Dear Joe:
I just got a great condo in the city with spectacular views! The windows in my unit run floor to ceiling. The only problem is that since the weather has turned colder, the cold air is leaking in through the windows. Since I'm so far up from the ground, that privacy has not been an issue. I have considered draperies, but am afraid of losing these wonderful views. Some people in the building are putting up different types of shades. I am wondering if that will help at all to cut down the drafts. What is your feeling?
Paul C.
Dear Paul:
I know this problem very well!
I constantly work with people in your situation. They love the wonderful views, but find that the large windows come up short in protecting them from the strong sunlight and cold air.
There are many different types of shades that will cut down or eliminate the glare of the sun. These include everything from pierced PVC panels, to mini blinds, to fabric shades. The problem with all of these is that there has to be certain allowance of space between the edge of the shade and the sides of the window frame. Cold air still seeps in through this space and the space between the bottom of the shade and the sill ( or floor ) .
The only way to completely seal off the room from drafts is to use draperies. The draperies should run from floor to ceiling and extend beyond the windows onto the walls by at least a few inches. This way you have actually shut down the room from all cold drafts. If you have generous wall space on wither side of the window, you may want to consider carrying the draperies far into these walls so that you get maximum amount of exposed window when the panels are open. If the entire wall is made of windows, you will need to run the drapery treatment wall to wall.
The draperies can be interlined or thermal lined for even stronger protection from the cold.
With windows the size that you are describing, I generally find that my clients don't really lose that much in terms of the view. Actually, the draperies soften the windows and frame the cityscapes quite nicely!
Dear Joe:
I'm trying to rework my bedroom. The look I want is contemporary and clean. I've always wanted a platform bed, but I have a limited space between the foot of the bed and dresser on the facing wall ( this is the only space large enough for the dresser ) . All of the beds that I have seen are too long. Any ideas?
Squeezed
Dear Squeezed:
If lack of space is a barrier, why not consider a wall-mounted headboard?
Start by using a standard bed frame, maybe the one you already have! The head of the frame will fit tight against the wall.
You can then build ( or have built ) a headboard and mount it over the head of the bed. This headboard can be in whatever shape or size that you want. A simple rectangle would work great for a contemporary feel. It could be very low for a sleek look, or very tall for more impact. The headboard can be made of many different materials such as wood or upholstered in materials like fabric or leather. The design possibilities are almost endless since you create the look that you want. Just be sure that the headboard is no more than a few inches thick so that it doesn't force the bed farther out into the room.
Choose a simple bedspread or coverlet to complete your look!
Please send your questions to jos.riceinteriors@att.net . In the subject box, fill in 'WCT Design.'
Joseph Rice is an interior decorator who offers full decorating services. With 25 years of experience, he specializes in 'hard to treat' windows. His Web site is www.josephriceinteriors.com . You can also reach him at 773-271-2361.