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DESIGN SOLUTIONS
Dynamic Focus
A new use for a beautiful tapestry from Japan.
by Sharon L. Anderson
CHALLENGE:
I am working with clients who love to travel the world. From a recent trip to Japan, they purchased a wonderful tapestry with strong colors including orange, blue and black. The size measures around eight feet wide by 10 feet in length. They did purchase the tapestry with their interior color palette in mind. The only problem is they do not have a large enough area to place the tapestry on the wall. I’m trying to figure out other ways or places to use this tapestry. Do you have any suggestions?
SOLUTION: It certainly does sound beautiful! Sometimes we are not prepared with measurements and helpful information that would make life easier when we are shopping far from home.
I’m sure the clients will be less than pleased if their tapestry ends up not in the room they intended it for. If the wall space is limited, as you say, then we do need to get innovative. From a previous conversation with you, I know there are three windows in the room. The current window treatments include shutters in a neutral color that is also repeated on the wall. Two of the windows are about four feet by five feet and are located on one side of the room. The other window is seven feet wide and nine feet in length and is a fixed glass window located on the east wall. That wall is part of the home in which the window does not need to be used, as the neighbor’s yard is a view that needs to be hidden!
Let’s think about this window! If the tapestry was heavily lined with a fabric conducive to the protection of its fabric, this could be a dynamic focal point in the room. I would purchase a large-scale decorative rod in a finish that would complement the tapestry style and colors and mount the tapestry as a window covering about six inches above the window. The tapestry size also would allow you to mount it about four inches or so beyond the window’s width on each side. You may need to adjust your final length at installation, depending how far the window is located from the floor.
Using tapestry in this fashion will create a dynamic focal point, and allow the tapestry to be taken down if needed.
The most important thing to remember is the appropriate lining and also how it is attached to the rod so it will not interfere with or harm the top edge of the tapestry. Sometimes thinking outside the box is the best solution.
Editor’s note: This is a continuing series of articles written by Sharon L. Anderson that will answer some of the many questions we receive at Draperies & Window Coverings as well as questions Anderson has encountered in her own business. If you have a question you would like Anderson to address, please send it to:
Design Solutions
c/o Draperies & Window Coverings
1724 E. Grand Ave.
Lindenhurst, IL 60046
Fax: (847) 356-9013
E-mail: SharonAnderson@adelphia.net
Sharon L. Anderson has more than 20 years experience in the residential and commercial areas of interior design. She is currently a faculty member at two Southern California colleges. Anderson has been featured in numerous books and publications.
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