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At the drape we have a curated assortment of fabrics available for custom window curtains. It can be difficult to choose which fabric is best for your windows and curtain interior design dreams. In this blog edition we will share the details of one of our fabrics, the cotton canvas.We will review how it is made, the history and ways to design custom curtains. Canvas is a plain-weave fabric which means that it is woven in a simple weaving pattern, alternating the weft (horizontal threads) over and under the weft (vertical threads). The tighter the weave, the denser and opaquer the fabric becomes. The more threads per inch, the softer the fabric will be. Canvas is a type of fabric and cotton is the fiber that the fabric is made of. This is how we came up with the name the cotton canvas. Canvas was traditionally made with hemp of linen. In Ancient Egypt, canvas was used for sails on ships, also being called sailcloth. In the 17th century, cotton production increased in India and this country became the largest producer of canvas fabric. Alternative uses for the fabric started to be discovered. Venice was a large seaport, and during the Renaissance when painters battling humidity and struggling to paint on wood, searched for a new medium, canvas was at the ready. Canvas is not a dressy, fancy fabric, but it is classic and useful. Canvas was used for work apparel and entered the fashion arena in shoes and handbags. In home design, cotton canvas entered our homes as napkins and table coverings, moving into window curtains. The cotton canvas is an excellent choice for custom window curtains for your next interior design project. Here are some customer successes with the cotton canvas. natural pinch pleat patio door indigo rod pocket panel charcoal grommet panel panel The versatility of the cotton canvas allows it to work with ease with all our styling options from Grommet to Pinch Pleat. There are 5 colors to choose from. You can order free swatches here. Have you created custom window curtains with the cotton canvas?

How to style custom window curtains for a sliding glass door. Combining a door and a window can save space, add light and function to a room. These are a few of the reasons so many homes have sliding glass doors, also known as patio doors. Styling curtains for sliding glass doors can feel like a challenge. To make it easier, try to think of them as big windows. They let in a lot of natural light, and easily open to allow fresh air into your home. All of these benefits also mean a lack of privacy, or sometimes, too much light, which can be overwhelming at certain times of the day. The glare on a TV or the need for an afternoon nap are a few reasons to add curtains. Curtains add the ability to control the amount of light in the room and they also add visual interest. Choosing curtains that are the right length and style can be overwhelming. There are three things to know to help make the decision. Width and Length A standard size patio door is 72 inches wide and 80 inches tall. Be sure to take the time to measure yours. Select a curtain rod that will cover the width of the window plus extra inches on each side. Because this is a doorway, it is nice to have at least 4 inches on each side if that is possible. The height of the curtain rod placement will depend on the room, space, and your preference. The recommended minimum is 3 inches above the frame. Placing the rod higher will look more dramatic but be mindful as it may cause problems when opening and closing the curtains. The curtains should stop at the floor or ½ inch above the floor. Top Treatment Styling Grommet styling will allow the curtain panels to slide back and forth on the curtain rod. This is a straightforward solution to be able to open and close the curtains as needed. A rod pocket or back tab panel with clip rings will also slide nicely. You can buy clip rings to match the finish of the rod. For a more traditional look, choose a pinch pleat panel. Using clip rings with this style allows the ease of opening and closing. Panel Style The final consideration is how many panels to use; one or two. One extra wide panel will open to one side. This works well if you have limited space on one side of the sliding glass door. Two panels will allow you to frame the window when the curtains are open. This creates a symmetry that will give your room a balanced look. In this photo, there are two room darkener window panels, color denim, styled with grommets. In this photo, there are two textured velvet rod pocket window panels, color muted clay, hung on clip rings. In this photo there is one cotton canvas window panel with pinch pleats, color natural, styled with clip rings. At the drape, we customize every curtain to meet your needs. We will work with you to decide the perfect width and length for your windows in your home. To get started, order your free swatches today.

