ECO-FRIENDLY WINDOW TREATMENTS

It goes without saying that a well-finished décor depends on a successful eco-friendly window treatment. How do you identify fabrics or fibers that will dress up your windows and help preserve the environment?

I am going to share some great ideas and tricks of the trade that I am sure will help you make or install your window treatments in keeping with a more eco-friendly environment for you and your family.

eco-friendly window treatments good for the environment I’m often asked by my clients, “But what are we going to do with the windows?” They have no ideas and especially don’t know where to start researching eco-friendly window treatment information.

The first question you must ask yourself is what will the room be used for? Is it a home theatre? A baby’s bedroom or for a parent who works the night shift and must sleep during the day? Is there a close neighbor who can see into the house? Do you like the sun coming in or overheating the room? This evaluation of the room’s needs will influence your choice.

Next, you should prepare a little file containing the following information which will help in your window treatment research:

• the style of the room’s furnishings;

• a little sketch of your window or French/patio doors which include the dimensions (openings without frames); or even better, tak a photo of them and note the dimensions directly on the picture;

• dimensions of frames and moldings;

• if relevant, include wall and ceiling colours as well as woods and furnishings;

• fabric coverings, cushions or such, if this applies

• include some decor magazine cutouts that represent your tastes;

• establish a budget and when shopping, inform the salesperson.

Certain stores specialize in this field and can easily guide you in choosing something that will fit your needs. Arriving prepared will save you a lot of stress and make choosing easier.

Personally, I work with the fabrics used in a room when choosing paint colour and other decorative elements. If the room has already been painted, it restricts your choice of fabrics.

Window treatments are also a reflection of your personality. Do not be influenced by a product because it is trendy or this month’s sales special. Window treatments can turn out to be expensive and are usually installed for quite a while so be sure to choose wisely taking time to think about how it will look when finished and if it will meet with your taste, needs and expectations.

ECO-FRIENDLY FABRICS FROM PLANT LIFE

Let’s look at a few plants whose natural fibers are transformed into fabrics which can be used in making our window treatments. These plants must also be certified to have been cultivated without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. You can refer to the site from OTA for 10 good reasons to go organic.

CANADIAN INDUSTRIAL HEMP

Canadian hemp plant Found growing on agricultural land, these are tall fast-growing annual plants that have an unusual appearance. They are a renewable, reusable and recyclable resource. Their stems are processed into very solid fibers used in paper, fabric, biocomposites and construction materials.

LINEN FIBER

Linen (flax) is an annual plant cultivated mainly for its fibers and oil-rich seeds. Rope, fabric and now construction material insulation can be made from its fibers. The fibers are found in the stem, between the bark and the wood. Flax has a rapid growth cycle of around only one hundred days and so can often be harvested more than once a year.

Kenaf fiber plant KENAF

This plant also known as deccan hemp resembles cotton. It is found mainly in humid tropical zones such as Southeast Asia, Central America or tropical regions of Africa.

JUTE

In tropical regions this plant is cultivated for its fibers. It is a 2 to 4 cm high bush whose rigid, fibrous stems were often used for making sacks and ropes. We now find it used in upholstery fabrics because of its coarse nap.

Ramie fiber plant RAMIE

This textile plant is from the nettle family and one of the oldest in use. It can be harvested up to 6 times a year and originates in the Far East. Its shiny fibers are long and very solid resulting in a material which resembles silk.

NATURAL FIBERS FROM ANIMALS

When it comes to natural fibers from animals, we get wool from sheep and alpacas, mohair and cashmere from a type of goat and angora from rabbits and goats.Silk, from cultivated silkworms, as well as wild silk or Tussah silk, from worms in their natural habitat, are certainly high-end natural fibers which provide a luxurious décor.

BAMBOO SHADES

The possibility of installing bamboo shades is a very interesting alternative. Many motifs and colours are available and can be adapted to multiple decors. They can be installed under sheers or curtains to create a little more intimacy and block excess light from the room.

Eco-friendly baby nursery interior design.

