| GUEST EDITORIAL
Draperies and Shutters: A Match Made in Heaven
For function, versatility and unique interiors, this combination adds up.
The hottest trend in window coverings is a marriage between the traditional, plantation-style shutter and the flowing fabrics of draperies and curtains.
“I love the shutter-drape combo because it’s functional and beautiful,” said Juliette Komoto, a proud owner of draperies-accented shutters. “A quality shutter will last forever and extend the life of my other furnishings by blocking damaging sunlight. Pair it with a drape of my favorite color and it’s a match made in heaven.”
Incorporating color to accent shutters is becoming increasingly popular in home décor.
“Consumers today are looking for ways to csustomize their homes—especially when homes often look alike in master-planned communities and new developments,” said Cindy Poppe, a Las Vegas, NV, interior designer. “Using more than one window treatment on a single window is one way to achieve that and is very popular right now.”
“I think an increasing number of customers are realizing that when choosing a window treatment, they’re not tied down to just one look,” said John Barnes, vice president of marketing, Sunburst Shutters, Las Vegas, NV. “We’re seeing that customers want top quality shutters and want to accent them with color. Because a curtain can be replaced regularly, this combo allows for changes in their room’s look without sacrificing any quality that the shutter provides.”
Having a quality shutter as the primary window treatment allows homeowners to update the accents as frequently as they desire.
“When I work in homes with quality shutters, I know that I can cost-effectively update the entire room, by only changing a curtain or drape,” notes Poppe. “By changing only the color and texture of the fabrics I use, I can change the entire feel of a room—the options are endless with a beautiful, quality shutter.”
Sunburst Shutter’s Polywood is an engineered wood substitute that has the appearance of real wood, without the cracking, warping, fading, or peeling commonly associated with wood.
“Customers know they want value—a window treatment that will last forever,” said Barnes. “Polywood shutters will last longer than the homes they are in and hold up against nature’s elements.”
Customers also want the ability to change the look of their homes as frequently as they need to. They want window treatments that coordinate with their home furnishings, but also offer the flexibility for change. The days of identical fabric on couches, curtains, rugs and cushions are long gone.
“I have always loved the look of drapes,” Kimoto said. “But when I discovered how durable and beautiful Polywood shutters are, I knew that I wanted them in my home to preserve my furniture, and control light and temperature.”
Kimoto had both installed in her home and says it’s one of the best decorating moves she’s ever done. “The combo adds so much life to my home and makes my windows the focal point of my rooms,” Kimoto said. |
