Custom Draperies 101
Say yes to great fabric, liner and hardware
I'm the biggest $@!#%& snob when it comes to dressing windows. My rule of thumb: Leave those panes bare until you're ready to drop some cash on the real deal. Pre-fab panels can sometimes turn out pretty nice, but most of the time they become a wrinkled, too-short, too-tall mess.
I've gathered 8 well done examples sure to fit a wide variety of budgets and architectural styles. Next time you open a fashion catalog, say NO to that new houndstooth scarf and instead say YES to fabrication, liner and hardware. Trust me, your windows, your soul and your sense of privacy will appreciate it.
I've gathered 8 well done examples sure to fit a wide variety of budgets and architectural styles. Next time you open a fashion catalog, say NO to that new houndstooth scarf and instead say YES to fabrication, liner and hardware. Trust me, your windows, your soul and your sense of privacy will appreciate it.
The inverted box pleat is the go-to style used by one of my favorite interior designers, Betsy Burnham. Sure, this particular space is feminine, but for the most part, inverted box pleats are a great trick to giving draperies a more masculine or gender-neutral feel. When closed, they have a super tailored, boxy feeling. Stack them back and they create a sleek, uniform look which allows the hardware to shine.
An advantage to custom draperies is the ability to create subtle yet graphic impact with borders. If you're afraid of prints, this is a great compromise.
DIY tip: If you wanna do this yourself, keep in mind you'll need 3.5 yards of solid fabric for every single-width 8-ft panel. To create the border, you'll need approximately 1 more yard per panel, depending on the width of your desired border. Since the look is all about the contrast versus texture or pattern, sticking with $8.99 cotton duck will do just fine.
DIY tip: If you wanna do this yourself, keep in mind you'll need 3.5 yards of solid fabric for every single-width 8-ft panel. To create the border, you'll need approximately 1 more yard per panel, depending on the width of your desired border. Since the look is all about the contrast versus texture or pattern, sticking with $8.99 cotton duck will do just fine.
Tie-backs: an uber-traditional approach to dressing windows. I sometimes have issues with tie-backs. They can look super stuffy and bore me to tears, especially when they don't really have anything to be tying draperies back from.
Here's a perfect example of tie-backs with two real tasks. First up, these tie-backs aid in capitalizing on the view. The pair can be pushed back in place allowing its bathing homeowner to peer out. Next, the tie-backs keep the panels safely in place just above the harmful wet surface.
Here's a perfect example of tie-backs with two real tasks. First up, these tie-backs aid in capitalizing on the view. The pair can be pushed back in place allowing its bathing homeowner to peer out. Next, the tie-backs keep the panels safely in place just above the harmful wet surface.
Something you'll be asked when creating custom draperies is, "How do you want these to break?" This refers to how the bottoms will hit the floor. I try and stay away from the puddled look because it's not ideal for homes with shedding animals. Instead, I opt for drapes that break directly at the surface of the floor. The overall look is clean, tailored and carefree.
Those of you longing for an ounce of the puddled look, consider 1/2-inch of extra fabric for a leaning, stacked-back break along the floor.
Those of you longing for an ounce of the puddled look, consider 1/2-inch of extra fabric for a leaning, stacked-back break along the floor.
Here's an example of a fixed curtain. These puppies aren't meant to function; they visually separate space.
Here's a cost saver. If you don't have the clams to shell out for pricy hardware, instead opt for a header made from painted plywood or drywall. Once the header is built and in place, add standard drapery track up and inside of it. While your custom draperies are proudly on display, the tricky little track on the inside will be out of sight.
The uber-masculine, uber-modern approach to window dressing: remote-controlled blinds. Although I usually detest blinds, they work well in modern spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows. With just one click, the blinds rise to allow light in, or they fall, blocking it out...so you can turn on Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion. Why? Because you, like me, love that movie yet don't want your neighbors to know you're watching it.
Although your biggest focus on custom draperies should be how they'll look and function inside your home, don't forget about the exterior. Sticking with white liner pretty much always guarantees you'll be able to appreciate them just as much while outside with a leafblower as you will inside with a martini.
Although I often dissuade people from using pre-fab, store-bought panels, they can be done right. In this case, clip rings attached to nearly sheer white panels allow them to move with the breeze. There would be no need for custom pleats to help the fabric stack tightly since the overall purpose is for the window dressing to add to the casual, breezy aesthetic. Try IKEA's RITVA at only $19.99 per pair.