Valances: To hang accross one or group of windows. Maybe stiffened (with buckram or board) or unstiffened ; straight, scalloped, ruffled, pleated, swag, cascaded, festooned, etc. Materials may be damask, silk, velvet, brocatelle, chintz, etc. For formal rooms; simple cotton or rayon fabrics for informal rooms. Uses: formal drapery to floor, over curtains or over curtains and venetian blinds
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| Image credit by flickr.com (emily@ go haus go) |
Cornices: Wood painted or covered with fabric shaped or straight at corners. Uses: formal and informal rooms.
Draperies: May be straight, looped back, pinch-plated at the top, traverse (to close by pulley and a cord or by hand drawing). They may be hung from straight or circular rods, from cornice or a valance. Uses: any room.
Window seats: Seat cushions may match or tie in with draperies. Uses: for narrow dormers acloves, by window.
Dutch Windows: Wood frames on 4 sides of windows, cut in interesting outline.
Shutters: Wood, Seldom used for original purpose of protecting windows from storms. Uses: Color accents on the outside of house. Should be part o background.
Storm Window: Double-hung windows usually have them hung outside. Casement windows may have storm windows inside or outside. In wood or aluminum. Uses: Keep cold out in winter, heat out in summer. Reduce condensation. May be combined with screens. Inside storm windows give better insulation, outside windows give better rain protection.