INSITE STORY Window Dressing options Galore

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1 4  Insite STORY  Window Treatments
1
window
dressing
Text: Swati Nitin Gupta
Windows aren’t just perforations in
the wall to let in light and air; they’re
the lungs that help a room breathe. Be
it sliding, casement, sash, bay or French,
the type of window often has a bearing
on the design of a room – be it placement
of furniture or lighting. The right window
treatment, apart from adding to the
aesthetics of a room, can provide privacy,
security, protection from the elements and
act as additional insulators.
Be they piped, pleated or plain, window
treatments add soften a room’s hard
edges. The combination of fabric, texture,
and pattern can help conceal any room’s
flaws or accentuate its charms.
Husband-wife duo Rajiv and Amita
Kanwar strongly believe that though
window treatments are always left for the
last, they are an important component
of interior décor. The couple, who say
that there’s “more to dressing windows
than just hanging up curtains”, started
Window Passions in 1989 to focus on this
aspect of décor.
Blinds have
revolutionised
the dressing
options for
windows today
and are a
great solution
to meeting
[harsh] summer
requirements
Amita Kanwar says: “Window
treatments enhance the look of a space
in every aspect and offer character to
a room. Whether you are opting for a
contemporary setting or a traditional
one, window dressing helps define the
look of a room. Over time, various styles
have come and gone – be they traditional
heavy drapes to heavily accessorised
tie-backs to plain curtains with
embroidered motifs. Be it a traditional
look or a modern one, spaces now a
days gain character with simple window
dressings that are not too overpowering.
Nowadays the trend is more simple yet
straight line window treatment; so we’re
seeing regular and unfussy curtains
and blinds with very minimalist detail.”
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Windows comprise an extremely
important component of interior
design. Apart from letting in light
and air into spaces, they have
a bearing on a room’s aesthetic
appeal. Window treatments are
now available in a variety of
forms: Drapes, curtains, blinds,
panels, valances, swags, shutters,
Roman shades and cornices.
Designers and end-users find
themselves spoilt for choice with
the many options available to
dress windows according to their
preference and budget.
1. Modern window
treatments are often
simple and straight blinds with minimalist
details are extremely
popular
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2. The right window
dressing, apart from
adding aesthetic value
to a space, can provide
privacy, security and
protection from the
elements
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1 6  Insite STORY  Window Treatments
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Whether you
are opting for a
contemporary
setting or a
traditional
one, window
dressing helps
define the look
of a room
Clearly, window treatments are no longer
fulfilling their traditional function – of
providing privacy, insulating against heat
and filtering sunlight. The evolution of
design and spaces has brought to the
fore window treatments that merge form
and function.
Technology has also made motorised
window shades, once considered a
luxury, a popular feature in many homes.
Motorised shades used to be standalone
systems that were often weighed down
by programming challenges. Today’s
sophisticated digital controls mean
that window treatments can measure
latitude, longitude and the orientation
of the home or building to the sun. They
can also be integrated with other home
automation controls, ensuring users
complete ease of operation.
The biggest change, however, in the
evolution of window treatments has
been in consumer perception. Motorised
systems are no longer a luxury; they’re
seen as smart solutions that help save
money and energy.
Types of Treatments
These days, there’s a wide variety of
window treatments on the market.
Apart from old-fashioned curtains
and draperies, designers can choose
from fabric or roller shades, blinds (in
materials such as aluminium, wood,
plastic and PVC), wooden louvers,
cornices, valances or cellular shades. The
go-green brigade also has many options
– organic fabric, bamboo, grasses, jute
and paper. A range of accessories is also
available to add to the beauty of the
chosen type – it could be finials, tassels,
tiebacks, rods or sheers. Accessories like
silk tabs, lace fringes, beaded ropes and
velvet braids have also become popular.
All the various kinds of treatments can
basically be classified into two types: Soft
and hard. Soft window treatments are
the traditional ones (Curtains, draperies,
sheers and valances); hard ones are
contemporary and – as the name
suggests – are made of wood, fibres,
laminates, PVC or aluminium. Both are
available in a staggering array of colours
and designers, leaving designers and
clients spoilt for choice.
