Jane Bateman The Interior Store » valances

Window Treatment of the Month – September

Jane — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:54:03 +0000

This semi-swag with a goblet pleat is a great way to update your bathroom window treatment. The swag adds a softness that is hard to get in a bathroom with hard surface counters and floors. The goblet pleat is a unique way to define the swags and it is a very different look from the usual jabot that is often a partner with swags.

The swags are over a pole so you can add a pole that has a metalic look that matches your cabinet pulls or faucet handles. Or you can add a grooved wood pole that coordinates your cabinet’s stain.

The contrast liner in the goblet creates an accent color that can be a burst of color, but in small quantities does not over take the room. Add tassels and trim and you have created a valance rich in texture and interest. Your guests will love it!

Window Treatment of the Month – August

Jane — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:03:18 +0000

A classic window treatment is a swag and jabot valance. But in the classic version, the swags usually have rounded edges. A new twist on this timeless treatment would be to have the swags slightly pointed and the jabots a softer, gathered look. I think this adds a contemporary feel to a traditional swag treatment. The swags still drape beautifully since the fabric is cut on the bias and the jabots flow softly under the swags.

In this particular picture, the swags are “thrown” over a rod. That is what looks like happened but in fact they are very carefully cut, sewn, and draped to give that “thrown” look. …which adds to the contemporary look. The rod can have the finials and pole wrapped to match the fabric or they can be iron rods coordinating with other elements in your room.

Window Treatment of the Month – July

Jane — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:44:04 +0000

This is a great valance for a youthful bedroom. We have made this valance many times and it is very fun when multiple fabrics are used. Perhaps a colorful plaid on the front can be used, a narrow stripe for the accent “lining” fabric that turns into a cuff on the top front, and a solid colored accent used for the rope cording highlighting the top. It is also fun to use four different solid colors – one for the front, one for the back that flips over at the top, one for the rope cording and one for the hem cording. The lining fabric is an important choice because it peaks out as the gathered pleats come forward. This valance has unlimited ways to accent your room. Enjoy!

Window Treatment of the Month – May

Jane — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 22:16:20 +0000

Our Window Treatment of the Month for May is a simple tailored valance. It is easy to make this a colorful valance with different colors for each triangle. You could easily change the look of this valance with the top triangles all being one color and the under triangles an accent color. Or you could make all the triangles the same color and add a contrasting banding to follow the shape of the angle – or even just a contrast cording to follow the shape of the angle. This banner valance would be great for a child’s room or a loft room that could be made more playful with different, fun colors.

Window Fashion of the Month – March

Jane — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 19:10:26 +0000

Our March Window Fashion of the Month is this petal valance. Sometimes a simple valance is necessary – when you want a more tailored look, the window is small, or the room is more casual and not fussy – but a straight hem may be too linear, too much like a pencil on the window. So cutting the fabric into petals can give your valance a little zip.

Notice how the valance is lined in a contrasting fabric that peeks out as the petal is turned back. You can easily use a solid fabric for one side of the petal and a small print on the opposite side of the petal, you can use the same print on each side but in two different colors, or you can use two solid color fabrics one on each side. This valance is easy to make wider by simply adding more petals in proportion to the size of your window.

As you can see, no decorative hardware is visible with this style which keeps the valance very classic and timeless.

Spring Cleaning 103

Jane — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:09:42 +0000

As I was brushing my teeth yesterday I noticed cob webs in my bedroom draperies and valances.� I was appalled because I pride myself on not having dirty draperies.� But as I continued brushing, I realized it had been�far too long �since I had cleaned them.�

Dust and dirt can be the enemy of fabrics.� Of course my bedroom draperies weren’t really dirty – no catsup or greasy fingers in my bedroom – but they were dusty.� And a good way to get the dust out is to put them in the drier on air for 20-30 minutes.� This fluffs them, tumbles them, and generally gets the dust out of spots that are hard to vacuum.� I always use a drier sheet as I fluff them to take the static out of the fabric so the dust will end up on the lint filter rather than redistributed on the draperies.

