The World of Window Treatments #9 -Cornices

Welcome back to our series on window treatments. Today we will take a look at yet another valance known as the "cornice board". As most of you probably know, these valances are made from wood (or composite material) and project out from the wall (of course, so do most of the other valances). They are covered with a batting material and then the fabric is stapled onto the board. These can be made in most any shape or style.

Photo courtesy of Decor Pad

This one is a very simple style and has a scalloped pattern at the bottom. Remember, the larger the window, the more scallops you will have repeated along the bottom.

Photo courtesy of Cottage Living

Here is yet another simple style, with a contrast cording (in black) along the top and bottom. This is a great photo to show how using a contrast fabric accent helps to "pop" the entire window treatment. It is an additional expense, but WELL worth the extra. Let's just say this will always give you "more bang for your buck"!

Photo courtesy of Southern Living

This cornice has three soft folds in the fabric and a straight edge at the bottom. They have added narrow, vertical bands (with buttons) a few inches in from the edges. This is just another element of design that can be added (or left off to keep it even more simple if you prefer).

Photo courtesy of Southern Living

Another shaped pattern for the bottom of the cornice is shown here. The other cornices were made of solid fabrics, whereas this one is in a mini-print.

Photo courtesy of Architectural Digest

OK, here it is....the one "I" find "Simply Irresistible". This window treatment (cornice and draperies), not to mention the fabric, just FITS this room. I love the overall uniqueness of the cornice shape. The bold shape along with this bright, bold fabric really makes the fashion statement in this room! (and it's NOT pink....can you believe that? - A question to those of you that know me by now!)

Photo courtesy of Elle Decor

I love the soft curves in this cornice as well....really very simple, yet very elegant. Take a quick look at the treatment over the bed...the shape here even mimics the center shape of the window cornices (a soft curve downward)....I just love the DETAILS of design, you know!

Photo courtesy of Cottage Living

WOW...talk about "color"! But, this window treatment, using both bold color (with accents) and lovely large patterned fabric just "softens" this entire area. Not only that, but it brings the colors up to ceiling height. If you will notice, at least one of the chairs is covered in the same fabric that is used on the window. The other may be also (and backed in another fabric) or it could be another fabric altogether on that chair....either way.....the design in this room is great! And before we finish, look at how the ottoman (bottom left corner), coffee table, and wall color closely match in a bright yellow. (Remember the good design "rule of thumb" I mentioned in another session?....repeat the accent color at least three times.) OK, here I go....again with the "details"...they even have the pillows in this color as well as the small floral on the ottoman. This room had much more to talk about than just the cornice boards, don't you think?

Well,...that is all for "The World of Window Treatments" today. Be sure to check back with us for our next topic (but I'm not going to share what that is....yet!). Be sure to make the rest of your day "Simply Irresistible" in every way! Thanks for stopping by!

The World of Window Treatments #8

As we return to our series on the wonderful world of window treatments, let's take a look at our first design. How's that for jumping right in?

Photo courtesy of Architectural Digest

This is a lovely, soft valance with added embellishments of beaded trim. When I use this style I almost always add a luxurious trim of some kind....and I love to use beaded trim like this!

Photo courtesy of Thibaut

Here is another soft, flat valance style with a shaped bottom. The added "bling" here adds the statement for sure....using ball trim.

Photo courtesy of Architectural Digest

This one is similar in style, where the middle is flat with a shape, but then the side pieces are pleated all the way to the corners. A great look on this larger window! Notice also that the ball trim was added for the flair.

Photo courtesy of Decor Pad

Here is a flat valance with the embellishment and design done with inside banding in a contrasting color....awesome look and such simplicity, but look what a design statement it makes in the room. I call this...."Simply Irresistible" for sure!

Photo courtesy of Elle Decor

Another great look here...flat valance with a scalloped edge and it also looks like the light blue color is added at the bottom of this valance as piping (cording).

Photo courtesy of Architectural Digest

Take a look at these simple wrapped swags. Notice how they are designed with the left panel hanging "behind" the rod and the right panel is over the rod and hanging in "front". Can't forget, once again, to mention the trim...it is like adding accessories to your clothing! It adds the finishing touch!

