Make a change at home with new curtains and draperies
MetroCreative
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It鈥檚 nearly spring! It鈥檚 the time of year when many homeowners consider buying new draperies and curtains.
鈥淵ou can buy new any time of year but spring and fall are usually when people want to see a change in draperies,鈥� said Charlotte Connors, owner of Charlotte鈥檚 Custom Draperies and Home Furnishings in Waynesburg. 鈥淭hose seem to be the busiest times for me.鈥�
Making a change in draperies and curtains can make a difference in a room.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e the jewelry of the room,鈥� said Connors. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like putting on a necklace when you鈥檝e finished dressing. It鈥檚 the finishing touch.鈥�
More specifically, Connors noted, 鈥淒raperies add a little bit of softness to a window. They can be very soft and neutral. They don鈥檛 have to stand out.鈥�
There鈥檚 a difference between draperies and curtains.
鈥淎 curtain is a more, simple window treatment. It鈥檚 usually shirrs on a rod. Most often, it鈥檚 unlined,鈥� explained Connors. 鈥淎 drapery is normally a fabric panel that鈥檚 lined and sometimes interlined and is more formal. Usually a drape has a header on it 鈥� that鈥檚 the top. That can be a pinched pleat header. It can have grommets in the top. There are a myriad of headers. They usually hang on a rod with rings or can be attached to a traversing rod. The options are just endless.鈥�
Draperies can be custom made to fit someone鈥檚 style or space.
Connors explained, 鈥淭hey want something different than anybody else has or they may have odd-shaped windows they can buy ready-made draperies for.鈥�
Some people prefer not to use draperies and curtains for their windows.
鈥淎 lot of people like that clean edge of a blind,鈥� Connors said.
Homeowners who have blinds can still use draperies and curtains.
Connors explained, 鈥淚f you have blinds, it鈥檚 nice to cover the edges with a drapery panel.鈥�
But she added, 鈥淚t鈥檚 what your style is.鈥�
For those who choose to use draperies, the current style is simple.
鈥淚n my business, we鈥檙e seeing a lot of plain drapery panels with a beautiful rod 鈥� very simple,鈥� Connors said. 鈥淚 believe passementerie 鈥� that has tassels and beading 鈥� is making a comeback, but I haven鈥檛 seen it in our area yet.鈥�
Color-wise, Connors said, 鈥淏lush is very popular, a real soft pink, and grays are very much in. We鈥檙e also seeing a lot of navy blues and greens. That鈥檚 the new fabrics and prints I鈥檝e seen come in my work room this spring.鈥�
Draperies and curtains may also help a homeowner鈥檚 energy plan.
The U.S. Dept. of Energy noted on its website that it鈥檚 difficult to generalize as a drapery鈥檚 ability to reduce heat loss and gain depends on factors such as fabric type and color.
But the department offered these suggestions:
鈥淒uring summer days, you should close draperies on windows receiving direct sunlight to prevent heat gain. Studies demonstrate that medium-colored draperies with white-plastic backings can reduce heat gains by 33%.
鈥淲hen drawn during cold weather, most conventional draperies can reduce heat loss from a warm room up to 10%. Therefore, in winter, you should close all draperies at night, as well as draperies that don鈥檛 receive sunlight during the day.
鈥淭wo draperies hung together will create a tighter air space than just one drapery. One advantage is that the room-side drapery will maintain around the same temperature as the interior space, adding to a room鈥檚 comfort.鈥�
So whether for decoration, energy use or privacy, draperies and curtains enhance any room.
Said Connors, 鈥淭hey can make a tremendous difference.鈥