Comprising slats that are positioned
either vertically or horizontally, blinds
allow a person to adjust the amount of
light required in a room. One can adjust
slats with the use of a cord or a blind
stick. In most cases, one can pull up
all the slats, allowing a complete and
unobtrusive view of the outdoors. Blinds
were originally constructed from plastic;
however, today there are created with
Shutters are basically window coverings
that are secured to the interior of the
window frame in front of the window. A
shutter comprises slats (made of wood,
fabric or any other material) that are locked
to a wooden box frame, which can be
adjusted according to the amount of light
required in the room. Available in different
colours, shutters can also be painted.
Shades not only let one adjust the amount
of light needed in the room but also
help cut down glare. Created out of solid
plastic or fabric, shades, unlike blinds, are
wrapped around a roller fitted into the top
of the window frame. The mechanisms
within the roller allow adjustment of the
length of the shade, depending on the
amount of light required.
Soft window treatments include
traditional curtains and drapes stitched
from various fabrics. Solid or printed,
these have been around for the longest
of time. Lace is another material that’s
commonly used for special screen-offs.
While curtains and draperies are very
similar in their purpose and looks, they do
have their differences. Curtains are often
measured to fit the height and length
of the window for a clean and trimmed
appeal. Draperies, on the other hand, are
often created to hang from the top of the
window to the length of the floor for a
look of grandeur within a room.
window treatments wisely. The selection
process should begin with the end-user’s
preferences, likes and dislikes. Another
important thing to remember here is that
different window treatments work better
in different rooms. There are numerous
factors that go into selecting the perfect
window treatment for a room. The list
includes a window’s exposure, outside
view, energy efficiency, window access
and, last but definitely not the least,
traffic and handling by children and pets.
Analyse the needs of a particular space
thoroughly. A room at the front and
facing a road may require greater privacy
than rooms at the back or upstairs.“If
the windows are on the south or west,
windows may need to be adequately
blocked to keep out the sun,” says Rahi
Dewan, a Bangalore-based designer. She
adds that some attractive windows, such
as bay windows, often need the simplest
treatment to showcase their attraction.
Light control. Not all windows let
in the same amount of light into a
room. Heavy drapes and opaque blinds
[Natural
elements] are
no longer a
trend, but more
of a philosophy
in the evolution
of design
3. A combination of
window dressings allows
different quantities of
light into a room at
various times of the day
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numerous other materials including
wood, faux wood, metal and many
others, offering a wide variety of choices.
Valances and other decorative accents
can be used alone or with blinds or
curtains to enhance the visual appeal of
the window and, consequently, the room.
A valance or pelmet, as it is known in
common parlance, is a type of window
treatment that covers the topmost part
of the window. A popular choice for
covering the drapery hardware, a valance
adds a Victorian touch to interiors.
Making the Right Choice
Since every room and space has different
requirements, it is advisable to choose
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1 8  Insite STORY  Window Treatments
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5
4–6. Modern blinds
come with mechanisms
that are effective in
blocking the harsh rays
of the sun and are thus
ideal for hot Indian
summers
7. Blinds are available in
a variety of patterns, to
suit varied spaces
that block light effectively work well
in private areas. Windows that face
very strong sunlight may need double
panes and window-tinting options to
reduce UV rays and provide insulation.
A combination of window dressings
– opaque curtains and sheers – allows
different quantities of light into a room
at various times of the day.
Energy savings. Window treatment
layers can also help insulate a space
better and lead to energy efficiency.
Special linings and treatments that help
reduce UV damage are also available. To
block heat/cold escaping from the top,
consider “window toppers” such
as cornices, valances and swags in a
variety of materials like wood, metal
and fabric.
Maintenance. Window tints can help
prevent curtains and draperies from
fading. Line glass with non-fabric blinds
to create a layer under expensive drapes
and curtains (silk, brocade, damask etc).
Space alteration. Window treatments
can be used to alter the feel of a space.
