Explore Inspiring Design Ideas and Expert Tips for a Truly Tailored Experience
We're sharing an Inside Look of the this stunning Hem Sweet Hem where we worked with interior designer, Ashley Zohar, and home owner, also Ashley, to Everhem this beautifully decorated Spanish revival style house. Dream team, Ashley and Ashley, worked with Everhem to provide the finishing touch in every room - window treatments!
"When we first saw the house we knew the aesthetic was perfect for us. We called quickly on our good friend and amazing interior designer Ashley Zohar to help furnish the house and turn it into home in a short amount of time." - Ashley A, Home Owner
We suggested the use of Drapery in a neutral fabric combined with clean tailored pleats to give the family and living room a welcoming yet refined look. Using Drapery and Roman Shades in the living spaces also allows the light to filter through in a glowy and magical way.
"We also reached out to our other incredibly talented friend Hannah Shargal, founder of EEMA, for our daughter’s bedroom and playroom. Hannah immediately connected us with Haley and the Everhem team for all things window treatments to complete every room in our house. " - Ashley
Privacy Lined Roman Shades soften the space while providing a sense of privacy in the playroom while Black Out Lined Roman Shades allow for a beautiful way to create the desired darkness for a nursery or bedroom.
"It was such a pleasure getting to work with my close friends on this project. Furnishing the house was really enjoyable as Ash fully entrusted me with the design and shares similar taste." - Ashley Z, Interior Designer
We used Woven Woods exclusively in the kitchen to create a warm and natural space. The kitchen’s light wood custom cabinetry, concrete slab countertops and clean square backsplash pairs perfectly with our Khaki Woven Woods.
"We love working on a project where the connecting factor throughout the home is Everhem. Ashley, Ashley and Hannah all trusted us to be the finishing touch in nearly every room." Haley, Everhem Founder
"This dream team of chic, talented women turned out to be the perfect trio to work with. The three of them perfectly complimented the house’s natural light with neutral fabrics and warm tones. Most importantly, everyone was a delight to work with!" Ashley A, Home Owner
PRIVACY LINING
Privacy Lining allows natural, diffused light to pass through and gives any room a warm glow, even during the most intense daylight hours. From outside it appears opaque, providing ideal privacy for common areas, kids' play rooms and office spaces.
BLACKOUT LINING
Blackout Lining allows no light to pass through and creates virtual darkness any time of day. We recommend choosing it for bedrooms and nurseries and in home theaters it's a must! Consider layering blackout lined shades and blackout lined drapery in spaces that need total darkness.
LAYERING LININGS
For ultimate versatility in your space, combine a privacy lined shade and blackout lined drapery — allow as much or as little light in as you desire!
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Where are you based? Do you offer virtual design services?
We are based in New York, we do not offer virtual design services.
Why Interior Design?
I love designing spaces for our clients, I feel like we get to create the movie set where they live their lives and create their memories, and that feels really special.
How would you define your design style?
Traditional with a contemporary twist.
Where or who do you draw inspiration from?
Everywhere! Nature, vintage design books that I collect, fashion, etc.
What is something you see your clients struggle with most when it comes to designing their homes?
Space planning and making sure everything feels cohesive.
How do you tackle Window Treatments and what are some tips that have helped you figure out the perfect Window Treatments for your projects?
We often layer an outside mounted woven roman with drapery panels on either side. The layering makes a space feel cozier, and it's great for extra light filtering in a bedroom if both the roman and the drapery panels are blackout. We like outside mounting and mounting at the top of the wall just under the crown molding to make the windows and ceilings feel taller.
What are your favorite colors/fabrics Everhem offers? What room in a home would you style them in and why?
We use Magnolia and Cloud frequently in all of the different fabric weights – they are such great whites, and are truly versatile in any room of the house. The woven woods are also a favorite!
What is something you’re looking forward to in the next year both personally and professionally?
Personally, I am excited to see my daughter grow and learn this year, and professionally I am so excited about all of the new projects we recently signed!
Where are you based? Do you offer virtual design services?
