Drapery panels can drastically change the look of a room. They can be used in addition to blinds or shutters to add warmth, character, and color to a space. They can also be functional and block light, add privacy, control sound, and insulate drafty windows. However, there are several things to consider when selecting the perfect curtains or drapes for your space:
Light Control & Linings
If you are purchasing curtains in any fabric other than a sheer, I highly recommend that you look for panels that are lined with a quality lining. The added expense is minimal, and the added value is great. After all, would you hang your favorite black outfit in the blistering sun for a days, months, years and still expect it to look good enough to wear out in public? Of course not. So why do this to your curtains. Lining is sunscreen for your fabric. It protects fabric from fading and moisture, therefore protecting your investment. It also adds a uniform look to the outside of your home. No one really wants to see your hot pink curtains as they drive down the street.
Would you like to sleep later in the morning? Then consider adding blackout lining to your curtains to make your room dark and cozy. Not only does blackout lining block light, but it also insulates your WINDOWS which is especially nice in bedrooms. Also, be sure to order drapes that are wide enough to cover your entire window when closed. When we pleat curtains (i.e. pinch pleats), the top width of each panel is reduced to about 25 inches; whereas unpleated panels (i.e. rod pocket panels) are a full 50″ wide across the top.
You may also want to consider panels that have an added layer of interlining. Interlining is usually a 100% cotton flannel that is placed between your face fabric and lining, adding fullness and weight to thin fabrics. It adds a luxury feel to your curtains and a good bit of insulation. Think of it as a blanket for your windows. It is especially recommended with silks.
Privacy
If privacy from neighbors is important to you, then you will also want to order curtains wide enough to cover your entire window (as noted above) and lined so that they are not easy to see through. Draperies can also be used in conjunction with blinds, shutters, or shades for a beautiful layered look that also provides maximum privacy.
Fabric
Curtains these days can be made in just about any fabric imaginable from the roughest burlap to the softest velvet. It really all depends on the mood you are trying to convey within the room. Of course, you should also keep in mind how the panels will be used. If the panels will be pulled closed on a daily basis, then a white silk is probably not the best choice as you will quickly notice that our hands can leave dirt and oil behind on delicate fabrics when we pull curtains closed. The same holds true for households with small children and pets. I would probably not use a delicate silk in a high traffic area with kids, cats, and dogs. Many fabrics today come with stain guard protection to help with everyday mishaps and busy families. These fabrics are usually cotton, polyester, or a blend thereof – just look at the curtain tag or selvedge of the fabric to see if it has been treated.
If you are ordering custom curtains through the internet or a designer, be sure to ask for a fabric sample before you purchase panels. Tape the fabric sample to your wall next to the window an live with it for a few days. How does it look in the morning light and evening shade? Many fabrics look quite different when held at different angles; by fixing it to the wall in the direction it will hang you will get a good idea of how it will look in the room.
Style
Along with your fabric choice, the style of panel you choose can greatly affect the mood your curtains will create. Styles vary from simple rod pockets to elegant goblet pleats to modern grommeted panels. Look through some current design magazines to see what styles you are attracted to. Typically the more pleated the panel, the more formal it appears.
Length
First, you probably need to decide where you would like your curtains to end in relation to the floor.
- Floor length curtains sit directly on the floor (order them 1 inch shorter if you would like for them hang slightly off the floor).
- Trouser length panels “break” on the floor much like a trouse breaks over a shoe (add 1 -2 inches to the order length of your panels)
- Puddle length curtains form soft folds on the floor (add 6 – 7 inches to the order length of your panels).
In addition, you will also need to consider your drapery hardware. For example, if you already have a drapery rod in place and would like floor length panels, simply measure from the base of the ring to the floor. For rod pocket curtains (no rings), measure from the top of the rod to the floor.
If you do not have a rod in place already, remember the higher you mount your rod, the higher your window and ceilings will appear. I prefer to mount drapery rods several inches above the window. In most cases I will take the distance between my window frame and crown molding (or ceiling), divide it in half, and go a few inches above my half mark as I do not like even spaces above and below the rod (just a designer pet peeve I suppose). Of course, if you have extremely high ceilings, this rule changes. Try taking a long piece of blue painter’s tape and making a line above your window on your wall where you think you will hang your rod, how does it look? Move it up a bit and take another look.
Additionally, I like my rods to project at least 4 -6 inches beyond the window frame on each side (if there are no obstacles) to allow my curtains to hang completely outside the window if I choose and give the appearance of a larger window.
When installing curtain rods always be sure to mount your corner brackets in a stud (they usually run vertically along the frame of your window) or use a heavy duty toggle. Heavy panels or curtains that are often pulled on can quickly pull away from drywall.