In this edition of History of Hues, we will explore the color ink and a family of cephalopods. Cephalopods, commonly known as squid, octopus, and cuttlefish, are incredibly old creatures. An ink sac belonging to this creature family was discovered in the early 21st century and appears to be 160 million years old. Scientists were surprised to discover that the ancient, fossilized pigment when compared to the ink from a modern cuttlefish is almost indistinguishable. Looking at all other evolutionary changes, it is amazing that the ink has remained the same. Between the octopus, squid, and cuttlefish, there is a variety in the color of their ink. The octopus creates the blackest ink. Squid produce a bluish-black ink, which is what we visualize when someone refers to the color ink. The ink from the cuttlefish is reddish-brown. Squid ink has been used for centuries for many purposes. In the early 19th century, it was used for writing, drawing, and painting. Traditional Chinese medicine used it to treat heart and blood issues. Today, it is used for cosmetics in hair dye and mascara because of its distinct color. Japanese and Mediterranean cuisine commonly use squid ink as a food additive. The high content of glutamate, which is an amino acid, has a savory Unami taste. This flavor is nice in sauces and adds flavor to pasta and rice dishes. Squid ink gets its dark color from melanin. Melanin is a natural pigment and is the same in cephalopods as in humans. For humans, melanin gives color to your hair and skin. For squid, octopus, and cuttlefish, they use their ink as a defensive tool. These animals release dark ink from the ink sac when they feel threatened or attacked. The released ink distracts the predator and allows them to camouflage or disappear. The ink is released in different formations. There is the classic ink cloud, small diffuse puffs, worm-like trails, ink ropes, clouds, smokescreens, and even a pseudomorph which is an ink stream that resembles the squid or octopus. The different formations allow the cephalopod to escape. At the drape, we chose to use the color ink as the inspiration for the velvet panels. The velvet is 100% cotton with a rich soft hand feel to the fabric. The density of the velvet and the color will obscure light. Both the privacy lining and the blackout lining can be added to create the perfect window curtain for your home. Order your 5 free swatches and start your decorating project today. We will be with you every step of the way. We offer a free printable measuring sheet and complimentary design consultations. ‌

Decorating a space for your child to play and grow should be a joyful and fun undertaking. Each iteration of the room you decorate for your children marks a passage of time. The first decorating project is the nursery. You have total control of the design and colors. From there we move to the toddler stage. The crib is outgrown, and it is time for a bed. At this point, there may be some character influence. You may still have all executive design decisions, but little wills are starting to have opinions. The next stage comes at varying ages depending on your child. The first “big kid” room. This is when as parents, we start to lose design control. As the children mature and become pre-teens and teenagers, parental design choices are out the window. There are three main elements in decorating a child’s bedroom. The wall color, the bedding, and the window curtains. Keep on reading for our tips on selecting the right window curtain for your child’s bedroom. With proper planning, the curtains can grow with your children. COLOR Updating bedding from crib to toddler bed to big kid bed is necessary as the bed sizes change. Choosing a solid color window curtain will allow flexibility in bedding choices. A neutral color will have the potential of matching multiple future bedding selections. Remember, grey and navy can also act as neutral colors. Navy window curtains look great with many colors like lavender or gold. LIGHT MANAGEMENT Helping our children establish healthy sleep habits is part of being a good parent. At the drape, we offer room darkening and blackout curtains. The room darkening window curtain is a triple woven construction that blocks most light. Our blackout lining is 100% blackout and can be added to any fabrication, creating a window panel that will block light night and day. Take into consideration where you live and the direction the windows face. STYLING In a child’s bedroom, you will want a style of window curtain that will open and close easily. Grommets and back tabs both open and close on a decorative rod. Pinch pleats or a rod pocket panel hung on clip rings will also move smoothly back and forth. LENGTH Windowsill length is recommended for a child’s room. When panels are floor-length and children are small there is the risk of them pulling on the fabric, with the potential of pulling them down. Decorating is fun and we are here to help you along the way. Order five free swatches to help with color and fabric selection. It is also a great way to see the quality of the blackout lining. Not sure how to measure or place your curtain rod? Schedule a complimentary consultation.

