How Single-Pleat Custom Draperies Offer a Clean, Modern Interior Design Element and Comfort at the Same Time!
Anne and her husband Ken wrestled with a double interior design challenge in their traditional Tudor home in Portland. It had beautiful woodwork throughout, including wide-plank oak floors, and they wanted to use fabrics for custom window treatments in the redesign of their home. Unfortunately, they couldn’t see past these two obstacles.
In contrast to their Tudor home, their design aesthetic is anything but traditional.
They needed relief from the relentless sun that pours into the living room during the day.
They wanted something unique that matched their elegant & whimsical style. Still, the couple couldn’t see the right pathway to achieving it with custom draperies, especially when it appeared that tradition pleated draperies required more stacking space on their walls. There didn’t seem to be a modern, stylish solution that would meet all of their goals.
Welcome to part two of our series, Not Your Grandma’s Curtains! (See Part One here.) In modern interior home design, the big, dramatic curtains you remember from homes of the past have given way to clean lines which accent your overall decor instead of dominating it. In part two of our series, you’ll also see how modern draperies can provide both comfort and style at the same time.
How many things can one custom drapery design accomplish?
Anne’s designer, Catherine from Parker Furniture, asked our Window Fashion Designer, Marlys, to help create unique window treatments that would match their fun, refreshing style. Still, there was a somewhat detailed long list of objectives that had to be met.
The draperies needed to match Anne’s love for vivid colors but not overpower the artwork in the room.
They needed to have a clean, modern look.
They needed to have the ability to protect their furnishings and flooring from the intense afternoon sun and make the overall temperature more comfortable.
At the same time, Anne and Ken didn’t want the drapery panels to dominate the windows visually or cover them up. They wanted to see the beautiful woodwork around the windows and enjoy the full view of their backyard.
They also needed to soften the many hard surfaces in the room - glass, wood floors, and a brick fireplace – to make the acoustics more comfortable.
Interior design often requires a careful, strategic approach that merges function and form, and this time was no exception.
A single-pleat solution was the key to the design challenge.
Catherine and Marlys suggested the modern single-pleat drapery style. That helped address many of the functional issues.
Single-pleat draperies allow for minimal “stack back” when opened and make sure the woodwork and view are featured.
However, they can still give the homeowner complete sun control when closed.
Then, they selected a white fabric from Kravet with embroidered, colorful bars and an off-white lining which balanced the room visually. The fluid fabric hangs beautifully. It was well-suited to the single-pleat style while still having the ability to manage the sunlight and acoustics.
To add another artistic touch, the drapery panels hang from square rings on a square metal drapery rod with hand-hammered scrolled finials.
Good interior design improves the quality of life in the home.
When this design project was completed, Anne and Ken were able to reclaim their living room!
Before, there were long stretches of the day, especially in the summer, where the room felt unlivable.
Now, even when the sun is beating in, they can thoroughly enjoy this vital gathering space. In addition, the room temperature is more stable, and their furnishings and wood floors are better protected.
Meanwhile, when their single-pleat drapery panels are in the open position, they stack off to the side of the windows. Thus, none of the view or enjoyment of the home’s original design is lost.
What is the process for installing custom single-pleat drapery panels?
The process of installing custom window coverings is simple, and we pride ourselves on making it as easy and enjoyable as possible. Here’s how it works.
DESIGN - Together, we select the perfect fabrics, drapery hardware, and overall style for your home. Many of our clients add other fun, luxury features to their windows like motorization!
CREATION - We custom-make our draperies in the USA and then install them for you.
INSPIRATION – You get the modern design you were hoping for while ensuring the comfort of your room at all times of the day!
Custom window covering design is often the key to solving complicated design challenges.
The artistry and experience that drive custom window treatment design truly shine when puzzles like the list above present themselves.
Designers like Marlys at Adrette find great joy in solving those puzzles because it means clients can truly enjoy and be inspired by their surroundings at home. Homeowners deserve that sense of sanctuary and comfort.
Homeowners also deserve to express their sense of style! There are so many new options available that look nothing like “Grandma’s old curtains,” and there’s a way to give every home its own unique look!
Imagine sitting in your living room on a hot, sunny day with your drapery panels closed, protected from the heat and energy of the sun. You remember the time when you felt like you needed sunglasses to sit on the couch, but NO MORE! Now, your modern, stylish draperies are also working to keep your room comfortable.
Schedule a consultation here to learn more about new, modern drapery styles, or simply call us at (503) 703-4692. We love helping people like you enjoy their homes to the fullest!