Electrical | General | Heat & AC | Pool / Spa | Plumbing | Roofing | Solar | LP Gas
Landscape | Contact Us | Links | Home Improvement | Home
Home Improvement Information Site Map



Physiological Response to Window Coverings


Nothing soothes the brain like Mother Nature, whose intrinsic scenery relaxes and refreshes us, consciously and subconsciously. Therefore, a view of nature should never be completely covered up during the day.

During daylight hours, windows should let in as much light and scenery view as possible, because people who can't see out of their windows during daylight hours get depressed. A view of nature, trees, plants, sky, clouds, and birds diminishes stress, promotes general physical health, and contributes to psychological satisfaction.

Factors such as natural light, fabric color, pattern, and tactile quality will also affect the presence of the room. Fabrics with a soft, tactile quality are good choices for creating a romantic, elegant ambiance, but mini-blinds are hard to clean and look severe. Pleated shades are softer, while shutters have rounded edges, can be repainted to change decor, and will last forever.

Window Coverings as Backgrounds

Window coverings that span a large expanse require the same color considerations as walls, since they become backgrounds for people. Too many patterns on windows will detract from both individuals and furnishings, and small prints in large spaces tend to get lost while adding busyness to a room.

Many windows are really no more than picture frames for views, so it's important that window treatments should complement the view. In general, the better the view, the plainer the window treatments should be. For view windows that don't need coverings for privacy or temperature control, consider lighting the exterior space and leaving the windows uncovered.

Architectural Considerations

Houses with lovely architectural details surrounding the windows need window treatments that don't hide the home's character. For example, magnificently-fluted moldings around windows shouldn't be covered. Use spring tension rods to hang treatments inside the molding instead.

Where windows are perfectly placed throughout a room, accentuate their lines with bold treatments. You can camouflage the size and position of windows that are too small or poorly placed by adjusting the placement of window treatments, such as hanging the coverings higher to visually create taller windows.

Elegant Window Dressings

Window treatments can be plain, functional, or opulent. Formal rooms with exquisite window treatments are fun. Layers of damask, lace, sheers, silks, and overlapping swags can create an aura of richness and refinement. Other elegant details might include scalloped trimmings, fringe, cords, cording, tassels, and rosettes.

On the other hand, if you need to tone down a too-opulent scheme, use a rough-textured trim, because lush and lustrous fabrics can be overwhelming without an element of roughness as a balancing factor.

Puddled window drapes, typical of the Victorian period, can add fullness and warmth to cold rooms. Draperies that are allowed to "pool" or "puddle" on the floor add elegance and rich feelings to a room. The drawback is that too much pooling on the floor will cause the bottoms of puddle draperies to get sucked into vacuum cleaners.

Each house is different, of course, but no matter what your home's style or composition, you'll want to give careful consideration to your choice of window fashions if you're going to create a warm and happy feeling for yourself, your family, and your guests.

(c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the Home, and other books teaches Real Estate Investing and Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, newsletters, and sales flyer template, see http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com/pages/5/index.htm


MORE RESOURCES:
Electrical | General | Heat & AC | Pool / Spa | Plumbing | Roofing | Solar | LP Gas
Landscape | Contact Us | Links | Home Improvement | Home
Home Improvement Information Site Map


THE GOODS ON HOME IMPROVEMENT: Beat the heat - and those energy bills
Lancaster Newspapers, PA - 21 hours ago
By ALAN J. HEAVENS / McClatchy Tribune WITH SUMMER JUST OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY, it's already been broiling hot. If this keeps up, there's little doubt that ...


Clayton News Star

Board backs shopping center with home-improvement store
TheHerald, NC - Jul 2, 2008
Their plans call for retail and office space, a bank, national chain restaurants and a home-improvement store. “Instead of traveling and sending business ...
West Main may be extended through new commercial areas Clayton News Star
all 2 news articles


411mania.com

The Hall of Shame 07.02.08: Home Improvement
411mania.com, TX - Jul 1, 2008
And what better way to make money then to cash in one of the most popular sitcoms of the 90's, Home Improvement? Well, actually, there are a lot of better ...


Best Syndication

Bad Credit Home Improvement Loans: Increase Equity And Resolve ...
Best Syndication, CA - Jul 1, 2008
So in order to assist you, lenders have devised Bad Credit Home Improvement Loans. The loans are designed especially for those with blemished credit history ...
Ultimate Respite From Troubles: Low Rate Unsecured Loans Best Syndication
Loans For Bad Credit: Financial Remedy Without Any Credit Hassles Best Syndication
Instant Unsecured Loans: Put Off Financial Woes In A Collateral ... Best Syndication
Best Syndication
all 14 news articles


Home Improvement Costs Soaring
WLWT, OH - Jul 1, 2008
Lowes executives said that the home improvement store has also taken a hit due to material costs. For the time being, the store said it would not pass the ...


IFA slams home improvement tactics
FT Adviser, UK - Jul 1, 2008
The results of a survey showing estate agents' views on ways to raise property values through home improvements are "wrong", according to one IFA. ...


Westchester to require tests for home-improvement contractors
Lower Hudson Journal news, NY - Jun 30, 2008
By Allan Drury Starting today, anyone who wants to get a license to work as a home-improvement contractor in Westchester County will have to pass a test. ...
Westchester County to require test for home building license Lower Hudson Journal news
all 3 news articles


A Gust of New Home Improvement Resources From Fix The Home
Market Wire (press release) - Jun 30, 2008
This means residents of this Illinois (IL) city have a one-stop-shop for anything home improvement related. Local Chicagoland contractors will see the plus ...


Home Improvement – Season 8 DVD Review
Blogger News Network - Jun 30, 2008
by Sgt. Mom in Entertainment, Reviews, TV How very pleasant to be reminded of all those excellent reasons for watching Tim Allen’s “Home Improvement” series ...


Garage Makeovers With Home Improvement Specialist, Brad Staggs
Market Wire (press release) - Jun 30, 2008
Home maintenance expert and host of "Talk 2 DIY Home Improvement" Brad Staggs has some great tips to organize and clean the space so that it fits everything ...

Home-Improvement - Google News

Electrical | General | Heat & AC | Pool / Spa | Plumbing | Roofing | Solar | LP Gas
Landscape | Contact Us | Links | Home Improvement | Home
Home Improvement Information Site Map

site map

MediaRocket |