What to do with Windows?

Photos courtesyof Hunter Douglas Window Fashions, provided by The Blind & Shutter Warehouse

Decorators are creating the eco-chic look using window treatments made from sustainable, energy-efficient materials.  These innovative solutions not only add cutting-edge functionality to windows, but they also come in breathtaking patterns and styles that bring the days of drab draperies and plastic mini-blinds to an end.

To jump in on the latest window-decorating ideas, including this shift toward “green” treatments, first understand why windows are so critical to design and how you can approach your decorating opportunity.

Window treatments do more than simply block out sunlight and strangers.  Used properly, window treatments add color, texture, and overall visual interest.  They moderate sunlight levels, insulate rooms, provide privacy when needed, pull a room together architecturally, and beautifully frame the view outside.  These days, window treatments can even kill odors, purify allergens and bacteria out of the air, and move in ways you might not expect.

When choosing window treatments, the first thing to consider is the function of the room.  Are the windows located in a formal living room, a children’s playroom, a bathroom, a sunroom?  This affects your options. Next consider the view of the window – do you look out onto a quiet wooded area, a backyard garden, a busy street?  Another factor is the amount of sunlight the windows receive, and how much light needs to be blocked out at certain times of the day.  Finally, remember that there should be some level of consistency in window design from room to room.  Window treatments in different rooms do not need to match exactly but they should complement each other.  There’s more flexibility in decorating between different levels of the home.

When it comes to what’s hot in windows, it’s good to remember that trends are regional.  What’s popular in California right now won’t necessarily work for homes here in the Southeast.

For hard window treatments in the South, wood shutters are the hottest.  Mike Farrell of The Blind Shack of Wake County agreed, saying “I find that about 85 to 90 percent of our clients ask for wood or faux wood shutters.”  Their sturdy, natural appearance gives them a classic appeal that works well in almost any home.  Interior wood shutters look beautiful whether the slats are filtering sunlight or keeping windows concealed, and they usually eliminate the need for additional treatments like a valance or draperies.  Farrell added that while wood shutters are available in countless colors, most consumers choose a shade of white such as pearl, soft white, or oyster.

For soft window treatments, silk or faux silk draperies remain popular.  Linen curtains are also gaining in popularity.  Another growing trend is to use custom-made curtains. Stephanie Hedrick of The Curtain Exchange at North Hills in Raleigh says her store specializes in designer custom-made curtains that are ready to take home today.  This gives consumers an opportunity to try their curtains before committing.  Incredibly, The Curtain Exchange’s curtains are designed and handmade by seamstresses right here in the USA using imported fabrics.

Blinds and shades also come with a new twist.  For example, Gorland McBride of The Blind and Shutter Warehouse on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh shared a great recommendation for “Silhouettes,” a treatment manufactured by window product powerhouse Hunter-Douglas.  These shades feature fabric vanes (like blinds) nestled between two sheer facing panels. The Silhouettes are pricey by some standards, said McBride, so try to catch them on sale to get a beautiful look while saving a few dollars.  The Blind and Shutter Warehouse noticed a run on these stunning shades during a recent special.

These classic styles rule the day, but the up-and-coming eco-chic approach may be the future of window treatments.  According to Paula Fullerton of Sew Fine II in Durham, smart fabrics are one of the hallmarks. In addition to being energy-efficient by keeping warmth in or out depending on season, smart fabrics even use hospital-inspired silver ion technology to eliminate odors, allergens, and bacteria from the air.  These provide a great solution for kitchens and
bathrooms.

Fullerton added that “green” window treatments also include woven-wood shades such as those made from bamboo.  Bamboo, for example, is made sustainably.  Rather than killing the plant, bamboo harvesters simply cut off the top of this fast-growing grass.

These are just a few of the ideas that make windows a powerful component of any design strategy.  As Fullerton of Sew Fine II says, give your windows a little time and attention and you’ll find the ability to “remodel” your entire home without ever lifting a sledgehammer.

Jenny Fredette is a Freelance Writer