Explore Inspiring Design Ideas and Expert Tips for a Truly Tailored Experience
Where are you based? Do you offer virtual design services?
Our firm is based in New York City, but we do virtual design all over the country!
Why Interior Design?
I discovered my love for architecture and design at a very young age as I come from a design and real estate family. However, my first formal foray into interior design was in 2006 when I had the privilege of interning for the late Albert Hadley. Upon graduation from the University of Texas in Austin with a degree in Architecture, I earned my masters degree in American Fine and Decorative Arts from the Sotheby’s Institute of Art in New York City. I credit my extensive design knowledge to time spent at residential design firms before forming Jennifer Hunter Design in early 2019.
How would you define your design style?
I describe my aesthetic as traditional but seen through fresh eyes. It is equal parts tailored and eclectic, glamorous and relaxed, bold and subtle. It is this unique balance that I strive for in every project I take on.
Where or who do you draw inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from all over, but my preferred way is being able to see and engage in person. The period rooms at the Met are incredible and the perfect way to get your creative juices flowing. I believe it is so important to have a historical foundation before you can design.
What is something you see your clients struggle with most when it comes to designing their homes?
Definitely scale and proportion. I often come into a project where the client has already purchased a piece that is not correct for the space and they are now trying to make it work.
How do you tackle Window Treatments and what are some tips that have helped you figure out the perfect Window Treatments for your projects?
I believe window treatments are really important from both a functional and aesthetic perspective. You first have to figure out what style treatment is best for the space and how the client plans to use the space so you know what weight/opacity is appropriate.
What are your favorite colors/fabrics Everhem offers? What room in a home would you style them in and why?
You can't go wrong with a classic linen or a cotton linen stripe. Both are classic and timeless.
What is something you’re looking forward to in the next year both personally and professionally?
I am looking forward to traveling again, both personally and professionally. We have projects all over the country that we need to photograph so that is a big goal this year.
Where are you based? Do you offer virtual design services?
Napa, CA. Majority of my clients are located elsewhere, spanning from Nor. Cal to So. Cal and some in different states, and yes, I do offer virtual design services!
Why Interior Design?
I studied fashion design at the School of the Art institute of Chicago, worked for both womens and menswear designers in NY, and moved back to Chicago to have my own line as well. Though I loved it, the process of creating and manufacturing was becoming increasingly difficult with fast fashion and production overseas, not to mention the lack of sustainability in so many ways, so I made the move to pivot careers into interior design.
I’ve always loved the transformative power of being in a well-designed space — how some places give you immediate energy, while others bring calm and promote serenity. I longed to take part in something that could create change for the daily lives of people who yearn for that same spirit in their homes but have a hard time doing so on their own.
I began my foray into interiors working at several boutique residential firms in Chicago, where I quickly learned the ropes of the technical side of the industry and all the layered details that go into designing a space. I loved collaborating with workrooms and seeing the experts in each respective field (window treatment vendors, woodworkers, upholsters etc.) brought so much incredible knowledge and insight to each project. There's no way that a designer can do or know everything on their own! Learning to depend on the expertise of the workrooms to make a client's project come to life was something I thoroughly enjoyed.
How would you define your design style?
A mix of the balanced Korean sensibility with an American energy. I love incorporating my Korean heritage as often as I can, be it in a vintage painting or color palette.
Where or who do you draw inspiration from ?
I draw so much inspiration from my Korean culture and heritage, as well as a myriad of other Asian countries and their influences. I feel that Asian cultures in general aren't highlighted enough in American design, and want to highlight the beauty and essence of it so that it becomes normalized.
What is something you see your clients struggle with most when it comes to designing their homes?
Pulling together an overall feel that is cohesive and balanced. Many times clients send me images of single pieces of furniture that look great on their own, but once they’re pulled together in a room it feels very piecemealed and disproportional. Another challenge is when clients are against certain colors or materials but the space needs that accent to complete it. So much of what we do is helping our clients visualize something they never would have thought could work together in a harmonious way.
How do you tackle Window Treatments and what are some tips that have helped you figure out the perfect Window Treatments for your projects?
I think first and foremost about the practicality of the treatments and the space. I love drapes and want them almost everywhere, but If the client needs more privacy and doesn’t want to have to close their drapes all the time we have to think about what other options can suit their lifestyle and daily needs. Figuring out the real usage and needs of the clients upfront has been really helpful. I also love looking to the work of companies - such as Everhem - for inspiration and ideas, as it can be so hard to visualize the perfect treatment or custom trim for a space until you see it done in a breathtaking way elsewhere.
What are your favorite colors/fabrics Everhem offers? What room in a home would you style them in and why?
I love a beautiful, Cloud white linen blend (guilty as charged) -- the functional-seeking part of me loves that the luxe material has a little more forgiveness for projects where the clients want a bit of the relaxed look without all of the easily wrinkling that comes with 100% linen. I also have really been into woven wood shades as well, and I'm itching to use the Onyx colorway in a room with a little more masculinity! I'm constantly trying to blend both the masculine and feminine in spaces I design, and the Onyx woven woods would be the perfect touch to softly add that edge to a space.
What is something you’re looking forward to in the next year both personally and professionally?
I’m ready to be more client-facing this year! I’ve been so fortunate to have so many remote/virtual clients, but it's definitely been really challenging not to be on site as frequently and not feeling safe traveling to different locations or meeting with vendors and clients.
I also eagerly look forward to returning to our favorite wineries and restaurants in Napa when it’s much safer to be out and about -- our town's economy is driven on tourism and it's been so heartbreaking to see all the small businesses suffer incredibly due to the pandemic.
Check out more of Grace's work HERE!
As someone who’s purchased and returned (and purchased and returned) window treatments throughout the entire first half of the California shutdown, I know first-hand the trials and tribulations of trying to DIY home drapery on a budget. And while some of the premium window covering companies are entirely out of reach for the mere mortals among us, some new DTC companies are moving into the space between crazy-expensive and the never-ever-fit options of big box stores.
