At Speas Interior Design, we pride ourselves on our in-depth interior design process that centers around how each homeowner feels within and interacts with every element in their home. We believe that design begins at the planning process, and that each element of the design should contribute to creating a harmonious and inviting space that works its best for each user.
While we’re known for our expertise in whole home remodels and residential interior design, today, we want to highlight just one aspect of a complete interior design: custom window treatments, particularly custom draperies and their accompanying finishing touches that tie a whole design together, like valences and cornices.
Partner Your Window Treatments with Fabric Accents
Window blinds, shutters, and shades are practical parts of an interior design. They add dimension, block light and UV damage, and add privacy to a space. But your window treatments become a true focal point when paired together with fabric draperies, side panels, and Roman shades. These fabric-based accents offer additional opportunities to carry design elements throughout your space and enliven your design with pops of color, texture, and softness.
- Color: Soft coverings like drapery or the pleasing pleats of Roman shades provide an excellent canvas for introducing or complementing your room’s color scheme. Whether you prefer bold, statement-making patterns or subtle, calming hues, custom drapes can be tailored to your exact specifications from thousands of fabric options.
- Texture: The tactile quality of fine fabric adds depth and interest to any room, no matter your style. From nubby tweeds and natural linens to luxurious velvets, the texture of your draperies or valances can dramatically influence the overall feel of your space.
- Softness: Hard surfaces and straight lines dominate many modern and traditional interiors. Draperies offer a soft and flowing counterpoint to stone, wood, and molding. This can balance the overall aesthetic of a room by introducing gentle curves and flowing fabric forms.
What Are Curtains vs Drapes?
A common question that many people ask is “What is the difference between curtains and drapes?” In everyday language, most people use the two terms interchangeably. In the world of interior design, however, you’ll often find that “drapery” and “curtains” have different connotations depending on the design professional.
Here are some differences one might see when thinking about curtains vs drapes in interior design:
- Curtains are shorter and more casual than drapes, which are longer and more formal.
- Drapes are made from heavier fabrics, where curtains are made from lighter fabrics.
- Drapery provides more features like light control or insulation compared to a curtain.
- Curtains may be unlined or lightly lined compared to a multi-layered drapery.
Both curtains and drapes come in a variety of styles and pleats. At Speas Interior Design, we can help you choose a style that suits the look and feel of your space. While floor-length drapes are a classic choice, there are numerous other options to consider.
Beyond Drapes: Side Panels, Roman Shades, and Top Treatments
For window treatments that can enhance how your space feels and works, drapes are not the only option if you’re looking for a soft fabric window covering to layer with a blind, shade, or shutter. Other common types of window covering include:
- Side Panels: Side panels are elegant and versatile stationary fabric panels that hang on either side of the window without meeting in the middle. One of the great uses of side panels is the ability to block any light gaps in a bedroom window, but still let your beautiful shades be a focal point. Like curtains and drapes, side panels can range from casual styles to formal looks, depending on fabric choice.
- Roman Shades: Roman shades are a type of fabric window treatment that offers excellent light control and the customizable abilities of any fabric chosen. Made of fabric panels that fold or stack into horizontal pleats when raised, roman shades are a great addition to spaces where mounting traditional window shades do not make sense – like interior office doors. Their clean, architectural lines work well in both modern and traditional spaces.
- Custom Valances: Valances are decorative top treatments made only of fabric to create flowing swags of material on or over your rods. You can have them by themselves or pair them with drapery, Roman shades, side panels, or other window treatments to add them as a finishing touch to your windows.
- Custom Cornices: Cornices are a hard-topped window covering, that are generally made from painted or stained wood, or upholstered to provide a structured, architectural element to your window treatments. You can customize your cornices to be straight or accented with decorative scallops or curves. Great for adding interest or creating a formal, polished look, they hide curtain rods and other hardware while adding visual interest and a certain formality to your space.When choosing window treatments, at Speas Interior Design, we consider factors such as the way your materials layer together to create a dynamic design. Other factors to consider include light control, your privacy needs, how much insulation your room or windows require, and how your window treatments blend in with your overall decor.
If you’re looking for how to accent your space with custom window coverings, Speas Interior Design offers a level of customization and attention to detail that sets us apart from the rest. Our team of experienced designers will work closely with you to understand your vision for your space, considering all the factors you have in mind for the way you use your home, as well as your overall design aesthetic.
We are here to help you transform your windows into stunning focal points that tie your entire space together with custom drapery and top treatments. Ready to elevate your home with custom window treatments? Contact us online or give us a call at (719) 685-0144 to schedule your initial consultation.
We serve homeowners across Colorado, including near our showroom at Colorado Springs and in the surrounding areas, including Broadmoor, Cathedral Pines, Cathedral Ridge, Flying Horse, Flying Horse North, Kissing Camels, Monument, Skyway, Stratton Pines, Cedar Heights, Mountain Shadows, and the Old North End, Colorado.