Resources:
http://www.idreamofdrapery.com/Selecting_the_perfect_curtains_s/78.htm
http://www.idreamofdrapery.com/Choosing_drapery_length_guide_s/81.htm
K Butler
http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/how-to-choose-curtains-or-drapes-for-your-home-733779.html
I need opinions on the start of my chapter 2? pretty please?
“Here we go doll,” shouts Eddie “62nd street.” He helps get my luggage out of the trunk and I can’t believe what I am seeing. A green velvet rug leads into the doorway with a matching canopy overhead. A posh looking man stands by the door. I have only seen these images in movies, but not anymore. I’m here and this is all real.
“Well enjoy your new life in fabulous New York City,” shouts Eddie as he closes his cab door.
“Thanks. Give my love to your ex wife,” I laugh.
“Ah good old English humour,” He shouts as he drives away.
The man by the door approaches me. He’s wearing a chauffeur hat, a smart looking suit and unbelievable shiny black shoes. I swear if I looked down I would see my face in them.
“Hi, madam,” he says “I’m Maurice, may I take your bags?”
“Oh, yes please.” I say with a curtsey. I don’t know why I curtsied it just felt like the right thing to do.
I could get used to this doorman thing. I have never experienced it before. Back home, in Cambridge, it’s not an everyday occurrence. Although it would be great if it was. Imagine it was; you would drive home from a hard days shopping and just leave your bags in the car. Proceed straight through your front door and into your kitchen, pour yourself a glass of wine and point your hand in the direction where you want your very own “Maurice” to put your bags.
I open the door and this place is like a palace. The same green rug covers the whole floor and over to the left is a large marble desk. There are two cream sofas placed upon what looks like an expensive Persian rug. It looks better than my old family room back home and it’s only reception! I walk over to the desk and ring the little gold bell sat on top. The man behind the desk is on the phone.
“Yes ok Mom, I won’t be out late. I gotta go I have a resident to attend to. Yes I love you too.” He put the receiver down and I try, unsuccessfully, not to laugh.
“She worries about my cats,” he says, “You know if I’m out all night partying. I don’t live at home.”
“Ok,” I laugh, “I’m, Sophie Smith, I’m renting out apartment 225.”
“Sophie, lovely to meet you. I’m Eugene.”
His name matches his description perfect. He has blonde hair that sits in a middle pattern and is tucked behind his ears. His glasses are as thick as two milk bottle bottoms and he is wearing a checked shirt with braces and fawn granddad trousers. He looks out some paperwork and asks me to sign then hands me a key.
“Thank you, Eugene.” I say and I walk toward the lift.
I hear a bang and I turn to see poor old Maurice struggle to navigate through the door with my luggage. Maybe I should go help. No, not this time. I mean I should just enjoy the experience and after all it is his job. He would probably be offended if I ask. I enter the lift and press the number four button. When the doors re-open all I see is rows of doors and the same green carpet. I walk down the hallway looking from left to right trying to find my number. Finally all the way at the other end I find my new home. I put my key in the lock and turn.
There is a large hallway before I even get into the family room. Hanging on the walls are expensive art pieces. I think they are worth something; I’m not an art lover. To my left are three doors. I open the first and see it is a bedroom. It’s beautiful. There is a large four poster bed straight ahead; behind it is a huge window with stunning cream curtains that drape all the way to the floor. I close the door and open the second. It’s a bathroom with the biggest bath I have ever seen. It has two sinks. Why two? Maybe one is for washing and the other for brushing your teeth. That’s what they probably do in New York. The toilet seat is gold, not real gold but in colour. I hope it’s not real, if it is, I will be scared to use it!
Time for door number three. I feel like I’m on Blind Date. It’s an old TV programme back home where you have to sit behind a screen and choose a mystery date from men numbered one to three.
It’s just an empty space. I could use it for a walk in wardrobe. Feeling pleased with myself that I already feel at home, I walk down the hall and into the large open planned family room and kitchen. I don’t even notice the kitchen at first because to be honest I’m not much of a cook. Believe it or not.
Straight ahead past the chocolate brown corner sofa and plasma on the wall is a huge bay window which opens out onto a balcony. I walk out and the sight takes my breath away. Central Park! How did I not see that down at the door?
Eugene is the desk clerk and Maurice is the door man. She also mentions her name in this chapter. But I agree with the hi part I will change that
I caught a couple of things. When Eugene says "Hi Madam". Hi is informal and madam is formal. He would probably say good afternoon, or good morning, depending on the time of day. Also Eugene is the doorman, not the bell hop. The luggage would be brought up by a person other than Eugene, and the desk clerk would give that person the apartment key rather than to your main character. I hope she got a name in chapter one.
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You paint quite a vivid picture of an English girl arriving to the wonders of Noo Yark.
I’m never too sure why writers use the third person so badly. ‘Thank you, Eugene,’ I say. (I
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