Arts and Crafts Style Window Treatments
 

Hello,
As a new member of this group, I'm looking forward to the threads
here. We have our master bedroom decorated in Mission Oak and are
looking to add some window treatments. Our primary considerations
are light (only 2 windows, but they both face East - not *our*
idea!), style (want to stay as close to traditional as possible), and
functionality (ease of use and maintenance, etc.)

So here are my questions:

1. What suggestions does anyone have on appropriate window
treatments, given these criteria? We're looking at both venetian
wood blinds and roman shades.

2. Does the slat width (wood blinds) or # folds (roman shades) have
a bearing on the Arts & Crafts or Mission style?

3. What about inside the frame vs. outside mounting of either?
Which would be more in keeping with the style? Which would eliminate
the most light? We have cranks on the windows - does that make a
difference? What affect would outside mounting have on how far out
curtains would go (I'd like to make some tab curtains). There's a
narrow aisle in front of one of the windows.

4. If we go with the wood blinds, would you recommend wide or narrow
slats? Light is the biggest consideration here, but also aesthetics.

Thanks in advance for your opinions on these!

Arts and Crafts Style Window Treatments
 

MAK wrote:
Hello,
As a new member of this group, I'm looking forward to the threads
here. We have our master bedroom decorated in Mission Oak and are
looking to add some window treatments. Our primary considerations
are light (only 2 windows, but they both face East - not *our*
idea!), style (want to stay as close to traditional as possible), and
functionality (ease of use and maintenance, etc.)

So here are my questions:
snip

There are many beautiful books on Craftsman homes, I knowmy library carries
some, yours might too. I'd think you could get lots of ideas from looking at
the photos.

penny s

Arts and Crafts Style Window Treatments
 

In article , Penny S
wrote:

MAK wrote:
Hello,
As a new member of this group, I'm looking forward to the threads
here. We have our master bedroom decorated in Mission Oak and are
looking to add some window treatments. Our primary considerations
are light (only 2 windows, but they both face East - not *our*
idea!), style (want to stay as close to traditional as possible), and
functionality (ease of use and maintenance, etc.)

So here are my questions:
snip

There are many beautiful books on Craftsman homes, I knowmy library carries
some, yours might too. I'd think you could get lots of ideas from looking at
the photos.

penny s

You might want to subscribe to http://www.ambungalow.com/ It's kind of
pricy but my couple year subscription has led to lots of home and
WW'ing ideas.
Allen
Catonsville, MD

Arts and Crafts Style Window Treatments
 

"MAK" wrote in message

2. Does the slat width (wood blinds) or # folds (roman shades) have
a bearing on the Arts & Crafts or Mission style?

3. What about inside the frame vs. outside mounting of either?
Which would be more in keeping with the style? Which would eliminate
the most light? We have cranks on the windows - does that make a
difference? What affect would outside mounting have on how far out
curtains would go (I'd like to make some tab curtains). There's a
narrow aisle in front of one of the windows.

4. If we go with the wood blinds, would you recommend wide or narrow
slats? Light is the biggest consideration here, but also aesthetics.



We live in a Victorian hybrid (has some colonial elements) built in 1907 -
the previous owner left behind wood blinds and wooden half-shutters. She was
very keen on keeping the period aspects of the house including historical
colors so I have to believe it is in keeping. The wooden blinds and shutters
are both inside mount, with 1" slats.

I can see tab-top curtains, especially if you chose beige or ivory linen
with a natural slub so it complements the simplicity of the Mission elements
in the room.

I guess it is quite a matter of personal preference.... all the original
hardware -- the hardware for flat roller blinds mount outside and beyond
that hardware for double rods. I'm limited slightly by what I can do for the
windows as each window is topped by a cornice. They look lovely but too much
dark wood, it is hard to decide whether to hang window treatments with the
cornice above or behind them.

For curtains, I tend to favor heavier drapery to keep out drafts in an older
house (I'm still working on this). Our bedroom has drapes with attached
valances done in florals. Ideally, I would chose a vintage floral print on a
tan or beige background heavy enough to need tiebacks. Waverly fabrics has
an excellent assortment in their Vintage Collection. All the fabrics in this
line have a faded vintage look and one fern pattern I know of is slightly
reminiscent of Wm Morris. Bullion fringe would add a bit of Victorian
splendour if that look is preferred. Right now I have large key tassels
suspended from behind the valances. Our bedroom faces east as well, and in
the summer the room is sweltering from the sun! I'm hoping to line the
curtains for this or next summer to keep the room cooler.

Arts and Crafts Style Window Treatments
 

It seems you are set on blinds or shades, but you might consider sheer
drapery panels for the actual window area to let in lots of light, with
heavier side panels hanging off rings from a decorative iron rod. Fabrics,
especially those with the beautiful patterns so indicative of the period,
add much warmth and interest to the very straight lines of Arts and Crafts
furnishings.

Hanging decorative arts and crafts stained glass panels over the existing
windows is another option that will allow plenty of light and create a
beautiful focal point. But, this may depend on whether or not you have a
view you wish to obscure or enhance.

We also suggest you visit
http://www.dezignare.com/libary/libr...ts&Crafts.html where you will
find, in some instances, virtual tours of historical structures built
during the time, which will help you find the appropriate solution.


