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By Design: Windows are the eyes of a home
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Anonymous user Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments Everything goes out of style eventually — or so we thought.
Styles inevitably return. Remember those platform heels in the bottom of your closet?
So what about those styles that just never seem to die? Enter the curious, ingenious, strappy, tabby panels we know today and you, too, will be convinced that everything old can look new again. 
Ranging in fabrics from plush velvets and nubby cottons to sheer gauzy synthetics that are crinkled, crushed, or both, these terrific treatments can adapt to and enhance even the most difficult-to-treat windows.
Ready-made versions of these window treatments are available at many department and specialty stores and through catalogs. However, keep in mind that ready-made treatments are restricted as to the number of fabric choices, widths and lengths per treatment and usually involve using multiple panels on a single rod to achieve appropriate fullness.
Please allow me to introduce you to “custom” window treatments. Custom treatments mean your choices have broadened to include tens of thousands of fabrics, and they are designed specifically to fit your windows and your personality (no more “Cinderella syndrome” where you make them fit — or else!).
If you choose to contact a designer to have your window treatments designed specifically for you, you will be assisted in the fabric selection and style, providing you with an “original” treatment designed exclusively for you and your windows.
Custom treatments will expand your selection to include tied tabs with chunky knots, spaghetti-like tied tabs to drape gracefully over the rod, button tabs, top-stitched tabs, tabs with rings, tabs with clips, grommets and anything else you can imagine. Whew! As you can guess, there are hundreds of appealing choices.
One drawback (pardon the pun): some tab curtains do not move easily on rods. An acrylic wand can assist with this problem.
Decorative rods, brackets, holdbacks, clips and rings, once plain and unadorned, now come in many stylish and whimsical designs and are a wonderful way to complete your treatment.
Wait, we’re not through yet! If your windows don’t call for any of the above, there may be another custom window treatment in your future. Remember, your windows are the eyes of your home. Adorn them and they’ll give you years of lasting pleasure. 
E-mail Melissa at: GJHUTTON@aol.com
Melissa Hutton writes a regular interior design column for The Southwest Voice. She is an interior designer with Beladagio in the Stockdale Fashion Plaza.

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You are invited to join the designing women of Beladagio on Thursday, May 4, 6 to 8 p.m. for “Moms, Margaritas and Marigolds” as we welcome guest speakers Susie and Dean from Bolles Nursery who will instruct us on spring/summer planting. Bring a friend, celebrate with a frosty margarita and toast our moms! Beladagio is located in the Stockdale Fashion Plaza behind Outback Steakhouse.

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