Curtains have been around as long as there have been textiles. They started out as more functional than fashionable before central heat and air-conditioning was invented and people had to choose natural light over warmth during certain times of the year. Over the centuries, they morphed into design accessories in virtually every home in America. Until recently.
Designers are opting more and more for custom window treatments that favor light, bright spaces without the distraction that yards of fabric can take away from the ambience waiting just beyond the glass panes.
More and more, interior designers are giving curtains a pass in favor of plantation shutters.
Curtains can look particularly out-of-place on oddly-shaped windows and exterior doors, which lend themselves well to custom plantation shutters. Mine Varrato, owner of Wesley Chapel-based Shutters, Blinds, and More, points to the incredible flexibility homeowners have with plantation shutters. They can be crafted to fit virtually any window shape and can add long-term value to your home.
“Custom plantation shutters can add intriguing architectural detail to any room, and can let you enjoy as much or as little light and privacy as you want,” she said.
Solar shades can provide seamless beauty and UV protection.
Designers have always loved the simple elegance of a bare window when privacy isn’t an issue. When it is, they are turning to indoor window treatments like shutters, blinds and solar roller \shades, which preserve provide UV protection and keep the view center stage. An eco-friendly alternative, solar shades can help keep your home cool in the summer and help reduce overall energy costs. Perfect for home or office, roller shades and sun shades come with varying levels of openness in the shade’s textile weave, with varying openness levels from three to 14 percent when closed. The lower the number, the tighter the weave. Better yet, they are available with continuous cord loop, cordless, or with motors operated via rechargeable lithium batteries.
Look both outward and window when choosing window treatments.
Window treatments like plantation shutters, natural woven shades, solar shades, and cellular and pleated blinds look as good from the outside looking in as they do from the inside looking out. This can drastically improve the curb appeal of any home. It’s also a great way to add a pop of color to both the interior décor and the exterior streetscape.
Some designers are recommending a combination of window treatments.
If you are a big fan of both curtains and their more modern cousins, you can have your cake and eat it, too. Depending on the room, curtains can co-exist beautiful with shades, blinds, and shutters and provide an extra color component and texture to the overall interior design. Some design tips to consider are not stopping your accent curtains at the window sill. Floor-length drapes can be a statement in and of themselves. Remember to not go overboard. Multiple layers, valances, and heavy fabrics don’t typically complement the airiness and clean lines of more modern window treatments.
Location, location, location.
Modern options like solar shades which are operated by motors and remote controls are perfect for windows that are floor-to-ceiling length or for those in hard to reach spaces, like in the upper reaches of lofts. They are also ideal when there are numerous banks of windows together, such as in corporate board rooms. Also, strategically placed solar shades can provide privacy within the home, not just from the outside looking in. They can mask a laundry room with a glass door without darkening the room, or can make any glass-fronted office private at the push of a button.
Ask the experts.
Unsure which way to go? Ask for advice from experts like those you’ll find at Shutters, Blinds, and More in Wesley Chapel, Florida. They work one on one with customers to design the perfect window treatment to fit any window, door, room, office, or an entire home or commercial building. They also offer a full shop-at-home service and products that can fit any budget. To learn more, visit www.shuttersblindsandmore.com.
