Are you having trouble deciding what's best for your windows? Are blinds, shades or curtains more your style? Here, window treatment expert Trisha Roy shares her knowledge
Q:
What’s the difference between shades and blinds? How do I know what is best for my house?
A:
Blinds are usually made with plastic and/or vinyl materials and have either horizontal or vertical slats. Shades are usually made with fabric and are not plastic or vinyl.
They are equally functional and both can be mounted inside or outside the window frame.
You will have to decide which one better suits your home’s aesthetics. Blinds also come in a variety of less expensive options.
Q: What curtains are appropriate for a black and white bathroom?
A:
Ordinary cotton curtains or shades are usually what I prefer for bathrooms. Would the curtains be used as a shower curtain? In that case, make sure it has a waterproof backing or a separate liner.
For the window, I would recommend going with cotton or polyester. Linens tend to attract moisture which in the long run may make the fabric sag.
Q: What are some of the latest trends you’re seeing in terms of the colour of window treatments?
A:
Whites are always popular; you can never go wrong with white, especially if your wall colour is taupe or grey. For a more modern vibe, go with light or dark grey. Jewel tones are popular these days, so try dark blues, emerald greens, etc, although they might not be the most timeless.
Q: Finding the right window treatments for an entire home can be overwhelming. Do you have any recommendations on how to approach this?
A:
I would suggest going with one room at a time, just as how you might be approaching decorating each room of your house. Usually, the master bedroom or the living room is given the highest priority when it comes to window coverings.
Q: What are the most modern curtain rods to use these days?
A:
The black matte finish or the carbon look is highly popular in this day and age. Simple end caps or finials look clean and modern.
Q: What are the window treatment options for a sliding-glass door that opens on to a stoep?
A:
I would suggest draperies, but make sure you extend the rod at least 30cm on either side of the doors so the curtains can be drawn on the wall and not on the glass doors when stacked on the side. Shades or blinds could also fit well, but it depends on the structure of your sliding-glass doors and your overall decor style. For a clean modern look, you could go with roller shades mounted on the wall above the glass doors.
Q: Should you have custom-made curtains dry-cleaned?
A:
Yes, to avoid any kind of fabric shrinkage or damage to the liners and pleats. For regular maintenance, you could spot-clean the curtains or lightly brush off the dust.