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Letting In The Light
05/27/2009 - By Anna Maria Mannarino
Mannarino Designs Inc.
Holmdel
(732) 741-1444
www.mannarinodesigns.com
Q – Besides changing the paint color, what recommendations do you have to brighten up a small drab room?
A – Let in the light! The easiest way to open up a small room is to choose a window treatment that allows as much natural light to come in as possible. Without question, any room lacking light and some visible connection to the outside, will inevitably feel closed-in…no matter what the size.
While dressing up a window with beautiful fabrics and styles can certainly enhance a room, it is important to consider what your needs are before deciding on the design of the treatment. Is this an area where privacy might be an issue? Does this space require added protection from strong sun? If either of these are the case, you should start with a shading system. However, try to select something that doesn’t totally block out light, but instead, permits light to filter in.
One option is a sheer fabric shade. This will give you the practicality of a blind, with a soft filtered effect that produces a warm glow and diffuses harsh incoming light. Another option could be a bamboo or woven wood shade. Usually offered in roman-fold and roll-up styles, most of these come with privacy liner options that can be pulled down when you need them. Both the sheer fabric shade and the woven woods allow light to filter thru and are beautiful alone or with other treatments. Whenever possible, mount the shades inside the window jam instead of on the molding. This recessed installation will help create a more open feeling. You might also consider a top/down, bottom/up feature which will enable you to drop the top of the shade while ensuring privacy where you need it most.
In situations where a shade is not required, or if you are adding to a shading system, keep other treatments simple. Heavy fabrics, too much layering, cumbersome designs and bold patterns can overwhelm a small space. Consider a style that is a bit tailored and choose light fabrics in tones that are close to the wall color. Monochromatic palettes can open up a room significantly.
Of course, appropriately scaled furniture and well placed, uncluttered accessories also play an important role; but a well chosen window treatment, bringing the outside in, can do wonders in transforming a small, gloomy space into something open and inviting.
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Anna Maria Mannarino is an Interior & Event Designer and is an Allied Member of the American Society of Interior Designers. Her company, Mannarino Designs, Inc., has transformed spaces from Cape May to Cape Cod.
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