The return of luxe window treatments?

Yes please to the return of luxe window treatments! But – no worries – I’m not talking about super formal treatments like this:

Although they certainly have their place:

Over the last fifteen years  it seems that window treatments have gone the way of the dodo. I remarked on this a few years ago when I photographed one of the Newburyport House tours I’ve been on. Almost all the houses were gray and lacking in window treatments. Were they still beautiful? Sure. But also – a little lacking in my view.

The Wall Street Journal had an article on this topic The Return of Luxurious, Traditional Drapes: How to Make Them Fresh, Not Fusty. They credit shows like Bridgerton for bringing back luxe window treatments.

Window treatments add color and warmth to a space. Also – personality. And they offer other benefits as well – not only light control but also sound control. I had dinner the other night at the new Bluefish River Tavern in Duxbury. The food was delicious – highly recommended. Have the scallops!

There has been a restaurant in this location for generations. It was The Milepost for a few decades and The Dory before that. And before that it was the site of a restaurant owned by one Mildred A. Pierce who may or may not have been the inspiration for the book and subsequent movie starring Joan Crawford.

(Side note – way back in 1976 my parents met the builder of our house in Duxbury when sitting at the bar of The Dory lamenting finding a suitable and affordable family home in town – kismet!)

Here’s a photo of what it looked like for many many years before the new owners renovated:

The update is fresh and inviting and the Edison Bulbs give off a warm and cozy feel in the evening – offsetting all the whitewashed woods. So – why am I talking about this on a post about window treatments? The restaurant is LOUD! With no carpet on the floors and no window treatments – there’s nothing to soak up the sound. Having been in this room many many times over the years – it’s a noticeable difference. Of course – I’m not suggesting overly fussy luxe window treatments – it wouldn’t suit the space.

But cute little cafe curtains in a sheer with a sweet tape trim detail wouldn’t go amiss.

More pretty please!

Here are a few AI assisted designs that I created to showcase some more luxe window treatments:

While this image above isn’t “ornate” it shows how even a calm neutral space will be warmed up by coordinating window treatments.

This beautiful window treatment is the epitome of “luxe” to me. The attention to detail – the coordination and matching trims on the box-pleated valance and drapery panels.

So – what do I mean by Luxe Window Treatments in today’s world?

• Attention to detail but not overly fussy
• Special touches like contrasting/complementing colors and trims
• Designs that suit the space they are in
• Functionality (sound, light and heat control as needed)

Going back to that Wall Street Journal article – if you read the comments – there’s push back (from people with no taste – sorrynotsorry) and negativity when it comes to luxe window treatments. But much seems to focus on them being dust catchers. Yes – everything collects dust. Fact. That’s why the good lord invented the person who invented the vacuum cleaner!

This image below was my parent’s dining room in their house on Cape Cod. They had this custom traditional swag and cascade window treatment in that window from around 1990 until I sold the house in 2014 after my Mom passed away.  Was it dated – sure. Did it collection loads of dust – nope! And they were smokers. Periodic cleanings did the trick.

So – what are your thoughts – are you ready embrace a more ornate and detailed version of a window treatment? Or are you still on Team Clean (and boring) Window?

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