Illuminate with Drapery Hardware

In the Middle Ages, all books were hand-written original works of art. These "illuminated" manuscripts were so called because of their frequent incorporation of gold or sometimes silver leaf onto the page. Illumination comes from the Latin word illuminare,

meaning “light up.”

Just as manuscripts illuminated a piece of paper during the Middle Ages, drapery hardware can light up a room of modern design. Long ago, these illuminations were available only to the wealthy and considered a luxury. Affording illuminate accents for your decor today have been made easy and accessible to everyone.

Finestra Square Pole in Gold Leaf with Bronze Square Rings

http://www.finestradecorativehardware.com/07_square.asp

Rise above the Ordinary...

Illumination occurs when accent pieces are chosen wisely to coordinate with the design. The photo shown above is a perfect example of using drapery hardware to "light up" your design. As you can see, the bright gold leaf was not used on both the poles and the rings. This would have caused it to either fade away into the background or create a "bright light" detracting from the cohesion of modern design. Instead, this designer used the bright gold leaf with an accent of blackened bronze to tie the finishes of the room together, and to incorporate the varying textures and patterns placed throughout the room.

Other ways to illuminate your designs are through accents of furniture, lighting, fabrics, mirrors, and wall coverings.

When used sparingly, gold and silver leaf accents become conduits for illuminous texture.

Polka Dots in Design

Polka dots are fun! Usually when we think about using polka dots in design; we think of a child's room. Polka dots first became popular on clothing in Britain in the late 19th Century and were associated more often than not with designs for children. These patterns consisting of circles can be used on any variety of decorative objects: bedding, floor covering, fabrics, wall covering, lighting, drapery treatments and even drapery finials.

Finestra offers a hand painted "polka dot option" on all sizes of our plain ball finial. They are offered to fit 1 3/8", 2", and 3"D poles. There are 12 colors in our Children's Palette to choose from: 6 pastel colors and 6 primary colors. The color combinations and effects are endless!

Don't see a color that coordinates with your design? No problem! Choose any Ben Moore or Sherwin Williams paint color and we will purchase the paint and customize your finials, poles and brackets for you!

Using the Children's Color Palette can also be helpful when accenting polka dots as seen above. This bed corona was constructed with Firma-flex and has three of the Finestra button swirl finials on top to accent the polka dot fabric in a whimsical way.

For more information on Finestra's Children's Collection, Click Here

Installing Button Borders

Button Borders are a fabulous new way to accent your draperies, pillows, bedding and fashion accessories! Here are a few tips for easy installation...

Button Borders work with any #60 or #75 button form or pin clasp.

The upholstered button will need to be tacked to the border by using fringe adhesive or a glue gun. Fringe adhesive is shown here and may be the quickest way to attach the borders.


Place button inside border rim.


Clamp together or lay flat to dry.



Supply List

Information on Fringe Adhesive

Purchase Button Borders online

For more Embellishment Designs

Button Forms

New Button Borders and Tassels for 2011

Bring luxurious details to pillows, drapery panels, valances and more with Finestra Decorative Hardware Button Embellishments, Button Borders, and Tassels. All new designs are offered in three custom hand finishes of Theatre Antique Gold, Old World Gold, and Pewter.

For new collections Click Here

A Drapery Hardware Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the warehouse,

production was stirring, meeting install dates for every house.

The embellished stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

Custom Cast Window Treatment by Finestra

In hopes that the installer soon would be there;

Custom painted Finials by Finestra

The children were nestled all snug under their finial topped beds,

While visions of multi-colored tassels danced in their heads,

And Mama in her gray gown (because gray is the new black) and I in my cap,

Had just settled down from a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn their arose such a clattter,

Upholstered Headboard with Finestra finials and poles


I sprang from my upholstered bed to see what was the matter.

Finestra square pole treatment

Away to the window with decorative panels I flew like a flash,


Rowley Swing Door Treatment with Finestra Button Borders

Opened the swing-door treatment and threw up the sash.

The Finestra Moon hold back on the breast of a new-fallen snow

Gave lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a workroom of elves on a sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be the installer, Nick.

Ragsdale Collection Eagle Finial

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted and called them by name;

"Now Designer! now Seamstress! now Upholsterer, and Vixen!

On, Fabricator! on, Architect! on, Artist and Blitzen!

In between the top of the molding! to the top of the wall!

Now, install away! install away! install away all!"

Designing Christmas

Designing Christmas and holiday decor is just as important as designing rooms and interiors throughout the year. Holiday decor follows the same techniques and trends we use every day in the world of design. Coordinating colors, hues and textures tie a room together to create an astounding impression.

Tassels by Finestra Decorative Hardware

Eye-Candy

Holiday design is all about aesthetics. Pulling the theme of your room through to your holiday design is one way to accentuate and create heightened drama. For instance, a wreath designed out of peacock feathers (as shown at the top of page) not only adds texture to a space, but also lends itself well to an avian inspired room theme.

Linear movement within your design visually pulls the eye through the treatment. Accents that are thin or long in shape are part of this year's trend in holiday design. These "linear" embellishments include tassels (as shown above), icicles, ribbon, and crystals.

Star Medallions by Finestra Decorative Hardware
Mary McDonald's Ribbon Tree with Peacock Topper - Veranda

Over-the-top Toppers

The design mantra over the past few years has been "Less is more". That is not the case for Christmas Tree Toppers...More is better! And, re-using the previous year's topper is perfectly apropos. Just add to it, on top of it, around it, etc. Accents in ribbons, wire, feathers, tassels and netting are ways to accentuate the top and most illustrious part of the tree.

Sparkle
Over sized ornaments are key in highlighting your holiday theme. These invariably can add the "sparkle" to your design and follow this year's top design finishes of matte golds, platinum silvers, and natural patinas. Decorative sprays are also a good way to add texture and metallic accents of platinum, matte gold and copper.

Avian Design Inspirations

Birds, Birds, Birds everywhere! The avian design theme has been an emerging trend in home decor and fashion. Historically, birds have been symbols of majesty, mystery, power, immortality, virtue, and even longevity of life.

In the fashion and design world, these symbols of nature translate into fabrics, wall coverings, and even drapery hardware. The bird motif has deeper meaning than just beautiful colors and stark contrasts. They have become symbols of hope, enlightenment, and new beginnings.

Drapery hardware finials by Finestra are a perfect way to tie the avian design theme into a room. Pull the motif out of fabrics, wall coverings or even inspiration from the great outdoors!

Carolina Wren Drapery Hardware by NR Designs