Los Angeles-based Interior designer Haley Weidenbaum founded a new DTC window treatment company called Everhem to simplify the custom drapery process, and make it more affordable, for homeowners and designers. After ten years in the design business herself, Haley saw that window coverings were a pain point for nearly every client and there wasn’t an easy solution available. She set out to make the custom window treatment process easier for everyone.
Her Everhem platform is a web-based service that guides even the least design savvy homeowners through a series of questions and measurements to lead them to the perfect, high-quality window covering for any home space. Products are custom-made in Los Angeles within 15 business days and shipped DTC with a comprehensive instruction manual and all necessary hardware components.
In this episode, we take a basic window from drab to fab with window treatments from Everhem. And Bobby walks you through the difference between curtains, blinds, and shades, plus tricks for making your windows look bigger.
Take one step into Haley Weidenbaum’s Los Angeles home and it’s clear she knows a thing or two about making a space sing. The interior designer-slash-entrepreneur (she and her husband founded the modern window treatments company Everhem just last year), is known for her sage use of color and prints, along with mixing classic and modern elements. Her unique design sensibility makes her the perfect mama to showcase the latest mashup between beloved baby brand DockATot and the iconic British brand Morris & Co. Plus, she has the cutest twin daughters (Blythe and Quinn, 3 months old) and playful big brother (Judd, 4) to model it all for us.Check it out below, as we get candid about twin life, entrepreneurship, and more, while receiving a tour of Haley’s personal space—the dreamiest kids’ rooms included!—which features a number of pieces by DockATot x Morris & Co. seamlessly blended in. From whimsically printed Deluxe+ docks and tufted bassinets, to lush play tents and the prettiest breastfeeding pillow you’ve ever seen—take a look and build your wishlist accordingly!
You close doors to create a barrier between one room and the next. But when these entry points have windows, any chance of privacy gets shut down. Enter: window treatments for doors. These coverings not only serve as a protective layer from the outside, but they offer a special design value on the inside. Dressing your doors with window treatments adds color, texture and dimension to the room. And, no, you don’t have to be an interior decorator to get it right. Simply follow this guide to the best window treatments for doors and you’ll open your home to a world of possibilities.
The first thing you should know is not all window treatments work with all doors. For instance, your front door gets a lot of foot traffic. A door that opens and closes frequently will not take well to drapery, because you would be adjusting the fabric panels constantly. That said, drapes do have their place, which is why these types of coverings – and a few others – make the list of best window treatments for doors.
Indeed drapes are some of the best large window coverings. Historically speaking, though, drapes and curtains have been blocking doorways for centuries. Long before homes were well-insulated or had central heat, portieres were hung to prevent draftiness between rooms. (“Portieres” is just a fancy term for doorway drapes, derived from the French word for door, “porte.”)\
Not surprisingly, the concept has held steady over the years. Even in modern homes, drapes that fit the door and kiss the floor still serve as an effective insulator. When covering the entire door frame, drapes block winter air from seeping through the jamb and summer’s bright rays from overheating your house.
From a design perspective, you can depend on doorway drapes to cozy up a room. The flowy fabric feels like a warm blanket, tucking you in and making you feel safe. And if you have a large door to cover – like wall-to-wall French doors – you can expect custom drapery to bring a dramatic elegance to your interior.\
Roman shades have also been around for a while – several centuries, in fact. And while their structure has evolved over time, these shades still function as effective light-blockers. What they don’t block are door handles, hinges or bolt locks. If fitted properly, Roman shades cover the entire width and length of your door’s window pane and nothing more. When you choose Everhem Roman shades, you can be sure your window treatments are custom cut for the perfect amount of coverage.
You can also customize your Roman shades to provide more privacy, in case your front door is overly exposed. Everhem offers privacy and blackout linings, which can be added to almost any of our window treatments. For more on that, check out our tips for choosing the best fabric for Roman shades.
The other benefit to adding Roman shades to your doors is versatility. Depending on your home’s overall design style, you might go with a tailored flat Roman shade or a relaxed shade with a little more flair. Either way, these window treatments look clean, modern and sophisticated whether they’re pulled up or drawn all the way down on your doors.
Like Roman shades, woven wood shades can be custom-fitted to your door, creating a streamlined appearance. Because of their woven construction, these shades do tend to let in more light than their Roman counterparts. But they also infuse texture and color. In a sense, woven woods symbolize the natural elements that lie just behind a door – something you can’t get from any other type of window treatment.
Besides, if you want more privacy from your woven woods, it’s as simple as adding a lining. Or, if you have French doors, consider layering your woven woods with drapery. This will give you double the coverage, so you can adjust your level of privacy, as needed. More on layering below.
Layering window treatments for doors involves two different types of coverings: shades and drapery. This is not a new design technique, but these French door window treatments can offer great perks. (Note: layering is not recommended for single-frame doors.) First of all, the combination of shades and drapery gives you greater insulation; it’s literally two layers of fabric, which creates a thicker barrier.
This double layer also means more privacy if and when you want it. You can open both coverings for full exposure, close one and not the other or pull them both closed and block out the world completely. It gives you a range of options, which is especially helpful in a bedroom. This kind of versatility will also serve you well in a room that gets a lot of natural sunlight, because you can more easily adjust the temperature.
Last but not least, layering adds interest to your home’s design. Pairing a textured treatment with something solid and flowy is an eye-catching choice. It delivers dimension and color, certainly. But, more importantly, layering helps complete the look and makes your space feel welcoming.
The direct-to-consumer industry exploded in 2019, with so many different brands entering the marketplace offering everything from totally organic mattresses and kitchen necessities to custom furniture and textiles. Most of these brands have one key thing in common: they hope to simplify our lives by offering superior quality at a lower price by cutting out the middleman.
They are also enabling more people to custom-design their home furnishings, a luxury that was once reserved for those with a bountiful budget. While most of us are already sleeping on Brooklinen sheets or a Casper mattress, by the end of the year it is likely you are going to be ordering everything for your kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom from DTC companies—including paint.
