How to Get Your Window Treatment Right
Here's the lingo to know to get the draperies you really want
During a client consultation last week, I noticed how much I sound like Charlie Brown’s teacher when talking to clients about window treatments. It must be weird seeing an overly energetic, tall designer dude stand in front a wall of windows mouthing “MWOH-MWUH-WUH-WUH-MWA-WAW,” then asking for a check. It may not seem like it, but there are tons of details involved with creating draperies. To me, they’re all compelling, but to others it’s like sitting through a trigonometry lecture. From matriarchs to macho men, attention spans stop where talk of fabric choices end and pleats and lining begin.
Whether you’re saving up to have a wall of windows draped or ready to place an order with a local workroom, here’s an idea book packed with insider terminology. Not only will this help you understand what goes into creating draperies, it will make you look as though you know what you’re talking about when you’re ready to place that order. You’ll get the look you want and save time and money, too.
Whether you’re saving up to have a wall of windows draped or ready to place an order with a local workroom, here’s an idea book packed with insider terminology. Not only will this help you understand what goes into creating draperies, it will make you look as though you know what you’re talking about when you’re ready to place that order. You’ll get the look you want and save time and money, too.
Panel width. One of the first questions to come out of a seamstress's mouth will be, "How many panel widths?" This refers to the width of a standard-size drapery panel, which is approximately 48 inches wide when drawn closed. If you're simply covering a small-to-medium-size window (36-60 inches wide), you'll most likely want to go with one single-width panel on each side. This particular space had a pair of wide French doors to cover so I opted for two double-width panels. The double-width sizing allows for a really nice stack-back when the draperies are drawn open. In case the name doesn't give it away, "stack-back" refers to how the draperies hang when pushed away from the window for decorative effect.
Pattern repeat — flat. Pattern repeat is another important factor if you choose to go with a print fabric on your window treatments. Keep in mind that the overall effect is totally different with upholstery than it is with drapery panels. When used for upholstery or wallcovering applications, the fabric will lay flat and therefore you get the full effect of the pattern repeat. That ain't the case with draperies. See this ain't-she-purdy paisley print? Take a look at it flat, then take a look at it in the next image.
Pattern repeat — pleated. See what I mean? The overall look of the print is totally different when the ripple effect from top pleats factors in. Pattern repeat can also have a huge impact on budget, depending on its size. Tighter patterns like this paisley print have multiple areas where the shape repeats itself. This is good, ladies and gentlemen, this is very, very good. Why? A tighter, plentiful repeat means it's easier to match the print from one panel to another thus creating less waste. Patterns that only match up in one or two spots mean more cutting away to get to the right spot; all the cutting leaves wasted fabric on the floor — fabric you've paid for. Doh! But not to worry, seamstresses know how to center the pattern to make the match easier.
Lining. Going with sheer? Then in regards to lining, fuggedabowdit. If you're going solid, lining can make or break the way your draperies hang. Linings on lightweight fabrics ensure they hang well. Thicker fabrics are given an extra boost, resulting in a more tailored effect. It also has an impact on your overall budget; you'll need to factor in approximately $4-$7 per yard to account for the liner.
While regular liner helps block a little bit of sun, you'll need to go with blackout liner if you intend to keep sunlight 100 percent out of your room. This is a great option for bedrooms. Blackout liner ain't cheap; you'll want to factor in another $8-$12 per yard if you plan to use it.
While regular liner helps block a little bit of sun, you'll need to go with blackout liner if you intend to keep sunlight 100 percent out of your room. This is a great option for bedrooms. Blackout liner ain't cheap; you'll want to factor in another $8-$12 per yard if you plan to use it.
Break. When I hear the word break in relation to interior design, I often think (a) bones of a contractor falling off a ladder, or (b) valuable glass or ceramic items being smashed to pieces along with my soul as it thinks of how I’ll have to replace it.
