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Old April 12th 04, 06:16 PM
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Arts and Crafts Style Window Treatments

(MAK)
Hello,
As a new member of this group, I'm looking forward to the threads here.
We have our master bedroom decorated in Mission Oak and are looking to
add some window treatments. Our primary considerations are light (only 2
windows, but they both face East - not *our* idea!), style (want to stay
as close to traditional as possible), and functionality (ease of use and
maintenance, etc.)
So here are my questions:
1. What suggestions does anyone have on appropriate window treatments,
given these criteria? We're looking at both venetian wood blinds and
roman shades.
---
I just picked up an interesting book which covers this very
subject. 'Victorian Details' Joanna Wissinger, 1990, E.P.Dutton, ISBN
#0-525-48536-8. Loads of good references in the bibliography and
indexes, so you could get more info before deciding on a treatment.
According to the author, Arts and Crafts falls within the latter part
of the Victorian Period, originating in England, 1870--1890, as a
reaction to shoddy mass-produced goods. This period actually encompassed
a wide variety of styles.
The American outgrowth was known as the 'Craftsman' style, part of the
Arts and Crafts revival period, generally 1880 to 1910, and dominated by
the designs of Charles Eastlake and William Morris, with America still
looking to England for inspiration.
---
2. Does the slat width (wood blinds) or # folds (roman shades) have a
bearing on the Arts & Crafts or Mission style?
---
Wood venetian blinds, pull-down roller shades; simplicity was the
key: quiet colors with 'greyed tones, soft, clear-hued vegetable dyes,
small geometric or stylized floral designs.' Wm Morris designs are
experiencing a revival, so you should be able to buy fabric with the
appropriate designs, should you desire.
Here is a quote from V.D. :
roller shades:
"stiffened fabric...invented in the 19th century... decorative
stencils...with landscapes, mottoes or floral prints...magazines
recommended readers to make their own shades, using patent spring
rollers and fine linen, translucent artist's tracing cloth,or opaque
oilcloth..."
Neutral tones were favored (white, buff, grey), so that the quality
of light was undiluted as it shone through the shades.
---
3. What about inside the frame vs. outside mounting of either? Which
would be more in keeping with the style? Which would eliminate the most
light? We have cranks on the windows - does that make a difference? What
affect would outside mounting have on how far out curtains would go (I'd
like to make some tab curtains). There's a narrow aisle in front of one
of the windows.
---
4. If we go with the wood blinds, would you recommend wide or narrow
slats? Light is the biggest consideration here, but also aesthetics.
Thanks in advance for your opinions on these! ---
What I have seen favors wide slats, inside mount, so as not to
interfere with the decorative wood trim around windows, and in keeping
with the aesthetic of simplicity. Tab curtains seem more of a
colonial/country style, a bit outside the utter simplicity desired of A
& C.
As to light elimination, I am a fan of sun-block lined Roman shades,
mounted just outside the window frame for max light control. The
sunblock backing also gives a uniform look from the exterior. I just
don't know how closely you want to adhere to the Arts and Crafts
aesthetic. Unless the crank protrudes beyond the window frame, an
outside mount should cover/hide the crank. With an inside mount, the
shade might be bumped out by that crank handle, interfering with light
control. If you chose to use lined shade/blind, though, you won't need
to add curtains.
Certainly you could experiment inexpensively with roller blinds, to
see if they provide the light control you need, before investing in
linen and hand-executed decoration, or custom Roman or wood slat shades.
IMHO, mini blinds, even in wood, look cheap and modern.
Cea

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