Showing posts with label unique drapery ideas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label unique drapery ideas. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Window Treatments hanging from what? Knobs, Rods, Hooks, and Whatever Else You Can Think Of

There are many different ways to hang a window treatment these days. Unique ideas can really help to achieve that "wow" factor you are going for. This post will focus on unconventional as well as conventional ways to hang window treatments.
Drapery Hardware can vary from a knob to a full length drapery rod with finials, rings and brackets. Materials used to manufacture the hardware range from metal, stainless steel, resin, and wood.
The ways to use these elements in window treatment designs are only limited by your imagination!

The Helser Brothers have come up with some Old World Style wrought iron scrolls in their Artigiani Collection using two back to back finials attached to a vertical finial mount bracket. The design shown in this dining room area curved bay window alcove with a multi-layered tray ceiling calls for something special. Silk, chenille and wrought iron definitely answer that call. Note the use of the paint on the tray ceiling calls attention to the eye and draws you upward toward that beautiful scroll hardware. The use of interlining with the silk adds body to the panels.
Go check out the entire Helser Brothers Line of drapery hardware on their website.



Adding drama to a particular area of a home can be done with the use of silk, fullness, interlining, and long lengths.
This design was found on CustomCreationsbySheri from Dysert Iowa. These dramatic silk drapery panels are punctuated with an overlay valance creating depth. The full length panels with a contrasting pleat insert bring drama and warmth to this formal living room area. The rounded shape of the window grouping is framed by the wooden rods with finials. The multi layered design has the panels hung by a rod pocket versus wooden rings. The overlay valance is also hung by a rod pocket instead of rings.  Notice the placement of the pattern on the overlay valance.

The following window treatment design for a dining area, focuses on the use of pattern and color to bring interest to the otherwise plain decor. The drapery hardware used is a small diameter metal rod with metal rings and a corner joint that makes it a one piece unit allowing the crown molding to be highlighted and uninterrupted. Note the width of the drapery wouldn't allow the panels to cover the window space if they were drawn. These drapery panels remain stationary, but provide just enough pizazz to complete the room.
To see more designs from this Texas based designer, visit their site here.

For a modern sleek look, it can be a challenge to find a hardware piece to compliment the space without overdoing it. One of my "go to" drapery hardware companies is JAB. Most of their lines are contemporary and modern. A favorite of contemporary clients is the Metropolitan line. JAB is a European company with roots in Germany.
The image below depicts the JAB stainless steel flat curtain rod with a low profile and clean lines.

 The following image was found on Pinterest and is an idea of how to solve a window treatment for an arched window frame. The sheer is mounted to the wall with small rings that are screwed into the plaster. There are small sewn portions of the fabric that are gathered onto the rings with a piece of thread wrapped around each ring.  Many more variations of this can be accomplished with heavier fabrics that are lined. The dips in the fabric can be spaced closer together so that minimal light shows through at the top of the design. Hooks can be attached to the back of the treatment and attach to each of the rings.
The image below was found on google and represents another variation of using knobs to attach a valance to the wall. The soft flowing folds are just enough to block out harsh rays of sun that come in through the upper portion of the window, yet still allow plenty of view.
This image was found on Google.com.
Knobs like the ones in the valance example can be purchased as "tiebacks" or "holdbacks" from the Kirsch Designer Metals Collection.  They are available in two sizes 3" and 4" diameter.

Finials can also be used as knobs when attached to the Kirsch finial adapters as shown in the image below of a curved bay window with stationary drapery panels mounted on the finials. This design eliminates the need for a rod with multiple bends and curves. It is a bit labor intensive during installation as there are 5 to 6 finials on each panel and there are 6 panels.


The image below is an example of a traditional rod used in a non-traditional way. The length of the rod is just enough to hold the stationary panel in place with finials, rings and brackets.
The image below uses resin holdbacks mounted on 6" posts for a traditional style window treatment that was needed above plantation shutters. Dupioni embroidered silk swags that are hung from holdback posts provide a less structured approach to the scarf type window treatment. Pieces of wadded up wrapping paper were used in longer lengths of the scarf to add body and to make it stay in place.
Hopefully this post has inspired you to think "outside the box" when it comes to the use of different types of hardware to mount your window treatments for a look that really says "wow"!

Friday, February 6, 2015

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.









Thursday, December 4, 2014

Odd shaped window grouping window treatment ideas

Odd shaped window grouping drapery ideas & trillion shaped cornice boxes

What are trillion shaped cornice boxes anyway?  They are three dimensional window treatments made out of a wood base with a covering of padding and fabric. The shape can vary from triangle, square, octagonal or some variation of these shapes.
Sometimes your windows aren't easy to work with, such as this grouping shown below in the picture.
Things that can pose challenges when trying to design window treatments:
1) Very limited space between windows or adjacent walls
2) Differing heights of windows
3) Arched top window
4) Vaulted ceiling
5) Windows located near or at corners
To see more designs by A Creative Touch Draperies & Interiors, go to this website.
A client had a request for a grouping of arch shaped windows as seen in the picture below. They wanted something with drama, but without obstructing the beautiful golf course views.


 
Here is the "before" picture of the windows we were working with.

Technical notes:

-Notice the arched shape at the top of the center window
-The height of center 3 window grouping is about 9 ft. 
-The height of the side window is less than 9 ft.
-The vaulted/slanted ceiling coming down into the corner of the window group 



"After" picture of the design we came up with for this group of windows.

Items to note:

-There are three different maximum heights  for the trillion boxes

-Panels do not open/close which leaves the views unobstructed as the client wanted

-The arched shape repeated in the tops of each window cornice box brings an element of interest and accents the architecture

I had so much fun creating this window grouping design. In the 8 years I've worked in this industry, this by far is one of my favorite designs.