A big mistake that I see when dealing with customers who have designed their own windows is that they don’t take into account the other 3 seasons beside the season that they are currently in. For example, it’s Fall and Thanksgiving is fast approaching. Susie really wants her window treatments to be finished for the holidays. The air is just starting to turn cool and she is comforted by warm plaids and deep velvets. She makes curtain panels out of a pumpkin colored velvet and a valance to match. 3 weeks later, Christmas rolls around and that “pumpkin” colored velvet now appears fluorescent orange next to her deep red and green Christmas decorations.

Next, all the snow melts and March is upon us. Susie is desperate for spring and something happy and cheery. Now, all of a sudden, her heavy orange drapes with their heavy valance look sad and outdated. HOW did this all happen in less than 5 months??

One question I tell people to ask of themselves is “am I wiling to tweak my window treatments throughout the year?” Notice I said “tweak” and not “change”.

If the answer is YES, then I would recommend choosing one color or pattern that you absolutely LOVE. Something that makes you smile every time you see it! Now, use that fabric as a basis for a window treatment. Perhaps it becomes a cornice in the kitchen, or a pair of pinch pleated draperies in the living room hung off of a gorgeous chunky wood rod. Let’s say in the summer the treatment remains “as is” (we tend to go more casual in the summer). BUT, in the winter, you have a pair of red (or orange, green, plaid etc.) swags made that you hang over top of the panels!

Now, I’m really giving away my secrets!! These swags could be heavily trimmed with fringe, or beads etc (maybe something that you don’t want to live with year round. I guarantee that when you pop those swags up, everyone will think you just got new window treatments. OR, let’s go back to the kitchen. Remember your simple little cornice that you hung over the sink? Well, maybe in the winter you put up a simple pair of half width red velvet café curtains that look so warm and yummy they make you think of hot chocolate every time you do the dishes. Little changes such as these keep your windows looking fresh and new throughout the year.

If the answer is NO, I refuse to mess with these treatments once they are up - then I really suggest that you choose a year round fabric that won’t tire easily through the seasons. I’m not going to tell you not to use velvet, but certainly think about how it will feel in the heat of August. Maybe you are decorating your finished basement and it’s always slightly cold down there. Or, maybe this is a room that rarely gets used in the summer. In those instances, you can go more seasonal with your fabric. However, for the most part you’ll want to stay with a medium weight fabric that can move throughout the year. You can always change your pillows come Christmas time!