| Considering new window treatments or | | | | pocket, French pleats and more. Which style |
| coverings? Don't forget the venerable window | | | | you choose is completely up to your tastes. |
| curtain, they still offer classic good looks | | | | Some of these styles have a more classic look |
| for almost any room. | | | | and some have a fancier, upscale look. So |
| | | | just make sure if cohesive with the basic |
| Window curtains go by many names: drapes, | | | | décor of your room. |
| drapery & drapery panels. There's custom | | | | |
| drapes, made-to-order as well as the stock | | | | The cost of window curtains varies widely. |
| sizes which are partially a do-it-yourself | | | | You can purchase the cheap, one-size-fits-all |
| solution. And, just about every store under | | | | drapes at Target or stores of a similar ilk |
| the sun sells drapes. I think that I once | | | | which, in my opinion, are drapes best suited |
| saw them for sale at a gas station in Phoenix | | | | for kid's rooms. Or, you can purchase more |
| once - just kidding. The point is though | | | | upscale drapes from Crate and Barrel and the |
| that window curtains are pretty ubiquitous | | | | Pottery Barn. A third option is to purchase |
| and vary widely in quality, looks and, of | | | | window curtains online. There are a plethora |
| course, price. | | | | of good e-commerce websites selling mostly |
| | | | custom drapery panels. This is a good |
| I remember the curtains in my Grandmother's | | | | solution from a cost perspective as they are |
| house. They were polyester and had that | | | | generally less expensive then retails |
| dated look from the 1970's. They were the | | | | establishments. |
| kind of drapes that would, unfortunately, | | | | |
| probably last forever with care. They were | | | | If you are planning to decorate a living |
| also a considerable investment back then. My | | | | room, family room, etc. and are considering |
| Grandma's were high-quality drapes with the | | | | window curtains, I would recommend budgeting |
| nice lining and everything and they covered a | | | | a similar amount of money as you would spend |
| huge window in the rear of her home. But, I | | | | on good quality window blinds or shades. The |
| digress. You may have a similar memory but | | | | extra cost really shows in the finished look. |
| don't let that deter you from giving them a | | | | Another consideration is to use window |
| fresh look for your interior decorating | | | | curtains in addition to window blinds and |
| plans. | | | | shades for a layered look. This can add a |
| | | | richness and warmth that is hard to beat. |
| Drapes come in a wide variety of colors and | | | | Window curtains look especially great with |
| materials, such as silk, cotton, linen, | | | | plantation shutters, wood blinds or faux wood |
| polyester blends, faux suede and more. Most | | | | blinds - basically blinds made from, or at |
| of the upscale drapes come with a basic | | | | least looking like, wood materials. They |
| lining but you can opt for an interliner or | | | | don't compliment mini blinds, vertical |
| blackout liners. An interliner is | | | | blinds, or fabric shades quite as well but |
| essentially a soft brushed flannel fabric | | | | there are exceptions to that as well. |
| that provides extra body and added protection | | | | |
| from sun fading and is highly recommended for | | | | To recap, the right window curtains can |
| silk fabrics. For bedrooms, I would highly | | | | really make a nice addition to almost any |
| recommend choosing the blackout liner option. | | | | room and should not be overlooked when |
| | | | considering window treatments or coverings. - |
| Window curtains come in a variety of styles, | | | | David Brooks. |
| including pinch pleat, grommet style, rod | | | | |