4 details to help you pick window dressings

Window dressings have come a long way from simple curtains on a rod. Here's how to pick a set of dressings that looks great.

Decorators use a special vocabulary to talk about window treatments. These are the basic definitions:

• Curtains are are unlined and flow downwards from curtain rods. They usually diffuse light and give privacy.
• Draperies are like curtains, but usually made from heavier materials that hang in loose folds. They're used to dress up windows or offer privacy, darkness, and insulation.
• Valances are short pieces of drapery that are used to conceal the top of curtains and fixtures. A valance can stand alone as a simple window dressing or add a finishing touch to curtains and draperies.
• Cornices are rigid horizontal mouldings that sit above the window.

These are some popular styles of draperies that you can choose from:

• Café curtain: Usually hung in pairs, café curtains hang by rings or a casing formed in the top of the panels. One pair covers the lower sash. The the other is about a third of the height of the upper sash.
• Priscilla curtains: Ruffles are the characteristic feature of this curtain. Usually ruffles appear on top, hem and centre edges but can also be on outside edges. A ruffled tie-back completes this curtain style.
• Tab curtains: These panels hang from decorative rods by fabric or ribbon loops, or two ties joined to form loops with bows or knots at the top. Muslin is a traditional fabric favourite for this window fashion.
• Pinch-pleated draperies: Pleats formed at regular intervals across the tops of the panels form the fullness. The pleats can be of many styles. The draperies can hang from visible or concealed rods.
• Knotted, tied, or pouffed valance: Fabric sewn like a long rectangular scarf — in one or two layers — is draped as desired over the window, then knotted, tied or pouffed at the corners before draping downward.
• Swag and jabot: This treatment has three parts — a swag across the top of the window and a jabot (the ornamental folds) at each side. The contrasting lining emphasizes the angled jabot hemline.
• Side panels with a valance: A valance, often similar to the top tier of a café curtain, remains fixed. Side panels can be lined or not, fixed at the sides or constructed to draw across the window for privacy.

• A complete window treatment usually combines blinds, valences, curtains or draperies, plus a blind or a shade.
• If you have standard-sized windows, you can buy all of the elements of a window treatment ready-made in simple, usually solid-colour fabrics.
• If you want more pizzazz or to coordinate your draperies with some of your upholstery, you'll need custom-made services from a department or specialty store.

• If you have a sewing machine, you can easily make tab and café curtains or soft valances yourself, either with your own design or using one of the many patterns available.
• Pleating tape is also available. This works with special hardware to make pleated drapes with a minimum of sewing.
• Learn more about each type of window treatment. Choose what's best for the window in question before you settle on a purchase or pattern.

Window dressings are about more than looking good. They help you control the look and, in some cases, the heat in a room. So before you pick out your next set of window dressings, get to know what each is, and if you can make them yourself.