When it comes to window treatments, break is just a term for where the bottom of the drapery panel sits in relation to the floor. I often stick with 1/4 inch above the floor which keeps it from gathering dust and getting trampled on by dogs. For a more dramatic look, draperies can puddle on the floor or simply overlap an inch or two. Sure, it sounds easy; however, it’s pretty much certain none of us have floors and ceilings that are perfectly level. Seamstresses play a huge game of mathematics to ensure the break is consistent from left to right, even though ceiling or floor pitches change.
Hmmmm, the next time your kid needs help with geometry homework, perhaps you should call the seamstress over.
Hire a window treatment pro to handle this for you
When it comes to window treatments, break is just a term for where the bottom of the drapery panel sits in relation to the floor. I often stick with 1/4 inch above the floor which keeps it from gathering dust and getting trampled on by dogs. For a more dramatic look, draperies can puddle on the floor or simply overlap an inch or two. Sure, it sounds easy; however, it’s pretty much certain none of us have floors and ceilings that are perfectly level. Seamstresses play a huge game of mathematics to ensure the break is consistent from left to right, even though ceiling or floor pitches change.
Hmmmm, the next time your kid needs help with geometry homework, perhaps you should call the seamstress over.
Hire a window treatment pro to handle this for you
Pleat style. Here's where I usually send my clients' brains into sensory overload: choosing a pleat style. Sure, it seems like a small detail, but it can change a look from feminine to masculine, formal to casual or from ultra-modern to uber-traditional. The pleat refers to the tailoring at the very top of the panel. There are more than a dozen styles to choose from; however, if you want to stick with styles which are gender-neutral and fit for both contemporary and traditional homes, consider the inverted box pleat (seen here) or a top-pinch, tailored pleat. You'll never go wrong with these two.
Drapery rings. Now we’re entering budget-breaking territory: hardware. Clients often want to punch me in the face the moment I talk hardware pricing, especially after they see the numbers for the drapery panels. But just as the wrong accessories can make or break an outfit, drapery rings can totally change the dressing of your windows.
If you’re simply putting up two single panels, it ain’t no big thang, y’all. If you’re covering an entire wall of windows, that’s another story. To figure out how many you’ll need, just keep in mind that each single panel will require about 8 drapery rings.
If you’re simply putting up two single panels, it ain’t no big thang, y’all. If you’re covering an entire wall of windows, that’s another story. To figure out how many you’ll need, just keep in mind that each single panel will require about 8 drapery rings.
Drapery hooks. Well how do those purdy little rings get on up there with them purdy drapes? See the teency weency silver hook latched on to the small ringlet? Yep, that's a drapery hook. These insert up into the back of each panel, usually into the stitching at the back of the pleat. Once in place, this attaches each panel firmly to the ring or ringlet. As opposed to hardware, hooks are usually supplied by the workroom or seamstress as part of the cost for fabrication.
Drapery rods. Pretty self explanatory, huh? In addition to choosing the right finish, you’ll need to keep in mind how the rods will mount to your wall. Most come with brackets wide enough in depth to clear windows, doors and their surrounding trim. Wood rods may require cutting down in order to fit your space perfectly; metal rods often “telescope” in certain areas to increase the length for a perfect fit. I often recommend choosing rods that telescope near each end instead of in the middle; the drapes will most likely sit on top of the telescope and help mask it.
Shop drapery rods on Houzz
Shop drapery rods on Houzz
Finials. And then there are finials, the crown jewels of drapery hardware. When deciding which one is right for your space, think about cost in relation to how visible it’s gonna be from different vantage points in the room. If the window is the star of the space and there ain’t much more to look at, spend away! But if your finials will butt up into corners of adjacent walls, go for the budget version.
That’s it for today’s lesson! Anyone else have great window-treatment tips? Please share them below.
Next: How to Layer Patterns Right
That’s it for today’s lesson! Anyone else have great window-treatment tips? Please share them below.
Next: How to Layer Patterns Right