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Window Tips & Ideas
CHALLENGE: Neutrals,
neutrals, neutrals . . . I need help in creating a room with
character, texture and warmth while remaining in a neutral color
scheme! It is so challenging to create a room for a client who
is requesting a simple neutral color scheme throughout the home.
Could you please offer some advise or ideas that will create warmth and keep
the lines clean and crisp in the room? I am really challenged on this one, as
all my clients thus far in my business have always required much higher contrasts
in their interiors.
SOLUTION: Neutrals definitely
are a hot decorating topic and will be for the next year or so.
In fact, neutrals appear in so many homes today because they are
a fairly pleasant designer’s choice even though they present
such a challenge. Yet, although the fresh look of neutrals can
be challenging, the pallet is worthy of some attention.
Fortunately, in most rooms there are many elements that can be worked with or
worked around fairly easily to create texture and variation, which is the answer
to how to create interest in a neutral design scheme.
In the photograph shown here, the designer’s choice of bringing in texture
with the floor covering was an excellent choice. The rough texture on the fireplace
also stands out and is an excellent complement to the Lantana™ custom shutters
from Hunter Douglas on the windows. Shutters, in general, provide many advantages
when working in neutrals because they add texture and light variations to a room’s
interior.
What’s more, the shutters shown here are constructed of a specially engineered
polymer and will not warp, crack, chip, shrink or fade and are easily cleaned.
What more could a homeowner want for ease of maintenance? Aluminum reinforcement
throughout the major stress points on the shutters will provide added strength,
making the shutters a smart choice for years to come.
Many times, when the shutters blend in with the wall color, additional elements
are required to break up the monotony of the room. These elements need to include
various amounts of warm textures and patterns. For example, the decorative pattern
on the coffee table adds personality to this room. The period furniture is a
welcome counterpoint to the sharp contrast and the straight lines of the art
piece on the base of the fireplace hearth. The weathered look on the large clock
above the fireplace serves as a focal point in the room and adds additional texture.
While basically monochromatic, this room feels warm and cozy throughout, helped
by the comfy chaise lounge with a large overstuffed pillow. Again, these elements
invite others into the room and ask them to stay! Notice the warm tones on the
wall and ceiling. Who says the ceilings always need to be a lighter color? This
is personal preference, based on the room and the height of the walls.
As with all design decisions, be sure to ask the client how much texture and
warmth he or she wants in a room. What is the room used for? Do you entertain
frequently? Is ease of maintenance a priority? The first time you interview with
your client, be sure to have a Client Profile Sheet ready to ask the client about
these important preferences and what they would like to see included in the room’s
design and final outcome.
QUESTION
I am moving into a 1920s style Spanish duplex that has a big clear
glass arched living room window. There are three other smaller windows
in the living room as well. What sort of treatment would you recommend
for the arched window that would complement the 1920s style, yet
afford maximum privacy?
ANSWER
My first thought would be a beautiful lace treatment, authenticated
from the period. The only problem is lace is not energy efficient
and would not offer you privacy. I will offer a couple of solutions
for you:
The first would be a treatment such as a soft shade treatment or
a Roman shade that has been custom made in a lace pattern. This
would offer you privacy and energy efficient at the same time.
The second suggestion would be to follow the lines of the window
and design an inside mounted drapery in a beautiful tone on tone
medium weight damask fabric. You would line the fabric to give you
added privacy and energy efficiency. Choose a beautiful iron decorative
rod to enhance the design of the additional windows.
QUESTION
I have a log home and have white lace sheers on the windows in the
living room. My living room is quite large, in fact half the house.
What do you recommend for windows in a country setting? I'm ready
for a change, but don't know what direction to go.
ANSWER:
Depending on your personal taste and style, I would go for a warm
and cozy look, yet upscale that "country look" Gone are
the days where country is just small floral prints. I would also
consider energy efficiency in your log home. The new window treatment
can serve 2 purposes. One, beauty and two, energy efficiency. I
am sure the weather is quite cold at times. You will also see a
big difference in how the log cabin stays warmer with energy efficient
window treatments. My suggestions would be as follows:
Consider 2 inch wood blinds. They are more energy efficient that
lace sheers and will add the upscale look of the log home. There
are various finishes to choose from. You could also add an overtreatment
in a medium weight fabric, either floral, tone on tone or patterned.
This will, again, add to the energy efficiency of the window. The
color choices will be numerous, and let me suggest a few. The colors
to the right of the color wheel, the reds, yellows and oranges
tend
to be "warmer colors." This does not mean that you need
to choose from these colors. Colors such as burgundy, deep reds,
tans, soft gold are just some of the choices. This will all depend
on the existing colors in your cabin now. Look through design magazines
to see what colors you prefer and take out those pictures and try
to find fabrics that you like. Color preferences are personal and
I never try to push my clients into colors they do not feel comfortable
with.
Shutters may also be a possibility, depending on the windows and
if there is the appropriate space for mounting. They also offer
a wide array of wood choices from soft white to various stains and
finishes.
Remember for energy efficiency on any window, 2 to 3 layer treatments
will help. Also lining the fabric assists in energy efficiency.
Hard treatments such as blinds, shades, shutters and verticals are
great insulators.
QUESTION:
I have a bay window area in my nook that includes two windows (left
and middle). The right side is wall space. I would like to design
padded board cornices to match the upholstery on the chairs, but
I am in a dilemma as to use a cornice over each window and not on
the wall space ... Or ad a third cornice in the wall area. Please
help!
ANSWER:
Bay windows are definitely a challenge. In your situation, it is
a double challenge! First, think about how the windows look now.
Does the area look off balanced? If you add a cornice without a
window below, will it look unbalanced?
My solution would be to ignore the wall area that does not have
a window. By treating your 2 windows alone, and designing a treatment
that looks pleasing is the key here. Try choosing a cornice board
and window treatment that will blend in with the wall color and
will not contrast too much with the wall. This will give the wall
more of a flow and will not interfere with the designs in the other
areas of the room.
Sharon L. Anderson has more than 20 years experience in the
residential and commercial areas of interior design. She is currently
a faculty member at two Southern California colleges. Anderson has
been featured in numerous books and publications. |
