By: Pam DeVries, National Director and Chair of

Ambassador Program, Membership and Ethics

As an active CDECA board member, volunteer

and ambassador for several years, I often hear

“Why should I become a member? What’s in it

for me?”

Volunteering is one of the most enriching ways to

be a part of this wonderful association. I have

been delighted to have met brilliant members

from all over Canada that I would otherwise not

been aware of. So I encourage you to look at

your membership with a new respect and

gratitude for the many members actively

volunteering their time as well as our National

Office to help you be a better professional.

As responsible professionals we should want to

become members in a national association that

recognises the professional status of design and

décor specialists from across the country. You

are no different than any other professional who

takes pride in having an association working

quietly in the background on your behalf.

There is not always a tangible take away from

belonging to a professional organization. It is the

structure, the identity and the knowledge that you

have a kindred bond to other like-minded

professionals in your field. As a member you have

access to industry specific seminars, job postings,

and professional discounts, just to name a few of

the items that are available to help you align your

business strategies. Our insurance program strives

to maintain the best rates allowed for décor

professionals, and they have the knowledge of the

CDECA - What ’s in i t For Me? In this issue:

Developing Your

Business - Creating

Systems to Work

for You

2

Volunteer of the

Year Award

3

Checklist for

Custom Drapery

Projects

4

“Measure Twice,

Cut Once!”

5

Motorized

Window Coverings

5

Ken’s Carpet FAQ 6

Chapter Updates 8-

11

Articles on

Window Coverings

from around the

web

12-

14

Window Coverings Spring 2015 Volume 1, Issue 3

IDEAS—Spring 2015

industry to ensure you are covered for exactly

what your business requires.

When you need some guidance there is someone

on the other end of the phone who will attentively

listen and offer you guidance or point you towards

another seasoned professional willing to help you.

Many professions insist that to maintain a

professional designation membership is

mandatory. We take pride in the fact that over

550 professionals from across the country

recognise the importance of becoming CDECA

members from decorators, designers, educators

and retailers. Our plans to have a CEU program

will bring sources of valuable current information

keeping your knowledge current and relevant in

an ever changing industry. Being a professional is

an ongoing job and we want to officially

acknowledge the efforts our members are already

committed to and participating in.

Volunteering is one of the most enriching ways I

have found to be an active member of CDECA. I

have been delighted to have met brilliant members

from all over Canada that I would otherwise not

have known. So, I encourage you to look at your

membership with gratitude and respect for the

many like minded members actively volunteering

their time to help all of us be better professionals.

So instead of asking WHY? I encourage you to

consider “WHEN” it is time to renew, “WHO”

can you encourage to become a proud new

member of CDECA.

CDECA – Belong, Believe be Brilliant!

Follow CDECA on social media!

Window Coverings Spring 2015 Volume 1, Issue 3

The Tip Corner

Vo l u n tee rs Wan t ed !

Toronto and GTA West Chapters are looking for volunteers to assist at events and to act as mentors for new

decorators. This is a great way to meet other members and contribute to CDECA. If you are interested please

contact:

Nita nmccown@prosource.ca

Or Elvira egoodenough@prosourcecanada.com

By Joanne Jakab, National Director and Treasurer

During January and February I often find the time to work

on my business versus simply in my business. I like to look

on social media sites like LinkedIN for inspiration from

thought leaders as well as Industry chat groups like

CDECA’s own for personal and professional growth

opportunities. I know it can be easy to get lost with your

time but I feel you can set an alarm or only go online

when you are limited to 20 minutes. Whether simply

inspiring or specific industry articles I always find this a

great investment of my time.

These past few months I have also added a couple of

processes to help ease my social media backlog. I

originally found the seed for this idea while reading about

time budgeting online. The first step I took was to create

a “Future Blog Note File" on my iPhone using the free pre

Develop ing Your Bus iness - Creat ing Systems

to Work for You

-installed app called Notes . This allowed me to quickly

jot down ideas for future blogs in the moment. This

one change ended up shifting my entire 2015 blog

planning. In a matter of a couple sessions, when I was

feeling inspired, I created more than enough blog titles

and one paragraph descriptions to fill in around the

new project articles I planned. Now when I need to

get the next blog written I know my stress level won’t

be through the roof and I actually feel inspired to

expand on the original Blog Note.

