Custom Window Treatments bring warmth to Farmhouse update

A client contacted me with the desire to add window treatments to her updated farmhouse style home. She had recently completed painting, flooring, trim, and a bathroom complete redo including tile, sink, vanity top and shower.
Her guest room with an en suite bath needed 3 window treatments to bring warmth to the space.
A classic linen was selected as the main fabric for the window treatments.

A roman shade for the small window next to the bed would help to balance the room and not overwhelm things. The larger main window would have full length drapery panels and the small window at a different height and size were in close proximity to one another.
This brought a challenge how to make the windows appear level with one another and not overwhelm the room with too much fabric.
Since the larger window needed drapery hardware to bring full functionality to the drapery panels we selected a traversing rod that had ball bearing gliders and leaded glass final ends.

This tied into the leaded glass overhead light fixture that was in the room already.
The bed linens were a simple duvet cover with white cotton shams to match.
In the en suite bath there was a small window that had blinds and the client wanted to bring the same fabric from the main bedroom into the space. We added a hard cornice board valance to the window with a curved bottom for just the right amount of "wow" and not to overwhelm the space.

The en suite bath with vanity and flooring and new shower tile given in the full view image below.

En suite bath full view

The full length drapery in the main room also included blackout lining to block out light and provide some noise control from the main street outside.

Guest bedroom with blackout roman shade and full length custom drapery panels

With the drapery and shade closed there is complete light blockage shown in the image above.

The drapery and shade open allows light to pour into the room with very little blockage of views.

Plenty of light and outside views seen with shade and drapery open

The drapery and roman shade from full view are shown in the image below;

Here is one more view of the room with roman shade featured in the image below.

The image below shows the before view of the room.

Room before window treatments

 

 

Drapery Hardware choices for every style and application

Drapery Hardware in recent years has become more unique and innovative.
With so many styles to choose from it is difficult to talk about just one type.
I will focus on the different types and styles of drapery rods as inspiration to try new things!
Urban or Modern look
 The less froo froo the better for this style.  The use of wood or metal rods with finials (or not) in natural stone, acrylic or granite has become popular.  A few examples of this style are shown below.

This flat style traverse comes in 3" height and several colors

This granite finial attaches to a metal 1" rod for a very minimal look

 

 

 

Forrest Group Metal collection

Note the acrylic rings! Such a fresh look!

Metal mixed with acrylic is so fresh and sleek!

These rods are available in 1 1/2" diameter with or w/out rings

Ball Bearing Track- A very basic drapery rod
This style of drapery rod is usually hidden under a valance or cornice because the white track is shown upon opening the drapery.  Some folks don't like this showing, others do not mind as it can lend itself to modern and urban looks.
This style of rod is what I would call a basic rod that is the least expensive and offers the most support for heavy window treatments with multiple layers (up to 80 lbs).
This track is also very versatile as it can be wall mounted as well as ceiling mounted using different brackets for each type of installation. 
Shown below is the white ks track from Kirsch Inc ceiling mounted before valance installation.

Ceiling mounted before valance installed

Also on some installations like this one, it is necessary to arrive on site with the track in two pieces and the ks track is available with a very strong splice as seen below.  This does two things 1) saves on hassle during transport and shipping and 2) allows the rod to be a more manageable size during the installation process especially in cases where the rod will be over 12 feet wide.

The splice is very strong and allows two piece delivery

Traverse Rods
This style of rod is available in so many choices that allow versatility in designing the window treatment.  Sleek, chic and slender low profile styles such as the one from Brimar Inc are very popular with transitional or modern clients.  Shown below are a few examples of this style of traverse rod.

Low Profile 1" traverse rod

Flat style Rail uses micro ball bearing slides

 Ornate and larger diameter styles (1 1/2" , 2" and 2 1/4") such as the ones shown below can provide the base for a more traditional look with drapery panels.

This traverse rod uses ball bearing slides

This rod diameter is 1 1/2" and 2"

Kirsch Wood Trends 2 1/4" diameter

Cafe Rods
Cafe rods can be used with or without rings. Using these rods without rings would require a rod pocket in the panel being installed. If you use rings, it can be a very charming look as shown below.

The photo blow shows both types of panels installed rod pocket and flat panels.

