WALLS AND WINDOW TREATMENTS 3(1+2)

Lesson 14 : Exterior And Interior Hard Window Treatments

Criteria For Selection Of Window Treatment

1. Careful Planning: It is worth taking a little time to decide on the right window treatments when deciding for a new house or apartment and office or commercial set-up. Window provides an ideal opportunity to provide the space with the visual movement and rhythm. When both practical and decorative issues are addressed, window treatments become one of the most effective design statements in the interiors.

2. Type of Treatment: Window treatments are technically more decorative, Typically more than one type can be incorporated into the design plan, through the use of layered treatments to cover and to produce modified effect. The best way to choose treatments for each space is to choose the types that will meet the needs and at the same time will become an attractive addition to design plan.

3. Climate and Season: Daylight factor, flow of hot and cold wind determines the choice of climate control. Heavy treatment adds coziness to winter and light treatments are pleasant for summer. The transparent lacey treatments that look fresh and attractive in the summer in tropical countries, but this may appear chilly and dull in a cold winter. The selection of window treatment and the choice of material, its colour, texture, and pattern for treatment do get influenced by the season and climate.

4. Style and fashion: The window treatment materials, window dressing style and accessories do get replenished in the market constantly. It is necessary to give due attention to the interior style and the treatment. For example, if the architecturally good picture window is overlooking a beautiful view of landscape or cityscape, it might be best to keep the window clean and uncluttered by any colour or fabric, perhaps using a simple white muslin drape or shutters to dress the windows according to daylight factor..

5. Size and location: Architecturally- big and strong windows need strong treatments with defined pelmets, draperies and easily operable blinds. If the window faces south or west, window treatments that screen or block intense sunlight may be desired. In cold climates, windows with a northern exposure may need a window treatment with a high thermal factor for energy efficiency.

6. Privacy and exposure: The front of the house, with a street view, requires a greater privacy shield at the windows than rooms to the rear or upstairs.

7. Window's architecture:. Some windows are inherently more attractive than others. When the window itself detracts from rather than adds to the space -- whether it's squat, too thin, devoid of appealing wood trim, or awkwardly positioned -- the window dressing can camouflage the architectural imperfections, making the window a more visually appealing feature.

An overzealous window treatment can even overpower the architecture.

8. Personal preference: This enhances the overall decor of the room. Perhaps the windows can even make the strongest decorating statement as the room's focal point. This should blend with décor style. Look into the room's style. It could be contemporary, traditional, country, or eclectic. This will provide parameters for finding the appropriate window dressing. Damask draperies ornamented with velvet braid, silk fringe, and decorative rosettes obviously are not a consideration for a streamlined, contemporary style. For a traditional room, vertical blinds may be too contemporary a solution, unless a touch of contemporary's clean, unfussy style is desired. In a country room, tab curtains, simple panels made from retro fabrics, or nostalgic lace panels -- can be more appropriate.

9. Lighting Conditions: The lighting of the room is an important consideration in selection of window draperies, If the room is poorly lighted, thin draperies light in value, tending toward yellow - the most luminous color - will be the most effective choice, provided it is consistent with the color of the walls. If the room is too light and sunny, darker and cooler colors and heavier fabrics should be used. The effect of artificial light on the draperies should also be considered, since colors change surprisingly from their day-time effects.

10. Coordination of Hardware and treatment: Depending on the style of the room, decide on the choice of drapery rod to be a prominent decorative element or if you want it to be hidden behind the draperies. Appropriate blend and coordination of draperies, drapery hardware, and fabrics bring added charm to the treatment. 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. It may be very apt to select thin, light rods for sheer drapery panels and for heavier draperies, a rod with a larger diameter and a bold finial.