What about my windows?

From House Beautiful Windows.
Most of us battle with what to do with our windows but too often than not, that results in nothing getting done about them! There are loads of ready made options on the market today at a good range of prices so for basic curtains it's easy enough to pick something up that goes with the overall colour theme of your room.
However, if you have odd sized windows or want a pelmet or Roman blind - you will have to have that custom made to suit your windows and have them fitted correctly. I actually had three Roman blinds made for my house here in Nenagh and I gave the measurements to this fabulous guy in America who does work for a designer friend of mine. When my parents came over shortly after we moved in, my mother brought the blinds with her - and they fit perfectly and have been the best thing I could have invested in.

From House Beautiful Windows.
The need to dress our windows is often for privacy but more often than not it is to create a cosiness especially in the evening or early morning - blocking out the dark or light. They also finish off windows to compliment the rest of your space and tie everything together.

From House Beautiful Windows.
In the case of this room, the windows have been dressed with a simple fabric softening the frames and adding a bit of drama.

From House Beautiful Windows.
In some cases, you don't need to dress the window at all - the frame makes a statement on it's own.

From Country Living, March 2007 - Photo by Lisa Cohen.

Here the pelmet is trimmed in a simple braid - beautiful linen curtains that have been lined in a delightful floral toile fabric.

From Country Living, March 2007- photo by Lisa Cohen.

In this bedroom embroidered sheer curtains hang from an iron pole but in order to really cut out light and keep the warmth in - a Roman blind has been interlined with blackout fabric. Also this idea is probably the best way to go - especially in many of our Irish homes as so often the radiators are under the windows so if you use long curtains to cover the window, the heat is prevented from entering the room.

From Country Living, March 2007- photo by Lisa Cohen.

I much prefer Roman blinds at a kitchen window as they can be easily rolled up to avoid being splashed and they just feel tidier to me. This blind has been lined in a contrasting fabric so that when it rolls up you get to see both

From Country Living March 2007 - photo by Lisa Cohen.
In a deep window like this, pulling a big panel of fabric to one side dresses the window but it doesn't necessarily have to function, it can be purely decorative.