It is time to discuss the Refresh and Reset of the small odd-shaped windows in your home. These tend to be in the kitchen, bathroom, entryway, and basement. Windows that are short or tall and skinny are perfect contenders for custom window curtains. An ill-fitting window curtain can distract from all the effort and finances that you put into creating a beautiful room. Keep on reading for our top three ways to style curtains for small windows: A VALANCE A window curtain valance is also sometimes referred to as a top treatment. On a standard size window, a valance can be positioned at the top, over the primary window panels. It can be places in between or over the primary window panels and is usually 18”-20” long depending on the style selected. For small windows, skip the primary panels and style the window with only a valance. This is a great look for a kitchen window! In the above two photos, the cotton sheer valance with rod pocket styling adds a softness to both kitchens. Valances that are styled with a rod pocket can be hung on a standard curtain rod or a decorative curtain rod while valances styled with grommets should be hung on decorative rods. CAFE CURTAIN A café curtain is usually placed near the middle of the window and hangs to the sill. This allows light in through the top half of the window and affords some privacy. The fabric for this style of window treatment tends to be lighter than a drapery panel. The cafe curtain received it's name because it was primarily used in cafes and diners! Restaurants wanted to give people privacy while eating without affecting the light. However, do not let the name trick you into limiting this versatile curtain hanging solution to the kitchen. It is a widely applicable, in rooms like a bathroom, laundry room, or home office. Because these panels are small, they can be hung on a café rod, or a tension rod. In the bathroom to the right, the cotton sheer café curtain is hung from a tension rod. SIDELIGHTS A sidelight window is a tall & narrow window. Originally, they were included on either side of the front door. Now they can be found in other areas of a house where space may not allow for a full-size window. These are sometimes referred to as picture windows, because they frame a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape. Sheer curtains are the best choice for these windows because light will not be compromised, and privacy will be provided. The length of a sidelight window curtain should be the same as the length of the window. The curtain rods should be mounted inside the window frame. It is an optional choice to add a bottom rod curtain tie back in the center for a more formal look. In a more casual setting like the beach house featured in the photo to the left, the cotton sheer was selected for the sidelight window and mounted only at the top. We are here to help you along this journey with helpful tips, free swatches, and complimentary design consultations.

This week in our Refresh and Reset series we are discussing the bedroom. This is a room that you spend a lot of time in and research continues to point to healthy sleep habits as key to staying healthy both physically and mentally, making the bedroom one of the most important rooms in your home. The bedroom is a space to create a sanctuary. It is a place that reflects your personal style and comforts. Whether you choose to escape to your bedroom to relax with a book, or wind down after a long day, these are secondary functions of the bedroom. The primary function should always be sleep that allows you to recharge and reset. Let’s explore how to use window curtains to improve your ability to get good quality sleep. Being well-rested has been shown to improve mental health, wellbeing, and possibly immune function. Creating an environment that promotes sleep is crucial, but it also needs to be stylish. We will look at the different styling options, so your personality can envelop you in this special private sanctuary, waking up to a bedroom that you love. It is well known that to sleep well a room needs to be cool and dark. At the drape, we have a blackout liner that can be added to any window curtain fabric, color, and style. The blackout liner blocks out 100% of light. To determine if the opacity of this lining is dark enough for you, order a free swatch today. You can either hold the swatch up to your window, or shine a flashlight behind it. The blackout window curtain liner can be added to any fabric in our collection, or purchased separately. The bedroom is your private personal space. This is not a room that is typically shown off to company, but that doesn’t mean that you should skimp on style and attention to detail. Unlike a living room or dining room that may have your “public” aesthetic, you can make your bedroom extra-special and just for you. Once you select a window fabric and color, the next step is to select the style of curtains. This is how the curtains will hang from the rod. ROD POCKET This is a 3” pocket across the top of the curtain. When threaded onto a curtain rod, it creates a shirred look. BACK TAB There are loops on the back of the curtain. When looped through the curtain rod they create a wave effect. GROMMET This is a metal ring that is added to the top of the window curtain. The fabric in the center of the ring is removed. The grommets are placed on the curtain rod. This creates a wave effect, but in this style, the rod is visible. PINCH PLEAT The fabric is gathered in 3 tight folds. There are small loops on the back of the window curtain. The rod can be laced through these loops. Another option for styling a Rod Pocket, Back Tab, or Pinch Pleat panel is with clip rings. No matter what fabric, color, or style you select, the bedroom is the place you go at the end of the day for relaxation and rejuvenation. We are here to help you along this journey with helpful tips, free swatches, and complimentary design consultations. Book a session today!

