfect balance of fashion and function. Better yet, window treatments don’t have to be expensive. Lipkin notes, “We work within a client’s budget to find the window treatments that work best.”

To inspire your window treatment creativity, Jen N Josh Blind Co., Sunbeam Windows & Door and Tri-State Vertical & Draperies offer showrooms to generate ideas for your own home. Accents on Windows has a showroom coming soon, and offers interior designers to assist in selecting furniture and accessories as well. All offer design professionals who service all your window treatment needs.

Once you’ve chosen your window treatments, watch as they accessorize and style-enhance the interior of your home. They’ll change your windows from being a thing to look out from, to the thing to look at.

Find Out More

Sunbeam Windows and Doors
Pennsauken
800-662-3328

Tri State Verticals and Draperies
Voorhees
(856) 768-3939

Jen N Josh Blind Co.
West Berlin
(856) 753-0505

Accents on Windows
Cherry Hill
888-993-9257

Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Home and Garden, October 2005.
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Author: Christina Moeller/Photo courtesy of Hunter Douglas