Window Dressings: Beautiful Draperies & Curtains for the Home [Hardcover]

Brian Coleman (Author), William Wright (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 13, 2006

Windows are an integral part of the design and structure of a room. In his newest book, Window Dressings: Beautiful Draperies and Curtains for your Home, author Brian Coleman explores stunning window décor from Palm Beach to Seattle to New York, created by some of the country's most respected designers. Showcasing a wide variety of styles and decorating philosophies, Window Dressings reveals how to successfully create the right look for any window in the house.
Featuring the work of renowned designers in locations including Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, and Florida, Window Dressings makes it easy to find the right look and style. The importance of good curtain and drapery construction is discussed, with illustrations documenting the patterns and designs. Beautiful hand-painted watercolors accompany the photographs, making it easy to distinguish the specific details of each design. A comprehensive glossary helps explain terms that can be confusing, from gimp to galloons! And an extensive resource guide lists designers and window workrooms around the country. Window Dressings is a must for anyone with windows, as both a source of inspiration and practical advice, no matter what style or period the home.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Window Dressings Beautiful Draperies and Curtains for your Home Brian Coleman Photographs by Bill Wright Windows are an integral part of the design and structure of a room. In Window Dressings: Beautiful Draperies and Curtains for Your Home, Brian Coleman explores stunning window décor from Palm Beach to Seattle to New York, created by some of the country's most respected designers. Showcasing a wide variety of styles and decorating philosophies, Window Dressings reveals how to successfully create the right look for any window in the house.
Featuring the work of renowned designers in locations including Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, and Florida, there's are styles and colors to suit practically every taste. The importance of good curtain and draper construction is also discussed, with beautiful hand drawings helping to classify and identify specific details of many of the designs.
A comprehensive glossary helps explain terms from gimp to galloons that are often confusing, from gimp to galloons. And an extensive Resource Guide lists designers and window workrooms around the country.
Whether it's a traditional living room with a mullioned bay window, a formal dining room with French doors, or just a small bedroom with a single window tucked under the eaves, Window Dressings: Beautiful Draperies and Curtains for Your Home is the source of inspiration and practical advice that can help.
Brian D. Coleman, M.D., is a practicing psychiatrist in Seattle, Washington. Also an old-house enthusiast, he has grown his love for historic restoration into an active second career. He has written numerous articles on historic home design for magazines ranging from Old House Journal to Period Living in the United Kingdom and is the West Coast editor for Old House Interiors. Brian is the author of Extraordinary Interiors: Decorating with Architectural Salvage and Antiques, Detail: How to Decorate with Architectural Salvage and Antiques, Scalamandré: Luxurious Home Interiors, Classic Cottages, Vintage Victorian Textiles and The Victorian Dining Room. He divides his time between New York and Seattle.

About the Author

Brian D. Coleman, MD, divides his time between Seattle and New York. His articles have appeared in magazines ranging from Old House Journal, where he is the West Coast editor; to Period Living in the U.K. Brian is the author of seven books on the decorative arts, including the recent titles Farrow & Ball and Cottages.

William Wright, a commercial photographer since 1984, specializes in architectural assignments. Born and raised on Long Island inNew York, Bill moved to Seattle in 1987, where he now lives with his wife, Pauline. Along with projects commissioned by architects and interior designers, his photography has been featured in numerous publications including Sunset, Old House Interiors, Romantic Homes, Victorian Homes, and SeattleHomes and Lifestyles. His work can be viewed at www.williamwrightphoto.com.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Gibbs Smith; 1 edition (April 13, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586858165
• ISBN-13: 978-1586858162
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #476,144 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brian D. Coleman, MD, divides his time between Seattle and New York. His articles have appeared in magazines ranging from Old House Journal, where he is the West Coast editor; to Period Living in the U.K. Brian is the author of seven books on the decorative arts, including the recent titles Farrow & Ball and Cottages.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely beautiful!, April 2, 2007

By 

Gale - See all my reviews

This review is from: Window Dressings: Beautiful Draperies & Curtains for the Home (Hardcover)

I own many window treatment books, and this is one of my top favorites. It is definitely full of high-end draperies with an up-to-date look. I actually know one of the professional seamstresses and everything she does is to perfection! I bought it on the recommendation of someone else and couldn't have been happier. Lots of gorgeous fabrics dripping with the best of tassels and trims. You won't be disappointed!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Just not what I was looking for, March 10, 2007

By 

Tracy Fuller (Lubbock, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Window Dressings: Beautiful Draperies & Curtains for the Home (Hardcover)

Although, the photography is lovely, I was hoping for a more diverse array of styles. The styles represented a lot of "East Coast" looking window treatments that are quite lovely and "fussy" but not styles that work well in my part of the country with high ceilings and less historical architecture.

Tracy Fuller

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Takes my breath away, August 12, 2007

By 

Candace Morris (Arvada, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Window Dressings: Beautiful Draperies & Curtains for the Home (Hardcover)

This is a fabulous book with over 150 pages of color plates showing creative variations on draperies, swags, shades, pleats, jabots, trims, hardware, and color combinations by top window treatment designers. Photographs always include both a helpful closeup of the key element as well as a full view of the treatment as part of the room's theme. It also includes a glossary of terms and an extensive resource guide at the end. It's the best book I have on current day treatments covering a variety of traditional and contemporary styles.