Blinds/Shades Romanblinds provides a clean, classic look for any interior design.  There are many different versions of this popular shade, including the most traditional look of a flat panel that creates soft folds when raised and one with overlapping folds that are visible when lowered.  Not only are these shades available in a variety of fabrics, they come in a multitude of natural materials, like bamboo, various grasses and reed.  And you can always make your own. Roller blinds were once only found in white vinyl–today there is an endless variety of fabrics to choose from.  From translucent sheers to opaque polyester, you can achieve a look anywhere from simple to sleek.  By purchasing a shade kit, you can make your own shade out of any material you prefer. Cellular blinds are the fabric cousin to the ubiquitous mini-blind.   Available in single, double and triple thickness, they filter natural light and insulate against the heat and cold, bringing a soft look to rooms that don’t require 100 percent privacy. Balloon blinds are similar to Roman blinds in that they have a pull-cord mechanism for raising or lowering the fabric, however inverted pleats create soft billows at the bottom for a more romantic effect. Austrian blinds are similar to balloon blinds but contain shirring between the vertical rows of rings for a blousy, billowy effect. The top heading can be either flat, puffed, smocked or pleated. A Festoon blind (also known as a London) contains two inverted pleats at the bottom, creating a shallow scoop in the center with two small tails on either side. A Cafe curtain covers the bottom half of a window and is sometimes paired with a valance.

Roman Cellular Austrian

Roller Balloon Festoon

Curtains v Drapes
Ready-made curtain panels are available in many Albany stores.  Usually hung from clip rings, tab-tops or a rod pocket casing, they’re available in different lengths and widths to fit a variety of window sizes.  Unlined and lightweight, they’re the alternative to formal custom-made draperies, which are usually lined, pleated and constructed to fit the exact dimensions of a window.  If drapes are not attached to the rod with rings, they are usually hung on traverse rods, allowing the panels to be opened and closed with a cord that hangs behind the fabric.

Scarf Cascade

Swag Jabot

Decorative TreatmentsThese decorative pieces are used in combination with other elements to complement a formal design.A scarf is a long piece of fabric, usually wrapped or arranged on a pole, thread through sconces at the corners to frame the perimeter of a window.A swag is a semi-circular piece of pleated fabric attached above a window. It’s usually paired with a cascade and jabot for a classic window treatment.A cascade is a pleated piece of fabric used with a swag that loosely falls to the side of the window.A jabot is a pleated panel used on either side of a swag or in between two swags to cover the seams. A bishop’s sleeve is used with either a swag or formal valance and consists of long panels on either side of a window cinched in the middle to create blousy poufs.

Valances
A valance is essentially a short curtain placed at the top of a window to conceal drape hardware. ( A cornice performs the same service only it’s made of wood.)  If it’s not needed to hide hardware, it can be used alone as a singular treatment for visual interest when privacy is not an issue.  Used in combination with other shades, panels or drapes, it provides the finishing touch to a formal window dressing.  Valances can be made to look like shortened versions of some blinds  (Balloon, Festoon) or as simple fabric rectangles with different headings. Two other traditional valances include a cloud, which looks like a shorter version of an Austrian blind, and a pouf, which utilizes a rod inserted at the bottom to create the billowy pouf.

Headings Depending on the style and formality of your design, you’ll want to choose a window covering with the appropriate top construction.  Pleated headings consist of the following:A pencil pleat heading is tightly gathered at the top of the drape and resembles a row of pencils when pulled together.A pinch pleat (French pleat) heading is a series of equally-spaced single, double or triple pleats.A goblet pleat is the same as a pinch pleat, the only difference being that the fabric is filled out with batting or a stiff paper to resemble a wineglass silhouette.A box pleat, whether used on a valance or drape, provides the utmost in classic sophistication. It lays nearly flat against the wood piece it’s attached to, creating a straightforward look appropriate for any style. Tab-top panels are loops of fabric sewn onto the top of the panel. However, they can be anything that holds the fabric to the hardware, including buttons, fabric tied to doorknobs or cabinet hardware, etc. The sky’s the limit! A straight stitch is all it takes to create a shirred rod pocket panel; leaving inches of fabric up top for a fancy header adds a more formal look to the design. Grommets are a simple way to hang a piece of fabric to a rod. Grommet pliers and supplies allow you to create clean-lined window treatments using any piece of fabric you desire. Wooden rings are most commonly used in conjunction with pleated draperies, lending a comfortably contemporary look to an interior design. Clip rings have to be the easiest way to get fabric in front of a window.  Whether you use store-bought panels or your grandmother’s lace tablecloth, all it takes is a few moments to get clips to fabric and rings to rod to create a look that is all your own.

Pencil Pleat Goblet PleatTap Top Pleat Wooden Rings

Pinch Pleat Box Pleat Grommets Clip Rings