BY DESIGN
Custom Window Treatments Breathe Life into Home
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WORDS BY AURET CAVEDO | PROVIDED PHOTO
Custom window treatments may not be the first thing that springs to mind when making the decision on layers of finishes for your new or current home. Let me assure you, years in this business have taught us that the right window treatments, for the space, makes as much of a difference as the choice on correct wall colors, flooring, or furniture. Navigating through this process may be daunting, but your local workroom and designers are there to assist you from designing the space and choosing the fabric, to making and installing gorgeous treatments, which will make you smile in admiration every time you walk in the room. What are the most significant differences between custom and pre-made treatments? Custom literally takes all the guesswork out of deciding on window treatments. Pre-made window treatments come in a few standard sizes, not taking into consideration all different size windows. Finished lengths are never exactly what
they are indicated as on the packaging, and you may end up with six panels, all different in size. Custom fits your window like a glove. Custom gives you the choice of different pleated headings, beautiful embellishments like lead edge trims, color blocking, and superior linings which will make them feel luscious to the touch and make them hang perfectly. In short — all the flexibility and functionality you can possibly think of, perfect for your home. Custom hardware, to show off the treatments, is as vital as the treatments themselves. Types and colors of hardware can again be a daunting a choice. Consideration should be given to how you would like the panels to function. Rods and pretty rings may look contemporary and pretty in pictures, but may not be the right option for your space and the functionality required. Heavy treatments need brackets placed closer together and may require a bypass function, which store-bought hardware will not accommodate. Traverse tracks can be baton drawn or cord drawn and generally function better for tall, wide, and heavy treatments. Motorization has become hugely popular and come in at various price points. Motorization also allows you the option of full house automation, available from your mobile device, wherever you may find yourself. Professional installation ensures the absolute correct placement of the hardware, to take the panels to just above the floor, kissing the floor, slightly breaking on the floor or wherever you fancy them stopping. Custom Roman shades have taken the industry by storm. Pre-made shades do
not give you the option of using your custom chosen fabric to match your draperies or the rest of your space. Stock standards are available at a lesser cost, but choices are very limited. Even though windows are “standard” — once installed they are hardly ever exactly equal in size. A custom Roman shade is laser measured and fitted to each individual window for the perfect fit. Lift mechanisms can be chosen to accommodate the easy and difficult windows — those easy to reach and those 20 feet up in a wall. Twin Pull, spring lift, and motorization are the most popular solutions. Think of custom treatments as one of the vital layers of dressing your home, the final layer pulling everything together, making the aesthetic difference that puts your home apart from the premade realm. The process starts with an in-home consultation. At this time we consider “the look,” requirements on functionality, hardware and linings best suited for the space and timing involved in getting the treatments made and installed. Precise measurements and pictures are taken, and with that we are off to the workroom to put together a detailed estimate for consideration and perusal. We always keep budget in mind and try to accommodate the client as best we can, allowing them to acquire their desired treatments. We pride ourselves in coming up with the best solution for the space, never compromising on service and quality, doing so with speed and accuracy.
MARC H/A P RI L 2022
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