Draperies have been around for a long time. Some of most beautiful and regal treatments are pictured in colonial and European estates of the past and present.
There is something about a bank of flowing fabric that adds texture and warmth to a room. Something happened though with the invention of mini-blinds and verticals in the 60’s. Sleek and contemporary became the fashion. While these products offer much in the way of light control, much was lost in the way of insulation, beauty and lushness.
Another factor was the textile mills in America. Many of them shutdown and fabrics were for the most part exported doubling the price of case goods.
Many improvements have been made in the window shade industry. The fabrics now have texture and some the honeycomb like Architella do a fantastic job of insulation against heat and cold.
Yet….consider draperies for your room. They do take up more wall space. For instance, you need to stack the draperies onto the wall when they open so that the window can be totally exposed when they are drawn. They do not always have to completely expose the window but many times this is desirable.
The main cost of draperies is not the labor or the rod but the fabric itself. You can save a few dollars by purchasing fabric at a fabric stroe and bringing it to us for fabrication, but expect a bit more for labor. You will have to provide the fabric width, and pattern repeat to determine how many yards it will take to manufacture your draperies. Do not select a thin fabric more suitable for clothing. It will not drape well.
Another consideration for your custom drapery is fullness. You know what apartment draperies look like right?. Well, these are usually under double fullness. A JC Penny stock drapery is usually double-fullness although I have seen some really, really bad stock draperies lately.
I like to make your draperies at least 2 1/2 fullness. Sheers need to be at least triple fullness. This makes all the difference.
Draperies on a traverse rod or stationery panels can create much drama and beauty in your home. Colors, prints, banding on edges, interlining, all factors.
Go as wide as you can and if possible try the 90″ finished length instead of the standard 84″. The added height adds drama and customizes the look.
Come in today with your measurements and look through our sample books.
Allyn Interiors 