When the weather becomes warmer, it is nice to lighten up your decor a little. If you have heavy dark velvet drapes at your windows and a wool or cashmere throw on your sofa or bed, perhaps it is time to change them and let a little sunshine into your room. When you are looking at your window treatments, don’t forget to consider your valances too as they can help you give your room a fresher look.
Of course, when it comes to your windows, you probably don’t want to go to the fuss of changing curtain hardware. Taking down a rod or pole and replacing it with something else can end up damaging the wall paper or plaster work on your walls and you would need a repair. However, if it is time for a change anyway then consider a drapery and curtain rods and pole which look as good with summer curtains and drapes as they do with winter ones.
If you have an existing pole for your valance (or you plan to put one up) which is quite attractive in its own right, you can add a light summer valance simple by looping a long length of fabric over it and leaving the ends to hang at the sides of the window. Any light fabric, which has good draping qualities, will work – something like sheer muslin would be excellent. Once you have the effect you are looking for, secure your valance with a few pins or a stitch or two to keep it in place. Simple draped valance styles like this go well with light unlined summer curtains, or they can be used with no curtains at all, if the room is not overlooked.
If your winter valance covers an ugly rail or drapery rod, you need a solution which continues to cover it. In that case, choose a light colored and light weight fabric for your valance either matching the curtains or in a contrasting color trimmed with the curtain fabric.
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