We are going to kick off our refresh and reset series with a look at living room styling and how to utilize window curtains in this space. The living room is the heart of a home, the most used space in the house, especially in recent years. The living room is now the epicenter of many of our lives. A living room might also function as an office, a classroom, a gym, and a place for hobbies. Multi-purpose usage does not mean that design and style need to go to the wayside. In between an open concept plan and traditional space of delineated rooms exists the new concept of small, purposeful spaces within the room as a whole. Since we have established that the living room is the heart of the home, this busy area needs to be both functional and comfortable. It needs to be both a place to accomplish tasks and a place to unwind and relax. At the drape, we believe window curtains are more than a nice-to-have item. They can transform a room and should be made a priority when decorating. Here are three design tips to get you started: Create Space: Hang your curtain rods as high as possible above the window trim. This design tip has two benefits. The first is that a higher placed rod with drapery cascading down to the floor will make the room feel like it has more height. The second is that mounting the rods above the window will allow more sunshine and light in. The linen in natural allows light to filter in with a soft glow evoking warmth and coziness that welcomes and draws you in. Use Color: All design styles revolve around color: elegant, classic, contemporary, eclectic, maximalist, and bohemian. Using window curtains allows you to layer on a large swatch of color to your decor. The living room is a space you spend a lot of time in so take the time to contemplate and compare colors. Order swatches and take time to make your color choices. Remember not to overlook the amount of coverage a drapery panel has. Here are some popular color inspirations. You can pull an accent color like the gold from a pattern in the room and use a window curtain like the textured velvet in honey gold as a pop against the walls. If prints and patterns in a signature color cover your furniture, walls, and floors, then solid window curtains in the same color will frame the windows. This creates a place for the eye to rest and allows the patterns to be the star. A third idea is matching the wall color and the window curtain color to make the room feel larger creating a continuous expanse for the eye. This works with bold colors like the muted clay textured velvet. Neutral colors also work well for this design tip, creating a backdrop that you can play with as seasons change. Play Up Texture: Creating designated areas and nooks in your living room may start to feel busy. Select a core color or color palette and add the interest with texture. Using texture as the key design element for our living room does not mean that the window curtains need to be a heavy woven fabric. The texture can be in layering. Adding drapes over blinds is a way to add depth and interest to a window. Hanging a window panel like the room darkener curtain in stone will also help keep heat inside. Have fun and express yourself during the refresh and reset of your home. If you become overwhelmed and need help with your window curtain decisions, sign up for a complimentary design consultation.

What are your plans for the year ahead? Are they amazing and fantastic? Do you jump in and try to do everything at once? Being able to reset in January is a gift of optimism for all of us. It is a time when you can lay out what you would like to accomplish and spread it over the upcoming months. Is refreshing your home on the list? Make this a fun project that will last the whole year! Do not feel like you need to do everything the first week of January. We will break it down room by room. Every week this month, we will discuss the design and style of window curtains for different rooms and spaces in the home. We plan to cover the living room, bedroom, children’s rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. There are many different ways to use window curtains in your home. There are sheer panels that let in light and soften the mood while blackout curtains are ideal for your bedroom. Is there a space like a laundry room or cubby that you would prefer to make “disappear” behind a curtain? As we undertake this home reset, we will do it with meaning and purpose. We spend a lot of time in our homes. Take the time to think about your style and what you like. Are there colors or fabrics that bring you joy? We recommend using your social media platforms to help: create collections on Instagram for saving posts and do the same with boards on Pinterest. You can follow @shopthedrape on both platforms. At the drape, we offer two great resources. 5 free swatches: Ordering swatches allow you to feel the fabric and see the colors in your home. Complimentary 30-minute design consultations: This time can be used to discuss color choices, get guidance and assistance measuring, or have one of our designers confirm your selections. Selecting quality window curtains that are custom to your home will bring you joy. Design and create what you want and you will have a finished product that you are proud to display in your home. At the drape, we make each window curtain just for you so there is no extra waste.

