8 minute read
DESIGN
Beautiful multi-taskers
BY GRANVILLE WOOD // IMAGES COURTESY OF DESIGN DIRECTION
If you think about it, windows are noticed instantly when entering a room. Every home has them and there is nothing more pleasing to the eye than window treatments that bathe a room in beautiful design. Their beauty is just the beginning. Inspired Home asked Design Direction experts Christina Mehl and Delrae Schefter for their thoughts.
TOP: Here, motorized Hunter Douglas shades were chosen for privacy. The grommet stationary drapery panels add pattern and color to this space. Layering your windows treatments allows you to maintain privacy, and add texture, color, and pattern to the room.
LEFT: Stationary drapery panels frame the fireplace wall and help ground the room with a neutral color, adding a casual feel with the fabric and puddling at the floor. Layers of sheer and semi-opaque fabric in the Silhouette window shades tilt for privacy or diffuse sunlight.
OPPOSITE PAGE, BOTTOM RIGHT: These Roman shades offer the privacy desired. Fabric shades are a great way to add bold patterns and bright colors to a space. The blue vertical band of fabric creates a beautiful designer touch.
»IH:Are window treatments enjoying the popularity of previous years?
DS: Yes! They are as popular today because of what they bring to your space. The most important things consumers are seeking now in window treatments are privacy, light control, sound absorption, energy efficiency, ease of operation and the overall aesthetics of the treatment.
IH:What design factors have changed in window treatments?
DS: We’re not doing as many layered draperies as we did in previous years. This is where a pair of sheer panels with drapery panels traverse across the entire window. Swags and cascades are not as
LEFT: Stunning 20’ long stationary pleated drapery panels add warmth and luxury to this beautiful home. The panels are made from a textured fabric and hang from a custom-stained 2” wood drapery rod with finials capping the ends. The fabric panels not only add beauty to the space but help with sound absorption too.
OPPOSITE PAGE: Bypass shutter treatment is a great way to add privacy and light control to a large expansive window area. Natural wood creates a warm appeal and contrast to any room in your home. Added comfort by insulating against the cold of winter and the heat of summer days are additional reasons to incorporate them into your home.
common. Most combination treatments we create now have some type of privacy blind or shade combined with stationary panels of drapery on either side of the window.
IH:Does the architecture of the home play a role?
DS: Architecture does come into play when determining window treatments. If it’s a historic home, we may look to the past and recreate the styles used, or if it is a modern home with clean lines, we like to keep the treatments contemporary and streamlined.
IH:How do you determine your starting point?
DS: The starting point to any window treatment design is accurate measurements, for several reasons. Each treatment is made specifically for each project, there isn’t a one size fits all. Shade styles may have size restrictions we need to consider, such as a narrow window that may require a manual lift system versus motorized. Or, perhaps the fabric we like is only available in a certain width and length that won’t fit a particular window. Another consideration — drapery panels take up wall space on each side of the window we call the stackback. We may have only one inch of space on one side of a window but the other side there is a 24-inch space.
At that point, we need to address how that will look on the window with our client and whether they want stationary side panels or full draperies that cover the window. These are just a few examples of the importance of correct measurements from the very beginning.
CM: We meet with the customer to find out how they use the space with the window we’re addressing. Does the homeowner need light control to help keep glare off the TV? Or if the window is hard to access, we would suggest a lift system best suited for it. In a larger room with hard-surface flooring and tall ceilings, the space would benefit from having drapery panels to help with sound absorption, while also bringing in patterns and colors to frame the window.
IH:Options to dressing a window are endless. What’s popular with clients? CM: That’s the fun part of dressing windows. It’s exciting to bring creativity into the project with color, patterns and style of the treatment. We have seen shutters gain popularity here in the upper Midwest. From being able to easily control the light by tilting the slats, to the beautiful colors, finishes and louver sizes offered — they are a popular choice. We also do a lot with stationary drapery panels. Whether they are of textural fabrics Learn to paint in watercolor! From veteran artist & teacher, Barbara Benda
House Sparrow, Barbara Benda, 2022
Sandpoint Poodles, Beverly and Barbara Benda 2022
Sweet Spirit,
Barbara Benda 2022 My Cheyenne, Barbara Benda, 2022
When God Paints at Sunrise, Barbara Benda, 2021
Double Trouble Gallery showcases watercolors, acrylics, and mixed media collage by professional artist and educator Barbara Benda and twin sister Beverly Benda. This unique home-based gallery features affordable original art for your home or business. To make an appointment, call 218-443-1126 or email: barbara@barbarabendanagle.com.