Here are ten direct-to-consumer brands that are going to blow up in 2020.
The papers are signed and the keys are in your hand. The hardest part of buying a new house is, officially, behind you. This is when the fun begins. Now, you get to actually build that picture-perfect home you’ve been dreaming of since childhood. Whether you need to renovate every room or just update a few spaces, the most important décor decision you’ll make is choosing window treatments.
The problem is, the visual you’ve had for so long may have never zeroed in on window coverings. There’s something covering those windows, but you aren’t sure what type of window treatments work best until you physically find the house of your dreams and can assess the lay of the land. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. These tips and tricks will make choosing window treatments a piece of cake compared to picking out paint chips.
Before you do anything, make sure you’re choosing window treatments based on your home’s design style. Window treatments are a major design element in any room. Along with your flooring and color palette, these panels of fabric will set the tone.
If you’re trying to summon the shores of Cape Cod, consider a casual-style window treatment. Relaxed Roman shades in a soothing neutral fabric will strike the perfect balance between coastal and Americana. Meanwhile, pure traditional spaces might prefer full-length drapery for the weight and drama these treatments add to the design.
Regardless of style, though, your window treatments should be timeless. Quality fabric and custom sizing will ensure you invest only once in your window coverings. In other words, they should last a lifetime, even if your design preferences evolve.
The shape and size of a window helps dictate the type of window treatment that will look best.
Of course, these guidelines are not the end all, be all. You can mix and match to suit your home’s style and function. You may even like the idea of using both shades and drapes. Layering window treatments is an effective design technique that adds dimension, privacy and sophistication.
Choosing shades requires deciding how they will be mounted. There are specific reasons you might choose inside-mount window shades or outside mount. This is largely determined by the trim around the window. If you have a wide, decorative trim that you want to show off, stick with an inside mount.
On the other hand, narrow or plain wood molding might be easy to cover up. With outside mounting, your shades start above the trim on the wall and allow the window pane to be fully exposed when the shades are open. Does your window not have any trim at all? Inside mounting works well for these situations.
Keep in mind, you need at least one inch of depth to inside-mount your shades. When you’re customizing your Everhem window treatments, you walk you through how and where to measure your windows, so you can make the right decision.
The amount of privacy you need will vary throughout the house. Your bedrooms and bathrooms, for instance, deserve maximum privacy; we’re talking turn off the lights and pull down the shades, so no one can see inside. Whereas, a high-trafficked kitchen would be better served with open air and lots of natural light.
Certain window treatments naturally provide more privacy than others. This means you might hang drapes in the bedroom to create a barrier from the outside world, but you’ll use light-filtering woven woods by the eat-in kitchen table.
Another option is to use the same type of window treatments and simply add a lining. Everhem offers lining options for all our window treatments except sheers. Privacy linings let in a little bit of light, while blackout linings offer almost complete darkness. For our woven woods we also offer unlined as an option.
I’m not talking about large window coverings for your big picture window…though they might be something to consider. The big picture, here, is your whole house. While you’re decorating room-by-room and making sure each space has its own personality, keep in mind the overall look and feel of your home. Do the window treatments in each room complement – and contribute – to the primary design style?
Keep in mind, your window coverings should never overpower a room. In other words, you don’t need a bold pattern, heavy fabric or shiny metal hardware to make a significant design impact. More often than not, lots of small, subtle touches add up to – you guessed it – the big picture.
To achieve that big-picture design style, you need some cohesion. This doesn’t mean you have to have the same fabric in every room. You can maintain consistency by choosing similar color palettes. At Everhem, we offer a variety of neutral tones that all work well together.
Pleat style is also important. This is not a feature you want to fluctuate throughout the house. You could risk making each panel look like it’s from a different store or different designer. If you like a box pleat for your living room drapes, make sure you pick that same pleat for your bedroom, dining room and beyond.
Be consistent with your hardware choices, as well. You might be tempted to get creative and use a matte black finish in your master suite, but then add an antique brass in your kitchen. These two finishes speak two different languages, though. The matte black is soft and even a little rugged, while the brass is vibrantly warm and lends a touch of modern glam. By choosing the same hardware style and finish for every drapery you hang, the symphony will stay in harmony.
Choosing window treatments can impact the outside of your house, too. Take a minute to walk around the front and back yards. When you’re looking at the front of your house, do the windows on the right-hand side match the windows on the left-hand side?
Ideally, the window treatment type would be the same in these front-facing rooms. For example, drapery on all your windows in the front of your house would be much more pleasing to the eye than having a roman shade on one and drapery on the other. However, at the end of the day all Everhem products work seamlessly with each other so whatever you choose there are no wrong choices.
You spent months – maybe years – trying to find the right home for you and your family. Now that you’ve moved into it, the tough decisions should be over with and done. That’s why Everhem wants to make decorating decisions, like choosing window treatments, as easy as possible. By following these expert design tips and shopping our selection of custom window treatments, you’ll breeze right through it. Of course, if you have additional questions or need a neutral party to settle a design dispute, we’re always here to help. Reach out anytime at hello@everhem.com, and don’t forget to browse our Inspiration Journal for more design ideas.
Have you adopted the “less is more” philosophy? It’s the cornerstone of modern design. As pared down as it is, though, modern style can also be a stunning display of refinement – the key word being can. In order to get the full effect, you have to pay attention to detail. Many people overlook window treatments and, therefore, underestimate their impact. But with the right modern shades dressing the windows, your interior design will fall right into place.
Some people substitute the word “contemporary” for “modern” – and vice versa – as if the two are interchangeable, but they are not. Contemporary refers to the here and now, which means it is constantly changing with the times. Modern style, on the other hand, was born from a defining movement (not surprisingly) known as Modernism. There are some influences of Scandinavian design and architecture, but mostly modern style grew out of the age of machination starting in the early 20th century.
