Fundamentals of Window Treatments

Let's begin by learning the fundamentals.

• Two-way traverse: This is a classic drapery treatment that pulls from both sides toward the center. This is the most popular treatment and also the base for additional layers of creative top treatments.

• One-way draw traverse: Allowing you to stack all the drapery on one side, this treatment is ideal for a sliding glass door that opens only one way or a window that dead-ends into a corner. When closed, the draperies look the same as the two-way traverse. The rods are available to pull right or left.

• Shirred curtains: The fabric is gathered on the curtain rod and does-not move mechanically. The drapery can be tied back to one side, or if the material is split, can be tied back on both sides.

• Café curtains: These are fabrics hung from cafe rods or from rings that slide on an oval rod manually. Often, this treatment is seen as a covering for half the window from midway down.

• Double-hung traverse draperies: Here you have two separate sets of draperies. One under the other each set opens and closed independently. This layered look is often seen as a sheer material underneath with a more substantial fabric as the outer layer. Another common double treatment is a blackout material used as the under treatment with a more decorative fabric on the outside.

• Decorative traverse with cafes: The cafe curtain is featured here on the lower half of the window with a full drapery hung from the top of the window and held back with decorative hardware.

• Ruffled tiebacks: These are usually gathered on and crossed over on the upper half of the window. Another name for this treatment is the Pricilla curtains.

• French door traverse rods: One-way drapery rods attached to the top of the doors. These are not to be attached to the molding or they will be in the way when you try to enter or exit through the door. Again, these are available in a right or left draw.

• Draw draperies with a valance: The drapery underneath draws to the right or left or split in the middle while a short fabric treatment added over top remains stationary and decorative. The valance is where creativity flourishes.

• Sliding fabric panels: A tailored look is accomplished with this treatment. Panels are hung from ceiling tracks and are a good solution to sliding glass doors or uneven window panels.

There's a bit of diversification for you. Now it's up to you to decide which treatment best suits your needs.

( Rosemary Sadez Friedmann, a member of the American Society of Interior Designers, is president of Rosemary Sadez Friedmann Inc. in Naples, FL.)