Photo courtesy of Elle Decor

Here, we are back to our classic swags, except this time they are much more elaborate. Here we have drapery panels hanging (with ball trim on these!), then have added the classic swags going across. Where the swags meet the drapery panels, the cascades (sides of swag treatments) are mounted "on top" of the swags and hang in the same place as the long panels. The trim is added on all of the swags....for a GREAT look in this room.....stunning, I think! I also like the fact that the valance has soft curves across the bottom, since the windows have so many squares and rectangles. The curves help to soften the whole area. Don't you think?

Photo courtesy of Southern Accents

I wanted to throw this one in to show you the variety of ways that the "swag" valance can be designed and made. It looks as if a rosette and tail have been added in the middle at the top. What a simple way to change the entire look!

Photo courtesy of Architectural Digest

And here we have a more formal "Windsor" valance that is loaded with that "bling"....or should I say... bullion fringe trim. What an elegant room with this treatment used both on the windows and on the bed. (And take a peek at the artwork hung over the headboard on top of the drapery panel that is also used there....WOW! Layering....another subject for another time!)

Hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about valances. Next, we will introduce the cornice board. So, stayed tuned to...."Simply Irresistible"....Designs. Have a most blessed day!

Color of the Year for 2011

I hope each of you had a wonderful Valentine's Day filled with many blessings. Since we took a side route from our World of Window Treatment series for Valentine's colors...I thought we'd go ahead and share a little about the chosen color for 2011.

Pantone LLC is the global authority on color. They are a provider of professional color standards for the design industries. They have named PANTONE® 18-2120 Honeysuckle as the color of the year for 2011. They have described it to be a "vibrant and energetic hue".

The intensity of this reddish-pink color is very alluring and is very much what they described...energetic. Don't you agree? This is also the color we saw in several of our Valentine room design photos.

Honeysuckle Flower

I bet you thought it was just the sweet fragrance of the honeysuckle flower blossom that attracted hummingbirds to the nectar....right? Well, it isn't. In researching this, I found that it is actually the COLOR that attracts them. Most people do, however, associate the refreshing scent of the honeysuckle flower to enjoying the "carefree days" of Spring and Summer...which we are all now looking forward to! The color represents the same!

Here we find another lovely example of this color in roses. Did any of you get these as a gift for Valentine's from your special someone? If you did, you got the Color of the Year!

This shows us the 2011 Color of the Year in our fashion industry. Pantone not only indicates the trends in color for home decor, but also sets the stage for what's to come in our apparel and accessories. Honeysuckle is a great color for fashion....at least "I" am a happy shopper this year in that I can find colors that appeal to me (of course...PINK does!).

Photo courtesy of House and Home

Here is a room using this color on the walls and again on the shades. I find it to be that "refreshing" color of Spring and Summer here, don't you?

Photo courtesy of House and Home

Here our color is used as only an accent....throw pillows, lamp shade, and even a tall floral stem (to right of lamp...see it?) Notice how well this Honeysuckle color goes with a variety of other colors. It is used with these taupes, brown, and bright yellow. With only "pops" of this color in your room, you could add this color for the seasons of Spring and Summer easily and then change it in the Fall. Great, easy idea....of course, this is for those of you that are attracted to this " Color of the Year".

Photo courtesy of Traditional Home

The color is used a little more permanently in this room since it is used on some of the upholstery pieces. Then, a little more of this color is added to the sofa and chairs with the use of pillows.

Photo courtesy of Elle Decor

And here we have used it on the floors (a nice bold statement in the room!), pillows, and also a floral arrangement. (Wouldn't the "moose" on the wall be MUCH more fashionable if he were in this color too?.....Ha! Just kidding, you can tell he is my least favorite part of this room!)

Photo courtesy of Country Living

And this one will finish up our look at the chosen Color of the Year for 2011 - Honeysuckle. Whether you use it throughout your room or just accent ("pop") with this color, such as with these candlesticks above (well, OK here we have it in the fabric panels used in the doors on this furniture piece too)...give it a try for Spring. See what colors you CAN use it with and how it will make that much desired simple CHANGE in your decor! A good rule of thumb though... try to repeat the color in the room at least THREE times (to balance it). This way it doesn't look like just an "after-thought" or a "mistake" in the room. Will YOU give it a try? If you do, please post a comment to let us know how it turned out! You can turn that "DRAB" into "FAB" (fabulous) by using this energetic Color of the Year....which I think is truly "Simply Irresistible"!

I hope you have yourself a Simply Irresistible and Blessed day!