Be sure to ALWAYS take the hooks out first since they will tear the draperies as they are tumbling.�� I usually put one half of the drapery in the drier at a time.� Then when that panel is done, I put the other half in the drier. Immediately I put the hooks back in and hang up the first panel.� This keeps the wrinkles to a minimum and I never need to press them when I do my fluffing in this order.� Then I put the valance in and fluff it too.�

Sometimes the treatments are mounted on a boards so obviouly that won’t go in your drier.� These will need to be�vacuumed.� Vacuum in as many creases as you can.��Since these are supported on the board it will be easier to pull and prod the fabric as you vacuum.�

One more way to spend your Saturday!

5 Ways to Update Your Home

Jane — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:23:57 +0000

You may have decided to stay in your home and not move, but that doesn�t mean you should stay with the same old tired look.� When you move, you are forced to make changes, but let�s look around your home and see what simple modifications you can make to create a new updated look.�

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1)�� New paint is always a good option and a relatively inexpensive one.� Get some magazines and see what the designers are using for paint colors.�

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2)�� Add valances over those old blinds.� Blinds and shades are very functional but they could use some pizzazz.� Simple or elaborate top treatments could make your room look entirely different.

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3)�� Change the throw pillows. �Most pillows in the family room are used and get tired-looking and limp. Get new filling and new fabrics to update your color scheme.�

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4)�� Take EVERYTHING out of the room except the heaviest pieces and only put back in the room what you need.� Take away those gifts that were given to you that didn�t really match but you didn�t want to throw away either.� Put everything you don�t need or use in a box in the basement and if after six months you haven�t missed it, then sell the items at a garage sale or give�to a local charity. Here in Lawrence that could be Penn House or St. John�s garage sale house.�

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5)�� And lastly, call a professional.� I perform a lot of one hour consultations that give advice the homeowner can implement. �We can talk about what colors you would paint your rooms based upon the existing furnishings you have, how to arrange your furniture and what additional pieces you might need, or what colors/styles you might use for kitchen counters, flooring, or cabinets.� And after you have painted, I can help arrange and re-hang those pictures. It might be time to move Aunt Martha�s painting to a back room and hang that new painting you saw at the local art show.

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Don�t let your home get tired just because you aren�t moving.� Spring is a good time to throw open the windows and move into high gear.� Enjoy!

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Arranging Tips

Happy New Year Resolutions

Jane — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:33:06 +0000

Happy New Year!� With all the talk of New Year�s resolutions, I wonder if you have added home projects to your list of resolutions.� Instead of losing weight, maybe you could lose your old look and get inspired for the new �home� look.�

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A few weeks ago I was interviewed on Home and Away, a program on our local television station.� The topic was �getting started�.� I discovered that for most people it is not as easy as it seems.� We all want a change in our environment, but the fear overtakes us.� What if I don�t .like it?� What shall I do first?� How do I decide a color scheme?� How DO I get started??

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Do not become paralyzed and do nothing.� Having parameters helps.�� We always have them, whether it is a piece of furniture we need to keep, or the walls that were just painted last year and we can�t change them again, or, of course, there is always the budget.� Let�s begin with one idea.

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Remember that trip you took last summer?� You carted that ceramic lamp back without breaking it but when you arrived home you put it in the basement and it is still there.�� How about making the lamp the centerpiece of your decorating scheme in your �new� living room?� Keep the wood blinds but add a valance that coordinates with the lamp.� Then find an area rug that will cover up the worn spot on the carpet and will add a cozy, conversation area to the room by putting a focus on the furniture arrangement.�� Add complementary throw pillows to the sofa and take out the old accessories that don�t match and look worn and old.�

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Actually I suggest you take out as much as you can when you are starting over.� It helps you to see the room core and focus on what needs to be there, rather than working around school gifts from your kids�many years ago and that basket of flowers that Aunt Mary gave you many, many years ago.� You didn�t like it then and you still don�t like it now, but somehow it is still in your room.� Get rid of it!!

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Don�t be afraid.� Life is about taking chances and enjoying the process.�

Baby Sleeping? Mother is Happy!