Oh drapery, how I love you so.  It is definitely one of my must-haves in any home!  I just love how much warmer and inviting drapes can make any room.  Window coverings are one of the hardest choices to make for a home. I get asked questions about what to order or choose all the time. Do you purchase pre-made panels or order custom drapes to fit your windows just right? There

There is lots to think about when ordering custom drapery, including the price! But I have to say I will always lean towards going the custom drapery route. I really believe it will compliment your windows and room best!  All the window treatments in our home have been ordered and made by Q. Design Centre. It has honestly been my absolute favourite experience, designing the perfect blind, drape, window cushion or even pillows and bed skirts!

Over the years I’ve had the hardest time finding the perfect shape, size, or fabric when it comes to drapery and additions to our rooms. Q. Design Centre can create whatever your heart desires: drapery, shades, hardware, pillows and – my favourite – bench seats!  All of the products are easy to order online. They walk you through the entire process over email and everything is customizable so adding an extra detail is never a problem! Every item is made to order, so it’s perfect every time and the quality is only the best. I’ve been overly thrilled with every order, I know you will too! Today I wanted to introduce you to my friends at Q. Design Centre and answer some very important questions that many of you have asked!

Lindsay Woods from Q. Design Center was kind enough to answer all of my drapery questions and now I’m going to share her answers with you!

Why do you think window treatments are important for a home?
The number one response we get when people install their draperies is: “I had no idea how much warmer the room would feel with drapery in it!”  Plus, custom-lined drapery offers the highest R rating for energy efficiency in your home, meaning it’s the best possible way to protect your windows from mother nature and, as an added bonus, it’s pretty, softens the space and provides privacy!  Properly fitted drapery finishes the room and makes it feel like home!

What trends are you seeing right now?
There is a really big shift back to full-length drapery in light colours in natural fibres.  We don’t see valances or fussy treatments anymore.  Our clients want beautifully simple drapery and that’s what you will find in our online drapery shop.  Light, nature-inspired fabrics, linens and linen blends (for anyone like me that can’t handle that “lived in” look), velvets and silks and pretty florals.  Ribbon banding is really popular right now for that tailored custom look.  We add it to drapery panels, roman shades and now bed skirts – like in your guest room.  It’s just a lovely detail to bring the whole look together.

Who and what are you inspired by?
I’m a big lover of sentimental things and having 3 little ones at home may be affecting this right now, but I’m just inspired by my clients who work the design in their homes around things that really mean something to them.  Adding perfect drapery, great lighting, rugs and toss pillows in and around your precious items makes me smile.  Homeowners and designers who can make beautiful spaces and include the art and the tokens that mean something to them and their clients, are inspiring to me.  We have designer clients who clear cut the space and fill it with beautiful things that they source but the spaces don’t hold memories of trips or children’s art or family heirlooms and, to me, that’s a little bit sad.  If you can create a space that is pretty, inviting and also respects and honours the objects that are meaningful, that’s a true talent.

What’s your most creative/favourite project your team has worked on?
We love a challenge so anything tricky gets our attention.  We did these really intricate velvet panels with a laser cut embroidered floral edge band – it was truly incredible.  The amount of time and effort our team put into it was inspiring.  It’s featured in this month’s House and Home magazine actually!

Drapes or romans?  And when would you recommend one or the other?  Where should you mount them?
I love to see full-length drapery whenever possible but some windows simply don’t allow it.  Dormers or windows in small spaces are perfect for roman shades.  Inside mount is always best for romans, if possible, because it’s nice to see the trim exposed framing the shade if you can.  For drapery, I like to see the rod mounted close to the ceiling but with a bit of breathing room, maybe 3-4” down is just right.  If there is a crown moulding I like to see it mounted as high as you can.

What advice would you give someone looking for drapery for their home?
Make sure you have someone who can help you get the sizing right.  Ill-fitting drapery can make the room look worse.  We spend a lot of time with our clients both near and far making sure they get the right fit for their drapery and shades.  We have easy forms that guide them through measuring and we love if our clients can send a photo so we can understand what’s going on in the space before they order.  This part of the process is so important.  Also, when you buy good quality drapery and hardware, you only cry once.  (LOL.)  Invest one time and get the right thing, don’t cheap out and have to replace it in a year or two.  Custom drapery is an investment in your home and makes it feel so much warmer.  We are happy to help them get what they need!

To see full room photos of the above drapery click over to previous blog posts:
Lillya’s Nursery – Blackout Drapes + Brass Hardware
Master Bedroom – Linen Drapes + Brass Hardware
Guest Bedroom– Banded Roman Blinds + Bedskirt + Seat Cushion
Kitchen Nook– House Linen Drapes + Black Hardware