A retired couple went more than 30 years without a single drapery. Here’s what happened to their rooms when we finally added them.
Some of my favorite clients have lived in their homes for decades. They raised their children there and hosted every holiday there, and over the years they filled the rooms with things they love. Nothing is wrong with the house. It just doesn’t feel as finished as it could, and they wonder whether fixing that means starting over.
In my experience, it rarely does.
A House With 30 Years of Stories
This couple built their home on Signal Mountain more than 30 years ago and raised their family in it. She has been an antiques dealer for many years, and you can tell the minute you walk in. Nothing here was ordered all at once to complete a look. Antiques sit beside newer pieces, and the vintage chandelier in the dining room is one of the finest I’ve ever seen.
They still loved the house. They just wanted to fall in love with it again.
Look for What’s Missing First
Before you replace anything, look at what isn’t there. In this home it was window treatments. Privacy was never an issue, so in 30 years there had never been a reason to hang them.
Once they went up, our client noticed the difference right away.
“We were so amazed at how each room warmed up with just the right window treatments, especially since we went over 30 years without! These beautiful window treatments exceeded our expectations, and working with you was such a delight!”
Homeowner, Signal Mountain
That warmth is what draperies do best. They soften hard lines and frame the view, and they give everything else in the room something to sit against.
Each Room Got Its Own Personality
In the dining room I wanted that chandelier to stay the star. Linen panels and light, airy roman shades in an unlined batiste hang on custom brass hardware, so the room feels softer without anything competing for attention.
The great room needed height. We hung tall linen blend panels on simple custom iron hardware to emphasize the ceilings and give her furnishings a backdrop worthy of them.
The primary bedroom wanted drama. We paired woven wood shades with green velvet draperies that puddle on the floor and carry the color-drenched walls all the way down.
The Easiest-Looking Details Take the Most Planning
That row of great room panels started as a hand-drawn sketch. No one sees how much we agonize over measurements and proportions, and that’s how it should be. When the planning is right and the install is done well, you walk into the room and think it has always looked this way.
A home you’ve lived in for 30 years has a history no new room can copy. Before you replace the things you’ve spent a lifetime collecting, ask whether they just need a better frame.
If your home is ready for a refresh, I’d love to come see it. October is a good time to start if you’d like everything in place before holiday guests arrive. Reach out to schedule a consultation, or see more of this project in our portfolio.