As technology advanced, it created efficiencies in building and design. After World War I, architecture around the world employed steel frames with sleek glass facades – the simpler, the better. Every design choice was carefully edited for practicality. If a wall didn’t create privacy, it didn’t go up. If a piece of furniture wasn’t used, it was eliminated. Between the 1920s and 1950s, function always trumped form.
It should come as no surprise that simple window treatments are the preferred choice for modern design. While drapery can be used in these minimalist settings, Roman shades and woven woods top the list for their clean structure and lightweight feel. Learn more about these modern shades and how they coordinate with your home’s style.
Roman shades are a panel of fabric that hang down flat in front of your window. When inside-mounted, the shade is entirely contained within the frame of the window. The top of the Roman shade fabric sits flush against the top inside of your window frame. And, if custom cut correctly, the bottom hangs down just enough to cover the glass.
This type of mounting gives a subtle appearance, as if the window treatment blends in with the window itself. Pair that with a smooth linen fabric, and your room will remain clean and modern. Inside mounting also helps maintain the functionality of your window (remember function is key!). Let’s say you have a large picture window with a deep ledge for sitting or storing things out of the way. Inside-mount Roman shades hang right up against the glass, so there’s still plenty of room for you – or your cat – to cozy up.
Outside-mount Roman shades take a panel of fabric and attach it above the. This type of mounting completely covers your window’s frame on all four sides, particularly when you choose flat Roman shades with a straight edge on the bottom. For comparison, relaxed Roman shades have a little smile on the end, which can leave a sliver of light shining through the bottom corners.
Roman shades are innately modern because of their smooth, solid texture. Flat Roman shades are especially modern, though, thanks to the elegant folds in the panel. These folds create straight horizontal lines that stack all the way down the window and mirror the edges of your modern-style furniture.
Then, of course, there’s the mounting itself. Outside mounting has a sleek effect, because it gives the appearance of one unit. There are no interruptions between your walls and the windows. If you have ornate window trim, you can simply cover it up with an outside-mounted flat Roman shade.
Though woven woods are made from a different blend of material than Roman shades, inside mounting these window treatments is much the same. The panel sits right inside your window frame, so the entire pane is covered.
Worried about the fit along the sides? Woven woods are not your typical cotton drapes, which can be a challenge if you’re trying to DIY the project. At Everhem, we custom-cut all our window treatments, so there’s no guessing how your inside-mount woven woods will hang.
Bringing the outdoors inside is a popular theme in modern style and architecture. You can do it with wide French doors, live house plants or organic materials like woven wood window shades. This touch of nature is the perfect transition between the actual outdoors and your indoor living space.
Just like outside-mount Roman shades, woven woods can be installed on the outer perimeter of your windows. The shades will hang over the entire window – from the very top of the frame or wall just above the frame to the bottom of the window or sill.
With outside-mount woven woods, you get even more of that organic texture. Modern spaces inspired by Scandinavian design philosophies will appreciate the added earthiness, especially when paired with plain, matte black accents and potted plants.
Since outside-mount woven woods literally cover more square footage, this type of mounting can also make a window appear larger. This visual effect helps expand the room overall, giving it that open feel, hallmarked by modern homes.
It might be a close call between the top four modern shades highlighted above. After all, they will each earn you major style points. That said, there are a few ways you can narrow down the selection. Below are key factors to consider when deciding which of these modern shades are the right fit for your space.
Modern design is all about function over form, which is why the first thing you should account for is functionality. What is the purpose of the space you’re decorating? A kids’ playroom will require a much different level of lighting and mood than your bathroom.
Dining – Mood lighting is appropriate for a dining room. In addition to the right chandelier or pendant, you can use woven woods to let in a little bit of sun. These not-so-solid window treatments will cast dramatic shadows over your dinner table for a meal to remember.
Sleeping – No one wants to be woken up before their alarm clock. To prevent any premature sunlight in your bedrooms, add Roman shades or woven woods with blackout lining. If you’re decorating for a little one, consider custom nursery window treatments to promote optimal sleep at all times of the day.
Entertaining – Living rooms and other high-trafficked areas where guests gather need to feel cozy but not sleep-inducing. Depending on the fabric you choose, privacy Roman shades or unlined woven woods would work in these entertaining spaces. There is one caveat: home theatres. If your room is strictly for watching movies on a big screen, go for blackout Roman shades.
Prepping/working – Rooms like your kitchen, bathroom or home office need a lot of natural light when you’re using them, but can be shut down and closed off when you’re not. A solid flat Roman shade will do a great job of block light and conserving energy during those off hours. Besides, your home office and bathrooms require maximum privacy.
Standard rectangular windows can take either outside or inside mounting. The deciding factor is really the depth and shape of your window trim. For inside mounting, you need at least one inch of depth. Of course, you can get more details and tips by watching our video on when to choose inside mount window shades.
If you have oddly shaped windows or molding that doesn’t look very modern, outside mounting might be the way to go. It will even out any imperfections. In most cases, less molding means more flexibility with your window coverings. Meanwhile, more molding or multiple windows might force you to choose one type of mounting over another.
Window treatments should always complement your furnishings and accent pieces. In a modern-style home, that may mean letting your window coverings blend into the walls for a perfectly streamlined look. You can achieve that with outside-mounted flat Roman shades in the same color palette as your walls. Everhem’s 100% linen Roman shade in Cloud works well for pure white walls.
Or, you might want to use your window treatments to create contrast within the space. Inside- and outside-mounted woven woods add a nice pop of texture in a bold and exciting way. Not to mention, the golden undertones in certain woven wood shade blends are a beautiful match for trendy brass finishes often found in modern homes.
Ultimately, though, there’s no one way to do modern. You might cozy up to Scandinavian-style sleek or prefer to throw it back to mid-century modern. These preferences will influence which of these modern shades you choose for your home’s interior. Take this into consideration, or shoot us an email at hello@everhem.com if you have any questions. We’re happy to help you resolve any design dilemmas. But one thing we don’t want you to worry about is your window covering options. With our custom treatments, your modern design will pull together as easily as our shades pull up and down.