Another find is an app called Buffer. Buffer allows you

to plan and post to various social media platforms at

the same time. The basic options are free and for a fee

you can do more. Hootsuite is a competitor to Buffer

and works similarly so look at them both or even use

them both and see which option works best for your

business.

Are you a member of CDECA that has received an award

for your work in the decorating industry? Email us the

details at newsletter@cdeca.com and we will be sure to

mention it in our next newsletter!

W i nn e r ’s C i rc le

By: Audrey Macdonald, Past-President, GTA West Chapter

I first met Jeannette in class at Sheridan College when

we were students taking our interior decorating

courses. After graduating, Jeannette started her own

interior decorating business in Oakville, Design Savvy,

while maintaining a strong involvement in CDECA.

Jeannette has always so enthusiastic about being a

member of CDECA that it is infectious. In her role

as School Ambassador, she

comes to the classrooms at

Sheridan College to speak to the

students about CDECA, and

after seeing her they all want to

join right away.

About 5 years ago, Jeannette and

I were at the CDECA AGM, and

at that time she was on the

National Board, as well as doing

a million other things for

CDECA; it seemed wherever

there was a need, Jeannette

would volunteer to help out.

That kind of attitude is what

helped us develop the GTA

West Chapter. Jeannette has

been the Chapter Vice President

Jeannette Wisby Wins Vo lunteer o f the Year

Award

Window Coverings April 2015 Volume 1, Issue 3

Volunteer Award

for the past 5 years, and has recently also taken on the

role as Membership Director for Affiliates and Students.

She has worked on the show committees, as well as being

an important part of the display at SoFA. Our chapter has

grown tremendously due in a large part to her hard work

and positive attitude.

I consider it a privilege to sit on the Chapter Board with

her and call her my friend. I can’t think of anyone who

deserves this honour more than Jeannette.

Congratulations to our First Volunteer of the Year!

What is the CDECA™ Volunteer of the Year Award?

The purpose of the Award is to recognize one (1)

outstanding CDECA™ accredited or student member

volunteer each year. The accredited or student CDECA™

volunteers are nominated by members of CDECA™. The

accredited or student CDECA™ volunteers must have

made an overall substantial contribution to the vision of

CDECA or of a CDECA™ activity.

For more details on the CDECA™ Volunteer of the Year

Award and the nomination process, click here (must be

logged in to CDECA.com).

Window Coverings Spring 2015 Volume 1, Issue 3

Featured Articles

By Paddy Singh of Azure Design

Spring’s here and that means

homeowners are eager to freshen up

their spaces with new home decor

items and hopefully new window

treatments too! When you get that

call from a client inquiring about

custom window treatments, this

checklist will make your job easier:

Tools

Large and medium tape measures

Laser measure device (for high

ceilings)

Graph paper and pencils

Calculator

Basic sample books, for colour

reference. Sheer and silk sample

books are handy too!

Lining samples

Large bulldog clips if you are

showing several fabrics or

working with multiple rooms

Camera or smartphone camera

to take pictures of windows,

trim, mouldings and existing

textiles in the space

Tips

Have your trusted workroom do

a check measure on complex or

high windows

Take inside frame measurements,

as well as outside frame

measurements, just in case there

are design changes after your

check measure appointment

An upselling tip is to bring

interesting trims or images of

draperies with special features

(e.g. contrast banding). Your

client will love the customized

looks, which creates an

opportunity for increased profits

Window treatments can be a lot of

fun, so let’s get designing!

Check l i s t for Custom Draper y Projects

Follow CDECA on social

media!

Window Coverings Spring 2015 Volume 1, Issue 3

Featured Articles

By Kevin Slack of Sun Shade

Window Coverings have come a long way since the 80's

when your main options were either Drapery, Vinyl

Roller blinds, or dusty Venetian Blinds. Today there are

literally thousands of options and fabrics available on

custom window coverings (and that's not including

drapery). This can make selling blinds and shades

extremely complicated and confusing with the margin for

error quite high. Hunter Douglas Window Coverings

have taken centre stage in Canada.