Long curtains give a room the illusion
of being larger – they need to be hung
close to the ceiling and fabric extended
to the floor. This also creates the illusion
of larger windows. The perceived
dimensions of a room can also be altered
visually by playing with light. The more
natural light that enters a room, the
larger it appears to be. Dark colours
and rich materials tend to absorb light
and make a room appear smaller, while
lighter colours and fabrics create the
illusion of a bigger space. Switching to
blinds, louvers and chiks in small rooms
also creates the illusion of more space
since you do away with the billowing
fabric that curtains entail.
Different Strokes
Emphasising on the fact that each room is
different and requires a different treatment,
Raghav Kanwar of Lenbitz, a firm offering
window covering systems, says,“Each
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2 0  Insite STORY  Window Treatments
room deserves to be ‘dressed’ in a unique
ensemble. If the look is traditional, window
dressings can support curtains and if the
look is more modern/contemporary, it can
support window blinds.”
In formal areas, neat and less fussy
treatments that add to the aesthetic
appeal of a room are recommended.
Amita Kanwar, of Window Passions, says,
“In living rooms, I usually recommend
traditional valances because they add to
the glamour and ambience.”
In kitchens, the heart of all homes,
treatments need to be simple and easy to
maintain. Special focus should be put on
choosing a material that repels moisture
and staining. The window treatment
must also address all concerns about
ventilation and lighting, the two problem
areas of a kitchen.
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Raghav Kanwar suggests blinds for
the dining room.“Personally, I would
recommend a spectra blind, which adds
to the decor,” he says. In the study, a
wedge door combo dual purpose blind
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Louverline
where privacy and visibility can be
enjoyed at any level is ideal.“Window
blinds have revolutionised the dressing
options for windows today and are a
great solution to meeting the summer
requirements. These blinds have a special
mechanism that block the harsh rays of
sunlight up to 90 per cent and ensure a
cooling effect,” he adds.
In a room designed for a child, anything
with chords or strings must be avoided
as it presents a choking hazard.“The
best window covering for a child’s
room is motorised blinds as there is
no component hanging from the blind
for the child to pull. If the blinds are
motorized, a child will not be able to
operate them. Fabric blinds are easy to
maintain as they can be washed at home,
dry cleaned or vacuumed depending on
the fabric,” Kanwar adds.
If windows are east or south facing, the
window treatment must address issues
like heat and sunlight, while augmenting
a room’s visual appeal.
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Lori Gilder, an award winning US-based
architectural interior designer, says,
“It’s no longer a trend, but more of a
philosophy in the evolution of design.
Bamboo, matchstick blinds and natural
woven shades layered with simple sheer
linen panels create an elegant yet earthy
sophistication in any space.” She also
advocates the use of metallic colours
and layering shades. Dewan agrees.
“Layering shades ensure that you enjoy
natural light when you want it and then
can block it when you need privacy. A
blackout shade is installed with a sheer
shade for this,” she says.
and the décor of the space. For large
projects, such as hotels or corporate
offices, a theme is often chosen and the
concept developed and executed. The
fabrication of the window treatment
is the next step – it could involve many
steps to provide exclusive results. Apart
from stitching (soft) or assembly (hard),
window treatments are often accentuated
with appliqués, fringes, embroideries,
printing and hand painting. For soft
furnishings, designer hardware – rods,
rings and brackets – are often designed
bespoke. The service also includes the
installation of manual and motorised
mechanisms to operate modern window
coverings, such as blinds. The system can
even be configured with an automation
system and can be used to provide
altered levels of visibility - full, partial or
complete.
Designers who work only on windows
offer a wide-ranging gamut of services.
It starts with selection of the type of
window treatment, and – if neededaccenting with accessories and coordinating with other soft furnishings
Whether it’s a single window, an entire
house, or a hospitality project, windows
are an element that can tie the décor
together, grab the spotlight, or support a
bold design theme artfully. Ensure that
they aren’t an afterthought!
Natural elements are being used to bring
nature indoors and this has resulted in
materials that are eco-friendly and have
nature-inspired designs.
8–9. Apart from
plastic and wood,
natural materials such as
organic fabric, bamboo,
jute and grasses have
gained in popularity
10. Roman blinds in
natural shades can be
layered with simple
sheer panels to create a
sophisticated look
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