I'm newly based in Dallas and loving it! Yes I just did an entire Monkey & Tiger bathroom for one of my favorite clients in Maine and she just received her Everhem woven wood roman shade to tuck underneath the custom Valance we made with Krane Home fabric!
Where are you based? Do you offer virtual design services?
I'm newly based in Dallas and loving it! Yes I just did an entire Monkey & Tiger bathroom for one of my favorite clients in Maine and she just received her Everhem woven wood roman shade to tuck underneath the custom Valance we made with Krane Home fabric!
Why Interior Design?
I fell into getting my Masters of Interior Architecture via fine art and set design which is rare. I love the fine details of interiors and how each space is such an intimate artistic expression of the people that live in it.
How would you define your design style?
New traditional with lots of pattern on pattern and color for days. Wallpaper & draperies in every room!
Where or who do you draw inspiration from?
I'm a third generation Korean artist and I draw inspiration from ancient Korean art, ceramics, textiles, wood cuts, clothing, hair ornaments, inlaid boxes, books, everything. I could spend hours in the Korean art wing at LACMA.
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What is something you see your clients struggle with most when it comes to designing their homes?
When I do interior design I do it for clients who are looking for the Krane Home works - my art, art prints, wallpaper, fabric. We also help homeowners with Krane Home x Everhem draperies & roman shades anywhere in the U.S. The hardest part is probably choosing between wallpaper options since we offer so many! Once that is chosen, the rest just flows. We recommend taping up samples and living with it for a few days.
How do you tackle Window Treatments and what are some tips that have helped you figure out the perfect Window Treatments for your projects?
The first thing would be deciding between draperies and roman shades. If it's a single window in a bedroom, roman shade. If there are french doors leading outside or a large wall of windows I tend to prefer draperies. Two of my tips are when in doubt outside mount, and for draperies the higher the rod, the closer to g-d!
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What are your favorite colors/fabrics Everhem offers? What room in a home would you style them in and why?
I love the new nursery collection! The soft colors and stripes coordinate so well with my own fabric and wallpaper line. If I have a less adventurous yet pattern loving client, I would suggest doing a bold wallpaper, and then select softer Everhem fabrics for the romans or draperies.
What is something you’re looking forward to in the next year both personally and professionally?
I'm really looking forward to collaborating with incredible women for anything and everything, and also giving back by doing some amazing art and design related initiatives with charities in Dallas such as Children's Cancer Fund, North Texas Food Bank, and Dwell with Dignity.
Where are you based? Do you offer virtual design services?
I’m based in Washington, D.C. Yes, I do offer virtual design services! You can find more information about my services here.
Why Interior Design?
It has been a lifelong journey! When I was a kid, I was massively intrigued by cartoons and animation. I wanted to be an animator for Pixar, but after taking a course in animation, I realized I didn’t have the patience for it. My love for art eventually led me to graphic design, which is what my degree is in. Through my education and experiences, I started to become infatuated by environmental graphic design (the art of applying branding and identities to physical spaces). Over time, that translated into a love for interior design, which is where I am now! It has been a lifelong (and ongoing) journey of discovery, education, and refinement, and I feel like everything is happening just the way it’s supposed to.
How would you define your design style?
I tend to use three words to define my design style: classic, tailored, and collected. I exist somewhere between handsome and heritage. I love spaces that feel authentic to the history of the space and/or it’s owner—which usually involves some mix of vintage pieces, DIY projects, and custom accents that feel like they've always existed. It’s important for me to balance high-end and low-cost pieces to create tailored spaces that feel intentional and balanced. However, with that being said, my style is constantly evolving! It's completely different now than it was one year ago, and I owe that evolution to my passion for learning and growing as an artist. My default position in life is "student", which allows me to constantly absorb new design sensibilities and techniques.
Where or who do you draw inspiration from?
As someone with a graphic design background, I tend to draw most of my inspiration from well-branded environments—spaces like restaurants, hotels, and retail stores that have well-articulated visual narratives (you can check out some spaces that have inspired me here). I also currently draw a lot of inspiration from European and Australian design trends. There's something classic and refined about European spaces that we don’t see incorporated in a lot of American design. I'm also perpetually inspired by the beauty of Black culture, and I tend to weave Black art, stories, and narratives into my work whenever possible.