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ECO-FRIENDLY WINDOW TREATMENTS


HOME Welcome ABOUT ME ARTICLES CONTACT US PRIVACY POLICY WHAT'S NEW COLOR TREND Informations GOING GREEN DECLUTTER DECLUTTERING GREEN APPLIANCES Green interiors BABY NURSERY BATHROOM CLOSET HOME OFFICE KITCHEN Green materials COUNTERTOPS FLOOR COVERS PAINT WINDOW TREATMENT [?]Subscribe To This Site	ECO-FRIENDLY WINDOW TREATMENTS It goes without saying that a well-finished décor depends on a successful eco-friendly window treatment. How do you identify fabrics or fibers that will dress up your windows and help preserve the environment? I am going to share some great ideas and tricks of the trade that I am sure will help you make or install your window treatments in keeping with a more eco-friendly environment for you and your family. I’m often asked by my clients, “But what are we going to do with the windows?” They have no ideas and especially don’t know where to start researching eco-friendly window treatment information. The first question you must ask yourself is what will the room be used for? Is it a home theatre? A baby’s bedroom or for a parent who works the night shift and must sleep during the day? Is there a close neighbor who can see into the house? Do you like the sun coming in or overheating the room? This evaluation of the room’s needs will influence your choice. Next, you should prepare a little file containing the following information which will help in your window treatment research: • the style of the room’s furnishings; • a little sketch of your window or French/patio doors which include the dimensions (openings without frames); or even better, tak a photo of them and note the dimensions directly on the picture; • dimensions of frames and moldings; • if relevant, include wall and ceiling colours as well as woods and furnishings; • fabric coverings, cushions or such, if this applies • include some decor magazine cutouts that represent your tastes; • establish a budget and when shopping, inform the salesperson. Certain stores specialize in this field and can easily guide you in choosing something that will fit your needs. Arriving prepared will save you a lot of stress and make choosing easier. Personally, I work with the fabrics used in a room when choosing paint colour and other decorative elements. If the room has already been painted, it restricts your choice of fabrics. Window treatments are also a reflection of your personality. Do not be influenced by a product because it is trendy or this month’s sales special. Window treatments can turn out to be expensive and are usually installed for quite a while so be sure to choose wisely taking time to think about how it will look when finished and if it will meet with your taste, needs and expectations. ECO-FRIENDLY FABRICS FROM PLANT LIFE Let’s look at a few plants whose natural fibers are transformed into fabrics which can be used in making our window treatments. These plants must also be certified to have been cultivated without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. You can refer to the site from OTA for 10 good reasons to go organic. CANADIAN INDUSTRIAL HEMP Found growing on agricultural land, these are tall fast-growing annual plants that have an unusual appearance. They are a renewable, reusable and recyclable resource. Their stems are processed into very solid fibers used in paper, fabric, biocomposites and construction materials. LINEN FIBER Linen (flax) is an annual plant cultivated mainly for its fibers and oil-rich seeds. Rope, fabric and now construction material insulation can be made from its fibers. The fibers are found in the stem, between the bark and the wood. Flax has a rapid growth cycle of around only one hundred days and so can often be harvested more than once a year. KENAF This plant also known as deccan hemp resembles cotton. It is found mainly in humid tropical zones such as Southeast Asia, Central America or tropical regions of Africa. JUTE In tropical regions this plant is cultivated for its fibers. It is a 2 to 4 cm high bush whose rigid, fibrous stems were often used for making sacks and ropes. We now find it used in upholstery fabrics because of its coarse nap. RAMIE This textile plant is from the nettle family and one of the oldest in use. It can be harvested up to 6 times a year and originates in the Far East. Its shiny fibers are long and very solid resulting in a material which resembles silk. NATURAL FIBERS FROM ANIMALS When it comes to natural fibers from animals, we get wool from sheep and alpacas, mohair and cashmere from a type of goat and angora from rabbits and goats.Silk, from cultivated silkworms, as well as wild silk or Tussah silk, from worms in their natural habitat, are certainly high-end natural fibers which provide a luxurious décor. BAMBOO SHADES The possibility of installing bamboo shades is a very interesting alternative. Many motifs and colours are available and can be adapted to multiple decors. They can be installed under sheers or curtains to create a little more intimacy and block excess light from the room. Eco-friendly baby nursery interior design. 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