Hunter Douglas will sell their products through a

network of qualified dealers. These dealers in turn will

and should build relationships with decorators who will

then use the dealer's knowledge and expertise to consult

with the designer and/or homeowner. This relationship

benefits both parties, a little less work for the dealer in

terms of colour consultation design and for the designer,

less configuration and control to worry about; no

measuring and no costly mistakes, especially with

motorized shades.

Motorized window coverings are a becoming a huge part

of our business, operating window shades at a touch of a

button is becoming the norm for not just the elite or

hard to reach windows. Motorized prices have dropped

to affordable levels and with the main stream wireless

toys and apps, it has come to the point where an average

customer can have limitless control via their IPhone or

Android device. New homes have the option of running

power cable to each window opening prior to the the

drywall being installed. Existing homes and renovations

can have battery operated shades (most of our

motorized sales are battery), or a technician can be hired

to hide low voltage lines throughout the home.

Customers have the option of a hand held remote

control, a wall switch beside a light switch, or tablet/

phone control.

Motorization adds a level of complication to window

coverings that are already complicated enough. This is

why is important to align yourself with a dealer who is

competent in their field. You pick the colours and styles

for your customer and let them be there with you to

guide you with configuration, measuring and power

options. With married customers, we find that usually

one partner of the relationship does not really care

about the design and is more worried about budget

rather than style. But when motorization and gadgets are

brought into the equation they not only get on board,

but are now willing to spend more money to get a new

"toy" they can play with.

It's another way to increase overall dollar volume and

provide customers a great option they might not have

previously thought of.

Motor ized Window Cover ings

By Paddy Singh of Azure Design

“Measure twice, cut once!” was a familiar phrase for me

growing up, and I’ve learned to put it into practice with

my decorating projects.

As designers we must be attentive to detail or things can

easily go wrong. I learned this early on with one of my

first custom drapery jobs. My client had expensive taste

and chose an embroidered Belgian silk blend fabric for

her family room. She stated that she did not want a dark

room, so I chose a dim-out lining and happily waited for

installation day. Of course, double checking the product

would have saved me a lot of trouble. The lining was too

lightweight and the embroidered threads were visible in

daylight! As a result, we needed to reline the draperies

with a “soft black” lining.

After that, I implemented a “visual check” procedure for

both my clients and myself before any drapery enters

production. When presenting fabrics to clients, I also

bring samples of linings and interlinings to demonstrate

product results. This method `clients to feel the added

weight and body of a well-lined product. The extra time

it takes to educate clients is also a profitable selling tool

and ensures client satisfaction!

“Measure Twice , Cut Once !”

Window Coverings Spring 2015 Volume 1, Issue 3

Featured Articles

The formation of the Alberta CDECA Chapter is well underway!

Interim executives include Ana Cummings (ANA Interiors) President; Wanda Weston (WW Design Studio) Vice-

President; Kara Brennan (Wink Interiors) Treasurer; and Sondra Abbott (Sondra Abbott Design) Secretary.

They had a constituting meeting on April 24th, 2015 with a total of 15 people, 9 of which were accredited CDECA

members.

Thanks to Curt Williams of Trail Appliances in Calgary SE for generously providing the boardroom and goodies, with door

prizes from Home Evolution and The Consignment Gallery. Swag bags and sweets appreciatively provided by Stewart

Drummond Studios, Allan Forrest Sales, Revolve Furnishings, and Crown Wallpaper & Fabrics.

New Alber ta Chapter

Window Coverings Spring 2015 Volume 1, Issue 3

Chapter Updates

With your support, the Toronto Chapter has thus far

been able to host many successful events. Kicking off

2015, our event in February was a presentation and tour

by Gresham House Furniture and DesignDocs. Marilyn

Roberts, Principal of Gresham House Furniture hosted a

factory tour and presentation on custom upholstered

furniture. Dean Einarson of DesignDocs also prepared a

presentation on financial management practices for

design businesses.

