Exciting Windows! by Craig & Darlene Rhodes

Exciting Windows! by Craig & Darlene proudly offers 25% off any custom fabric window treatments!

To all our friends in S. Jersey (Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Marlton, Medford, Mt. Laurel, Voorhees, etc.) : Select any treatment, add options, upgrades, coordinating soft shades, top treatments and bed coverings and we’ll participate with a 25% discount on the entire order. (Offer expires July 19th)

Nylon hit the world with a splash in 1939 when its inventor (DuPont) used it for women’s hosiery. Until then, women’s stockings were made only from silk; they were extremely expensive and because of Asian unrest, the needed silk became almost impossible to obtain. Nylon has lived up to its advertising slogan as the miracle fabric. Shortly after being introduced as hosiery, it went to war in the form of parachutes.

Nylon threads are made by spinning and stretching yarns from a syrup of chemicals. When color is added to the chemicals while still liquid, the fabric is usually color fast. Next to fiberglass, which is rarely used in fabrics anymore, nylon is the strongest of all textile fibers, with the highest abrasion resistance, This makes nylon desirable for carpeting and upholstery.

However, nylon has low resistance to sunlight and heat. It will lose strength and deteriorate over time. It also conducts static electricity and has a harsh hand. Nylon’s use in ddrapery fabrics is limited.

Our next post will mention polyester…

Rayons, acetates and triacetates are man-made fibers produced from cellulose such as cotton linters or wood chips, to which various chemical solvents are added. When a French scientist reproduced the chemical actions of a silkworm feeding on mulberry leaves and spinning a cocoon, he came up with a sort of artificial silk. This new fiber, produced from wood pulp, was called rayon. Because rayon is made from plant material, it is sometimes called a man-made natural fiber. Rayon dyes better than other synthetics, withstands strong sunlight better than silk and produces a durable, economical fabric. However, it does not wash well and wrinkles easily.

Acetates are truly synthetic fabrics, since they contain synthetic protein (cellulose). Acetates are available in a wide range of colors and a variety of weaves. One step in the process of producing acetate includes dissolving particles in acetone. This same substance is found in nail polish removers, perfumes, air fresheners and bug sprays. Therefore, any of these acetone-based products can make holes in the fabric by dissolving it. Acetates normally have a high luster and are frequently used alone or combined with other substances, to create satin, taffeta, and other silk-like fabrics. That they cannot be cleaned well is a major drawback of acetates, but they do not rot and do hold colors well.

Triacetates are related to acetates but include more synthetic cellulose to give them extra body. In addition, because less acetone is used, triacetates can withstand greater amounts of heat, which means that they can be treated for permanent press. Triacetates fall in beautiful gathers and can be cleaned or washed without particular effort or concern.

Our next post will be about Nylon…

What looks and acts like natural fiber but isn’t the real thing? Synthetic fiber. Man-made fibers attempt to duplicate the advantages – and eliminate the disadvantages – of natural fibers. To a great extent, they have succeeded. The color brilliance of silk and the beautiful wearabilityof wool and linen are not exactly equaled by synthetics, but their versatility and lower prices make them very popular – even in the most expensive interiors. Frequently, synthetics are mixed with natural fibers to derive the qualities from both.

More on these fibers, tomorrow…

The right window curtain can make your bay window look even more stylish. Since there are so many shapes of bay windows, you need to choose which curtains look the best. Bay window treatments come in many styles such as pleated, panels with foam backing, velvet, simple valances, and detailed cornices. A cornice is something like a valance, but it’s made out of wood or a fabric covered foam. There are also tab curtains that show decorative curtain rods. Café style curtains look particularly good on bay windows. Flouncy styles hide the line of the bay.

For bay windows with distinctive features, you can complement or match them with individual inside-mounted café curtains, shades, or blinds. If your windows are closely spaced, you can add a simple set of shades or a sequence of shallow swags. The whole window area can be flanked with a pair of panels that is topped by the treatment with a cornice. Bay windows that are farther apart will look good with a stationary panel between the windows or at each outer window. The angles of your bay window can be softened by an airy and lighter fabric.

You can also choose shutters instead of curtains. Shutters follow the lines of the windows. They are made with a variety of materials and have different performance levels. There is the option of staining your shutters in any color you want, or keeping them in their natural wood finish. They can also be painted white. Shutters give protection from the heat and the sun. They also give light and ventilation. Shutters come in UV resistant paint colors and stains. There are several different blade sizes to choose from. You can have shutters custom made for your bay window.

Window Treatments

A window positioned anywhere in a room provides a dramatic statement, a focal point, or may even provide an opportunity to bring the outdoors inside the room. With window treatments, fabrics may be used in curtains and window valances.

In order to provide a dramatic statement in a room via the window treatment, you can make use of two extreme types of fabrics, either heavy, rich-colored fabrics, or sheer draperies: or possibly a combination of both. Heavy, rich-colored fabrics make a dramatic statement with their strong colors and eye-catching patterns (like damasks, flower prints, stripes, etc.). Sheer draperies, on the other hand, bring a light, sunny feeling to the room by letting in just enough sunlight, yet allowing for a light and flirty curtain solution.

Used together, putting sheers behind the heavy fabric draperies, provides texture and color contrast. The heavy fabric draperies may be opened in the morning with the use of trimmings and tassels, allowing for sunlight to come through the sheer draperies. To create a more formal feeling, some of the heavy fabric draperies may be incorporated into a window valance.

Your professional decorator can help you with your designs!

Need a completely unique gift for someone special at your house? Why not give them something they’ll enjoy for years to come? New window fashions can be a most wonderful and unexpected gift for just about anyone, and can be customized to match any personality and taste.

What’s more, new custom window fashions will beautify your home and enhance your daily lifestyle as well as the recipient’s. As an experienced window fashions consultant, Exciting Windows! by Craig & Darlene Rhodes ( excitingwindows.com/craigrhodes ) can bring loads of ideas for custom gift-giving that would be just perfect for anyone in your household, and to fit within just about any budget. There are so many designs and styles to choose from, and we can help you find just the right one for your certain someone. What could be better than receiving a more beautiful room as a gift!

Affordable Luxury is Just A Phone Call Away. Whether it’s a whole house that needs help, or just one window, the luxury of custom window fashions is more affordable than you might think. I’m happy to work within your budget, too. Just call me, and we’ll see how I can be of service to you!

We wish you and your family a wonderful Holiday Season!