Best Rules For Drapery Hardware

Ordinary Or Extraordinary?

The Drapery Hardware you choose to use in your room, or lack of, makes up much of the first impression one makes when entering the doors of your home. That first impression can either be ordinary or extraordinary depending upon your choice, and of course, your budget.

Home is where the heart is. It is where you go every day to express yourself and share your life with friends and loved ones. It's a reflection of who you are and what you are. The window coverings you place in your home display your personality, your style, and your fashion taste. But the Drapery Hardware tells whether it is common or amazing.

It doesn't matter the style. The drapery hardware you select tells the whole story. It is kind of like wearing a $400 suit with a $20 pair of shoes. Somehow, it just doesn't quite fit, does it? There is no comparison and no short cuts to quality. Either it's there, or it isn't.

I learned very young in my business life that I could get away with multitudes of styles and prices of clothing I wear, but you MUST have a good pair of shoes and a good handbag if you want to "look the look". It's ALL in the accessories, the foundation of everything. For your windows, it's the hardware.

That's the same story of discount drapery rods. Something to think about with your window treatment choices. If you have to choose either cheap fabric, cheap hardware, or cheap labor; ALWAYS, ALWAYS choose two out of three and go with the good hardware and the good labor! Skilled and talented labor can make a $10 fabric look like a million bucks with expertise and workmanship.

A great piece of hardware will make the cheapest of fabric look appropriate and well chosen. It might be Unique Knobs, Jeweltone or Crystal Finials, or simple Iron Finials & Components. However, the cheapest workroom and the cheapest hardware can make a $250 per yard fabric look worse than a $3 per yard fabric if not manufactured properly and displayed on cheap and poorly constructed hardware.

If your budget will not allow for both, then choose expert labor and have a Valance or Cornice over your treatments that is mounted on a board to hide the standard hardware. Nothing looks or functions worse than drapery rings and hooks or drapery clips that leave metal residue on the fabric, floor, and anything that gets in it's path; or that sticks when you are moving it in one direction or the other, or something snaps because of poor manufacturing standards and quality. Opt for quality first; this will take care of any flaws or imperfections you may find elsewhere. And, remember, there are good quality discount drapery hardware, too.

I remember a supplier that I used one time that had such inferior wrought iron drapery rods that my installers had to wear plastic gloves when installing. They then had to wash everything down before they could hang the light colored fabric drapes. All to no avail.

We ended up trashing that hardware and reordering from another more reputable vendor, and also paying for the carpet cleaning from the residue that traveled beyond the mats we had down. It was a costly mistake, but we only made that mistake one time.

Another time, we ordered very expensive decorative window covering hardware from a very reputable drapery hardware company. It was exquisite in the catalog and online. The samples given to me by the rep were also beautiful.

However, the packaging for shipping was so poor on the resin-based finials and brackets that by the time we received them, there were only 4 pieces out of 16 that we could use. This very reputable company would not let us return them OR give us credit for their sloppy packaging. The End for them, too. Just because it looks good online or in a magazine, doesn't make it quality.

Another costly mistake, but both those companies lost more business than they made on those two sales. Word travels fast in this industry. I'm still telling everyone I know about those two experiences, and I don't hesitate to let those names slip in conversation! And I am sure I'm not the only one who drops their name in conversations.

For every one like the two mentioned here, there are many, many companies out there that have a solid reputation for premium products and integrity as a company, that will provide products to complement your fabric choices and designed with true beauty and lasting quality. The choice of these drapery accessories and decor will grace any window with an understated strength. The reputations of ethical and fair companies are rising and have valued service and expertise in serving the drapery industry worldwide.

Whether it's cast iron, cast aluminum, or forged iron with clean, simple, yet sophisticated designs; unique, free-flowing satin lacquers of cast aluminum so popular in Europe; or the polyresin and hand finished resins in a variety of elegant antique finishes.

Or it may be the clean unadorned look and feel of the Arts and Crafts type, designs that indicate a turn back to simplistic and simple functionality. You will find curtain hardware versatile enough to complement a casual decor, or accentuate a formal elegant design.

Whatever your choice, it will speak highly of your decorative senses and style and add priceless first impression appeal to your home.

Pictures here are provided by Helser Brothers who have some of the most beautiful drapery hardware money can buy. It will always leave a lasting quality and statement. This is my personal preference in ALL drapery hardware; like drapery rings and hooks, drape clips, metal drapery hardware, finials, decorative drapery rods, and overall design and textures of all other companies. However, it is not without ticker-shock to some with a smaller budget or for those not looking for the hardware to make the statement or focal point of the window.

Whatever your taste, budget and decor, shop around for the hardware that fits both your budget AND your style; and don't be afraid to be adventurous. Look at some of the pictures on these following pages of the beautiful drapery hardware choices. Many here are at discount prices and will fit any budget. They will speak to you, and if you hear yourself questioning whether you should or not . . . just say YES!!! What do you have to lose?

Take a look through these pages of styles and design for anyone's budget. You can select from the menu below. DRAPERY HARDWARE MENU:

Contemporary Hardware - Your imagination is endless. Let it play among some of the finest decorative items on the market today. You can't go wrong with choices from here. These are among the most beautiful hardware treatments in the world.

Custom Drapery Hardware - Beautiful contemporary versatile hardware compositions to fill your every fantasy window. Wonderfully appointed detail and style for any decor. Pick your parts and put them together however you want for a truly custom look and designed by you personally.

Iron Drapery Hardware - Specialty designs from thinking outside the box, quality fixtures for your every desired window treatment with precision functionality.  What could be more beautiful in your home? 

Window Drapery Hardware Here you will find shopping online alternatives to good quality discount drapery hardware and accessories.

Discount Drapery Hardware This section will show you different uses for different discount drapery hardware. View the pictures there to gather ideas of your own for your project.

Drapery Accessories - Will it be too ornate? Will it look too plain? How do you choose the right trim and where do you place it? Don't be afraid to experiment with different options suggested here. Be creative and be original. You'll be happy you did.

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