Did you know that 25-35% of your home’s heating energy is lost through your windows? That kind of expense is likely to jack up your next energy bill if you’re hitting a cold snap. Hence, why it’s so important to winter-proof your home with window treatments. Of course, not just any type of covering will do. The most energy-efficient window treatments are the ones that minimize heat transfer. Put another way, they keep the warm air in and the bitter cold where it belongs – in the winter wonderland outside.
To get a better understanding of how energy-efficient window treatments work, we have to talk a little bit more about heat transfer. The transfer of heat is measured in R-value. This number describes how much heat flows from one side of a barrier to another. An R-value can be applied to any number of building materials. In your home, R-value primarily pertains to your walls, windows and ceiling. However, window treatments can also have an R-value. When it comes to measuring R-value, a higher number signifies a better insulator.
As a point of reference, your home’s walls probably have an R-value of R-19. A standard residential roof, on the other hand, is closer to R-30 or R-40, illustrating that your roof is thicker and better at preventing heat loss. (As it should be!)
Now, you might be wondering what the average R-value is for window treatments. It should come as no surprise that these barriers don’t have nearly as high an R-value as your walls or roof. Depending on which type of window treatments you choose and how you install them, you can expect anywhere between an R-1.05 and R-10.
On the higher end of the R-value spectrum are shutters that feature an insulating core, vapor retarder sheath and a decorative covering. While all those layers do create a thicker blockade, this may not create the most attractive aesthetic. Not to worry, though. You can have energy-efficient window treatments without sacrificing style. Here are our top picks:
Drapery, in the most basic sense, is a piece of fabric hanging over your windows. As you know if you’ve ever curled up on the couch with a throw blanket, fabric is very effective at keeping you warm. In fact, most drapes can reduce heat loss by up to 10% in a warm room, according to Energy.gov, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) consumer resource on saving energy.
To get even greater benefit, the DOE recommends hanging your drapes as close to the windows as possible and to let them fall all the way to the floor. They also suggest two panels of fabric are better than one, especially if the panels can overlap a bit. This will allow for a tighter seal around the window and maximum heat protection.
Ordering custom drapery will ensure you get the best fit for your windows. At Everhem, we offer tips on how to measure windows for drapery and hardware. With that information, we can create the most energy-efficient window treatments for your home.
When choosing window treatments based on your home’s style, you might fall in love with Roman shades – and rightfully so. These pull-down window coverings can be dressed up or down to complement the tone of your room. Roman shades can also be very energy-efficient window treatments, thanks to the structure of the fabric and how close it hangs in front of the glass.
For windows with at least one inch of depth, you can inside mount your Roman shades. An inside mount installation positions the fabric almost flush to the window pane. That said, outside mounting works fine, as well. There are two main reasons you would choose outside mount window shades, one of which is to create privacy. Depending on the size of your window and any wood molding around it, an outside mount might give you a better seal from your nosy neighbors, from natural sunlight and from the winter elements.
If one layer of fabric can help keep you warm, you would think two layers must be even warmer, right? Indeed, adding a layer of fabric does make your window treatments more effective insulators. Remember those shutters with multiple sheaths and coverings that came in at R-10 on the value scale? The thicker, the better.
The good news is you can apply this same concept to your drapery and Roman shades by simply adding a blackout lining. A blackout lining is just as it sounds: an extra piece of fabric that is cut and sewn to your window covering. Everhem offers lining options for all of its window treatments (except sheers) in case you need the privacy for a nursery design or the protection for a cold winter.
Another way to enhance the R-value of your energy-efficient window treatments is to adjust the installation. According to researchers at Cornell University, drapery with a lining can be up to 25% effective at reducing heat loss (versus 10% when there is no lining) if you follow these winterizing steps:
The same researchers discovered that Roman shades can be 60-75% effective at reducing heat loss if you simply install a couple wood clamps on either side of your window. They suggest small, hinged wood clamps, which would only be engaged when your Roman shades are pulled down. This simple change can increase your lined Roman shades’ R-value to approximately 4.0, which is greater than Venetian blinds and roller shades.
In some cases you might consider adding both Roman shades and drapery. Doubling up is an especially smart strategy for large window coverings. But no matter what you choose for energy-efficient window treatments, it’s important that your home looks as good as it feels. At Everhem, we take pride in the quality of our fabric and hardware. We have searched the world over to find the finest linen and linen blends. We are certain our custom drapes and shades will not only warm your home, but will win your heart.
Just the idea of sleep can be a distant pipe dream. You may try to get to bed early, but there’s always a tempting television series or tantrum-throwing toddler keeping you awake. That’s why, when you are finally ready to hit the hay, you need a space that will help you nod off quickly. You need a sleep sanctuary.
Sleep is a sensory activity. It literally involves your five senses: sight, smell, touch, sound and even taste to a certain degree. In fact, there’s a direct connection between your senses and your brain that produces various hormone signals throughout the body. Depending on the types of signals being stimulated, your brain will either keep you awake or knock you out.
This doesn’t mean you need to a total room renovation. You just need to be sure you’re incorporating these key sensory elements into your sleep sanctuary.
Now it’s time to actually put all those elements into practice. Below are six easy ways you can stimulate your senses for a full and restful night of sleep.
Sensory element(s): Touch and Sight
Window treatments provide physical protection between you and the outdoors, which can be all the comfort you need to fall fast asleep. No matter what type of window treatments you choose, they will insulate your bedroom from the wind and cold air, so you feel ready to snooze.
That being said, blackout drapery may be the best option for your sleep environment. They not only add another layer of insulation, but they effectively prevent sunlight from slipping in. This all goes back to the brain-sensory connection. When the sun sets and the lights go out, your eyes signal your brain to produce more melatonin (aka the sleep hormone). The reverse happens when the sun rises. Your eyes see the light and tell your brain to pump the brakes on melatonin, which is why your body begins to feel more alert.
