One of our workrooms in Asia truly inspired me this past trip with great ideas for valances and drapery. Every designer knows the value of great window treatments. Dress the windows and suddenly the room feels complete, like icing on a cake, they are the sweet topping that make a piece irresistible. Drapery softens the edges of a space, frames the view and confirms a focal point. But often window coverings can have that ‘same old same old’ feel to them. Its imperative that we find the perfect fabrics for our windows but trimming them is just as important. Swag, boxed, ruffled valances and drapery panels all take one a youthful edgy feel when swathed with chain, fabric flowers, feathers, pearls and zippers, yes zippers. I loved what I saw and can’t wait to bring some of these ideas home.
For a modern space, how about simply hanging strips of chain instead of fabric for drapery? If you want a moveable drape hang individual chains from a traverse rod, if the ability to slide the chain to one side or the other is unimportant then cup hooks hung from the underside of the drapery box at evenly spaced intervals will do the trick. Still loving the embellished chain-feel, you can loop chain across the top of your billowing white sheers or even between your damask swags. If chain is a little to edgy for your room how about strands of pearls or glass beads instead? Fine jewelry chain is available by the spool at crafts stores and can also be used to create stunning valances or even drapery tiebacks, so many possibilities!
When I was in art school some of my favorite projects were of mixed media so I’m still drawn to the use of un-conventional and the mixing of materials in design applications. The valance sewn from silver zippers is brilliant perfect for a kitchen, family room or even a super modern great room. I can also envision fabulous white sheer drapery panels with a single large scale zipper sewn vertically on the center split of the drape-not quite as hard edged as a valance made from zippers but still edgy and super sexy. Speaking of sexy, you will also find stands of rhinestones at the craft store in varying width, these also work magically as trimming for drapery panels and valances or maybe even on a lampshade.
On a softer note I loved the addition of peacock feathers to drapery panels and also the use of the ruffled flowers. Sewn onto table linens or drapery panels this is a fabulous idea for a Hollywood regency styled feminine space. Imagine tone on tone or sheer drapery panels heavily weighted with the sexy flowers at the base of the panels and then a much lighter smattering of flowers as the panels reach the ceiling.
I love it when we get create and start to think outside the box or I guess outside the traditional valance box-pun intended, it is this thinking that makes our rooms fabulous and uniquely our own.
WEEKEND PROJECT
Love is in the air as Valentines Day approaches, so this weekend lets add a few designer touches of love to your rooms. In the kitchen fill a glass urn or canister with candy hearts (did you know that you can customize and custom color your own M&Ms-imagine the possibilities). On the sofa add a heart inspired pillow and in the bottom of the powder room sink lay three glass hearts.