In March, our chapter held a joint event with the GTA West Chapter at Richelieu Hardware. Richelieu

Hardware showcased their latest in sliding doors,

kitchen accessories, and panels that can be used as

accents, texture and lighting effects. Without a doubt,

unique design solutions!

In April, ProSource Wholesale Floors hosted an event

featuring award winning rug fabricator Brad Dodge of

Dodge Custom Carpets. Whether you need a special

design or size unavailable in stores, Dodge Custom

Carpets can make your idea a reality!

Window Coverings Spring 2015 Volume 1, Issue 3

Chapter Updates

With the year well on its way, we would like to thank our

Affiliate members, for making it possible for us to present

such great events. Below is a list of our upcoming event

collaborators – please save the dates and plan to attend:

May 13 - Luxe Appliance Studio

June 10 - Crown Wallpaper & Coverings

July 15 - Benjamin Moore

September 9 - Schluter Systems

Toronto

Brad Dodge of Dodge Custom Carpets delivering

a presentation at ProSource Wholesale Floors

Fourteen accredited members and three affiliates helped

Central Prairie Chapter kick off its new year with an

intimate and lively AGM on April 18. Outgoing Vice-

President Sandra Gilbert did a great job of organizing the

details that made the day so successful – thank you

Sandra!

The main business of the meeting was the election of the

new slate of directors. Carol Standil, who will take on

the role of President, Bahia Taylor, Treasurer and Tara-

Spencer-Nairn, Secretary are currently serving two year terms that end in 2016. Carla Brenan joined the board

as a replacement after the 2014 AGM, and was ratified

to complete a two-year term as Member at Large in

2016.

The board is also very pleased to welcome back Tiffany

Johnson-Sheldon as our new Vice-President.

The AGM also gave us the opportunity to publicly salute

the contributions of our outgoing board members who

have been so generous with their time and talents:

Wanda Vuignier

Sandra Gilbert

Wendy Sas

Monique Milne

Monica White

Darlene Chimilar

We ended the day with a presentation from Colleen

Walmsley of the Women’s Enterprise Centre on social media

for designers.

Centra l Pra ir ie

Havin

g fu

n at th

e CP

C A

GM

on

Ap

ril 18.

January hit us with more cold weather and snow

but it didn’t stop our chapter from enjoying our

annual luncheon. We had a great turnout including

some of our affiliates and a few new members at the

Mandarin Restaurant in Mississauga. Everyone left

feeling satiated. We held our annual elections and

welcomed a wonderful group of additional members

to our executive.

President: Edward Phillips

Past President: Audrey Macdonald Vice President, Membership Director:

Jeannette Wisby

Secretary: Anna Romito

Membership Director: Helena Asikainen

Program Director:: Deborah Darlington

Marketing Director: Alison Hodd

Special Events Director: Catherine Goslan

Communications Director: Ramita Singh

Treasurer: Elena Haluk

National Board Liaison: Jane Campbell

February rolled in just as chilly but we brought

enthusiasm to our meeting at a new Affiliate – Fasada

Windows. We learned all about doors, windows and

more about window coverings.

We held our March meeting at our Affiliate, Richelieu

Hardware and in addition to our meeting and

presentation and showroom tour of the premises, we

were given a fantastic presentation by Jane Campbell on

Sourcing Tips.

Window Coverings Spring 2015 Volume 1, Issue 3

Chapter Updates

We wound up the spring meetings with a visit to SOFA where we were given the ins and outs of managing the

paperwork side of our businesses by another Affiliate –

Design Docs, which was very informative. Following that, we

were treated to a lovely luncheon hosted by Distinctive

Appliances and the chef from Great Mountain Soapstone

cooked a marvelous meal on soapstone. What a treat and

learning experience it was. The soapstone is so durable you

can heat it up on your barbeque and grill meats of all kinds.

GTA West

CDECA’s National Capital Region has been very active

this year with renewed energy and ideas to stimulate our

local membership and generate a buzz about our

organization - from the Ottawa area, all the way up to

the National level. We have undertaken new marketing

and communication initiatives, with extra emphasis on

creating and maintaining a relevant Social Media presence

for our organization.