What is something you see your clients struggle with most when it comes to designing their homes?
OPTIONS. Options can be extremely overwhelming, especially because there can be so many right ones. I think a widespread (and somewhat ineffective) mindset is that there is only one right way to approach any design problem. There can be so many powerful ways to fix a broken system, and I love showing people that options don't always have to be intimidating or counterproductive. I also often find that people struggle with window treatments (and I’m not just saying that because I’m talking to you)! I think that drapery can be a fairly intimidating accent for people to conceptualize on their own—something about choosing fabrics, colors, lengths, rods, and other components can seem fairly overwhelming.
How do you tackle Window Treatments and what are some tips that have helped you figure out the perfect Window Treatments for your projects?
There are a few things I consider when choosing or recommending window treatments. First, what is the intent for the windows? Is privacy an immediate concern? If so, the options are immediately narrowed down to light-blocking blinds or curtains. Secondly, what is the room asking for? Dark, dramatic, and/or heavy curtains would be great for a space with high walls and ample breathing room, but maybe not for a room with lower ceilings and a single window. Lastly, what invokes visceral happiness? We often don't see window treatments as art, but they really are! I suggest picking drapery with equal discernment as you would when choosing a piece of art for your home.
What are your favorite colors/fabrics Everhem offers? What room in a home would you style them in and why?
I personally own (and LOVE) Everhem's solid linen drapery in Shale. It's perfect for my bedroom because it balances out a dark wall of closets on the opposite side of the room, and creates a sumptuous wall of fabric that always feels luxurious at the end of the day. I'm currently designing my office, and I'm thinking about using a solid linen curtain again--but in a lighter color like Agave or Cloud--to create textural continuity with the bedroom in a color that is brighter and more mentally-energizing to help perpetuate a productive space.
What is something you’re looking forward to in the next year both personally and professionally?
I'm looking forward to growing my business and embarking on new creative ventures! I'm just getting started in this world, and I'm excited to see how my career unfolds as the world begins to open back up. Quarantine allowed me to lean into my authenticity, grow as a designer, and hone my craft, and it'll be amazing to share those lessons with the world in more client-facing and visible ways. I'm also looking forward to traveling (something I'll never take for granted again), so that I can gain new inspiration that I can apply to my work.
Where are you based? Do you offer virtual design services?
We are Southern California based. We work heavily within Los Angeles and Orange Counties, as well as with virtual clients across the country.
Why Interior Design?
Your home should be a sanctuary - a place for a deep exhale. As designers, we are driven to create curated environments whether it be for an event or a home. We are always on the search for the perfect fabric, vintage tray, the comfiest couch, lighting that is beautiful and functional, all of the details that create a balanced, welcoming space.
How would you define your design style?
Our designs are a harmonious combination of comfortable and elevated. We want our clients to love their beautiful space, but not feel afraid to sit down, put their feet up, and have a glass of wine.
Where or who do you draw inspiration from?
The Lynden Lane Co. was started by a team of a mother and her two daughters who together believe: that perfection is not always perfect; that balance creates art; that proportion matters; a home is meant to be lived and loved in; that a couch should be as comfy to take a nap on as it is beautiful: your lifestyle dictates our designs not the other way around. We believe style and design are, or should be, inherent in everything you do.
What is something you see your clients struggle with most when it comes to designing their homes?
Clients ten to struggle with combining their interests and styles into a consistent, cohesive design theme throughout the house.
How do you tackle Window Treatments and what are some tips that have helped you figure out the perfect Window Treatments for your projects?
Window Treatments make a HUGE difference. They are often overlooked or underestimated - but are very important nonetheless. Once we help our clients realize their importance, we bring on the pros (like Everhem) to help us complete the look of the room.
What are your favorite colors/fabrics Everhem offers? What room in a home would you style them in and why?
We love all naturals, neutrals and shades and blue. This color palette looks lovely in any room of the house.
What is something you’re looking forward to in the next year both personally and professionally?
Designing projects in our own homes, welcoming a baby, and (hopefully!) traveling to Italy!
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.
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