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Reading List
Pass on One; Don't Miss the
Other
Two books on window treatments
illustrate the range of materials available.
One of
the difficult things we must do when looking for window treatment-related
reference materials to supplement our libraries is to page through
book after book looking for something new, unique—something
we can take to our clients and set in front of them and say, “There!
This is what I want to do for you, only in this case, I’ll
use X and Y and change X and Y . . .” Clients often need visuals;
published idea books are a good way to fill that need.
But there are so many books—and so many look the same, cover
upon cover, guts upon guts. In my opinion, Heather Luke’s Curtains,
originally published in the UK and then brought to the United States
by Creative Publishing International for an American launch, isn’t
much to get excited about if you have an extensive library at your
fingertips already.
The two-color drawings are OK—certainly not done with a practiced
hand, but one relatively competent in sketching, perhaps. They do
the trick. The treatments she features are nothing innovative: there’s
your garden variety Tie Headings section, Flat Panels section, Romans,
Cascades and Borders, and more. Descriptions, for example, run to
the pedestrian, “For a stylish, contemporary edge,” the
author states about bay windows, “a fixed pole and eyelet headings
allows the curtains to pull right back.” Well, no kidding.
Facts, figures and a glossary wrap up this starter book, one that
even a beginner probably will find banal. To be kind, there’s
nothing wrong with this book; just nothing new. Pass.
A BLESSING IN PAPERBACK
Conversely, another offering by Creative Publishing, International,
Windows with Style: Do-it-yourself window treatments, The Home Decorating
Institute, created by the editors of Creative Publishing International,
offers clear, easy instructions with step-by-step, full-color photographs
on how to create window treatments. The photographs are top-notch,
clear, concise and inspirational. They are photographs that can
be shown to clients, and also used in the workshop when in construction
mode.
Windows with Style is divided into six sections: Window Treatment
Styles; Window Shades; Simple Window Styles; Creative Rod-pocket
Curtains; Top Treatments; and Alternative Window Treatments. Each
section offers sub-sections, such as Swags, Valances and Cornices
in the Top Treatments chapter; and Panels, Tabs and Tent-flaps in
the Simple Window Styles chapter.
Like Heather Luke’s book, the treatments aren’t so innovative
that we will be surprised and delighted by the sheer ingeniousness
of their designs, but more so, what a terrific resource this book
is in creating these designs. Subheads cover materials needed, cutting
directions and then offer numbered step-by-step instructions with
matching photography.
There’s no glossary (but do we need any more glossaries . .
. how many ways can we describe a pouf valance??!!), but there is
a handy index at the back for quick reference. With more than 450
photographs and illustrations and 224 pages of window treatment
goodness, this soft cover book is a great addition to any library—and
at just under 20 bucks, it’s easy on the wallet, too.
This is the kind of book Creative Publishing excels at and bless
them for it.
To acquire these books, contact Creative Publishing International:
18705 Lake Drive East, Chanhassen, MN 55317; www.howtobookstore.com
Kathleen Stoehr is president of Chemistry Creative, based in Minneapolis,
MN. She has more than seven years’ experience covering trends,
window treatments and interior fashions, and is a former editor-in-chief
of Window Fashions magazine. Stoehr can be contacted for comments,
queries and trend information at kstoehr@chemistry
creative.com. |
