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By Janene Gaines

Windows: The Eyes to the Soul of Your Home

Posted 5:09 p.m., March 1, 2008

Have you ever really looked at the curb appeal of your home? The windows are the eyes of your home. We look out into the world from inside and the outside can look in thru our discretion. You can compare window dressing to eyelashes. Window dressings can be manipulated to open and close, they can be dressed up or dressed down and they can have an intense and major impact on a room, just as eyelashes can be made intense thru mascara or fake lashes.

Many people do not like window dressings, but the point they may be missing is there is a variety of choices: draperies, bamboo shades, flat shades, curved shades, valances, sheers, wood valances and the list goes on.

Each room has a personality and you really finalize a room with the finishing touch of window accessorizing. Here are some ideas to think about when deciding the fate of your windows:

1. Doing window dressing is the second most expensive item in a room. So

go into the project with your eyes open.

2. Watch out for the width of side panels. They may be on sale, but by the time you buy enough panels to accessorize your window, it can become expensive. So considering custom work is not an unreasonable idea. Mixing custom and purchased drapery can be accomplished; just be careful regarding how you mix and match.

3. If you buy from a store make sure you buy panels long enough for your windows. Just like "back in the day" you didn’t like to wear floods (short pants); so don't put short panels on the windows.

4. Make sure you put your drapery rod high enough above the window to obtain the illusion of a much larger and taller window, this simple concept adds drama to a room. Also remember rods can make a simple drapery idea look absolutely phenomenal, so scrutinize wisely.

5.Be aware of the sun exposure you have in a window because those

beautiful drapes you bought in red can be orange by the end of summer if they are not lined properly.

6. There is more to life than sheers and draperies. Shades come in many, many styles and shapes, colors and textures. So give shades some consideration, especially if you like a sleek, lean look.

7. There are Valances. They can be covered in fabric, made out of wood or

be a simple shelf.

8. Be open to thinking outside of the box when deciding on window dressings. They are the last item to go into a room because they are the easiest to manipulate. (Try changing a new couch to match the drapes) Fabric availability is open ended, this lends to the concept that draperies, sheers or whatever you decide has no limits.

9. Decide if the draperies are going to speak for the room or just add depth and be a layered look. This is key to deciding what design or fabric choice you will make. Also, making this decision before going to the store is best; it keeps the confusion and overwhelming "choice panic" to a minimum.

So let your imagination go and don't get stuck on what is in a magazine. Sometimes what is shown is put together thru shear magic and to duplicate it in the real world is not feasible for looks or functionality. So make a choice and be open to changing it to fit your needs.

If you need assistance on whether to go down the path of Window Embellishment give us a call at Interior Gaines (805) 795 7244. We would be happy to help make your choice much easier.