Interior designing is a big shot in the world today. We all want to come to an aesthetically pleasing home, where we can host friends and families and also showcase our living space. An important aspect of interior decor as it is popularly called is the window design. The window design of a home helps to bring all elements together to make a complete and beautiful home.
The choice of a window fitting has a way of accentuating and highlighting the house and should be done carefully, to pick the best possible choice. As simple as this is, there are range of alternatives to choose from. The beautification of windows as everything with advancement in human life has evolved over time. From the use of Curtains, Drapes , Shades and Finally Blinds. All these fitting have opened a new era in the world of interior decor.
To the lay man, window fitting is simply window fitting. No difference and that is it.
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Some even interchange the terms and use them wrongly. This post is an attempt to correct such notions, keep you properly informed and possibly inspire you to change some window fittings in your home.
The first and earliest form are CURTAINS. They are fabrics usually made in pairs in varieties of length, colours and pattern. They are found They are used to beautify the living room, dining room, bed rooms, bathroom and sometimes the kitchen. A cafe curtain is usually the choice for bathrooms and kitchen.
What is a cafe curtain you may ask. A cafe curtain is a short curtain that covers only half the bottom of the window. For the placements of CURTAINS, a rail is used which can be covered, plain or ornamental.
DRAPES are similar to curtains. They also come in pairs but differ by their appearance. Drapes are made of heavy long fabrics , that covers from the top of the window to the floor. They have line creases that gives it a type of style and elegance feel. They are also known as DRAPERIES. Drapes are luxury window fittings made from silk and velvet materials.
The highest point of the Drapes are pleated which gives the overall effect of draping. Its application is like that of a curtain.
SHADES are delicate textured board, appended to a bar. They are sold independently unlike the curtains and drapes. They include a wide scope of lengths, widths and textures. They fit inside the window outline unlike other window designs.
A Shade comes with a string for control, a roller or a lifting component. An impressive innovation, completely different from the traditional window fittings.
Finally, BLINDS. It comes with a lifting mechanism like shades. Unlike shades, blinds are not made of textured fabric, rather they are made of wood, bamboo, aluminium or vinyl braces that slant open to allow in light, or close. They come in a variety of colours and wood variants . The most popular type of blinds are those with horizontal slats. Though there are blinds with vertical hanging plants.
Each of this these window fittings have been in vogue once upon a time. This does not mean that there are restrictions on using any as you seem fit. They are all artistic endeavours to make your home beautiful. It would interest you to know that older window fittings can compliment new window fittings. Out with the old doesn’t mean discarding the old, but reaching a place of balance with the new. By new , I mean shades and blinds. To help you achieve the aesthetic taste you so desire, here are a few tips;
• Do not be afraid to add a little more colours to your space. A great way to do that is to maximize on your choice of colours for your window fittings.
• Why not incorporate both styles. That is , a curtain and a blind . Do not be afraid of putting a little accessory here and there. Who knows you might just be the new big thing in the Decor. Industry.
• Be daring and avoid simplicity for your windows. If you want to stand out, you must be bold. Do not use the same colour of curtains for your rod. Create a contrast. You can use gold, silver or even black rods to hang your curtains and drapes.
For most people, window fittings do not require as much attention as other home decor decisions.
But they fail to understand that the decision of the right window fitting has a way of making or marring the appearance of a room. It can make the room look smaller, bigger, bright and elegant or not. The blend of the right window fitting and accessories can assist with outlining and improving your home.
