Want to make you living room more formal for the holidays?  With family and friends visiting, one way to make a great impression and change your space at the same time is to update your window treatments.  If you are looking for a formal update, you should consider adding balloon curtains in your living room.

Photo by Interior Enhancement Group, Inc. - Look for Victorian living room design inspiration

Balloon curtains have been around for many years and for a very good reason.  The style is timeless.  They can normally be found in Victorian homes and work well for picture or bay windows.  However, you do not need either of the mentioned above to utilize this beautiful window treatment.  We have a very formal version of the balloon curtain in either a silk dupioni or a faux silk taffeta.  Both of these options make a very formal window treatment, and would be the perfect option to make your living room more formal for the holidays.

Your condo design is perfect. This is the thought going through your mind as you come into your sanctuary after a long day’s work. The contemporary, minimalist design and colors you chose give the illusion of spaciousness to your small one-bedroom unit. At the same time though, you have a yearning to give it a more feminine touch. After all, your home should reflect your personality. An independent capable woman you are indeed, but a woman nevertheless. Adding custom balloon shades may just be the answer.

The versatility of balloon shades is one of the  reasons for its popular use.

1.   Use it as a short valance to accent window-length or floor length curtains.

2.   Highlight it as an actual curtain that also shields from strong sunlight.

3.   Give it a supporting role as a second sheer curtain to let in diffused day light.

4.   For a totally romantic result, use balloon shades in tandem for both the block-out layer and the sheer layer, with the sheer layer hung lower than the block-out layer. The result speaks feminine but not frilly.

5.   If you want the same effect but prefer to use only one full curtain, opt for a different colored edge.

6.   Another twist to balloon shades is to have uneven, wider gaps between scallops versus the more conventional evenly-distanced scallops.  This works well with wide windows.

Balloon shades also allows a wide range of fabrics to be used. Satin is a good choice for both men and women’s bedrooms. The sheen of satin gives a rich elegant look and its soft texture allows the flounces to fall perfectly. Velvet is favored for valances, although velvet floor-length curtains in a spacious room can look simultaneously imposing and cozy. Cotton and gingham in light colors go well in kitchen and bathroom windows. Sheer material is the preference for bedrooms and kitchens, but they can also be utilized in living and dining spaces for tandem use with more solid material as described in number 3 above.

The hands down best feature of balloon shades is that you can use it with your existing window treatment. Working with your condo‘s interior in shades of monochromatic beige, all you would need to do is add a satin balloon valance in deep burgundy or apple green with a sheer white fringe. The romantic touch will blend with contemporary minimalist and result in just the right touch of softness. It will also definitely reflect your feminine chic.

Balloon Shades Combining Function And Elegance In One Product

Custom window treatments are interior dressings which combine the decorative and functional benefits of shading materials specifically installed according to the home owner’s preferences. The types of materials for interior coverings fall under the two categories of treatments: hard window treatments and soft window treatments.

The most common types of hard treatments include shutters, blinds and solid shades made of wood, aluminum or plastic panels. Soft treatments on the other hand, are more flexible materials such as fabric shades, curtains and draperies. Balloon shades are one popular type of soft window treatments known for their distinct appearance, variations of possible use and elegance of style.

The Basics of Balloon Shades: Selling Point of the Product

Balloon curtains are shading treatments made of light, fabric materials which provide covering to the full-length of the window or only to the upper-half of the framework, as in a valance.Balloon shades are distinct for the soft, flowing look of fabric “bulges” at the edge of the curtain. Home owners favor balloon curtains because of the following reasons:

• ·         Sophisticated and multi-dimensional appeal – the layers of balloons and soft curves created by this drapery adds an elegant look to every window and puts life and warmth in the enclosing. Balloon curtain fabrics such as satin, linen, silk or cotton sheers also add up to the overall look of the shading structure.

• ·         Variation of style and form –balloon curtain shades are flexible in terms of style since they can be used in different lengths. Full-length balloon shades are normally used in wide and tall window frameworks while balloon valence materials are used in smaller windows such as in the kitchen or in the bathroom.

• ·         Endless possibilities of combination –while balloon curtains can be used as stand-alone shadings, they also lend themselves as materials which can be mixed with other types of draperies. For instance, sheer balloon valence can be laid across the top of a window and combined with full-length, heavier curtains on both sides of the valance.

 

Balloon shades are one of the many types of window treatments which can add a stylish appeal to every home interior. This interior decor’s flexibility in terms of the designs possible and the appropriate fabric and form that can be adopted is among the top reasons why balloon shades are a popular choice among home owners.

Balloon valances are a great window top treatment idea.  Very similar to the Austrian shades, the balloon valance when raised form poofs that mimic balloons.  The balloon shades date back several centuries, but became popular in the United States around the 1980's.  This style is very popular in Victorian and Country style homes.

Silk Balloon Valance with tassel trim

The faux silk balloon shade is a great alternative the the silk balloon shade.  Made with stunning faux silk taffeta fabric, fully lined, and fully functional, our faux silk balloon shade is quickly becoming a best seller.  Custom made to your exact window measurements, and available in a variety of colors, it is also available an affordable price.

Faux Silk Balloon Shade

One of our best selling fabric shades is now available in more custom sizes.  Now our custom balloon shades can be custom ordered in widths ranging from 24" to 103" and lengths from 24" to 108".  Choose from over 40 shades of 100% silk fabrics including solids, stripes, and plaids.  We also have our faux silk balloon shades in over 30 shades, including solid taffeta, fleur de lis faux taffeta, and a new embroidered faux silk collection.  Visit us today and see our beautiful new selections of window shades today.

Faux Silk Balloon Shades