Annually, Budget Blinds® holds an Inspired Drapes® Design Contest to challenge our Style Consultants to take their design abilities in soft window treatments to the next level. The idea is for them to expand their horizons and design beautiful window treatments that could potentially win the first place and industry bragging rights!
Style Consultants from across the U.S. and Canada submitted their best designs for five categories—Combination Treatments, Curtains and Draperies, Decorative Hardware, Soft Shades, and Top Treatments. There were many contestants who entered and the first and second place winners were selected by a panel of industry judges. The winning designs are featured in the March/April issue of Window Fashion VISION magazine, a top publication for interior designers, window covering professionals and window fashion retailers.
Here are the winning designs from Budget Blinds’ third Inspired Drapes design competition:
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Combination Treatment, First Place: Budget Blinds of Boise, ID, Style Consultant Quent Blodgett
Pairing dark wood shutters with patterned drapery added depth and richness to the windows. Layering these two window treatments allow for complete control of light. Both window coverings can be opened for a full view of the outdoors.
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Combining two different treatments can be difficult but, when they are complementary of each other, it can create one beautiful window treatment. The
shade is done in a neutral color paired with stationary
panels hung from the ceiling to the floor, creating the illusion of height.
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This customer had windows wrapped around their living room and needed a way to cover them but still enjoy their view. They decided on glittery sheer fabric on the top portion with a modern leaf pattern on the bottom section of the drapery. These sheers protect the view while filtering the sunlight.
Covering tall windows can be difficult but adding long-length drapery can add richness to the windows. A major trend in drapery is using two complementary colors to create color–blocking which can coordinate with your room’s décor.
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This Kingston-style valance is hung by beautiful medallions. Decorative hardware comes in a wide selection from bonze knob rods to stained glass finals, adding the perfect finishing touch to the drapery top treatment.
Decorative hardware doesn’t always have to be on windows. Used here, it fills the awkward space between the window treatments. A curved crown mounted between two valances adds height to the room. Lace sheers hung from the crown and cascading to the floor create a regal look.
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To keep with the contemporary look, classic Roman shades in crisp white accented with teal banding coordinate with the patterned drapery panels and upholstered chair to enhance the home’s décor.
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Keeping up with the latest trends they used Roman shades in a soft golden-yellow geometric fabric that will block unwanted UV rays while adding softness to the room. Roman shades are available in elegant fabrics in a large variety of stripes, silks, patterns, and jacquards to match any style.
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This client wanted to have motorized drapery but wanted a top treatment to hide all the hardware. They came up with an idea to coordinate with the white drapery and created a design that incorporated metal as the focal point of the top treatment. It resulted in an amazing treatment.
This client wanted something different so their Style Consultant created an Art Deco-style cornice in white with gold trim and a stepped edge for a custom look. This design shows how a cornice can coordinate with the other furnishings in the room for an overall style statement.
Combination Treatment, First Place: Budget Blinds of Boise, ID, Style Consultant Quent Blodgett
