Put a Little Swag (and Jabot) In Your Life

The windows in any room can be a great focal point within the design of your home, so you need to take into consideration the space and existing furnishings and décor, while accentuating your windows and views.  A very versatile style of window treatment is the Swag and Jabot.  With just the right amount of fabric to draw your eye to the view, this style of treatment provides a beautiful compliment to any room’s décor.  If you are considering Swags and Jabots for your home, here are some tips for getting them just right! 

Swags and Jabot are a great style of window treatment that will compliment any size or type of window.  They can be customized to your taste with just about any type of fabric from formal patterns and textures to country designs.  These custom window treatments allow a good amount of light through the window, offering a beautiful frame of fabric, while leaving the window as open as you desire to maintain the view.  They also work beautifully with all types of shades for as much privacy as you desire. If you have a picture window or arch window in your home and are unsure of how to decorate it, Swags and Jabots are the perfect solution!

The Swag portion of this dynamic duo, is a decorative drapery treatment of folded fabric which hangs in a graceful curve and frames the top of a window.  And the Jabot is a decorative vertical end of an over-treatment that usually finishes a horizontal Swag.  Consider Swags and Jabots when you want to dress up your windows in your formal or contemporary room while preserving views of the great outdoors.

When it comes to hanging the Swags and Jabots there are many ways you can hang these beautiful window treatments.  As shown in the photo, you can use a decorative rod that allows the fabric to drape across it and hang down the sides.  Some homeowners like the look of a larger pocket rod with no exposed hardware.  Other options include cornice boards and even decorative hooks.  No matter what your preference is, we can help with all of the design, production and installation of your new Swag and Jabot valances.

Interiors by John Henry will measure your windows, provide fabric samples for your choosing from designer fabrics like Kravet, Robert Allen, Duralee and Norbar.  All of our window treatments are custom made for our clients and expertly installed in your home.  If you are still unsure of what type of window treatment will work best in your room or home, please contact Interiors byJohn Henry today for a consultation.

Your Home Your Design – Interior Decorating for Homes on the Beach

Living by the beach is calming, serene, breezy, sunny and peaceful.  Chances are if you own a beach home, you love the beach and the water.  Sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming to design a beach home without being “too literal”.  We are going to break it down simply to help you bring the beach into your home so that it is subtle and beautiful. 

·      Color:  Like we stated before the beach is calming, serene, peaceful and breezy.  Using creams, beiges, light greens and blues help to achieve a calm, cool feeling to your beach home.  Based on the psychology of color, blues and greens cause the body to produce chemicals that cause a calming sensation. Many of your windows may have incredible water views, so having the right colors and style of window treatments will preserve the view, while enhancing the warmth and feel of the space.

·      Texture:  The sand, the shells and the boardwalk all have a specific feeling and texture to them.  Touch is an important sense to focus on when decorating your home.  You want to engage your visitors with touchable fabrics and finishes, especially with your custom window treatments.  Textured furniture and accessories add visual interest to a space.  Adding wide planked wood floors bring the boardwalk into the home in a tasteful approach.

·      Light: Once again windows become the hero of the story, so taking in the beautiful view of the ocean and letting in light can be your motivation.  However, sometimes the afternoon sun can be a bit too much.  Adding the right custom window treatments will help to add some privacy and keep the sun at bay during the hottest time of the day, while allowing the light to brighten your space when you want.  Roll up shades of rattan or wicker adds texture to a room, but also provides a sufficient amount of shade to cool your home down at high noon.  Floor to ceiling grommet drapes on rods also provide shade, but can give a light airy feeling to a room when opened.  Custom cornices in a bold print will draw attention to your windows, while maintaining the open view.

·      Natural elements:  Soothing colors and wood-grain ceramic and porcelain tiles can make any bathroom feel warm and cozy.  Finishes in champagne bronze and oil-rubbed bronze bring richness to your bath.  Along with stone countertops and weathered wood vanities in grey tones like driftwood can make your home feel like a seashore getaway, no matter where it’s located.  Consider custom wood blinds to accent the textures of the counters or floors with motorized options to make opening and closing easy!

·      Don’t forget to finish it off:  All natural décor make the perfect finishing touches to your new oasis of relaxation.  Check out the readily available cotton linens for furniture and accent pillows and try some beeswax candles to set the mood.  Glass countertops and bamboo accessories are perfect for creating a luxurious atmosphere.

  

When decorating your home we find the most fun part for our clients are selecting the finishes for things like furniture, accent décor and custom window treatments.  There are many choices and materials that can make your home at the Jersey shore feel “beachy” on the inside in a subtle, suggestive way.  Interiors by John Henry has provided custom window treatment design, production and installation, as well as kitchen and bath remodeling services throughout New Jersey and New York. Please contact us today for more information on how we can help you design and decorate your home with the latest custom window treatment and décor trends.