Antlers: Trend or timeless?

Looking at a variety of  recent design sources supports the view that antlers are a huge style statement.    While always part of rustic country design, antlers and antler motifs seem to have crossed all design boundaries to the point where you see them everywhere. 

Spectacular lighting from Yellow Goat Custom Lighting

Right now I have reached the saturation point, and whenever I see antlers my reaction is usually utter boredom. Hopefully I will recover  because I love their sculptural  form and representation of  the passage of time and natural cycles.  I draw the line at their trophy history- no mounted heads for me.

 Moose antlers aging in the sun

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Several years ago my friend found a lovely pair of moose antlers in the woods near my summer house and dragged them home for me. They are still weathering to a lovely grayish white. While I was excited initially with this gift, I am reticent to jump on the antler bandwagon.  If I wait long enough the trend will pass, like all trends, and antlers will be new again. 

I guess you could say I am very fussy about how they are used in decor.  I think the trick is to mix them with other objects  in simple vignettes  with a natural focus where their sculptural qualities can shine and direct the collected composition. In this  understated way they will always be timeless. So here are my four ways to use antlers for a fresh look.

 As a sculptural element

White on white accentuates antlers sculptural quality

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These antlers are the perfect shape to use with the other elements in this vignette. They mimic  the branches and provide an interesting backdrop for the cylindrical shapes. 

Simple arrangements  allow the form to show

What could be more interesting than branching shapes against a dark base?  Less is always more. 

 

As a design anchor

Antlers and candles in a vignette

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There's no doubt that the branching quality of antlers makes them a perfect form to arrange objects along an interesting line.There are all sort of images online with candles interspersed among antlers. You could also use small groupings of wildflowers instead of candles.

As a pivot point

Adding interesting lines in a vignette

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Who knew that antlers can actually add a note of elegance when combined with equally elegant objects?  They are great for moving your eye around in different directions encouraging you to take in all elements of a vignette.

As functional objects 

Antler candleholders

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These are truly exquisite and would look good anywhere.

Add to planters

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Antlers would make a great natural additions to a planter when you have vines or other plants that will grow along a shape.

What's  your take on antlers?  Do you have any in your decor?

Current trends in window treatments

 So what are the  current trends in window treatments?  The key words are simplicity and minimalism with an emphasis on crisp, clean lines. Gone are the days of heavy draped effects using jabots and swags; tab curtains or gathered valances. If you are wondering if  any type of valances are still in style this post will answer the question. 

Not a lot has changed since I wrote this post in early 2012.  Because it is so popular with my readers I thought I would add updates that reflect 2015 choices.  You might also like to check out Choosing Drapery Hardware.

 Layering

While layering is  popular, the overall look remains clean, and the palette is usually consistent for both treatments.  Blending colours rather than contrasting ones work best when you want to layer treatments. Any type of blind can be used under drapes for a layered look.

Layering drapes over woven blinds

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Layering drapes and Roman shade in bay window

Apartment Therapy

 This is an interesting look with drapes and two romans with the outer printed one stationary  I suspect. I am not a lover of the partial rod because it creates a chopped look and I never choose dark rods with light drapes because the rod becomes the dominant feature as it is above. You can purchase rods with elbows that allow you to span the width of a bay window. This is a much more finished look.


Pattern is hot
When you look through new fabrics you are bound to notice that textures and patterns abound. You can't go wrong with geometric patterns, trellis designs, large scale florals, bold colours, whimsical motifs etc.

Geometric designs are always popular

Stripes never go out of style

Floral patterns on light backgrounds are very popular

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Banding
Vertical or horizontal banding is very popular and adds beautiful detailing and interest to any plain drape. You can add banding to good advantage if you want to add visual height or width to a space.

 

Vertical banding to match duvet

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 Horizontal banding

 
Lisa Ferguson via Houzz

Wider drapes

Visual width added by mounting drapes beyond the window frame

Interior Design-Decoration Ideas

 Overall, drapes are  getting longer and wider to accommodate the trend to make windows appear larger in scale which is a trending look right now.  Lush materials like velvet and silk add to this look.

