The Modern Swag

There is more to swag construction than you might think.  I like to advance the old school designs and methods and make them work for today's homes and lifestyles.  What are the differences?
More sophisticated styling replaces the traditional board mounted swag and jabots (remember your Grandmother's home).  Pole swags and drapery swags display a relaxed elegance that is suitable for very many windows.  It also allows the gorgeous poles and finials to bring yet another design element into the room.  Special trims can certainly dress it up a bit, but even a simple piping creates a graceful but tailored appearance. Once the design is rendered, it is all about the measures and the math - combined with a bit of weight chain draping.

The Open Window

Open Window, Colliore, 1905

When designing a window treatment, I aspire to give it a painterly like attention to detail: French artist, Henri Matisse, comes to mind.  The windowed interior was a recurrent theme in much of his work, and he so masterfully depicted the intimate connection between interior and exterior life scenes.  His bold swatches of color and texture were the fabric of his paintings, revealing a reposeful domestic lifestyle dazzled by Mediterranean sunlight that would seemingly breeze into the room.  His paintings are interior designs skillfully composed with a free spirited elegance that just compels me to want to be “there”.

Windows are more than an architectural feature in a room. Matisse certainly understood this fact, since in many of his works they are not just the source of light, but also, the beckoning of our entrance into a beautiful scene. It would be inspiring to find such joy and color in the rooms of our own homes;  enveloped in warm light, dancing amidst the colors and sensations of our surroundings all the while with a glorious view at the open window.

My room at the Beau-Rivage, 1918

Interior with a violin case, 1919

Henri Matisse - Fauvism

Hard Window Treatments are Easy

In the window coverings industry, there are both hard and soft "treatments".   Blinds, shades, and shutters would be in the former category, and most often provide a much needed light control function for a room.  Once that need is identified and defined, it is easy to know what product is best.
Of course, the many products available today are also gorgeous design choices as well - especially when paired with a beautiful soft treatment like drapery panels or an up to date valance.

The Coulisse nature collection is at the top of my list. Their XL pleated shades are also a designers dream. Each of their products is an exceptional upgrade to the traditionally styled shade or blind. (These amazing collections are now available at dePasquale Designs.)