House Beautiful Windows proves that with the right inspiration, there are no bad choices, only many wonderful possibilities. From simple curtains sewn at home to elaborate affairs made in a professional workroom, here is an idea book of exquisite designs in every conceivable style: treatments that will open a room to a glorious view or keep it private; let in light or block it out; tame a large room or expand a small one; unify or complement or accent a room's decor. Seemingly difficult and elusive aesthetic issues about proportion, color, harmony, and balance are illuminated in more than 120 beautiful color photographs. The specific ways in which exceptional window dressings can be achieved are explored: the structural components, from curtain linings to curtain rods; the array of materials available; the decorative power of fancy hardware and dressmaker trim. The problem window - awkwardly placed, too large, too small - gets its own special section, and a chapter on craft celebrates designs of inventive brushwork, needlecraft, and handwork. House Beautiful Windows concludes with visits to four homes in this country and in Europe whose inventive or unusual approaches to window treatments deserve a special look.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Windows are the eyes of a house, and perhaps it is true that in them can be discerned its character and very soul. A grandly arched Palladian window, a small colonial saltbox window, a crystalline sweep of glass. The shape and proportion of each reflect the style of the house they adorn. From the inside, windows are vitally tied to the architecture, too. High ceilings, for example, are an open invitation to create rich swags, fancy pelmets, or a lush cascade of richly striped fabric, as French designer Denis Colomb did in the room pictured on the opposite page. But done-up windows can suffocate a room that has small dimensions or low ceilings. "Sometimes the best thing to do with a window is nothing at all," suggested legendary designer Billy Baldwin, underscoring the appeal of the undressed window. Elsie de Wolfe, America's first decorator, had a different set of requirements: curtains for privacy at night, and, by day, uncluttered panels filled with sunshine and appealing views. The art of window decoration certainly has its practical side in controlling light and affording privacy, but a beautiful window, de Wolfe was fond of saying, should be "such a gay, animate thing."
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ALL the House Beautiful books are a great resource!!,
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This review is from: House Beautiful Windows (Great Style) (Hardcover)
I own most of the House Beautiful books and I just love them!! This one has so many great ideas for people just moving into a new home and ready to design their own space, or for those just wanting to add to their already stylish surroundings. I have clips marking pages throughout all my books and the clips come off and change pages as time passes. It's amazing that I keep finding new ideas, every time I look at this book! I highly recommend these books to a novice, an expert, or anyone in between for decorating inspiration. Have fun!!
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