Windows create light and showcase interior beauty.
Was anyone else gloomy last Memorial Day? A parade-less, picnic-less, social-less day. Even the weather seemed to agree. But for me the day seemed heavier with meaning than ever before as we all ponder so much loss. Loss from wars gone by, and losses far too recent and from such an unexpected battle. I’m including a picture that my friend took of her husband (and veteran) walking Gloucester Harbor last Monday. He was missing the parade and he seemed to embody everything that I was feeling.
But resilience is an American tradition. And adaptation. And necessity, the mother of invention. (Has anyone seen the face mask that has a flap to allow for some social drinking?) And preparedness. (Toilet paper, anyone?) Being ready in the face of uncertainty, even if it’s just in the form of toilet paper, stokes the fires of the resilience we are known for.
Which brings me around to… well, this was going to be an article on “aging in place” (a.k.a., readiness for uncertainty), which is actually a really good topic but — ughh!! — it all feels too horrible now, doesn’t it? I want to write about spring! And hope! And exploding bright green leaves! And windows — yes, there it is. Windows!
Windows are intimately connected with the complements we offer houses like “wonderful natural light,” or “good bones,” or “so much character.” They are one of the most important design features in your home. They must look beautiful inside and out, operate perfectly, and be dressed for both a party and for bedroom time. (Much like a 1950s housewife, I fear.) So, let’s offer them some respect.
First off — put them on a cleaning schedule. You can hire someone or do it yourself — or be like me and curse enough while doing it that my kids finally help out. But they really should be cleaned once a year. And this is a great year to start — we’re in quarantine after all! Pick a weekend that’s during a dry spell — because as much as I curse about the cleaning, I am in LOVE with the results and I like to enjoy a few days of crystal-clear perfection before the raindrops come.
And now that we’ve cleaned them up, let’s think about their coverings. Your privacy needs are consideration number one. And take into account the personalities involved. Clients in remote locations have wanted night privacy because otherwise they get spooked. Others want nothing but view. Some need pitch black for sleeping, while others like natural light. With many exceptions, privacy issues are usually handled by window treatments that sit within the window — think of them as layer one (blinds and shades). And the more decorative paneled curtains are usually handled outside the window frame as layer two.
And a word about layering: twenty years ago, window treatments came with a capital “T.” They were box-framed, lined, double pleated, valanced, and adorned with pompoms and fringe. Ten years ago, simple panels were all the rage and, you guessed it, we are now swinging back to treatments — not as heavy as in your mom’s house, but still with layers of color and texture… and even the occasional valance sneaks its way in. So that’s what the trends are.
For me, I also think about the window treatment in terms of volume and scale. So, a giant family room (where people ask me, “what do I do with all this space?”) can handle textural raffia blinds (layer one) and lined panels (layer two) set on solid rods mounted high and wide from the window to enhance the focal point. That treatment takes up space in the room and it can make a cold room feel warmer. But we are in the land of old New England homes, where the rooms can be much smaller scale. (Hint: when buying furniture look for “apartment scale.”) And in these rooms, where every inch counts, I’ll sometimes use simple blinds inside the window frame and call it a day. They feel like they are one with the window, and anything I add will look busy and feel crowded.
Here are a few other tips to get you started. Curtain panels should kiss the floor - no pooling and no living with too short curtains because they came that way. Shutters take up space to swing open, and their louvered slats don’t let in reduced light. Never, ever use thin metal blinds. Some windows don’t need anything at all. When moving in, just get your privacy issues addressed and work on layer 2 as you have time. Wanting to update? Take measurements and keep them on your phone for quick decision making. When in doubt, keep it simple.
Lastly — consider your street view. I know, I can hear the collective groan of, “Who cares.” But take a look and have that little conversation with yourself. Maybe you do want to line those chartreuse panels in your daughter’s room. Is there a broken slat in your blinds that’s hidden behind your curtain? Are the blinds that pull from the bottom-up in your dining room looking odd next to the top-down blinds in your family room? There are no big rules here — and this is not an excuse to do the same treatment throughout your entire house! It’s just something to consider. See what catches your eye.
And, thank you, that was all a good fix for my doldrums. Spring really is here, and we all really will get through this!
