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More Articles by Karla J. Nielson  More Design Perspectives

The Odds of Success
How designers thinking-literally-outside the box can beat the odds.

by Karla J. Nielson, Allied ASID, WCAA

You’ve heard the expression “Against the odds,” meaning that achieving success will be a hard proposition because the “odds are stacked against you.” These expressions originated in the gambling industry—most likely horse race betting when odds were placed on the animals’ chances to win. If a bet was placed on a horse not favored to win, the odds were the gambler would lose. To “beat the odds” meant winning in spite of the unlikelihood of success. If you wager in favor of an animal that has the odds stacked against it, and that animal wins the race, then you win more money.

This expression has merit in business where a person takes a chance on achieving a goal when all indicators are less than favorable. In fact, it is the goal-setting, can-do mentality that has spurred countless people to work harder and smarter in order to figure out how to make something work. In the end, many a seemingly insurmountable challenge has been rewarded with sweet success, and sometimes more success—and more monetary reward—than the competitors.

In the window treatments industry, odd-shaped windows—anything not a rectangle—are sometimes seen as odds stacked against the decorator’s chance of success. Just a few decades ago the only solutions to a new generation of angled- or arched-topped windows were pleated draperies constructed with a custom-fit header or shaped mini-blinds or verticals, all of which either opened in a cumbersome and unattractive way, or stayed in a permanent position: draped fabric stayed put, shutters were in a closed or partially closed position, pleated shades or blinds were not fully operable.

Since then we’ve seen some amazing progress. Innovative (smart and hard-working) product designers and engineers have developed treatments that really are answers for those odd-shaped windows. Just as a business owner who finds the solution to problems is rewarded monetarily, so today’s newest product solutions reward owners of challenging windows. Everybody wins!

ODD WINDOWS
How do we define odd windows today? These are windows that pose difficulty in either providing screening from excessive brightness or in providing privacy while still allowing light or a view. The difficulty is because of their size, shape, proportions, or where they are located in the home. For example, the placement may be too high for controls; or the top of the window, large or small, is angled and not easily treated with conventional treatments; or the window itself is curved. As glass technology continues to improve, we now see windows with arched and angled tops that are single sheets of glass with no division between the bottom rectangles and the odd-shaped tops.

As in Victorian architecture, round “porthole” windows are very much back in fashion. Our reasoning is different than 100 years ago when they really did float to Europe in ocean liners. Today, we may take a vacation cruise and be influenced by the nautical design of ships, but we also are heavily influenced by Pac-Asian design, much of which is based on the good fortune represented by the circle.

For these kinds of unusual windows, interior design professionals need to think “outside the box”—quite literally!—or at least outside the rectangle to formulate solutions. Another factor is that homes with these dramatic window shapes usually are owned by discriminating owners who expect high quality and functionality. They simply expect the best.

Now you can give it to them.

SOLUTIONS, SOLUTIONS
When odd windows are placed high overhead or as part of an expanse of doors or windows, the architecture opens the interior space to light and view. Often the owner desires to keep these two advantageous qualities. The down side is the heat and glare that can accompany too much sunlight, even on a partly cloudy day. One instant and permanent solution is found in window film. Vista window film screens more than 99 percent of the glare and ultraviolet light from the sun, reduces heat and evens the temperature, and strengthens the glass in case of impact, holding shards in place if it shatters. It also clarifies the view, a big advantage for customers who want to enjoy the outdoors from inside.

Another key advantage is that in today’s upscale homes and customizable contract settings ultraviolet (UV) light and heat do permanent damage—fading colors and weakening fibers, splitting wood and damaging artwork. Window film is a way to prevent these devastating effects and to help furnishings hold their beauty and their value. Homeowners appreciate that.

Solar shades have become a popular window treatment, and when specified in a bottom-up configuration can be made to fit angle-top windows. The accompanying photograph features two such windows flanking a large fireplace. Both windows are out of reach and are part of a large combined focal point: doors, windows and a river rock fireplace wall. These shades not only cut the heat and glare, controlling light effectively, but they do not demand attention. They quietly do their job.

Today the most common solution for problem windows such as these includes two major directions:

• Lightweight shades – cellular for insulation and privacy, and sunscreen for temperature control and view preservation

• Motorization—for convenience and the ability to control this new generation of operable shades.

Windows treated in this manner also typically feature bottom-up operation, which is the preferred treatment when it is the top of the window that creates the problem, as is so often the case.

Arched windows likewise have benefited from the development of operable cellular shades. Although for many years cut-to-measure and flexible rods have been available for shirred fabric treatments, these were and are non-operable and often looked a little funny from the outside, particularly when weight causes the fabric to sag and bunch a little at the bottom. Today, a cleaner look from both the outside and the inside is being preferred by a majority of clients.

An important point here is that these are operable treatments. Pleated shades in a bottom-up configuration can cover most odd shaped windows and still open and close. Shades that offer both top-down and bottom-up operation are excellent options for odd-shaped windows. For arches, cellular shades can be made to operate like a fan—opening from one side to the other like fanning out playing cards in the hand. Cellular shades also have the advantage of folding flat to provide an unencumbered view.

Lafayette Interior Fashions offers a product made especially for arch-top windows that have no framing between the lower rectangular window and the upper arch top. These windows present a particular problem for decorators when the window is so wide a drapery rod cannot span the entire width without a center support bracket. This product attaches at each end of the window and is strong enough to support a drapery rod or even be used for the top frame of a shutter treatment.

Speaking of shutters, they have become a treatment of choice for homeowners who want a substantial quality look to match the architectural trim and furnishing style of their homes and have the advantage of complete operational control. In special-shaped windows such as arch-top, eyebrow and windows similar to the circular window featured here, custom shutters are fabulous solutions. They are heavy, solid, practical, easy to operate and easy to clean. When opened and when closed, there is a greater sense of privacy, which leads to peace of mind—qualities greatly desired by today’s upscale homeowner.

BE A WINNER
With solutions like these you cannot only beat the odds, you can be the winner. Remember the famous sales adage, “You can get anything in this world you want if you just help enough people get what they want.” Solutions that work will leave you holding the winning ticket!