One of the many joys we get to experience during the holiday season is hosting friends and family, sometimes as overnight guests. Welcoming people into the home and making them feel comfortable by creating the perfect guestroom is on many agendas this time of year. The two key components that make a fabulous guest room are a comfortable bed and window curtains that provide light control. A Comfortable Bed Start by building a sleeping oasis from the bottom up. If you are buying a new mattress select something that is not too firm and not too soft. Whether the mattress is old or new, you will want to add some protection to it with a mattress protector. A mattress pad will add cushion and luxury. Make sure you select one that is hypo-allergenic if you anticipate having different guests stay over. No one wants to have puffy eyes and runny noses during the holidays! Select sheets that are a natural fiber and of the same quality that you would put on your own bed. If you reside in an area that gets very cold, you may add blankets as you make the bed. A great option is folding blankets in a basket near the foot of the bed so that your guests can make their own decision. For the comforter and duvet, select something that you like. Don’t keep it “neutral” if that isn’t your style. Your guest room is part of your home and should make your guests feel welcomed into your style. In addition to spare blankets, it is a good idea to have spare pillows available. When you begin selecting the pillows, go for a range from soft to firm. This way your guests can mix and match to their preference. A Light Controlled Room Windows in the guest room should be given the same thought and attention as the bed. Light affects our circadian rhythms, so giving your guest the ability to control the light in the room is a sign of host/hostess care and interest in their comfort. Start with a sheer curtain that will soften the daylight and provide a small bit of privacy. This will allow the sun in during the day and your guests to enjoy the view. Select a fabric for the main window curtains that is an aesthetic and color scheme that works with the style of the room. Heavier fabrics tend to block out more light, and the best solution for a dark room is blackout curtains. Darkness triggers the body to produce melatonin, ultimately helping sleep quality. At the drape, we offer a curated selection of fabrics and colors. Our blackout lining can be added to any window curtain fabric. For optimal results, follow our How to Measure Guide to ensure your window curtains are providing the necessary coverage. If you have questions, book a complimentary session with our design team today!

This edition of History of Hues is about Off White. Is this a color or a color family? Shades of white are full of subtly descriptive color names which include cream, eggshell, vanilla, ivory, linen, antique white, milk-white, and more. The top three paint companies have over 500 shades of white combined. All of these can be called off-white. This means that they are not pure white, and are warmer than optic white. A shade of white has a slightly yellowish or grayish tint to it. This tint is very nuanced and there is not enough pigment to qualify these tints as a shade of beige or gray. Off-white is a compromise between white and more saturated colors. Warm off-whites have undertones of red, orange, and yellow. This results in colors that feel inviting and welcoming. Off-white that has blue, green, or purple undertones are cooler and feel clean and fresh. To better see the color tendencies, compare the off-white you prefer directly with an optic white. We know that white was used in the paleolithic era for cave paintings. Off-white also has a long history, and it is sometimes hard to clarify since white and off-white are terms that can be used interchangeably. However, the first reference of the color ivory in written language was in 1385. Vanilla, a much newer color name wasn’t recorded as a word used for color until 1925. Off-white is a versatile color for decorating. In the 1930s the color became popular and was used with beiges. It again gained popularity in the mid-1900s. Almost every color can be paired with off-white. Even white, for a rich elegant look. Off-white breaks from the starkness of white and creates spaces that are softer more inviting without losing the neutrality of white. Any color palette you can imagine will look good with off-white. For example, cream or vanilla looks great with pastel colors. For a nautical palette, pair a milk-white with shades of blue. Ivory looks great with jewel tones like emerald and maroon. The combinations are endless and so are the possible environments. Bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, children’s rooms, home offices, and more. Using off-white is not limited to paint. Sofas in cream are warm and inviting. Faux fur throws in arctic white and cream cable knit sweater pillows are cozy accessories. At the drape, we love the velvet curtain panel in off-white. The velvet fabric is 100% cotton. The hand is soft and the texture is plush. Style the velvet curtain with grommets and you will have a more modern feel, hanging these window panels in a children’s bedroom in soft mint. Add the 100% blackout lining and everyone will sleep better. A back tab curtain panel in a room with warm brown walls and beige accents is the perfect way to create a rustic environment. Enjoy the versatility of off-white. Pair off white curtains with your favorite colors in any room in your home.

