Home & Decor

Window Shopping with Mary Dobson

thebestofmary

Text by Mary Dobson, Produced by Canadian Home Trends Magazine

After many years of offering window covering advice, I’ve noticed a few things. Many homeowners will get bogged down in the decision making processes. One of their biggest concerns is making a style choice they will regret. Quality window coverings, whether drapes or blinds and shades, should last a minimum of ten years and that can be a long time if the “look” isn’t right.

So what are the trends? Depends who you ask but we typically see three or four predominate styles each year. And even though they change year to year, the good news is that they never seem to change drastically. No matter how they are packaged or what they are named, you will likely see the four styles; traditional, transitional, eclectic and modern.

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Choose Your Style

Traditional

The trend this year is about texture and tailoring. Classic lines with a cleaner, less fussy personality.

Get this look: If you like the traditional look, go with layers. A great roman shade in a subtle silk or linen stripe paired with lined drapes in a complementary colour looks great. Have drapes made with a tailored pleating detail and a flat tape or braid along the edges (for interest) and use a burnished brass or grain wood curtain rod.

Transitional

The trend is clean and textured with a real emphasis on natural materials mixed with lots of white to keep it looking fresh.

Get this look: If you are thinking of the transitional look, choose any combination of natural materials with white. Natural shades or slatted wood blinds with an unlined textured linen panel mounted on a hand-rubbed bronze rod gives you a “country in the city” vibe.

Modern

The trend is warm, clean and minimal with warm, textural elements. In a new twist, bold but pretty florals help soften the hard edges of this style.

Get this look: Modern is definitely more restrained so choose a wide slatted white blind, a flat roman in a slightly metallic finish or grommet top drapery panels in a horizontal stripe and a sleek nickel pole.

Eclectic

The trend is a mixture of handmade and exotic materials. Expect to see jewel tones, animal prints and warm rubbed metallics.

Get this look: Eclectic is all about personality and whimsy so layer a floral curtain and a simple roller shade in a bold colour.

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Images courtesy of Levolor, levolor.ca

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Canadian Home Trends magazine gives you a personal tour of the most stunning homes and condos across Canada. You'll be inspired by a selection of accessible home décor products, trend reports, simple yet stylish DIY projects, and much more. In each issue, you are given the tools to recreate designer spaces you've always dreamt of having at home, in-depth renovation and design advice, colour palette and furniture pairings, and Canada's best places to shop.

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