While Everhem offers both privacy and blackout linings for drapery and window shades, we suggest our blackout linings to keep your room adequately dark for a restful night. The darkness will help regulate your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle – no magic pills or fancy potions needed.
The best part is you can add a blackout lining to almost any type of window treatment, including drapery, Roman shades and even woven woods. The lining will add weight and structure to your drapery, which may be another visually pleasing element in your room’s design.
Sensory element: Touch
It goes without saying how important it is to have a quality mattress. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all mattress. You have to research what works best for you and your family. Yes, you have to physically visit the stores and test different options. That being said, there are a few factors that will directly affect your sleep for better or worse, including size, support and breathability. A six-foot-four man would feel more comfortable in a king-sized bed the same way someone with chronic back pain is going to appreciate a very firm mattress. Keep these things in mind when you’re shopping.
Sensory element: Sight
It’s a difficult thing to ask and even harder to do, but getting rid of digital screens will significantly improve your sleep habits. Remember when we said sunlight inhibits melatonin production? Your brain responds the same way to the light emitted from your television, smartphone or tablet. In fact, blue light from these devices can actually delay your REM cycle, making you feel drowsy upon waking. If reading helps you wind down at the end of the day, pick up a hard-copy book or newspaper. You’ll get all the entertainment and none of the light.
Sensory element: Touch
The National Sleep Foundation recommends setting your thermostat between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit for a good night’s sleep. This might be a tough sell in the summer months. So if you’re still tossing and turning, use a fan to generate a little breeze. Sometimes, just a cool gel eye mask is enough to make you feel more at ease. Plus, it’s a great way to prevent puffy eyes come morning.
In the winter, you may need to adjust the temperature up. For rooms that get drafty – especially those with an exterior door – you might need to invest in a space heater. It’s also helpful to add drapery. Window treatments on French doors, for instance, serve as an extra layer of insulation between your bedroom and the outdoors. Otherwise, a pair of fuzzy wool socks and cable knit throw blanket will go a long way in keeping you warm.
Sensory element(s): Touch and Smell
Sensory element(s): Smell, Sight and Sound
Nature has a way of freeing the human spirit. When you’re immersed in the great outdoors, you feel like you can completely let go of any and all inhibitions. If this sounds like a recipe for relaxation, that’s because it is. Bringing the outdoors in will instantly ease your worried mind and allow you to succumb to your dreams.
There are several ways you can add a touch of nature. We already mentioned white noise machines. They mimic the sounds of nature, which are innately calming. You could also incorporate a water feature. A small fountain works double duty as a white noise creator and visually soothing décor piece.
If you have fond memories of camping as a kid or jumping in leaf piles, you might respond well to nature-inspired scents. Aromatherapy is another solution. A few drops of lavender essential oil in an aromatherapy diffuser may be just enough to calm your nerves. Diffusers have become such a popular home accessory that you’re sure to find a design that blends in with your style.
Of course, don’t forget nature itself. I would argue live plants are a must-have in any sleep sanctuary. Greenery, more than anything else, will infuse life into your space.
Do you have questions about designing a sleep sanctuary? Our years of interior design experience can help guide you to the perfect setting. Just shoot us an email at hello@everhem.com, and we’d be happy to talk about your dream bedroom!
Have you ever checked the retailer’s sizing chart before buying clothes online? Or, maybe you skimmed the reviews to see if someone commented on the fit. When you’re not entirely sure how a dress will hug your waist or whether it hits above your knees, the natural next step is to research. Believe it or not, the same due diligence applies to window treatments.
Drapery is particularly vulnerable to poor planning. The way your drapery hangs has everything to do with how the panels fit your windows. If they’re too long, too short, too narrow or too thick, your room’s design will suffer. Of course, all this can be avoided by learning how to measure windows for drapery and hardware.
It’s easier than you think, and Everhem is here to make sure of it. Below, we walk you through what and where to measure, so you can create your own drapery sizing chart. With the right touch points covered, there’s no question your custom drapery will look stunning when you bring it home.
Before you prepare a recipe, you have to gather the ingredients. Make sure you have these three essentials handy at the start, so you’re ready to make the right moves.
Tape measure – We recommend a steel tape measure, so you have less room for error. The metal is precisely straight and accurate. That’s why steel tape measures are most commonly used in construction. Plus, they’re compact and easy to handle.
Pro tip: When measuring for window coverings, round to the nearest 1/8 inch. If your tape measure falls on a 1/16-inch mark, round down to the next 1/8 inch.
Pen and paper – Even if you have a remarkably reliable memory, use pen and paper to record your measurements. You do not want to leave this to chance.
Step stool – Give yourself enough height to comfortably reach your room’s ceiling. For most windows, a step stool provides a sufficient advantage. If you need to measure for large window coverings that expand more than one story high, a ladder would be more appropriate.
With all your tools at the ready, it’s time to summon your inner designer. Here’s how to measure windows for your drapery and hardware:
You might have noticed drapery panels offered as 1X, 2X or 3X. This refers to the window width. For example, 3X drapes would be three times the width of your windows. If your window width measures 20 inches, 3X drapes would be 60 inches wide.
At Everhem, we only offer 2X fullness, which means our custom window drapery is designed to be double the width of your windows. We’ve found this level of fullness is the right balance of coverage and elegance. With twice the fabric, you know there won’t be any gaps around the edges of your windows. You’ll also notice that 2X fullness creates the most evenly spaced folds in the fabric. These beautiful waves will look well-tailored, regardless of whether your drapes are opened or closed.
When measuring window width, it’s critical that you measure in three different places: the top, middle and bottom of your window. First, wrap the hook of the tape measure around the side trim of your windows. Next, pull the tape measure cartridge straight across your window and stop when you reach the outer edge of the trim on the other side. You will repeat this at the top, middle and bottom of your window frame.
