Please like us on Facebook and upload one photo of your ugliest window to our wall and we'll give you up to $500.00 in product to remake your window BEAUTIFULLY!!! WOW! Submissions will be accepted from March 1st through March 15th. Voting begins on March 16th. (Details on voting will follow soon). Voting is open to the public, so share this with your friends and family!

Hey everyone--East Greenbush Window Coverings is having an Ugly Window Contest!!! Do you have a window that has ugly draperies, shades, etc.? Well then you need EGWC to give it a makeover! Start thinking of names for your ugly window and watch for more details of the contest coming soon!

Welcome to your Draperies Class. It’s a beginner’s course so we are only starting with the basics. First of all, let’s discuss the function of draperies.  Conjunction Junction what’s your function….Ok, now back on task (isn’t getting side tracked so much fun?).  Draperies provide us with the ability to block out harsh sunlight, sound, and have the ability to control temperature.  Adding a lining will also aid in the process of blocking light, sound, and temperature.  BOOM.  That’s awesome.  Thank you draperies.  And they give us a world of options for jazzing up our space. Just think of all the variations of color, texture, pattern, and fabric.  Traditionally, fabrics for draperies are gathered at the top in a variation of pleat styles. And, the more fabric you want with your draperies the more fullness you will see, even when gathered at the top with the pleat. So, it all depends on the look you’re going for.  If you are thinking of doing extra for your draperies and desire a more formal look, then a cornice might be for you. A cornice is an upholstered wood piece covered in fabric and can be used with or without draperies.  A valance is a soft treatment of fabric hanging from a valance board, rod, or pole. There are MANY variations of valances including:

• Swags
• Cascades
• Ruffles
• Folds
• Pleats

There are some circumstances when all you might need is a simple valance to your window, like if you have a fabulous view to your backyard and aren’t concerned with blocking the light, then you might just want a swag. Next, let’s talk about drapery length and what each length adds to a room.  Photo from dummies.com. (Yes, dummies.com, it's such a great display of what the curtain lengths look like!) Here are four common lengths for draperies that may be used and the connotations for each:

• Floor length—for a more fomal room, this will add just the right touch
• To the sill—great for kitchen windows
• To the bottom of the apron—also great for kitchen windows or other smaller type windows, they can add a certain amount of charm this way---add a tie back for even more charm
• Past the floor—“romantic puddles on the floor” when you do a drape that is this long make sure you don’t trip on it.  This is a great romantic look though, perfect for a big spacious bedroom or living room.

For an even better understanding of drapery window treatments, come to our showroom and we will give you the best advice suited for your window, budget, and style!

Just like when it comes to cooking, sometimes we have to think outside of the box for what will work for design options. Sometimes the foods and flavors that we would never think should go together, actually do (like you know, clementines in a green salad)---and that's what we want to aim for in design. Everyone gets in a comfort zone, and granted comfort zones feel good to us, but taking a risk can be more liberating than you might initially think.  We can apply this almost everywhere in our lives.  Now, if you need help with this—maybe get some else’s opinion on what would work for your space. And of course, when we think outside of our own comfortable box we might want to shut down, but let the ideas sink in first before you judge them. If you are looking for a focal point in your room you should try for something unexpected. And if you aren’t feeling brave enough to go all out, start with a focal point that is smaller in size, and eventually you’ll become braver as time goes on.  Go to antique stores or thrift stores even and find a bold vibrant piece of art work! Stage your room around it even if you’d like.  See pictures for inspiration, taken from Architectural Digest Magazine. Take for example the lip sculptured lamp--how cool is that?

 Granted it would be more for aesthetics than for reading, but it's just a unique statement piece that offers something unexpected. The bright orange color is also fun to work with for a completely fresh and unique start to get the "creative juices flowing" as the cliche saying goes.

Ok, so let's recap, here are the suggestions for thinking outside the box with design:

• Find a small or large statement piece, whether it be artwork, lamps, mirrors, etc, and find unique places to buy from.
• Get others suggestions--this will enable you to get a broader perspective.
• Give it time---it may take some time to get used the new look in your space, but try not to judge it, just give it a couple of weeks to give yourself time to adjust.
• Hey Window, how can I help you stand OUT?---Come to East Greenbush Window Coverings OF COURSE! We will show you our trendy outside of the box fabric selection.
• Use Color--Bright Oranges and Turquoise are good out of the box options! Try it for your draperies and shades! Lime Green Roman Shades from HunterDouglas might be just the right mood elevator you need for the winter blues!

And if you get stuck, let us know, we can help you achieve a look that is lasting, fresh, and impressionable (ahem, especially with our invaluable window treatments!) As always, happy decorating!

I don’t know about you, but I like small spaces sometimes, but only if the spaces are utilized in a functional, uncluttered, and of course STYLISH way!  Here are suggestions for a more functional, peaceful, stylish small space:

Mirrors:  Mirrors are very beneficial because they add a certain amount of depth to any room,especially if you place them across from a window, because they will reflect the outside light and bring more of it into your space.

Less is more:  This is a hard one for me sometimes, because I accumulate things-- gadgets, mementos, books, artwork, etc.  What do you do with it all in a small space? Well, you have the option of doing three things:  A. Toss it away, B. Give it away, or C. organize it so it does not look so cluttered and you know where to find it.

Focal point: Pick one or two focal points in a small space, and that could be your window and accessorizing it with draperies and shades, or it could be the beautiful antique dresser passed down to you through generations.  After this, keep the rest simple! This is important, you don’t want too much going on in a small space or it will start to feel like the room is consuming you, and who wants that?

Color 101: Choose vibrant, crisp and clear colors to emphasize your small room, this will make your room exude clarity and openness!  Just because your room is small doesn’t mean you have to be afraid of color. Experiment with color, it will lighten and freshen you up!

Windows, windows, windows, and windows:  Yes, that’s right, windows are ESSENTIAL!  We have window treatments that will emphasize your small space and bring it to life! 

Furniture:  Often times people think that they should have less furniture in a small room, and that may not always be the case. If you arrange furniture in a way that is still functional it can be just fine and add just the right amount of interest to the space.

If you should have any other concerns regarding your small space, please call us for more information!