Window fashions are to a room like jewelry is to attire. A beautiful drapery can add elegance, height and drama to a room. Window treatments can also be designed to blend into a room and play a supporting role or be simple and cozy. Today, we have available sumptuous fabrics and trims, expertly engineered window soft shades and blinds, motorization, remote controlled options and even customized decorative window grilles. The options for designing window fashions are limited only by creativity. With more than 50 years of experience in designing window treatments CJ Dean Designs and my team at Decorating Den Interiors can help you create the perfect look for your home.
Decorating Den Interiors recently partnered with renowned window fashions authority Charles Randall. He is the award-winning author of the best-selling window decorating series: Window Fashions, first published in 1986 with sales of more than one million copies. His 2020 book: Designer Window Fashions features 98 photos from 36 of our Decorating Den Interiors designers. The cover of the soon-to-be published book, shown above, features a Decorating Den Interiors designed room.
With the topic so fresh in our minds, here some Dos and Don’ts from us and Mr. Randall.
DO consider the type of window you have
Windows with unique shapes are in themselves a focal point of the room, emphasize this by accentuating the feature. In a home I am working on in North Plains, Oregon, we created a customized oak tree grille similar to the one featured above on the right. Whether it’s an arch, a bow or bay, a corner, a double-hung, French doors, a picture window or another shape, CJ Dean Designs, can help you create the perfect window fashion for your home.
While a basic window treatment will cover your bare window, it won’t necessarily address other requirements you may have. Window treatments are not just about beauty but also about privacy, sun protection, sound absorption, and more. My team and I will ask you questions about your needs in the room and collaborate with you to create the perfect window treatment to fit your needs.
DO consider the wide variety of options for your window treatments
Draperies can add softness and texture, absorb sound, insulate, be drawn closed or remain open. Specialized soft shades can be drawn from the top down and the bottom up. There are so many options that can be customized just for you.
Top treatments come in unlimited choices allowing for more creative exploration for the designer and client. Sometimes it takes only a cornice or valance to add pizzazz to a room. There are cool names too, like cascades and jabots. In this brightly colored little boy’s room in a Hillsboro, Oregon home featured a custom valance with a pop of green inserted in the inverted pleat.
Alone or as dramatic accompaniment to other window treatments, shades come in all shapes and configurations. Fabric shades, also known as “soft” shades, are clean-edged and neat. They can take a back seat to beautiful architectural details when up and out of the way or add stunning emphasis.
Shutters and blinds can fill a variety of roles. They can interface with any interior due to the range of colors, materials, stains, and decorative features. In the room on the left located in Hillsboro, Oregon, the crisp white shutters add to the tropical feel of the space. While the photo on the right in a south Hillsboro, Oregon, featured Hunter Douglas’ dreamy Silhouette Shade to offer diffused light. It also incorporated a drop down roller shade in the back for privacy and room darkening.
When one concept is not enough, DO explore the beauty of combining different types of treatments
The sweet little girl’s room on the left, located in Hillsboro, Oregon features a scalloped cornice, stationary panels and window shades. The photo on the right features a valance with a fun devorative trim and multi-paneled draperies.
DON’T forget to consider decorative hardware and trim
at CJ Dean Designs, we love drapery hardware– it truly is the jewelry of the window treatment. These elements customize your treatment and add individuality. The range of materials available is huge and amazing. They add a completed look to your custom drapery.
The most important DO is to call Christine Jarski at CJ Dean Designs for all of your custom window treatment needs! Contact us today!
CJ Dean Designs proudly serves the Portland Metro area including Beaverton, Cornelius, Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, North Plains, Oregon City, Portland and Tigard.