Undertaking a decorating project is a lot of work, and decorating with curtains and drapes is no exception! The focus of a decorating or redecorating project tends to be on the larger items in the space: furniture, bed linens, and appliances. The perimeter of the room (the walls and windows) offers many opportunities to add style to your space. Adding drapes that fit your windows is the home design equivalent of a well-fitting suit. There are many styles of design that you can select from or combine to make your house feel like your very personalized home. Today we are highlighting three drapery options that will work with any of those styles. Window curtains and drapery that focus on color: Color can change the way you feel. Green is known for its calming effect and gold that makes your space feel warm, inviting, and luxurious. If you love color, you should design a room that is full of color. Colorful furniture, like a deep cognac leather sofa and multi-colored rugs married with painted walls and striking curtains like the textured velvet in muted clay, will be rich and bold. If that feels too bold, there are softer ways to add color. The linen in olive is a shade of green that will add color to a room and look striking as window curtains paired with walls that are soft beige or other creamy neutral. Window curtains that focus on texture. Painted walls provide large expanses of color. The windows on these walls can provide an opportunity to add textured drapes. Solid textured curtains also add a calming respite to bold wallpaper. When considering drapery with a texture, the first thing you should consider is whether you prefer a matte finish or a little bit of sheen. The cotton canvas window curtain is a toothy fabric and because it is 100% cotton, it is not shiny. Matte fabrics tend to look better in casual and transitional designed interiors. Fabrics with a luster like the velvet window curtains provide modern-day luxury. Window curtains that focus on length and style. If the ceiling height in the room is average and the windows are standard, hang the curtain panels as high as possible. The closer you hang the drapery to the ceiling, the longer the panels are. This added length will trick the observer's eye into thinking the room is bigger. Window panels that just touch the floor are sleek and tailored. If opulence is the look for your room, extend the panels 3-6” so they pool and puddle on the floor. It doesn’t matter if you have lots of windows or just a few. If they are big windows or small windows, hanging the right window curtains will make them the focus of a room. Window curtains add additional benefits like light filtration, blackout, and insulation. At the drape, we offer a privacy lining and a blackout lining that can be added to any of our fabrics. Styling your window curtains is not a solo journey. As a starting point, order 5 free swatches. Once you have the fabrics and colors you can schedule a complimentary session with our designer to get advice on styling and length.

What is the perfect length for curtains? This is a decorating question with many answers. There are some rules for how curtains should hang, but there is also personal preference and the aesthetic of the room. Are curtains supposed to touch the floor? The answer is yes, no, and maybe. There are situations when curtains are too long and there are situations when curtains are too short. Window panels that are hung in a kitchen window address a look and need that are different from window panels that are in a living room. The best length in each scenario will be different. There are four terms for window curtain lengths, and they each are intended for different window sizes, styles, and needs. Windowsill Length A curtain is windowsill length when it stops right below the windowsill. Bathrooms and kitchens are the rooms in the house that most commonly require this length. The window curtain can cover the whole window, or a café curtain may be used. A café curtain hangs from a rod placed at the halfway point of the window. Apron Length Short curtains, also known as apron length do not come down to the floor. The window panel should end 4 inches below the windowsill. In most homes, this length will stop above a radiator or other heating/cooling element. This is also a popular window curtain length for children’s rooms where longer window panels may get tugged on or accidentally pulled down during play. Floor Length Long drapery panels that either kiss the floor or stop ½" above it are the most commonly seen length. This length offers a clean, finished look that is used in a majority of rooms in a home. When measuring, measure both sides and the center of the window for length. Use the average to determine the overall length of the window panels. It is normal for there to be a slight variance in these three measurements due to the house settling over time. When curtains are too short (two or more inches above the floor) it looks like they are the wrong size and makes the rest of the decor in the room feel off. Puddle If you are looking for elegance and drama then go ahead and add two to eight inches so the drapery panels pool and puddle on the floor. Be aware that you will need to give extra care to the bottoms of the curtain panels as they may collect dirt and dust. Be prepared to dust or lightly vacuum them on a regular schedule. DO take time to measure! DON’T guess the length! DO have curtain panels that skim the ground! DON’T hang the curtain panels too short! DO ask for help! DON’T worry, our design team is here to help!