"MAK" wrote in message
om...
Hello,
As a new member of this group, I'm looking forward to the threads
here. We have our master bedroom decorated in Mission Oak and are
looking to add some window treatments. Our primary considerations
are light (only 2 windows, but they both face East - not *our*
idea!), style (want to stay as close to traditional as possible), and
functionality (ease of use and maintenance, etc.)

So here are my questions:

1. What suggestions does anyone have on appropriate window
treatments, given these criteria? We're looking at both venetian
wood blinds and roman shades.

2. Does the slat width (wood blinds) or # folds (roman shades) have
a bearing on the Arts & Crafts or Mission style?

3. What about inside the frame vs. outside mounting of either?
Which would be more in keeping with the style? Which would eliminate
the most light? We have cranks on the windows - does that make a
difference? What affect would outside mounting have on how far out
curtains would go (I'd like to make some tab curtains). There's a
narrow aisle in front of one of the windows.

4. If we go with the wood blinds, would you recommend wide or narrow
slats? Light is the biggest consideration here, but also aesthetics.

Thanks in advance for your opinions on these!

Arts and Crafts Style Window Treatments
 

That is a fantastic link! :-)


"Dezignaré" wrote in message
...
It seems you are set on blinds or shades, but you might consider sheer
drapery panels for the actual window area to let in lots of light, with
heavier side panels hanging off rings from a decorative iron rod. Fabrics,
especially those with the beautiful patterns so indicative of the period,
add much warmth and interest to the very straight lines of Arts and Crafts
furnishings.

Hanging decorative arts and crafts stained glass panels over the existing
windows is another option that will allow plenty of light and create a
beautiful focal point. But, this may depend on whether or not you have a
view you wish to obscure or enhance.

We also suggest you visit
http://www.dezignare.com/libary/libr...ts&Crafts.html where you will
find, in some instances, virtual tours of historical structures built
during the time, which will help you find the appropriate solution.

Arts and Crafts Style Window Treatments
 

"Lowell Holmes" wrote in message ...
That is a fantastic link! :-)
Hi every one. You all need to see this web sight. This artis rek Is the most interesting artist I have ever have ever known. In his web sight http://www.buymyartwork.com
http://www.reksworld.com
This art work is very abstract it is simply awesome. I have spent
hours with people talking about what we saw in the art work. It seems
every time we go back to look we all see another series of formations
that make new creatures.
enjoy the rek art.. the world needs to see this eye candy


"Dezignaré" wrote in message
...
It seems you are set on blinds or shades, but you might consider sheer
drapery panels for the actual window area to let in lots of light, with
heavier side panels hanging off rings from a decorative iron rod. Fabrics,
especially those with the beautiful patterns so indicative of the period,
add much warmth and interest to the very straight lines of Arts and Crafts
furnishings.

Hanging decorative arts and crafts stained glass panels over the existing
windows is another option that will allow plenty of light and create a
beautiful focal point. But, this may depend on whether or not you have a
view you wish to obscure or enhance.

We also suggest you visit
http://www.dezignare.com/libary/libr...ts&Crafts.html where you will
find, in some instances, virtual tours of historical structures built
during the time, which will help you find the appropriate solution.

Arts and Crafts Style Window Treatments
 

MAK wrote:

Hello,
As a new member of this group, I'm looking forward to the threads
here. We have our master bedroom decorated in Mission Oak and are
looking to add some window treatments. Our primary considerations
are light (only 2 windows, but they both face East - not *our*
idea!), style (want to stay as close to traditional as possible), and
functionality (ease of use and maintenance, etc.)

So here are my questions:

1. What suggestions does anyone have on appropriate window
treatments, given these criteria? We're looking at both venetian
wood blinds and roman shades.

2. Does the slat width (wood blinds) or # folds (roman shades) have
a bearing on the Arts & Crafts or Mission style?

3. What about inside the frame vs. outside mounting of either?
Which would be more in keeping with the style? Which would eliminate
the most light? We have cranks on the windows - does that make a
difference? What affect would outside mounting have on how far out
curtains would go (I'd like to make some tab curtains). There's a
narrow aisle in front of one of the windows.

4. If we go with the wood blinds, would you recommend wide or narrow
slats? Light is the biggest consideration here, but also aesthetics.

Thanks in advance for your opinions on these!

You might want to research Frank Lloyd Wright a bit if you haven't already.
Windows were one of his great talents--see what he did and you won't be far
wrong.

While he wasn't precisely part of the Arts and Crafts movement, his work was
influenced by Arts and Crafts and later Arts and Crafts was influenced by
Wright, and it would not be unusual to find Arts and Crafts furnishings in
a Wright-designed house (while he designed the furnishings for most of the
houses he designed he himself admitted that his furniture designs, visually
impressive though they were, were often not very comfortable, so retrofits
were not uncommon).

I just took a quick look through one of my references and in the photos
there I find that he tended to use rather ordinary looking curtains, color
coordinated to something or other--sometimes the woodwork or some other
structural element, sometimes the window pattern (he was big on stained
glass), sometimes something else, when he used anything at all--generally
if it wasn't _necessary_ to cover the window for some reason he didn't
provide any means to do so. He tended to hang curtains from overhead
tracks that allowed the curtains to be moved completely out of the way when
not in use rather than from the modern tracks that cover a single window.
Also he occasionally used plain ordinary window shades.

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)