Your window’s height will help determine the length of your drapes. Ideally, you want drapery to be long enough to just kiss the top of your floors. If the panels are too long, fabric will puddle on the floor. This can make it more difficult to clean drapery, as the puddle of fabric collects and traps dust.
On the other hand, drapery that falls too short can visually cut off your design. Instead of a full, elongated aesthetic, you get a wall of high-water pants. In other words, it will look incomplete. But, with accurate window height measurements, you won’t have to worry about puddles or puddle jumpers.
Similar to measuring window width, you’ll need to measure the height in three different places: the center, right and left sides of the window. Drop the end of the tape measure, so the hook sits flat against the floor. Now, pull the cartridge up to the top edge of the window trim. Record those inches and repeat this in the center of your window, as well as on the right edge and left edge.
Stack width refers to the number of inches your hardware rod extends beyond the edges of your windows. You want your rod to be wider than your windows, if at all possible. Without a little slack on the sides, your drapery will overlap your window panes in the open position.
To measure stack width, place the end of your tape measure on the outside of your window trim. Now, pull the cartridge away from the window to see how much space you have. We recommend your hardware extend about eight inches on either side of your window, so your drapery has somewhere to “stack” up when the panels are completely open. If your windows don’t allow for eight inches, add as much as you can and record those inches.
The other factor that determines the length of your drapes is your hardware mounting height. The hardware rod will pull the drapes up toward the ceiling and away from the floor. At Everhem, we automatically factor in window height and mounting height, so you don’t have to do any subtracting. We do, however, recommend your mounting height measures 7 to 8 inches above your window trim. This will give the illusion that your windows are taller and ceilings higher.
To measure for mounting height, pull your tape measure out 8 inches and place the 8-inch marker line at the edge of your window trim. If you have less than 8 inches of wall space between your window and the ceiling, you’ll need to mount your hardware lower – and that’s fine. Record whatever space you have. Note: Everhem hardware requires at least 3-1/2 inches above the window trim for proper mounting.
Everhem understands not all windows are created equally, which is why we stress the importance of measuring. For any mounting heights below 3-1/2 inches, give us a call or email hello@everhem.com to discuss further. When it comes to designing custom window drapery, we’re flexible and love the opportunity to be creative. There’s no reason you can’t have the draperies of your dreams. As long as you know how to measure your windows properly and carefully record your findings, we’ll take care of the rest.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s cult lifestyle brand, Goop, is known for its highly curated pop-ups and intentional approach to all things wellness and home, so it’s only natural that her headquarters would be a reflection of that. The company’s recently renovated NYC office, nestled in a classic Beaux Arts building in the heart of the Flatiron District, is just as Instagram-worthy as you’d expect, but that wasn’t always the case.
It’s okay to admit that you’re addicted to home improvement shows. Watching a before and after renovation unfold in 60 minutes is truly awe-inspiring. Of course, you know it’s unrealistic to expect a complete home makeover in under an hour. But what may surprise you is the significant difference you can make with window treatments. Changing your window coverings will be the quickest – and possibly easiest – transformation you’ll ever see.
Here are a few examples of an Everhem before and after renovation to show you how it’s done.
French doors in a master bedroom -- especially ones that lead to a second-floor balcony -- often elicit a sense of romance. While this bedroom features those fairy-tale double doors, the overall style of the room is not that whimsical. This master reads more casual modern.
That may sound like an oxymoron, but you can see there’s a balance of fresh, clean lines and old world charm, especially in the doors themselves. The glass door knob, wood floors and curvy wall sconces look like they have a story to tell. Meanwhile, the walls are white and the window panes are large and perfectly square – just the way a modern minimalist prefers.
Choosing window treatments for French doors may seem tricky compared to a regular wall window covering, but it really comes down to the type of door you have and your main objective for the space. In this bedroom renovation, we were working with exterior French doors – ones that lead directly to the outside. As a result, the doors let in a hefty amount of natural light, which certainly needs to be tampered in a bedroom. Because of their grain, we knew woven woods would sufficiently block the light, creating a calming sanctuary.
Of course, we also considered the room’s style. Woven woods lend a casual vibe, which makes the room feel lived in. This is a bedroom, after all; you want to be free to relax. In choosing the exact color of woven woods, we opted for a lighter blend of fibers. The sandy tone lets the other features pop – like the shiny brass wall sconces and golden wood floors.
This is the same bedroom you see above with the French doors. Obviously, the neutral color palette extends all around the room and is punctuated with the crisp, white bedding. From this angle, you can see more of the modern elements peeking through: the low-profile bed frame, boxy nightstands and subtle geometric-patterned area rug. While minimalism is a smart design choice, the bare windows are a glaringly obvious opportunity. Not only do they, quite literally, add a glaring light to the room, the unmasked windows manage to make a simple space feel incomplete.
You might be wondering why we didn’t choose the same woven woods we used on the French doors. While they may have complemented the other window treatments in the room, they would not have harmonized with the overall design scheme. The goal was to maintain a soothing Scandinavian-inspired ambiance. Too much texture would interrupt the clean white walls.
Woven woods would also overpower the existing color contrast created by the wood nightstands and seafoam bed frame. Instead, we went with these flat Roman shades, which blend in with the backdrop. The simplicity of the Roman shades ensures that your focus stays on that magnificent bed – the piece de resistance.
You’ll also notice that we chose an outside mount for the Roman shades. This prevents any break in the sight lines. The outside mount creates a seamless flow from wall to fabric.
Even though the couch is a little more full-bodied, you can see there’s Scandinavian influence in this living room. The color palette is muted with grays and pastel pink, which whisper a welcoming invitation to come sit down. True to the trendy design style, there are matte black accents in the multi-purpose floor lamp and framed wall art. These help ground the light-and-airy space in a way that makes you feel comforted – like you can escape into a good book without floating away.
This front-facing window lets in a lot of light, which is a dream come true in minimalist design. That said, the best window coverings for large windows are the ones that provide privacy from nosy neighbors. Obviously, drapery offers substantial coverage, but it could look too heavy in this space.