Tone on tone
The window treatments in the room below are simple, harmonious with the walls, and allow the view and the room to shine.  When deciding the colour of your drapes you should first consider the look/feel you want in your space.  If you want restful, choose solid colour with texture and keep to the colour tones in the room.

 Tone on tone draperies  for a restful look

 Rosemarie V. DiSalvo

Longer, looser pleats (5-6 inches)
While on a recent trip to Europe I noticed that pleats are getting softer and longer to provide a more contemporary and less formal feel in a room. There are many different headings to choose from to get the look you want .

Longer pinch pleat

You can't beat pinch pleated drapes.  They continue to be the industry standard for elegance. Pinch-pleated drapes characteristically retain their shape, maintaining a consistent appearance opened or closed and hang beautifully. 

Long looser pencil pleat

Long inverted (back) pleat

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Cleaner look in headings

 
The inverted  box pleat (back pleat), my personal favourite,  is a soft but tailored look for modern decor.  It has been replacing pinch pleat styles when a more clean contemporary feel is required. Lighter colours and tone on tone add  softness to home decor.

Inverted back pleat is contemporary and tidy

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Grommets have been around for  a number of  years and are definitely  still in vogue.  While some grommet drapes can look very informal, it is possible to have a more styled look too.  The banded grommets below are a great example.

 For grommets to look "lush" you need at least 7 or 8 folds at the top.  That means purchasing two sets of ready made panels or have custom fully closing ones. .If you plan to open and close grommet panels daily be warned that you will spend a lot of time fiddling to adjust them so they hang nicely. 

 Tineke Triggs via Houzz

Updated Sheers

Yes, sheers are still popular, but they are a world away from the fussy, frilly and lacy ones that the word sheer brings to mind. The "new" sheers have subtle iridescence and are interwoven with unexpected materials, or have embossed or printed patterns or contemporary headings as in the room below.

Contemporary look in sheers

Houzz 

Layered drapes over sheers with contemporary headings are still popular

Lisa Stevens & Company, Inc.

Printed/textured sheers add interesting light play

Global Living

Roman Shades

Roman shades continue as a  favourite for contemporary homes.   Who can resist their clean lines and  the options for amazing patterns?  Because they are a flat construction the fabric needed is much less than full drapes.  This allows you to upscale your fabric choice and make a real statement.  I can't say enough about Roman shades because they are my personal favourite.  Their flat surfaces are almost picture like and work especially well in kitchens, eating areas and bathrooms.

Roman shade with valance

House Beautiful

 A bold patterned Roman on patio doors

 Houzz

A more traditional Roman with banding

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Metal Blinds Return

Who thought we would see a resurgence in metal blinds?  It's driven by the popularity of stainless appliances, and other metals especially bronze in an industrial style loft living.

Metal blinds for lofts and contemporary spaces

 Kirch Blinds

Woven Wood Shades
The trend to more eco-friendly materials has prodded this design aesthetic along. most are made from sustainable materials including: grasses, sisal, reeds or  bamboo. 

 Woven wood blinds come in many colours

Red River Interiors

Cellular shades

Cellular shades offer great versatility

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Cellular shades are one of the most versatile window treatments available today.  They can be hung by themselves for a very contemporary look or layered with other treatments and provide additional insulation for your windows.  Options for cordless, corded, remote and top down/bottom up round out this very popular window treatment.

RollerShades 

Hunter Douglas patterned 

Modern and room darkening 

Roller blinds/shades are sleek, simple and very functional and economical as well.  I can think of no other window treatment that solves as many problems as the roller blind:

• they fit into tight quarters;
• can be used as an inside or outside mount;
• look great layered in a more traditional style or stand alone;
• are available in a  range of opacities from room darkening to almost sheer, and a range of colours;
• choose from plain, patterned or textured;
• are available in materials that are wipeable making them perfect for kitchens and bathrooms.
  
  

So many options for today's windows.  All you have to do is decide which works in your home.  Do you have favourite window treatments?