Drapery Panels
When I first started in the drapery business – it wasn’t called window treatments back then – we almost entirely created lined draperies out of antique satin – lots of colors but no pattern, and pleated sheers in many shades of white. What a difference today!
Today the “draperies” are often only stationary side panels. They hang beautifully at the sides of the windows, often not even tied back. The fabrics are rich in color, texture, or pattern. If the fabric is a solid color, we often add trim to the leading edge, hem or both to give accent and definition to the panels. The texture is not the coarse, rough weaves of the past, but the wonderful textures of chenille, cut velvet, suede, linen, silk or silk–like fabrics. We use very little shiny material, but often use fabrics with sheen. I think the distinction is important.
And to distinguish these stationary side panels even more, we often hang the panels on decorative rods. Not the kind you can draw with a cord since the panels don’t cover the whole window, but on a metal or wooden rod, where if necessary, one can move the panels wider or narrower by hand. The metal rods in 1 1/4” diameter come in antique bronze, blackened pewter, rusted, antique white and of course black. These rods often coordinate wonderfully with the rusted and burnished light fixtures and ceiling fans that are now available.
If you prefer wood poles, the colors are just as yummy – bronze with gold highlights, bronze with gold/grey highlights, silver patina, weathered white, oxblood gold, or red oak. And these rods come in 2 ¼” diameter or larger with fluted rods, twisted rods, or smooth rods. This is a wonderful way to individualize your panels and create a lasting impression for your window.
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