Our DIY customers happen to have great taste and want something distinctive for their windows. This is especially true of our customers in metro areas like New York. Of all the window treatments available, nothing adds more design possibilities than roman shades. That’s why many New York designers recommend them for clients who want a one-of-kind, distinctive look. Roman shades are offered in two basic styles: flat fold and teardrop. Flat fold roman shades have a neater, more contemporary look that many New Yorkers prefer, while teardrop romans are more formal. No matter which style you prefer, you can have your shades made in an endless variety of fabrics offered through the manufacturer. Or, if you are working with an interior designer, you can access even more custom fabrics, trims and more through a designer workroom.
Other considerations for roman shades include the type of operation you need. The days of being limited to simple pull cords and cleats are gone. Today, your roman shades can be ordered with cordless lift and motorized lift and top down/bottom up options. In New York, cordless is popular because it provides a clean look that many people prefer. In addition, child safety is a concern for many people and cordless operation provides peace of mind for homeowners with children and pets. If your windows are high or hard to access, motorized roman shades offer the ultimate convenience, with one-touch remote control operation.
When choosing your fabric, the function of the room will determine the opacity level of the shade. Fabrics are available ranging from sheer to semi-sheer to semi-opaque and blackout. Blackout fabrics are the obvious choice for bedrooms, nurseries and media rooms where darkness is important. But if you want to keep your New York view in your living room, kitchen or other area, sheer and semi-sheer roman shades offer light filtering in several levels while still allowing some view-through. Semi-opaque and opaque fabrics will obstruct the view but provide more temperature insulation and protection against UV rays.
Decorative trims can help you customize the look of your roman shade. Most of the time, you will have to work through a designer for these types of accents, but if you are looking for a one-of-a-kind shade, beaded trims, cording and other accents can provide the added detail you want.