Go Green using Draperies with Liners

Even if you don’t like the color you can stay more comfortable and maybe even save energy with some strategically placed drapes.

Draperies with heavier liners or extra layers of insulation have been popular for years. After all, it creates a certain desired appearance when there is some weight to the drapes and they lay flat for a neat, crisp appearance. Liners also have the benefit of conserving energy. It’s true; the air trapped in the layers of fabric, tend to maintain its temperature, creating an effective barrier to heat and cold. Using fabric to compartmentalize and separate areas of the room including door and stair-ways can reduce dreaded drafts.

I have seen “Tension Rods” used in all kinds of applications where the curtain is mounted on two parallel surfaces. For the purpose of hanging heavier drapes, however, they fall short on strength. To start with, the energy efficient design of the fabric also makes it heavier.

Drapes Hung in the Stairway

Picture yourself enjoying a late night TV show on a cold winter night. The room is right next to the stairs. Heat rises, so you know that drafts will be created as the warm air moves up the stairs and out of your cozy room. What can you do? Your first thought is to turn up the thermostat and watch your precious fuel burn away. A long panel of fabric (usually between 7’ and 9’) hung near the ceiling and touching the stair can work wonders.

My colleagues have successfully used a shower rod. The brackets can be mounted across from each other, a little above the downstairs ceiling; the rod can then be cut to the exact width with a hack saw. Avoid curtains that show off this type rod too much such as tab top, loop top or rings with grommets as it will end up looking more like a shower curtain and may not be aesthetically pleasing to you.
A “hard to find” curtain accessory called an inside mount rod, is the answer. It mounts in a similar manner to a shower rod, but has some decorative accents that make it look at home in the living room. It is definitely more suited to the job. An added benefit: it telescopes so that you can adjust the width and avoid the cutting tools.

So regardless of your favorite colors: gold or cream, red or blue, pastels or accents; you can always go green, even if you don’t like avocado.

Please contact me for source suggestions.

 

Improve Your Home’s Interior with Curtain Rod Hardware

Much of the beauty of a home is in the details, and it shows when you make the extra effort to make a home stylish and unique. You can do major renovations, furnish and paint, but the job is not completed until the last details are refined. Curtain rod hardware can be one of those details that complete a room for a finished look. They need to be functional and of high quality, but decorative as well. There are many options of decorative curtain rod hardware available for varying looks.

Curtain rods and curtain rod hardware can balance the style, color and theme of any room. Traditional, contemporary and artistic options are available to match the style of a room, and the theme can carry on throughout an entire home for continuity. Various colors, finishes and materials are available, including black wrought iron, gold, silver, glass and wood to complement your decor.

Curtain rod hardware includes holdbacks, rings, brackets and hinges, and designs range from geometric to leaves and florals. They enhance the look of the drapes and windows, and can improve the overall look of any room. For example, a contemporary style fabric works beautifully with a geometric curtain rod finial, and a traditional floral drape is lovely with rods and hardware with curved lines and perhaps carved leaf holdbacks. A wonderful decorative statement can be made with plain curtain panels with highly decorative holdbacks or finials to accomplish a sophisticated look.

Curtainrodstore.com is an experienced online store that sells quality curtain rod hardware and accessories at outstanding prices. Their products are guaranteed, and they carry a huge selection of products for many window styles allowing you to decorate a home beautifully.

Grace Enderlein is a freelance writer and editor on decorative curtain Rod. “Improve Your Home’s Interior with Curtain Rod Hardware” notes that details like drapery hardware supplied by Curtainrodstore.com can accomplish great looks in a room.

 

Creative Ideas for Using Curtain Panels and Valences to Brighten Kitchens

There is no question that beautiful curtain panels and valences brighten kitchens. However, curtain panels and valences can even be used to brighten kitchens in places that you might not realize. If you don’t have the obvious spot above your kitchen sink for curtain panels and valences, look around for a creative spots to add them.

Hang Curtain Panels and Valences on a Door
Magnetic curtain rods are available to hang curtain panel and valences in places that you didn’t think possible. Metal doors in your kitchen are great places to add color and beauty. Curtain panels can be placed on a door hanging straight down or swept to the side and tied back. Valences can be hung with a magnetic curtain rod on a door at the top or halfway down as a café curtain. Curtain panels and valences on a door can really brighten your kitchen. Be creative, also using a magnetic rod you can hang curtain panels and valences on a metal kitchen cabinet door for some color or to hide open areas.

Hang Curtain Panels and Valences as a Privacy Divider
Curtain panels and valences can be hung in a doorway giving privacy, coverage or just some color into an adjoining laundry room or pantry. Just like a window your curtain rod can be mounted above the door and the curtain panel and valences can be draped along side until you want the privacy. It can be a very versatile addition to your kitchen.

Don’t be afraid to be creative with curtain panels and valences in your kitchen. We spend an extraordinary amount of time in the kitchen; it has become the center of activity in every household. Adding curtain panels and valences will dress-up and brighten your space to make your kitchen a treat to be in.

Linda Dunkelberger is a freelance writer and editor creating ideas for Curtainrodstore.com. The article “Creative Ideas for Using Curtain Panels and Valences to Brighten Kitchens” notes two ideas for brightening your kitchen with curtain panels and valences. The Curtain Rod Store has been creating specialty decorative drapery hardware since 1989. The Curtain Rod Store brings extra value and quality to your beautiful home decorating projects with beautiful curtain panels and valences.

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Twenty Years of Magnetic Convenience

Dear Reader,

I was going thorough some old articles in the Trade Mags. The touble is: I don’t have the dates.

Listen to this great opening paragraph. The author is Cheryl Strickland, a great speaker and writer in the custom drapery business. The magazine is Drapery and Window Coverings. The article is entitled “Problem-solving Hardware”

She writes it in her column, “The Big Picture”

” Life can be so difficult! With careers, relationships, children, finances and health problems, we some times feel there’s no relief in sight. Cheer up and smile! I’ve discovered myriad enigma eliminatorrs. They won’t save your marriage, but they will make your job a lot easier!”

If nothing else, that’s great writing…

She goes on to review the Magne Rod ®, the first magnetic curtain rod. With over 50 million steel dors out there on all kinds of homes, people were ready for an alternative to drilling and putting screws into there metal doors. I found the source of this rod at Skotz Manufacturing, Inc. in Suburban Philadelphia. 1-800 624 67 63

I’ll be quoting forom more articles so Please blog me

-Gayle