Today I enjoyed a yummy breakfast with my window treatment seamstress extraordinaire, Linda Murphy.

You know how I am always pushing you to sample your paint color at home because of how different it will look in your space?  Linda and I discussed today how the same principles apply to fabric; how fabrics can look so different in your home with your lighting, wall colors, trim and other fabrics in room.  It can transform the look of the fabric than what you see on a bolt of fabric in the store.

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I will be the first to admit I am no genius when it comes to window treatments.  I know what looks good and I can tell if they were custom made or JC Penny made.  I of course keep up with the latest designs and where they are headed.  Color has a lot of do with window treatments also.  You can’t have beautiful window treatments using ugly fabric and colors. That is why I always call in the experts,since they know what fabric will work with which treatments best.

                                                      Cathy Kincaid

I realize the biggest detriment to custom treatments is the cost.  But besides the fabric making the whole room look finished, there are other benefits to having window treatments. these include year round insulation, combination of controlling light, providing privacy, insulating and/or decorating.  Drapery can also add drama and warmth.

     Larry Laslo Fabrics

And my favorite part of hiring an expert- having someone come into your home, measuring, giving great ideas and suggestion and after completing them, installing in your home to look fabulous for years to come.  Love that!              

    The Shade Store

Some other interesting subjects we discussed was that silk panels are still strong.  Just take a look in the new fall catalogs, Pottery Barn and   Restoration Hardware to name just a couple.  

Pottery Barn

I was very surprised when Linda said that she has seen cafe curtains coming back!

   Pottery Barn

No, the new ones look nothing like the outdated ones I had shown on the Top 10 List of Items Still Found in Homes Today.   The current window treatment books show a lot of sheer cafe’s either to the floor or just a 3/4″ cafe with or without  valance on decorative pole with rings.   Very sharp looking.   I found cafe style at Pottery Barn (see above photo) but not Restoration Hardware.  Found some not so nice at Target,  none at Macy’s.  What do you think of cafe curtains?  Am I allowed to say that I like the bottom panel but not the top?  Who says I have to use together?

If cost was not an issue, not even part of the equation,would you hire a window treatment expert to dress your windows for you?

If you need help with your window treatments or other decorating dilemmas, contact me today.