Our Chapter was included at the Ernst and Young Conference Centre for Ottawa’s Home and Garden

Show March 26-29th. Affiliate partner Beth Charbonneau

of Our Homes Magazine asked Marketing and

Communications Director, Cara Hancox along with

Debbie MacIsaac to act as industry professionals for the

Show’s featured panel on “Ask An Expert.” Our

designers spent an afternoon offering complimentary 15

minute consultations on the opening day to the public -

demonstrating the value of hiring professionals for major

renovations.

The NCR resumed our ‘Round Table’ discussions initiated by

the Board of Directors last year, with Debbie MacIsaac’s

organizational expertise. Our first meeting was held in April

at Affiliate partner Marchand Electric’s beautiful boardroom

in Ottawa. There was a good turnout and lively discussion

with 10 local designers and decorators. Guest speaker Liz

Cannie, Sales Representative from Ottawa Our Homes

Magazine helped to initiate the topic “How to Continue to

evolve your business with Marketing, Advertising and

Networking”

(Continued on next page…)

Nat iona l Cap i ta l Reg ion

April was a busy month in Ottawa.

In addition to encouraging

discussion with new and existing

members, our Chapter held a PD

Day for members, featuring 3D

Dream - a new software available

to designers. The workshop was

well-attended by our members.

Finally, the NCR had exceptional

results at this year’s National

Awards Gala and PD Day at The

Old Mill Inn and Spa in Toronto.

Ottawa Designers Sonya Kinkade

and Maureen Coates collaborated

on a kitchen design in the ‘Over

50k’ category, earning Silver, for

their sleek and understated “Mad

Men Sexy” themed kitchen.

Mary Anne Van Gaal earned Bronze

for her entry in the ‘Under 50k’

category with her refined “Modern

Farmhouse Kitchen”.

Window Coverings Spring 2015 Volume 1, Issue 3

Chapter Updates

In the Bathroom category, Deborah

Casey earned Silver in the ‘Under 25k’

category for her highly customized

“Gentleman’s Retreat” - with soft earth-

toned colours, custom cabinetry, sensor

lights, and a walk-in shower.

Last but not least, Sonya Kinkade came

away with "Top Honours” at the gala for

CDECA’s Commercial Category.

Kinkade received Gold for her

“Trendsetting Salon With Timeless

Appeal.” A big round of applause goes

out to all of our talented Interior

Decorators who received their

prestigious awards from our peers

across the country.

As we move into the month of May, our

Chapter is busy preparing for our

regional PD Day, planned for next

month at Ottawa’s Southway Inn.

Industry advisors and trendsetters will

be featured guests for our Chapter’s

Annual Day of inspiration and learning.

Stay posted for more in the next IDEAS

newsletter.

Nat iona l Cap i ta l Reg ion (Cont inued)

By Sarah Yang, Elle Decor

Original article can be found here.

What you need to know before you hang your window

treatments.

1. Not Measuring Correctly

The first thing you should do is measure your windows and

make adjustments depending on how you want to hang the

window treatments. It will save you another trip to the store if

your curtains and rods are the right size.

2. Hanging Curtains Too Low

Hang curtain rods and draperies at the ceiling to make the

room feel taller — this is especially important in small spaces.

3. Buying Curtains That Are Too Short

"For classic side panels, you really have to go all the way to the

floor," designer Scot Meacham Wood says. "If you're looking at

ready-made drapes, make sure that they touch the floor, even if

you have to buy the next size up and have them hemmed."

4. Not Thinking About Fullness

"Traditionally, you should be looking at 2 to 2½ times the width

of the window for the fullness of the drapes," Wood says. "So if

your window is 4 feet wide, the ungathered panels should be at

least 8 feet wide, or even better, 10 feet."

5. Avoiding the Iron

Wrinkled curtains look messy. Don't be lazy and think they

somehow will become unwrinkled after a few days, steam or

iron them before you hang them.

6. Forgetting About Hardware

The window treatments are the main event, but the hardware

is important, too. Pay attention to how heavy the curtains are,

sometimes you may need a rod with extra support or added

hardware. Also, think about the style of the rod and finial and

how it goes with the curtain style.

