Niki Milliken Window Treatments
Windows are amazing, and they can make any home look more architectural when choosing the right style and color.
Bringing nature into one’s home, and having an opulent space filled with natural warm sunlight can be inviting, and healing.
During the 18th century, some hospitals were designed with verandas so patients could be brought outside during the day to sit in the sun in hopes it would speed up their recovery. This is still practiced today in many healthcare facilities.
However, windows can also come with some issues, and most of it revolves around how people are supposed to function within that space.
For example:
· Which design is best for covering South facing bay windows?
· How much should one spend on treatments for just one window, or the entire home?
· Do they need to open, or will they always be closed?
An end goal must be defined from the very beginning. From there, solutions can begin to take shape – there is no “cookie cutter solution”.
Here are a few suggestions to consider when dealing with one of the most sought-after (and peskiest) window designs:
Bay Windows
Bay windows can give a house more dimension, and add a potential sitting area for people, and pets alike. Depending of the angles of the window itself, covering them can be challenging.
Ideas for Bay Windows:
Curtains
This can some times be a custom-made product. In the photo below, the aesthetic of this nook is very classic. It showcases a perfectly custom-made banquet, and curtains that follow the window line, which sit atop of the banquet seating.
Curtains are great for two main reasons:
1. They can be constructed with a thick, light filtering material giving the option to completely block out the sun.
2. If you need to access or open any of the windows, the curtain can be pulled out of the way to accommodate as needed.
Photo Courtsey: Pinterest.com
Shutters
Shutters can be a nice, tailored, and cost-effective option.
The one drawback with shutters is that access to the window can be somewhat cumbersome, so there needs to be enough room in the space to swing them open.
In the photo below, the designer has chosen not to cover the top windows, giving it a quasi-cafe shutter look, which is a very sophisticated touch. This approach shows off some of the trim detail around the window, and also gives the light a chance to shine.
Photo Courtsey: Pinterest.com
Roman Shades
The roman shade is a very traditional type of window covering, but it can give your room a more modern, buttoned up feel – definitely one of my favorites.
These shades give the flexibility to choose from a vast array of colors, fabrics, opacity, and the type of pull mechanism to use (automated with an app, cordless or you can request a cord, but this is not recommended in most households with kids or pets).
The one drawback is that roman shades do “stack” at the top so they cannot fully clear from view.
Taking this route will also give access to open the windows fully without having to move much equipment out of the way.
Like the image below, encouraging clients to use more than one treatment for windows can give the room a custom look overall.
Pairing with curtains will also provide a softness to the room, and can give one’s home a more layered, curated look.
Photo Courtsey: Pinterest.com; by Estee Design.
Each one of these solutions can be used for most window types. As always, there are a few considerations with every project to keep in mind – budget, timeline, and functionality all tie into one another.
Once the specific priorities are nailed down, a direction can be put in motion.
When in doubt, as always, consult a professional.
Photo Courtsey: Pinterest.com; HDExpo.
Dream. Design. Redefine.
-Niki
