Well-Trimmed Drapery

In a room where refined taste reigns, these detailed

drapery sections echo the room's traditional fabric

selection. The floral trim visually splits the drapery panels

into thirds, a pleasing design proportion. The soft yellow-

colored silk fabric, lined for shape, adds another grace

note. Panels tend to be gathered on painted rods hung

directly below crown molding--such installation provides

importance to a treatment and visually extends window

height to beautiful ratios.

In contrast to Curtain Colors

Curtains can quickly liven up a room up when used

with a high-contrast color scheme. When working

with contrasting colors, it's important to create visual

rhythm with the feature hue. Here, the lamp, flowers,

and rug create a pleasing counterpoint for the blue-

striped curtains and darker blue wall.

Cord less Shades

Beautiful fabrics on cordless Roman shades from Levolor

add structure and color to any room. Lightweight sheers

add a finished look.

Curtains From Top to Bottom

Floor-to-ceiling drapery panels and tall beaded-board

wainscoting add visual elevation to this low-ceiling space.

A busy pattern does not have to overwhelm a room. The

patterned wallpapers and curtains offer an interesting

break from the solid colors around this family room, while

the easy two-color palette avoids an overpowering effect.

Candy striped Window Treatment

In this living room, horizontal and vertical stripes coexist,

unified through butterscotch and ocher hues. Smocked

and velvet-banded burlap curtain panels provide the eye a

place to pause between the horizontally-striped wallpaper

and the vertically-striped Roman colors.

Linked Italian Silk Curtains

In this ladylike bedroom inspired by 18th-century

American Colonial time houses, couture-quality fabric

dresses up window treatments. Because privacy was not

a concern within the home's country setting, the interior

designer repeated the bed skirt's tone-on-tone Italian

cotton blend for the drapery panels.

Keeping the graceful look going, the unlined sections are

simply gathered and tied over the rod and allowed to

puddle a little bit on the ground. Pineapples--a popular

18th-century symbol of hospitality--appear as finials on

each rod.

Bamboo bedding Curtain Rods

For a room of exotic treasures, these fixed, self-pleated

blind panels attach to bamboo rods mounted below the

crown molding. The treatment helps stability the

proportions of a large room with an eight-foot ceiling.

The panels framework the windows, adding a soft touch to

the room. Operable woven shades tend to be mounted

below the rod. The inspired mix introduced additional

textures into the space.

Windowpane Treatment Tricks

This window treatment uses multiple tricks to add height

towards the living room. Not only do the vertical stripes on

the drapes carry the eye upward, however the wooden

rods are also mounted close to ceiling. The lightweight

drapery panels tend to be hung to show the darkest and

lightest of the drapery's three stripes, including visual

interest. Sunshine-friendly bamboo shades complement

the draperies and make a stylish substitute for heavy

draperies.

Glowing blue and Yellow Drapes

The blue-and-yellow pattern of these curtains seems to

vibrate, putting together a pleasing tension between warm

and cool. Although cooler wall colors are usually restful,

pattern and contrast combine to invigorate this sitting

area.

Kitchen area Curtains and Valance

Spice up your kitchen with a mix of fabric prints as well as

window treatment styles. Classic café curtains dress the

window bottom, along with a layered valance garnishes

the window top.

Ornament to Wall Pattern

Toile with a chinoiserie motif envelops this cozy bed room.

The window treatments, straight curtain panels that

overlap, fold back tent-flap-style to disclose a contrasting

lining. Employing pattern everywhere is a trick that hides

imperfections in a room and enhances ordinary design

features.

High Ceiling Draperies

High ceilings give a space grandeur, but they also can

make a space feel uncomfortably cavernous. To give the

room more human-scale proportions, formal silk curtains

with tightly smocked headers hang on gilded rods at the

level of the frame. Around the edge of the ceiling, crown

molding and painted bands accented along with gold

stripes and buttons further shorten the vertical space.

Refreshing Fabrics for Old-World Charm

Old World ambience and modern conveniences mix in this

stunning recreation of a 19th-century English manor dining

room and entry. Caught up fabrics for the curtains and

upholstery add a punch of personality to the room.

Subtle Drapery Panels

For a master bedroom furnished tastefully, these drapery

panels bring in subtle pattern and color. Lined and

interlined for warmth and elegant hang, the panels graze

the neutral carpet. They are sewn to bands for a traditional

operable treatment, sharing the space with solid, tufted

chairs along with a traditional chest. White wood blinds,

pulled up during the day, ensure privacy without including

the distraction of another fabric treatment.

Repeating Print

A classic document-style print balances the richly detailed

moldings and candle chandelier in this family room of a

period home. Because the upholstered fabrics are solids

and tone-on-tone cotton, the lush drapery fabric gives the

room style appropriate to the setting.

The customized pinch-pleat style, without ornate hardware

or top treatments, allows the comprehensive patterns to

be viewed clearly. Installation below the gold-leaf egg-and-

dart molding contributes to the actual grand effect. Accent

pillows echo the drapery for a unified design.

Scalloped Valance

For a bedroom with an old-fashioned feel, a scalloped

valance overlies drapery panels sewn from a novelty print

with green background. The valance and drapery panels

attach by rings to an iron rod featuring ornamental finials.

Greek-key trim stitched to the edges of the panels is an

appropriate completing touch that echoes the classical

motifs of the fabric. Tasseled rope tiebacks gently hold the

panels in place, creating a soft fullness that works with the

romantic really feel of the inviting room.

Linen Draperies

The full-plaid linen drapery sections seen here provide

textural contrast and light control while bamboo shades

softly filter warm sunlight. Tasseled trim on the curtains

adds a finishing contact.

Solid-Colored Curtains

Sometimes a room calls for solid-color curtains. In this

intimate family room, a paisley pattern dances across the

walls, but it doesn't overwhelm the space as well as its

disciplined play of contrasting colors. With all the

elements of motif, color, and materials carefully

orchestrated, the finished room feels casual and

comfortable.