Adding a light-colored Roman shade is a nice happy medium. It’s not completely sheer so that you could peer through when the shade is closed; but it’s also not a blackout fabric that would darken the room and dampen the spirit. Our Everhem linen fabric lends the perfect weight for this serene design.
To keep the peace, we outside mounted the Roman shade. There are a couple reasons for that. For one, fancy word work is rarely emphasized in modern or minimalist design. Secondly, it creates continuity from wall to window, especially since the fabric so closely resembles the paint color; it keeps the room clean and fresh. And finally, there was not enough depth to this window for an inside mount. You need at least 1” of depth to properly inside mount a Roman shade.
You can find these window treatments and many more at Everhem.com. We encourage you to comb through all the colors and styles. And if you need a little extra design inspiration, we have that, too. Or, you can always write to us with questions at hello@everhem.com. We aren’t afraid of any before and after renovation – and we don’t think you should be, either. Let us guide you through the process, so you can finally have your own home makeover story… in real life!
Large windows are a blessing. You might need a ladder to clean them, but the beauty and grandeur that picture windows bring to a home is well worth the extra maintenance. Of course, cleaning shouldn’t be your only concern. How you dress all that glass directly affects the mood and comfort of your home. It’s an easy fix, though, because you have a lot of options when it comes to large window coverings.
I’ll walk you through the most popular picks to help you narrow it down and find the right fit for your home.
Because of their unique size, shape and beautiful molding, large windows can be naturally decorative. You might even be tempted to leave them bare, but that would be selling your windows short. Here’s why you need those large window coverings:
Obviously, all window treatments provide some level of privacy. But when you have a very large window, it might be more tempting for nosy neighbors to peek inside. Prevent those peeping Toms with the appropriate window treatments.
Larger windows mean more glass, and more glass means less sheet rock and insulation. By covering your windows with large drapery or even Roman shades, you add an extra layer of protection against outside elements.
Large windows allow natural light to flood your home – and that’s a wonderful feature. Sometimes, though, all that sun can really heat up the place. With large window coverings, you can quickly and easily reduce the amount of light that comes in. This makes the room much less glaring and much more comfortable.
Indeed, flooding your home with natural light expands the look and feel of a room. But what happens when the sun sets? Having tall window treatments draws your eye up and creates visual height, so you can achieve the same design effect 24 hours a day. These coverings also help frame your large windows, giving them the attention they deserve.
Not all large windows are created equally. So, naturally, there are several types of large window coverings to accommodate the different shapes and sizes. Let’s review the most popular window treatments for tall, wide and difficult-to-cover windows.
Drapery is a classic covering for any window, but is especially elegant when it hangs from the top of your ceiling, all the way to the top of your floor. Of course, knowing what is the best fabric for drapery guarantees your window coverings hang properly and won’t weigh down the design. In fact, your fabric will largely dictate the room’s overall design. Choose a heavy patterned curtain, and your drapes will become the focal point. Go with a solid linen, on the other hand, and the rush of sunlight takes the reigns.
You can play around a little bit with the mounting of your drapes. Typically, the mounting height for drapery is above the top of your window (ranging between 7 and 14 inches, depending on the height of your ceilings). But the size and shape of large windows can throw that notion…well, out the window.
Sectional windows, for instance, might give you the option of positioning drapery hardware between two pieces of glass. As a result, the top portion of your windows would be completely exposed. This strategy works best in a two-story room, where the upper section is so high up that privacy isn’t a factor.
Windows with arches on top also offer the option of mounting in the middle of the glass. However, you will get much more height and visual expansion when you take the drapery hardware above the arch.
Because they’re made of one sleek panel of fabric, Roman shades are a cleaner, more streamlined look than drapery. They appear clean and sophisticated, especially when you choose the right fabric for your Roman shades. Their weight and structure creates a beautiful simplicity, which allows other elements of your home to take center stage.
Both flat and relaxed Roman shades work well for a various-sized windows. The tailored, tightly fitted panels accentuate the length or width of these rectangular windows. You can also use a few Roman shades in a row if you’re covering a multi-sectional window.
Use these tightly fitted panels of fabric to accentuate the length of rectangular windows. Whether you choose flat or relaxed Roman shades depends primarily on your style. Flat shades have repeating folds that create straight, horizontal lines that add a little texture to your walls.
On the other hand, relaxed Roman shades are smooth all the way down until they gather neatly at the bottom, creating a subtle smile at the bottom of the fabric. These are still exceptionally elegant, but a little less structured than the flat shades. . .
No matter which type of Roman shades you choose, inside mount vs outside mount is another very important decision. Reference our videos below to learn more:
As you might have guessed from their name, woven wood shades have a natural texture made of woods, reeds, bamboo, and grasses that brings a sense of warmth and grounding to your room. Woven woods are also surprisingly universal. They coordinate well with a variety of design styles – from purely traditional to Spanish Scandinavian and everything in between. While their woven structure does let in more natural light than drapery, woven wood shades can be pulled down to cover those large windows when you need privacy.
When choosing the type of woven wood you want, it’s important to consider the physical and visual weight they lend to your room. Woven woods can get heavy as one large piece. At Everhem, our woven woods are created with a lightweight blend of natural material . Best of all, we offer five material blends, each imparting a different color to your room.
The Seashell woven wood shade, for instance, would be a smart choice for one very wide window that spans across your living room wall. This softer beige helps keep the space light and bright. Whereas, the Cocoa or Onyx blends are much darker, which is more fitting when you have one or two smaller windows to cover.
You could also pair your woven woods with drapery. This combination not only adds a layer of privacy, but it balances the texture from the wood grain.
You’re probably thinking about how much goes into choosing one type of window treatment. Considering two types of large window coverings might be two too many – and that’s okay. We’re here to help guide you through these tougher design decisions. So lean on us if you have questions. You can reach us at welcome@everhem.com. While the sheer size may be overwhelming at first, adding these large window coverings will bring your home to a whole new level.
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