6 Mistakes You ’re Making When Hanging

Cur ta ins

Window Coverings Spring 2015 Volume 1, Issue 3

From The Web.. .

By Stebbins, Real Life Made Easier

Original article can be found here.

Paralyzed by possibilities when it comes to dealing with your

windows? This quick primer will give you the know-how to find

the right treatments for every spot in your home.

Where Do I Start?

Set aside style considerations for a moment; function comes

first and will limit your curtain choices, in a good way. If you

want treatments that provide privacy or total darkness, you

need lined curtains. If you’re OK with light filtering through or if

your curtains are simply decorative, unlined will work. Lining is

more expensive but has other advantages: It can shield fabric

from sun damage, making curtains last longer. A lining also adds

heft, which protects against drafts and helps fabric fall more

luxuriously. For maximum durability, light blockage, body, and

insulation, you can get curtains with an interlining, too—a layer

of flannel-like fabric sewn between the lining and the “face”

fabric. This is a common option for custom-made curtains but

not widely available in less expensive ready-made panels.

Texture

Consider the mood of the room. For a formal space, there’s

heavy silk or velvet (a great insulator); both are dry-clean only.

More practical (often washable) options include silky rayon

blends and cotton sateen. For a casual feel, there are billowy

linen (generally dry-clean only) and crinkly crushed velvet.

Cotton and cotton blends work with any type of decor and

bring a crisp, neat feel, as does seasonless wool or wool blends.

Color

You’ll need to decide if you want the curtains to blend with the

decor or to pop. For blending, pick curtains that are the same

tone as the wall but a few shades darker, or choose a non-

dominant subtle color in the room (a soft shade from the rug,

say). A bold color will work like an exclamation point (if you’re

looking to add some wow). Also keep in mind that in a space

where the sun shines through unlined curtains, the color will

infuse the room. Blue can be eerie; pink, cheery.

Prints and Patterns

A rule of thumb: If you have patterned furniture or bedding (or

a very elaborate rug), stick with solid curtains. If you have solid-

color furniture or bedding, consider patterned curtains. For a

subtle hit of style and energy, go for a small, neutral print, like

dots or paisley, which reads like texture from afar. A large,

graphic print in a color that relates to the existing decor is

daring but can be spectacular.

Your Guide to Cur ta ins and Window Treatments

By Katie, BlindsGalore Blog

Original article can be found here

Wood and faux wood blinds are two of the most popular

window treatments today. Wood window blinds and faux wood

blinds are two of the most popular window treatments today.

And, for good reason. Both are highly functional, attractive and

complement almost any decor.

First, let’s start with faux wood, which are also sometimes

called imitation wood blinds. This is an apt description, because

they are a horizontal blind that is meant to “look” like real

wood but made from materials that won’t warp, crack or fade.

Faux wood blinds are a great choice for bathrooms, kitchens

and/or generally humid environments. They are also a good

choice for homes with children, as they can stand up to more

wear and tear. Faux wood blinds come in two varieties,

composite wood and PVC/vinyl. The slats of composite wood

blinds generally have a wood core coated in a coated with a

high-tech polymer. Composite wood blinds are slightly more

upscale but have a more refined look. PVC/vinyl faux woods

have vinyl slats. Both are available in stains and painted colors,

just like wood blinds.

The slats of wood blinds are made from hardwoods, most

commonly basswood.

Real wood blinds, tend to be lighter than faux woods; this is

sometimes a consideration if you are buying a horizontal blind

for a large window, as it is easier to lift and lower a large wood

blind than a faux wood. The main reason people choose wood

over faux is aesthetics. For some people only real wood blinds

will do because they are real wood. No matter how good

manufacturers get at making faux woods look “real,” in the end

they are imitation. Real wood blinds look like another piece of

fine furniture.

To summarize, faux woods are better for hot, humid rooms

and regions, and high traffic areas. They are also less expensive

than wood blinds. Wood blinds offer a more upscale look and a

good choice for those who believe that only real wood will do.

