| A big mistake that I see when dealing with | | | | to go more casual in the summer). BUT, in the |
| customers who have designed their own windows | | | | winter, you have a pair of red (or orange, green, |
| is that they don't take into account the other 3 | | | | plaid etc.) swags made that you hang over top of |
| seasons beside the season that they are | | | | the panels! |
| currently in. For example, it's Fall and Thanksgiving | | | | Now, I'm really giving away my secrets!! These |
| is fast approaching. Susie really wants her window | | | | swags could be heavily trimmed with fringe, or |
| treatments to be finished for the holidays. The air | | | | beads etc (maybe something that you don't want |
| is just starting to turn cool and she is comforted | | | | to live with year round. I guarantee that when |
| by warm plaids and deep velvets. She makes | | | | you pop those swags up, everyone will think you |
| curtain panels out of a pumpkin colored velvet | | | | just got new window treatments. OR, let's go |
| and a valance to match. 3 weeks later, Christmas | | | | back to the kitchen. Remember your simple little |
| rolls around and that "pumpkin" colored velvet | | | | cornice that you hung over the sink? Well, maybe |
| now appears fluorescent orange next to her deep | | | | in the winter you put up a simple pair of half |
| red and green Christmas decorations. | | | | width red velvet café curtains that look so |
| Next, all the snow melts and March is upon us. | | | | warm and yummy they make you think of hot |
| Susie is desperate for spring and something happy | | | | chocolate every time you do the dishes. Little |
| and cheery. Now, all of a sudden, her heavy | | | | changes such as these keep your windows |
| orange drapes with their heavy valance look sad | | | | looking fresh and new throughout the year. |
| and outdated. HOW did this all happen in less than | | | | If the answer is NO, I refuse to mess with these |
| 5 months?? | | | | treatments once they are up - then I really |
| One question I tell people to ask of themselves is | | | | suggest that you choose a year round fabric that |
| "am I wiling to tweak my window treatments | | | | won't tire easily through the seasons. I'm not |
| throughout the year?" Notice I said "tweak" and | | | | going to tell you not to use velvet, but certainly |
| not "change". | | | | think about how it will feel in the heat of August. |
| If the answer is YES, then I would recommend | | | | Maybe you are decorating your finished basement |
| choosing one color or pattern that you absolutely | | | | and it's always slightly cold down there. Or, maybe |
| LOVE. Something that makes you smile every | | | | this is a room that rarely gets used in the |
| time you see it! Now, use that fabric as a basis | | | | summer. In those instances, you can go more |
| for a window treatment. Perhaps it becomes a | | | | seasonal with your fabric. However, for the most |
| cornice in the kitchen, or a pair of pinch pleated | | | | part you'll want to stay with a medium weight |
| draperies in the living room hung off of a | | | | fabric that can move throughout the year. You |
| gorgeous chunky wood rod. Let's say in the | | | | can always change your pillows come Christmas |
| summer the treatment remains "as is" (we tend | | | | time! |