1001 Ideas for Windows Book Review

1001 Ideas for Windows bills itself as the ultimate design source book for windows. 1001 Ideas for Windows contains hundreds of treatments for windows, and, some doors. It's a compilation of ideas featuring three picture categories: photos of in-home settings, original historical illustrations, and modern illustrations. And, although, 1001 Ideas for Windows has window treatments in a variety of styles in all three categories, by far, the illustrations outnumber the photos. A critique of the photos is this, too many are of dated settings. And, as you might expect, the original historical illustrations, are, of course, of period style-effects. It is in the modern illustrations where you will find fresh, appealing and exciting designs. 1001 Window Ideas for Windows covers most every type of window style: double hung, picture, bays and bows, casement, French and sliding doors, round windows, corner windows that abutt, arched, clerestory,¹ cathedrals windows, dormers, skylights, jalousies and problem windows, and, transoms and sidelights.

1. windows high on the wall, [usually over more standarized windows], that allow light without compromising privacy

1001 Ideas for Windows is a pictorial. Each chapter starts with a one page introduction highlighting points to be taken into consideration. For example, it gives suitable fabrics for the style of curtain or drapery selected, general design rules for selecting window treatments, and style guidelines, such as; A swag 1) must always be lined 2) should not extend more than 40 inches across the window, and 3) should hang between 12 inches and 20 inches in length. Also, there are helpful pointers throughout the book, i.e. just about any curtain can be lightproof given an interlining and lining, and [remember]...with "subdued shades (of color) the emphasis falls on texture and material quality." After the introduction, 1001 Ideas for Windows features a style gallery. It's in this style gallery where most of the photos of in-home settings and historical illustrations are featured. The modern illustrations follow thereafter.

Here's a flow chart for 1001 Ideas for Windows;
Chapter Introduction > Style Gallery a. photos of in-home settings, b. historical illustrations > Modern Illustrations

So here's what you can expect in 1001 Ideas for Windows;

• new ways to hang the same old panels
• innovative use of simple squares of fabric to cover problem windows
• new approaches to decorating uncommon window shapes
• wonderful color and fabric combinations
• a stylized run down on every part of a curtain or drape: header styles, hems, panel widths, etc.
• lively illustrations on every type of window treatment
• good ideas for contrasting and coordinating fabrics
• illustrations in color and grayscale

There are 10 chapters in 1001 Ideas for Windows. I'll briefly go over what is covered in each.
I. Designing Windows gives an introduction to each style of window listed above, double hung, picture, bays, bows... showing up to 6 examples on each style.

ll. Curtains and Draperies gives the "run-down" on every part of a curtain or drape: length, panel width, styles of tying back, headings, hems, and then the balance of the chapter gives some pretty alternatives in curtain styles. In particular on page 67 illustration #3, there is a weighted combination of a very heavy, printed, billowing, rod pocket curtain over a whisper, thin sheer panel. This is really elegant. There are 72 ideas in this section.

lll. Swags and Scarves features swags separately, scarves separately, and then, swags and scarves in combination. There are many variations of fantail swags included in this section. There are also jabots and many styles of cascades. There's 50 ideas in this section.

lV. Fabrics there are 105 plates of fabric styles, sectioned by colors. These fabric plates are more referential in nature, not decorative. The fabric plates are more of a persuasion..."This is what voile looks like," and "This is what a jacquard looks like." There's nothing fancy or unusual in this section. The fabrics shown are all the norm. And, in the sheers, the plates seem to be old, stained, deteriorated, vintage fabrics. This has me at a loss, as all of these styles are readily available on the market today. Thus, I don't understand why the author used these unattractive pieces.

V. Valances has a complete evaluation of valances in this section: double rod variations, ruffles, gathers and poufs of every kind, structured box pleat valances, and a very elegant pinch pleat with gathered scallop valance (page 127 illustration #5). Plus, you'll find a double pinch pleat with scallop valance that would look very nice on a bow rod. There's tabbed to tented valances, and pennant to balloon valances. You'll also find valances that work well alone, and in particular, a triple tiered, sweetheart, lace valance found on page 117 at illustration #3. There 57 ideas in this section.

Vl. Cornices and Lambrequins, for your information, cornices are different than swags and valances in that the fabric covers a hard board, or piece of wood. So its pre-shaped, and the fabric is non moveable. A lambrequin is a three-sided cornice, if you will, that extends around the window top and down both sides. It may cover from 1/3 of the window sides down to the full length of the window. Lambrequins can frame doorways and alcoves as well. Lambrequins have a theatrical, grandiose style about them and like cornices, must be custom made. The cornices shown in 1001 Window Ideas are somewhat modern in style. However, the lambrequins are dated and have very hard lines. Use of the lambrequins would require "softening" by the addition of curtains or embellishments on the lambrequins themselves. Lambrequins are not really in vogue, and lend a very formal, somber presence to rooms. There are 46 ideas in the section.

Vll. Shades, In this section there are roller shades, Roman shades, festoon, panel and roll-up shades. The prettiest ideas are the Roman shades and festoon shades-unequivocally. There are 64 illustrations in this section. You'll find many variations of the fantail, Austrian, balloon, and cloud shade-all are pretty. One shade in particular, that would add grace to a room, is a dainty, sheer Roman shade with bead trim shown on page 154 illustration #2. There are 58 ideas in this section.

Vlll. Blinds, Shutters and Screens, This section is basically descriptive in scope. There's no real decorating of the blinds, shutters or screens. There are, however, 32 illustrations strictly for reference.

lX. Accessories, There are 32 thread fringes, 10 bead fringes, 16 braids trims, 21 tassels, 6 styles of rosettes, 6 styles of bows and 20 styles of tiebacks.

X. Hardware, There are 24 drapery and curtain rods, 39 finials, 10 extension track rods, 13 brackets, and over 100 pins, rings, clips, holdbacks and swag holders. Note; the track rods in this section by Busch are very nice.

Xl. Templates, This is the fun part. This section has cut-out paper templates of curtains, draperies, and valances that you mix and match on the cut-out paper window frames. The paper windows styles in the templates are double hung, casement, arched windows, picture windows, bay windows, French and sliding doors. You can photocopy, color and mix and match the pieces to get the look you like. There are 48 treatments to try on your paper windows.

There's a relatively comprehensive Acknowledgments section after the Index, which gives credit to the suppliers of products in this book. Featured image is a stock photo in the same genre as ideas in this book.