Both rod pocket (on door) and flat panels (window) on rings shown

Ornate decorative Rods
Larger rods over 2" in diameter can really make a statement in a traditional setting. Below are a few examples from The Finial Company in 3" diameter.  These types of rods can be used with or without rings. 

Special designer finishes add bling to this 2 1/4" diameter rod

As you can see, there are many styles, colors and genres of drapery hardware that can inspire everyone's taste.

13 ft wide bay window

Bay windows can range in shape and size from a small 6 foot wide space up to 20 feet wide. This particular bay was 13.5 feet wide. There were two 90 degree bends and 6 individual window frames and 3 different width.

We also had to deal with 5 5/8" ceiling crown molding. 
There was a false tray ceiling that appeared to be a channel type of structure (metal strapping not wood beams).  We planned to use ceiling mount.
Another issue we had to overcome was the freight elevator height was 8 ft and diagonally it was 11.5 ft.  Installation was on the 10th floor so stairs weren't an option.
The client wanted to separate the alcove seating area in this bedroom from the sleeping area with a large drapery.
We decided to use silk and that decision really made a stunning impact on the room.
On the six individual frames we used a cornice on each one in order to highlight them as well as cover up the rollers on the shades that had no valances on them.

 

Dealing with obstacles & crown molding 

A couple of things to consider with crown molding:
1) If you desire a ceiling mount on the track and you want it to be wall to wall or "bracket to bracket" the crown molding will impact your overall width
2) If you plan to install a valance or cornice from the ceiling, your crown molding will also "interfere" with your valance installation as well.


Your accurate measurements will be key to ensuring your workroom has the proper calculations to fabricate your drapery and valance.
When measuring for a ceiling installation of this width, it is always best to take at least 6 ceiling to floor measurements across the width of your planned track placement. The heights can vary as much as an 1" to 1 1/2".
We ended up with a very stunning result on this one as the photos reveal.

Here is a before photo for reference:

First let's talk about the crown molding and how we managed to go around it with our cornice type valance.
The valance shown below in fabrication, had to be cut out on the ends to accommodate the crown molding.  With the use of high school math we figured out the angles and the amount to cut.

The cornice with a crown molding cut out

You use a speed square tool and a tape measure to take the measurements. See wiki-how for directions on using a speed square or go to You tube
There are two measurements you need (height & width):
1) height = Distance from the ceiling to the bottom of the crown molding
2) width = Distance from the wall to the edge of the crown molding on the ceiling
These two numbers are used to come up with the angle used to cut off the end of the cornice so it will fit into the corner and bypass your crown molding.

The cornice had to be split into two pieces and reassembled on site due to the client's freight elevator being less than the finished width of the cornice. We fabricated it as one piece and then cut a piece out for later placement at the job site.  The valance was folded in half and wrapped for transport. Then upon arrival at installation site, we used a couple of metal plates and pre-drilled the piece of wood and re joined it together.  On the back side, we stapled a piece of lining over the metal plates to make it look finished.



Below are a couple of close ups of the cornices we used in the 6 individual windows in the bay window.  There are two each of the 3 different sizes. 

 

Note that the larger the width the wider the accent fabric on the ends.

We had to have the ceiling track fabricated in two pieces as well. It was reassembled on site.
The track is from Kirsch and it was purchased from Williamson Supply Company in Houston.
The track has been very reliable and performs well in heavy drapery (over 60 lbs) every time I've used it.

 Here is the KS track from Kirsch.com ceiling mounted with the heavy duty splicer.

Ceiling mounted Kirsch KS track

 The drapery weight was well over 50 lbs due to the four layers of treatment. The four layers consisted of the face fabric (silk), 10oz per yard interlining, black sateen and 3 pass Australian blackout lining.  The Kirsch KS track with heavy duty ball bearing glides handles this with no problem.

 



Close up of the roman shade on patio door

 

View showing the drapery closed

The sides of the drapery were under a bit of tension and puckering resulted. Adjustments were made on this a few weeks later and the following pics were result.

 

2 sections 12 inches each were placed on either side to lessen any puckering or tension on the drapery

To ensure the best blackout near the crown molding we installed these "wings" of blackout near the sides onto the back of the track and secured them to the wall with cup hooks.

 

Close up of the blackout "wings"