Behind-the Scenes Magic of Custom Window Treatments (part 2)

Ever wondered what it'd be like to get custom window treatments? What the process would be from start to finish? I'm here to let you in on that experience, and tell you the steps involved when you make that decision for your home.

Step One: Deciding on Custom Window Treatments

During the initial design consultation, most clients will point to a set of windows and say something like, "I don't know. These windows need something." And they do. Clients just might now know what. My two go-to window treatments are drapery panels (curtains) and Roman shades. My first step is to decide which would make sense for the given window. For drapery panels, I also have to determine if they need to be stationary or functioning. Stationary is for when you just want something pretty to dress up the window or soften the space. We place two panels at each end of the window(s) and they stay there. If you need to block out light, we'd look at functioning drapery that could open and close.

Step Two: Designing Custom Window Treatments

As I'm designing the spaces the window treatments will be in, I coordinate the window treatments to go with the vibe + aesthetic we are creating. With this particular project, our vibe was "organic, nature-inspired, calm and clean." Because of this, I decided on a linen for the drapery fabric for all three spaces--nothing overly dressy! The linen provides a clean, classic look. The trim is where I dress things up and make things interesting.

For both the office and the living area, I wanted to highlight the bolder, more saturated wall colors. For the office, we have this deeper sage color and in the living area, a deeper blue accent wall. It's also open to an area with many different shades of blue. I found this amazing 6" wide tape trim for both of these spaces. It's the same trim for both spaces, but one has shades of green (think ombre) and one has shades of blue. The trim just gives a little OOMPH! to the whole room's design. For the dining, I found a leafy trim where the green in the trim pulled out the lighter sage green color from the walls. Because there are some black finishes in parts of our design, I chose simple black rods, finials and rings.

Step Three: Bringing in the Window Treatment Professionals

Once I've presented the design to clients, and shown them fabric + trim samples, I bring in my drapery workroom. We set up a time to come measure and discuss windows. We show them the relevant windows and let them know what we are thinking. They take measurements and notes. Afterwards, they send us an estimate for the job. They also let me know how much fabric + trim I need to order. I order fabric, trim and hardware. Once the workroom receives the fabric + trim, they start making them. When it's ready, we schedule a date for installation.

Step Four: Installation

I'm always on site for installation, and boy do I love seeing everything come together on installation day. First, the hardware goes up. Then, if it's drapery panels, all of the drapery pins get hooked to our curtain rings. They hang the panels at just the right height so that they bottom is hovering right on the floor. The beauty of custom!

Step Five: Photographing Window Treatments

As part of all of my full service projects, once the furnishings + decor are installed, I get the spaces professionally photographed. With the project you've seen throughout this blogpost, our professional pictures won't happen for another month, so you're stuck with my iphone abilities for now!

Getting Matchy Matchy with Window Treatments

I will almost never say or recommend being matchy matchy. But I do really love using window treatment fabric and putting it somewhere else in the room!

Matching the ottomans to the drapery panels.

Matching throw pillows to the Roman shades. This fabric is just perfection.

Matching the throw pillows to the drapery panels. Check out that close up of this beautiful fabric (middle pic)!

Matching the art to the box pleat above the full-length mirrors. This fabric served as my inspiration for this entire bath space. It's gorgeous!

Now that you know what it's like to get custom window treatments, are you ready to get them? They are so much fun and really impact a room. The potential is endless.

Did you miss part one of this blogpost: The Case for Custom Window Treatments? Check it out and have fun reading!