Chuck's Corner: DeCarlo's Tips & Trends

Space… a simple word with many complex aspects, and a major influence in determining what is right in choosing the perfect customer draperies (window treatments) for your home or office. I'm Chuck DeCarlo, Proprietor of DeCarlo Interiors, and this is my space to share a bit of my passion with you.

More than Custom Draperies - It's the Fabric of Your Home

Fall 2009

Custom draperies drastically change the look of any space, whether it is a formal dining room, a baby's nursery, the family's home theatre, or a large conference room. They can be used in addition to blinds or shutters and can add warmth, focal points, another color dimension, and thematic style. While they may be functional, adding privacy, room darkening, and sound control, they should be aesthetic also - adding flair or putting the finishing touch on a room. No question, choosing your custom draperies is an important and sometimes challenging decision for which you should have help.

Here are several DeCarlo tips to consider:

Function.
Just because there's a particular single need for a window, such as light control, privacy, insulation, or sound absorption, doesn't mean it can't be stylish and beautiful. However, it's best to get the "demands" of the window established right away, and then incorporate the solutions to those demands into the final product, which reflects…

Style.
Ever since Eve swagged Clematis vines over the first window in Eden (Adam loved it!), people have changed the whole look and feel of their homes by decorating their window. The style you choose will greatly affect your mood when you walk into the room. Are the custom drapes elegant and subdued, or perhaps simple, but eye catching - in either case conjuring up feelings of peace and satisfaction? When it comes to style, explore the options, follow your intuition, the expert opinion of a DeCarlo Interiors consultant, who will at some point discuss…

Fabric.
There are more gorgeous fabrics available today than ever before! Not only are they beautiful to see, but also wonderful to touch, perhaps silken finishes or fine brocades or even textured "bark" cloths, all amenable to the mood you wish to create in your room. How these fabrics perform is a matter that must be considered upfront. Will their weight and thickness allow for minimum stack? Are they durable enough to withstand the onslaught of kids and pets? Can they support a room darkening lining or thermal insulator? Fortunately, we know what fabrics can be used for both performance and beauty. DeCarlo Interiors has an abundance of fabric samples to view and hold in hand in Our Showroom. Once you've selected a fabric, we'll talk about…

Hardware.
If there are to be valances or other top treatments, only the functional capacity of a rod has to be chosen. However, with the grand variety of beautiful decorative hardware available today, the top treatment may in fact be the hardware, reinforcing or creating a decorative theme in the room, such as Tuscan, Baroque, Contemporary, or Colonial. Faux finishes and wrought iron hues can add an element of accent and greatly compliment your fabric selection, as can…

Trims.
Fringes and decorative cords, intricate multicolored bandings, and finely-crafted tassels can make a wonderful window treatment a truly spectacular event. This myriad of colors, styles and size - used in the right setting - may transform your window and room into a completely unique locale which reflects your vision and good taste.

Additional factors, such as budget, will always be part of the selection process. DeCarlo Interiors is here to offer premier brands and options to make your decisions as easy as possible. To schedule a consultation with a DeCarlo Interiors specialist, please contact us at 724.327.8200 or decarlointeriors@gmail.com.