Whether you have loads of money to spend on gorgeous custom draperies or are of the belief that custom window treatments are financially out of reach, there’s something you need to know – You most certainly can have a custom look for your windows. And you can do it on just about any budget. Read on to find out how.
Splurge Worthy Window Treatments – The Custom Option
The custom window treatments in this home, shown in a Veranda Magazine article, are a masterpiece worth every penny!
If you are willing and able to commission custom window treatments for your home, you’ll find that reputable businesses willing to craft them for you are in no short supply. Still, be prepared for sticker shock. According to online retailer, Prioritywindows.com, you can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $300 per linear foot for simple draperies, or $200 to $450 per linear foot for valances, cornices or more complex /embellished draperies.
My mom has had very good experiences working with Ethan Allen to create custom window treatments for her home. Calico Corners, another well-known, national retailer, also has a good reputation for custom window treatments, custom furniture and bedding.
Still, many people prefer to work with smaller, independently owned businesses for their custom window treatments. If you live in Chester County, Pennsylvania, I highly recommend Chester County Curtains. Kelli and her mother Diana, who own the company, created our ruffled, linen slip covers for the dining room chairs. They also have a reputation for lovely window treatments. Here’s a link to their website: http://www.sewchicwindows.com
If you live in the Houston, TX area, Custom Creations by Monica, comes highly recommended by Cote de Texas blogger Joni Webb. Here’s a link to the Custom Creations by Monica website: http://www.creationsbymonica.net
Prices vary somewhat by geographic location and business, so it is best to ask a friend for a referral prior to contracting with an independently owned business or national retailer such as Calico Corners.
Custom Look-A-Likes for Less – The Semi-Custom Option
Semi-custom window treatements like these are gorgeous and can be purchased via The Curtain Exchange.
There are a slew of very reputable retailers out there that offer semi-custom window treatments and many of them are online. In fact, you can build your semi-custom window treatments right on their website.
While the cost for semi-custom treatments can’t be considered inexpensive, they are generally much less expensive than a full custom treatment option Cost depends on the material you select, window size and embellishments.
With semi-custom options, most online retailers offer customers basic window treatment types ranging from full length draperies to balloon shades and more. Once you select the type of treatment you’d like, you are given the opportunity to select the material and often times the opportunity to select an embellishment such as fringe. The only tricky part is that you also have to select the window size. This requires accurately measuring your windows. To make it easy, retailers offer instructions on how to take window measurements.
A few of my favorite semi-custom window treatment retailers include smith + noble and The Curtain Exchange.
If you live in the Philadelphia area, you can make an in-store visit to The Curtain Exchange located in Devon, PA. The phone number for the Devon store is (610) 765-1142. Unfortunately, The Curtain Exchange does not have a retail location in Houston, TX. The closest stores to Houston are located in Baton Rouge, LA or New Orleans, LA. It’s worth a visit if you are planning to be in the area.
Biggest Bang for Your Budget – Homemade Window Treatments
Rod pocket panels like these, available via Ballard Designs, are the easiest type of window treatment to sew for beginners!
Yes. Sewing your own window treatments might sound crazy. But for some people, people with experience sewing, it might just be the best option of all.
Here’s why: You’ll save a ton of money and you’ll have complete control over when the curtains are completed. Best yet, you have the ability to adjust the design as you move through the creation process should you later decide that you want to add fringe or prefer an inverted pleat to a rod pocket top.
For most of my childhood my mom designed and created her own custom window treatments. Because she had lots of experience sewing and because of her meticulous personality type, the draperies, balloon shades and jabots she crafted by hand always turned out beautifully! She was able to create a custom look herself and she was able to afford top-tier fabrics and embellishments because she cut out the cost of labor.
If you aren’t an expert at sewing, homemade window treatments are obviously not the best option for you. However, you may have a family member or friend who does have exceptional sewing skills and who would be willing to make your window treatments for you. If this is the case, take this opportunity to let this person create your window treatments. In fact, jump on the opportunity to assist with the project with the hopes that you’ll learn a bit about sewing along the way.
If you are interested in learning how to sew, national retailer Jo-Ann Fabrics, offers sewing classes for children and adults. Here’s a link with more details: http://www.joann.com/storeevents/?_requestid=64146
If none of the above options will work for you, there are a number of retailers that offer very nice “off the rack” window treatments. Here’s a list of my favorite retailers for ready-made windows:
Ballard Designs
Ballard Designs offers a very nice selection of ready made window treatments. There are lots of color and specialty fabric options. Click here to view their window treatments: http://www.ballarddesigns.com/panels-draperies/window-treatments/
Country Curtains
Country Curtains is an excellent source for ready made window treatments. They have a very nice selection of panels, and one of the better selections I’ve come across for ready made fabric shades and valances. Check out their bedding coordinates, which include matching window treatments. Here’s a link to Country Curtain’s website: http://www.countrycurtains.com
Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn is a pretty safe bet for just about anything, in my opinion. They offer a really nice selection of drapes including outdoor drapes. Pottery Barn Kids offers an adorable selection of window covering for a child’s bedroom. Here’s a link to Pottery Barn’s window coverings page: http://www.potterybarn.com/shop/rugs-windows/window-coverings-by-style/?cm_type=gnav
Here’s a link to Pottery Barn Kids window coverings: http://www.potterybarnkids.com/shop/kids/window-coverings/?cm_type=gnav
Silbury Hill 
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