Private art instruction is also available for ages 12 and up
Workshop and Art Event Calendar
July 18-22, 9:00-3:30
LIMITED TO THE FIRST 12 REGISTRANTS Beginning Drawing and Watercolor Workshop:
With Veteran Artist & teacher, Barbara Benda This class is for you! For more information and to download a registration form, go to www.barbarabendanagle.com NDSCS Campus in Fargo, ND
October 2-3, 12-6 pm Studio Crawl, Mourning Dove Studio
809 20th St. North, Moorhead, MN
For updates and to sign up for e-letter, go to www.barbarabendanagle.com
Double Trouble
Open by appointment Monday -Saturday GALLERY
ABOVE: This window treatment portrays the use of multiple widths of fabric to add height and width to the window. The color of the fabric chosen was inspired by the family area rug used in the space, which adds a cheery coziness to the room. Embellishment using bell tassel trim along the leading edges of the drapes creates a personalized design statement. Motorized screen shades offer ease of operation even when lounging in bed.
RIGHT: The playful floral fabric in this Roman shade gives a finishing touch to this window shade. From paisleys and feminine florals to checks and playful polka dots, patterned shades provide personality-plus to your room.
or patterned, we can add tapes and trim to embellish the panels, adding fun and customized design elements to the panels.
IH:New trends that you are excited about? CM: Home automation is playing a large role in window treatments. Homeowners can operate their lights, thermostats and security systems off apps through their smart devices — and we do the same with window treatments. Current technology allows us to open and close window treatments, setting up a timed schedule to open, like sunrise, and close at sunset. Also, window treatments can be operated remotely from anywhere in the world —– how cool is that!
Want more information?
Contact:
DELRAE SCHEFTER
Interior Designer delrae@designdirectionfargo.com
CHRISTINA MEHL
»SUMMER SCHEDULE
JUNE 1 ONWARD THERAPY: Speech and Language Impacts of Dementia • Bethel Church, 2702 30th Ave. S, Fargo, ND
7REDEFINING MEMORY LOSS CAREGIVER CONFERENCE
9, a.m.-4 p.m., Holiday Inn, 3803 13th Ave. S, Fargo, ND, Keynote speaker: Erin Bonitto, M.S. A.D.C/ Gemini Consulting
8SANDY’S DONUT DAY AND MUSIC
Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Ave. S, Moorhead, MN 15 COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT & TNT FITNESS Bethel Church, 2702 30th Ave. S, Fargo, ND 22 CAREGIVER CAFE - Linger, Laugh and Learn Center, 1122 1st Ave. N, Fargo, West Entrance Call 701-404-6712 for details.
JULY
6INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION - Yard games and root beer floats! Friends and family welcome! Urban Plains Park Shelter A, 3020 51st St. S, Fargo, ND 13 Memory Cafe is dedicated to providing impactful support and education to individuals living with mild CAREGIVER BURNOUT - Dr. Bess Martin, Essentia Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Ave. N, Moorhead, MN ™ 20 to moderate memory loss and their care partners. BEGINNING WATERCOLOR PAINTING WITH ARTIST NICOLE GAGNER
Changing the Way Bethel Church, 2702 30th Ave. S, Fargo, ND 27 We Think About Memory LossCAREGIVER CAFÉ Linger, Laugh and Learn Center, 1122 1st Ave. N, Fargo, West Entrance • Call 701-404-6712 for details.
AUG. 3 10 1st & 3rd Wednesday, 1-2:30pm Bethel Church — 2702 30th Ave S, Fargo PARTY AND TOUR OF THE RED RIVER ZOO 4255 23rd Ave. S, Fargo, ND THE REMEMBER PROJECT Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Ave. N, Moorhead, MN 17 2nd Wednesday, 1-2:30pm Hjemkomst Center — 202 1st Ave N, Moorhead OUTDOOR GATHERING AND MUSIC The Urban Plains Park Shelter A, 3020 51st St. S, Fargo, ND 4th Wednesday, 1-2:30pm Linger Laugh and Learn Center — 1122 1st Ave N, Fargo caregiver cafe support group 24 CAREGIVER CAFE 1122 1st Ave. N, Fargo, ND, West Entrance Call 701-404-6712 for details. 31 Every Tuesday & Thursday, 1-2:30pm Linger Laugh and Learn Center — 1122 1st Ave N, Fargo NO MEMORY CAFE (5th Wednesday)
Website Email Phone Facebook Instagram www.memorycaferrv.org hello@memorycaferrv.org 701-404-6712 Memory Cafe of the Red River Valley @memorycafe_rrv