Real wood blinds do look nicer, there’s no denying that. If you

saw them side by side, most likely you’d agree. Some people

put wood blinds up in their home, but only in more formal

rooms. For the working rooms, they choose faux woods. That’s

a smart strategy.

Choos ing Between Wood and Faux Wood B l inds

Window Coverings Spring 2015 Volume 1, Issue 3

From The Web.. .

By Coral Nafie, About Home

Original article can be found here

Drapery hardware has come to the forefront of window

dressing. You're not stuck with boring white curtain rods any

more. There's a look in drapery hardware that can dress up any

room in any style.About 20 years ago, someone realized that

draperies could be enhanced and beautified with interesting

rods, rings, and tiebacks. The window covering industry will

never be the same- fortunately! Drapery hardware became a

focal point of window dressing.

You can now find drapery rods, curtain rods, rod finials, rings,

and tiebacks in a mind-boggling assortment of designs in iron,

wood, stainless steel, decorative ceramic, wrought iron, painted

or not.If you've been in the market for draperies or other

window treatments, you've already seen that deciding on

drapery fabric and styles has just gotten more complicated. You

also have to select a decorative drapery rod. And what a

difference an interesting rod can make. Check out our tips

before you make your selection.

Coordinate your draperies, drapery hardware, and fabrics so

that they look comfortable together. Select thin, light rods for

sheer drapery panels. For heavier draperies, find a rod with a

larger diameter and choose a bold finial.

Depending on the style of the room, decide if you want the

drapery rod to be a prominent decorative element or if you

want it to be hidden behind the draperies.

The size of drapery rod and accessories you choose will depend

on the size of the room, too. For a large room with high

ceilings, select wide diameter poles, rods, and rings. For a

smaller room, design the window treatments to scale and select

smaller, lighter rods.

Will your draperies remain open most of the time or will they

be opened and closed daily? Panels that hang from the sides can

be arranged on a basic or decorative pole, either gathered

through a rod pocket or hung from decorative rings or with tab

tops. If you'll move the panels open and closed, you'll need a

draw cord system or clip-on or sew-on decorative rings.

For an adaptable window covering system, layer the window

treatments. If you need privacy or light control, install a blind or

shutters next to the glass. If desired, add stationary panels for

texture, color, and style.

Add height to a room by installing drapery hardware well above

the window frame, or even up along the ceiling line. The longer

fabric panels will add a tall line to the rooms.

If you've decided on two layers of drapes or curtains, you'll

need to install a double rod or use two separate rods. The

inner rod closest to the wall will hold the drapery panels while

the outer one will hold decorative panels or a valance.

Once you've made all the decisions about the type of window

coverage you want and what type of hardware will be best,

spend some time considering the style of your decor and what

window hardware will enhance that style.

Traditional, formal, or period rooms will be enhanced with

classic wood, gilded, carved, or brass poles. Select a finial with a

historical shape such as a basic round shape, a pineapple, or

fleur de lis.

Choose a simple pine or iron pole for a home decorated in a

simple country style. A basic pole cap or round finial is all you

need for a cozy country home.

French Country, Tuscan, Spanish, and rustic styles will be

highlighted with drapery hardware of rusted ornamental iron,

black wrought iron, and rustic metals. Avoid any shiny finishes.

Keep things raw and dull.

Shiny iron, brushed nickel or copper, and chrome rods with

metal, iron, or clear or colored glass finials (or no finials at all)

really look sleek and neat in a Contemporary style home.

Cable systems with remote controls have a minimal look,

perfect for large, open contemporary space.

You can look at choosing drapery hardware as just another fun

part of creating your own look in your home. Every element

will enhance the space and reflect your taste. Choose carefully!

Dress Up Your Windows With Fash ionable

Draper y Hardware

Window Coverings Spring 2015 Volume 1, Issue 3

From The Web.. .

10 Morrow Avenue

Suite 202

Toronto, ON M6R 2J1

Phone: 1-866-878-2155

E-mail: office@cdeca.com

CDECA is your connection to decorating and

design in Canada. We offer our members a

wide range of benefits from discounts on insur-

ance and legal services, networking opportuni-

ties and exposure to consumers through our

website.