Windows decorated in yards of silk and trimmed with
tassels or fringe can make quite a statement. But factor in preference and
practicality, and the dressy look doesn't work for every situation.
Enter blinds and shades. They combine glare control with the patina of wood
grain and woven fibers in a neatly layered package. Inherently useful,
they can help correct a room's proportions or screen out
undesirable views. And in a theatrical twist, shades and blinds can turn
filtered light into a vital decorative element. Here's a look at the
irresistible qualities of these enduring window treatments.
SHADES
With their neat borders and trim lines, natural-fiber
shades are well-suited for crisp, tailored applications. They fit equally
well in shallow or deep casements, where they fold or cascade for a compact
presentation. Featuring reeds, bamboo, rattan, and other tactile materials,
shades highlight the transition between exterior and interior spaces.
Shades are welcome throughout the house. In the more
public rooms, unlined shades let in more sunlight, while a sheer backing or
blackout lining provides additional privacy in bedrooms. Often layered
beneath curtains, natural-fiber shades also look fantastic by themselves,
tightly set within the window frame.
A knack for orchestrating proportions makes shades
especially valuable. Shades may be mounted high to lengthen windows
visually or used to connect windows of irregular size or placement. "If you place a single shade over two or three windows on a wall,
it's like dropping a sieve over dissimilar information," says
architect and designer Bobby McAlpine.
Designers on Shades
· For a client's bay window, designer
Stanley Ellis combined shades with draperies to avoid fabric overload.
"If we had used enough drapery to pull shut over the windows, the bay
would have been all fabric," he says.
· McAlpine specified a fitted shade to envelop
the windows in his living room. "The panes no longer function as
windows. I sacrificed the view for this magical illumination," he
says.
· Atlanta designer Suzanne Kasler believes that
pleated valances can feel overly styled. She marries custom shades with
straightforward fabrics. "It's a casual, elegant look. Paired
with simple drapery, they provide texture and warmth," she says.
| WEB EXTRA: RETURN OF THE ROLLER SHADE |
| Architect and designer Bobby McAlpine favors a once-notorious icon: the roller shade. Banish the memories of poorly textured vinyl and cartoon-grade flapping. Modern examples feature natural woven materials and smooth operation. "It's one of the least-used forms today, almost a forgotten option. But roller shades are wonderful -- compact and spontaneous. They can provide a lampshade quality of light, and there are reputable vendors who make custom versions," he says. |
