How to Choose the Right Window Fashions

I Did a Home Makeover

Yes, it's true. No, I didn't win one of the contets on A&E, I just wanted to redecorate my home. Being as i was on a budget, I want to get the most bang for my buck so I was on the hunt for bargains.

I started out in the living room. The first items that were replaced were lampshades, my 8x10 area rug, end tables, and entertainment center. I was able to get some excellent deals on these items using Amazon and Ebay, even though some of the stuff was poorly made Chinese crap. I suppose the items will last long enough to justify the price.

As I moved through my home, replacing various items, I noticed the rooms still felt quite the same. I was going for a classic, contemporary look (if that's even a thing), and I needed some decor that would tie everything together.

Enter Window Treatments

Slightly frustrated, I called my mother to get her input. She proudly proclaimed that she had recently purchased a house full of new window decor and that I might be well served to do the same.

Fabric is an important part of selecting curtains, since the fabric will determine how well your curtains perform and hold up with time.

" If they're too hefty, they might not fold up crisply when drawn; too light and they might not drop well," says designer Kim Lyon of Window Accents Inc.

Lana Lawrence, who is vice president of Anthony Lawrence-Belfair window curtain makers and who collaborates with designers like Alexa Hampton and Katie Ridder, recommends holding materials up to a window, even in a fabric showroom. "Pleat it like an accordion at the top and let it drape," she says. "If it begins to flare like a piece of crinoline, then it's not going to fall nicely on the window."

Some materials can help shut out the cold. Many hotels and resorts use suede, velvet, tapestry or tweed since their weight helps block light and keep heat in. Still, nearly any fabric can be interlined with bump, a thick, insulating felt material. And interlining-- a piece of fabric slipped between the lining and the face fabric-- can also help prolong the life of the curtains.

My New Home's New Look

Because I was on a thin budget, I wasn't sure if window treatments were the right solution for me. I always window blinds, drapes, etc., were expensive and out of my reach financially. I generally don't like to finance things so I was worried that I would end up trying to find drapes at the local Goodwill store.

After spending a few days feverishly scouring pinterest, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted. Granted, pricing was still going to be an issue.

I ultimately decided on some Hunter Douglas motorized blinds and some beautiful drapes that really set off the whole room.

The blinds were the most expensive item but the folks at Window Accents Inc., near Cincinnati, were very helpful in giving me the best deal possible. I didn't even have to finance them!

Special thanks to Window Accents Inc. for their help!