Demi Drapes Do Decorating
Double Time
Today’s homes are becoming more
focused on openness, light, and
expansive views. The large windows
that come with these homes create
wonderful views to the street or yard
and give houses the feeling of bringing
the outdoors inside. The only drawback
about all that glass, though, is what to
do about drapes. This is where the demi
drape comes to the rescue.
Go Demi
If you have large picture windows in
the house, you may feel inclined to
forgo curtains to retain that open look.
Yet, many rooms seem incomplete without
some kind of window covering. In previous years, drapes were more functional by blocking light and giving privacy, but today’s homeowners want to preserve the views and open windows rather than close them off. A demi drape is typically mounted on a small rod and hung where windows meet and at the sides and can’t be drawn across the window or closed. The demi drape solves both problems – they finish the room and preserve the open look at the same time.
Cost Effective Curtains
In addition to completing a room and keeping windows open, demi drapes are also cost effective. Because they aren’t drawn across the window and are inoperable, it requires much less fabric to dress windows. This allows homeowners to splurge on really luxurious fabrics and trims because the need for yardage isn’t there. Elegant hanging techniques and rods can also be used, and because of their small size, the cost for drapery hardware also won’t break the bank.
Drapes are often expensive because they consist of widths of yardage being sewn together. A demi drape will often only require one width of fabric because they’re used where windows come together. At these junctures, the curtains may only need to cover a few inches, making a standard 54 inch curtain fabric width provide more than adequate coverage and fullness. And, even though demi curtains are designed to be simple and streamlined, having enough fullness is still important. If fabric widths are split, panels will look stingy and lose the drapery effect. For instance, a 24 inch demi curtain rod will work well with one width of drapery fabric and will look nicely full.
Window Versatility
Demi drapes can be made in a variety of
ways. For a simple look, hang long panels
on rods at window breaks and sides. Or,
hang panels and top with contrasting
valances. Trims can be added to valances
or to the panel lengths. Headers, or the
tops of the drapes, can be made in almost
any number of combinations ranging from
swags to valances to pinch pleated tops
or panels sewn onto drapery rings. The
possibilities for demi drapes are almost
endless and can be made in all the
varieties of standard drapery without
the need for costly fabric, trims, or hardware.
More Demi Ideas
If you have arched windows, bay windows,
or large windows, it takes a specialty drape
to fit the bill. Bay windows are good choices
for the demi drape. Demi drapes can be hung
between the bay windows to give them a f
inished, neat appearance. Or, place demi
drapes on either side of an arched window
to draw attention to the arch without
covering it up. Demi drapes can also be
hung at the four corners of a bed to create
a canopy effect. But use specialty ceiling
corner rods found at home centers or online
If you’re thinking of adding draperies to your home, think demi drapes. You’ll get an elegant, tasteful look that lets you keep your views -- and more money in the bank.
© 2007 Kathryn Weber, all rights reserved
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Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Everydayclean.com Cleaning Calender, that calender that puts you in control of your home by ending the power struggle. For more information log on to http://tinyurl.com/d9rh5.
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