Small Design Details Can Really Make Your Drapery Pop
As an Interior Designer one of the most common questions that I am asked when discussing drapery design is “how do I really get the most bang for my buck?” Let’s face it we are all trying to accomplish more with less and I have a few insider secrets that can really help you get that “really expensive” custom look you want without breaking the bank.
Lets start with fabric selection. You may have noticed that the price of silk drapes has been on the rise due to the cost of raw silk. So let’s consider some alternative fabrics. Many high-end Designers have partnered with mills to produce some great designs in Cotton and Polyester. Both of these fabrics are woven with much higher quality than when our parents were buying drapes. And let’s face it, both cotton and polyester and less expensive, wrinkle resistant and much easier to care for.
When shopping for discount designer custom drapery look for a company that buys direct and manufacturers the drapes themselves. It may cost a bit more but I always recommend using a company that manufacturers here in the US. Not just because I like to keep my business “local” but is also makes it much easier to deal with future adjustments. I can’t tell you how many times my Clients have moved or just changes their drapery hardware and we needed to have their drapes altered a bit. Try sending those things back to one of those “internet discounters” who get all of their drapes from India and, well, good luck.
Once you have your fabric selected let’s look at some some banding or trims. Adding a decorative corresponding edge-band or trim to the leading edge of your drapes can really make them “pop”. And the material that you use for the edge-band doesn’t need to break the bank. In fact, many times you can use a simple cotton trim that will make a huge difference. Having the trim match your upholstery fabric is a great little design element that really goes a long way.
Don’t like a trim? Consider “banding”. Adding a horizontal band at the lower third of your drapes can add a very contemporary feature that is not very expensive. The most important consideration is to be sure that you are matching other elements in your room. If you can incorporate a band or trim and match the supporting colors of your wallpaper or upholstery your room will really “pop” and you will discover what beautiful custom drapes are all about.
The best part about the process is the exploration of colors and textures you’ll discover. So, do it yourself and have some fun with it. Order fabric swatches online and really spend some time matching and coordinating. In no time you’ll have the room you always wanted.