Dugan, for her part, emphasizes a harmony between aesthetic and utility. “Function first: Does it block or filter light as needed? Is it easy to open and close and well-constructed? Then form: Does it accent the room through its materiality, and does it allow light to function as a design element in the room?”
A burst of color
For many, the era of minimalist and neutral window treatments is over, as homeowners turn to decor for a burst of cheer in their lives. “White curtains will never go out of style, but I do think the minimalist trend is leaving the main stage and making room for color and pattern in shades and curtains,” Dugan says.
Whether they’re deploying colors in thin stripes or large blocks, designers and their clients are embracing happy hues in all forms. “We recently installed Roman shades with pastel stripes under a pair of oatmeal drapery panels with a pink leading-edge trim,” Moeller says. “We also have a chartreuse and gray velvet roman shade in production, and we just installed a pair of white drapery panels with bold green embroidery throughout.”
Woodson favors vibrant touches of blue, orange, gray, or platinum worked into neutral grounds of ivory, cream, or beige. “Any monochromatic color that is used in the room also works well with the window treatments,” he says.
All the trimmings
Even if the color palette is neutral, our pros see other areas that are ripe for an added flourish. “Trims, tapes, and tassels are back,” Moeller says. “More texture is in. Even when it comes to basic roller shades, we always try to select a material that has a fabric or linen-like weave to it. When the situation calls for something a bit more basic and neutral, we have been adding a trim or tape for that little extra something.”
