An Elegant Mix Of Curtains And Blinds
Window coverings have been a crucial feature of interior decorating for centuries. Decorators can work wonders with all kinds of fabric or materials, but price has often prevented the average homeowner from being able to take advantage of custom design elements. However, with the variety of curtains, shades and blinds, it has never before been easier to create custom looks on a budget. One window covering that deserves a closer look is the roman blind.
With roman blinds, or roman shades as they are often referred to, manufacturers have combined the elegance of curtain fabric with the function and simplicity of traditional blinds. The interweaving of colors and textures, give the DIY decorator ample choices to be able to create that custom look.
Although there are a variety of roman shades, the common designs incorporate various horizontal fabric panels. Floral fabrics, solids, stripes or other interesting patterns can be used as the base fabric. The panels simply fold, one over the other, when the shade is raised. Some of the brands you might look at for decorating ideas are Thomas Kinkade, Graber, Levolor and Bali.
There are many different fold styles for the roman blind. Some are made to look like classic drapery bunching when raised. Others fold similar to the flat panel, but result in a curved look when raised so as to create a more classic flair. Any self-styled home decorator has an abundance of options to complement their design scheme.
Another highly desired feature of the roman shade is the darkening shades. This is simply a darker and more tightly woven fabric that limits or eliminates light entry. These are perfect for media rooms and for the bedrooms of day-time sleepers, among other uses. A useful tip to remember is the exactness of your window measurements and how it can affect the blackout curtain. The fabric itself will prevent light penetration, but a poorly measured window will result in excessive light entry on the sides of the blind.
Most of the blind manufacturers have created very easy to install roman blinds. These primarily have an incorporated head rail mechanism that is mounted in similar fashion to most any other blind. Likewise, because of the simplicity of their design, they are easy to operate.
When you compare the prices of these blinds to traditional drapes, you will quickly see what a terrific value this kind of blind is. Given the beauty and elegance, the ease of installation, the variety of choices and the versatility, when it comes to window coverings, you would be hard pressed to do better than roman blinds.
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